The Tiên Công Shrine is
built next to the Cẩm La Commune People's Committee, in the Yên Hưng
District. The ancient shrine was
rebuilt during the third year of Emperor Gia Long’s reign (1804),
and since then has undergone many restorations. The shrine is
dedicated to the cult of the 19 founding fathers, who built dykes on
the sea, creating the island of Hà Nam with its seven communes. The shrine was built
according to the Chinese character "nhi" (=) which consists
of a three-compartment and two lean-tos in the Front Ceremonial
Hall, a three-compartment in the Back Sanctuary. The carving alter,
stone stele, parallel sentences which marked the Nguyễn Dynasty. Festivities at the shrine
take place annually on the seventh day of the first lunar month. Formerly, the island was a
submerged alluvial beach at the mouth of the Bạch Đằng River. In
1434, 19 elderly people born in the Hoài Đức District arrived here
in search of a new land. They based themselves on the earthen roads
above the water level, and together with the local fishing people,
built the dykes.
