The walls surrounding the two gates of the communal house are decorated with various reliefs of sacred creatures such as tigers, unicorns (ky lân), and dragons. The Vietnamese communal house is a traditional architectural form that preserves many distinctive artistic characteristics, rich national spirit, and strong folk identity, while being less influenced by foreign elements compared to other types of ancient Vietnamese architecture in the feudal period. At the center stands the image of the Tiger (Ông Hổ), a sacred guardian closely associated with Phong Phu Communal House, depicted with strength and dignity. The system of paintings and reliefs on the walls further enhances the solemn and respectful atmosphere of traditional communal house architecture.

Passing through the communal house gate, visitors are greeted by a spacious and airy courtyard surrounded by ancient trees such as sao, dau, sen, and den den, many of which are hundreds of years old. The communal house also functions as a public folk architectural structure, serving as the political and social center of the village—the basic living unit of Vietnamese society before the August Revolution. A French scholar named Girang once wrote that this was “the place where all events of Vietnamese social life take place.” The dense green canopies reflect the villagers’ wish for the enduring existence of the community through generations. Surrounding the communal house are sturdy red-fired brick walls, symbolizing resilience and quietly preserving the calm beauty of bygone eras.

The White Horse symbolizes good luck, wealth, smooth progress in life and work, as well as loyalty and dedication on one’s life journey. The communal house belongs to the category of religious and belief-based architecture, as it is the place where the Tutelary God (Thành Hoàng) is worshipped—the spiritual protector of each traditional Vietnamese village in pre-modern society. The white horse statue, nearly two meters tall, is placed prominently in the main sanctuary, contributing to the sacred and dignified atmosphere.

At the center of the courtyard stands a rockery representing natural scenery, with high mounds and deep streams arranged to create a harmonious yin–yang balance. The fish pond here carries feng shui meanings of attracting wealth and positive energy. Beneath the pond is a turtle statue (Quy), symbolizing ecological balance. The presence of greenery and water creates a cool, gentle atmosphere, offering moments of peace and reflection for visitors. Surrounding the area are three small shrines, further enhancing the solemnity of the communal house space.

This stone stele was erected to preserve and remind later generations of the cultural and moral teachings of the past. It was added after Phong Phu Communal House was officially recognized as a historical relic in 1993. The stele serves as a means of educating local traditions and is also a popular spot for visitors to take commemorative photographs.

The Vo Ca House is the main performance space of the communal house courtyard, serving as a stage for rituals, ceremonies, and traditional performances such as classical opera during major festivals. This structure is not part of the original late-19th-century architecture but was built later during restoration periods in the 20th century. Designed with an open layout on all four sides and a high roof, it can accommodate large crowds and support traditional rituals. It also functions as a “community interaction space” and is an indispensable architectural element in traditional Southern Vietnamese communal houses.

Like many ancient Vietnamese communal houses, Phong Phu Communal House still preserves the Tiger screen wall. According to folk beliefs, people believed that invisible spirits and forces existed in the human world; therefore, the Tiger shrine was often placed in front of the communal house. The Tiger symbolizes strength and authority, serving to guard the sacred space, ward off negative energy, and protect the communal house.

A distinctive feature compared to many other Southern communal houses is the shrine dedicated to Than Nong, the Agricultural Deity. He is revered as the god who taught people how to cultivate the land, sow seeds, and harvest crops. Under his protection, villagers pray for prosperity, abundant harvests, and the continued development of agriculture. Worshipping Than Nong clearly reflects the close connection between local residents and wet-rice civilization, as well as their gratitude toward nature.

The Five Elements belief is a characteristic form of folk worship, represented by the veneration of five deities symbolizing Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. Ancient people believed these elements formed the universe and were closely connected to human life. Worshipping the Five Elements expresses the desire for balance and harmony between humans and nature, stability in life, favorable seasons, and smooth progress in all endeavors.

Inside the sanctuary, pillars, beams, and frames are made of precious wood and intricately carved with dragon and phoenix motifs. At the center stands the altar of the Tutelary God (Thanh Hoang Bon Canh), who is worshipped and revered by the local people. On both sides are auxiliary altars dedicated to village founders and those who contributed to establishing the community. Despite the destruction of many ancient architectural works due to time and war, traditional communal houses with strong folk identity have survived in many regions. The sanctuary space always conveys a solemn and ancient atmosphere, filled with incense during festivals. Every detail—from lighting and arrangement to carvings—reflects the people’s deep respect for deities and local cultural traditions. In the past, the Nguyen Dynasty granted this place a royal decree (Sac Than). Beneath the altar once existed a secret underground shelter used by revolutionary soldiers, which has since been sealed.

Finally, the secret tunnel system once extended across the “Six Swamp Communes” area and played an important role during the resistance wars. According to local documents and oral accounts, the tunnel previously stretched through many areas, but due to time and later renovations, only more than 100 meters remain today. This tunnel once served as a safe hiding place for revolutionary soldiers, helping preserve forces and maintain operations during difficult periods. Taking advantage of the familiar religious setting, local people secretly brought food and supplies to the communal house and placed them at offering areas, allowing soldiers to receive provisions discreetly and safely. This detail reflects not only strategic ingenuity during wartime but also the strong solidarity, protection, and deep patriotism of the people toward the revolution.