Chợ Hamlet is located to the southeast of Internal Citadel, near Xa Market, also known as Ngõ Thị. Chợ Hamlet “điếm” is located at the beginning of the main alley from the main road to the hamlet. “Điếm” was built on a platform nearly 1m high above the ground. The entrance is built in the "five-level" style running through the three front compartments. In front of the yard is a rectangular lake. Next to it, there is an old banyan tree.
Chợ hamlet Điếm
“Điếm” has layout with the shape of Chinese word "丁", but the sanctuary is just a brick pavilion extending to the back. In fact, the original layout has the shape of Chinese word "一".
The Forecourt is a wooden frame structure with 5 compartments and 2 hips, the roof is roofed with “mũi hài” (shoe-toe-shaped) tiles, and the four corners are supported by brick pillars. On the roof is attached with lemon flower decorations, in the middle there is " two built-in dragons flanking the moon". At the two ends of the roof are a pair of twisted tail dragons facing inwards, “bờ dải” is attached with “nghê” (a mythical animal) which turn head downwards and clusters of dragon-headed fire blades roll close to the curved corners.
The wooden frame of Forecourt consists of 6 sets of trusses, made in the style of "giá chiêng, kẻ chuyền", especially the truss of hip is made in the style of "con chồng". The roof is classified according to the style of "thượng tam, hạ tam" (upper three, lower three). Components such as: “kẻ, đầu dư, đấu” have decorative motifs of lotus flowers, Bodhi leaves, and the Chinese word “壽” (longevity).
The front of the three compartments has doors that are made in “bức bàn” style. The wall encloses the rest, adjacent to the sanctuary, leaving two round windows in the front.
The sanctuary continues with the nave after Forecourt, with only one room, with an altar. In front of the sanctuary, there is a “cửa võng”. On the altar, there are a number of common worship items: incense tops, candlesticks, lampstands, bronze cranes, bronze gongs, eight precious things, flags, parasols and a pair of white horses.
Chợ hamlet “điếm” worships mandarins, earthlings, earth spirits, and water gods. There is still an ancient brick well built in the east of the yard, next to it is a small shrine to worship the water god.
Today, “điếm” is still the meeting place of the village, where a number of local cultural and artistic exchanges are held. Tourists also often visit this place, the most crowded is the holiday and festival on January 6 (Lunar calender) every year.
