Community Houses in Truong Son Mountain and Central Highland Regions through the Viewpoint of Cuture and Ethnic Cultural Heritage.

Abstract

Community houses are quite popular amongst many ethnic groups in Vietnam. Examples are the temple of the Kinh, pagodas of the Khmer, ancient shrines of the Cham, rông, gươl, and moong houses of other ethnic minority groups in Truong Son – Tay Nguyen region. There have been many studies on ethnic community houses in Vietnam in general and in Truong Son-Tay Nguyen region in specific. There have also been many conferences which held discussions and debates about community houses. However, issues of typology of these unique community houses haven’t received an adequate amount of study and discussion. In particular, the viewpoint, valuation, attitudes, and reactions towards such community houses through culture and cultural heritage lens haven’t been appropriately examined. This article discusses community houses in Truong Son - Tay Nguyen region through ethnic culture and cultural heritage viewpoints, evaluates them from different angles of architect, decorative design, scrupture and belief, religious, and historic values. It also discusses methods to preserve and develop the culture and heritage values of such community houses today.