About this activity

Chinese people migrated to Hoi An from the early 17^th century. Today, Chinese communities as a whole are the second most important piece to form the town’s unique culture. The foremost community, of course, is Vietnamese. The Chinese came here as merchants, because Hoi An was a thriving trading port and as political refugees due to Mongolian ruling over China (and later Manchu people). They called themselves “Minh Huong people”, meaning “Ming dynasty origins” or “Those who worship Ming dynasty ancestrals”. Existing from 14^th to 17^th centuries, the dynasty was the last imperial dynasty ruled by Han Chinese. Over many ups and downs, the Chinese in Vietnam once again changed their ethnic’s name to “Hoa people”. Now, Hoa people mean Vietnamese Chinese, including oversea residents.

During their history, Chinese people constructed many temples and assembly halls in Hoi An. This article focuses on these heritages. They are owned by the communities of the Chinese coming from Canton, Chaozhou, Hainan, Fujian and Gia Ung. All of these places are in coastal South China and not too far away from Vietnam. The strongest communities are Cantonese and Fujian, while the smallest one is Gia Ung.

Fujian Assembly Hall

Fujian Assembly Hall (or Fujian Temple, Thien Hau Temple, the Goddess Temple, Hoi quan Phuoc Kien) is the largest among five Chinese assembly halls of Hoi An. Facing southwest, it’s built in 1757 in the oldest road of the town that today is called Tran Phu street. This edifice has been used for worship of Thien Hau goddess or the Goddess of sea as main deity, the Six generals, the God of wealth, the Three fairies and Twelve midwives. The biggest festival here takes place on the 23^rd of the third lunar month, to commemorate Goddess’s day of death. Thanks to the richness of the community, it owns elaborate wood carvings, paintings and sculptures. See full details in Fujian assembly hall visitor guide.

Here, there are important information about the Fujian assembly hall:

– Address: 46 Tran Phu St, Minh An ward, Hoi An

– Opening hours: 8 am to 5 pm daily

– Ticket price: visitors need to buy Hoi An ancient town ticket to enter. It’s impossible to pay directly to locals to visit. Besides this assembly hall, they can go to 4 other places or see the performances at 66 Bach Dang St theatre.

– Dresscode: the community requires visitors to wear respectively to respect the gods and for the holiness of the temple. Shirts must cover the armpits, back, navel and are not made of see-through fabrics. Pants must be longer than knees. Traditional costumes of Vietnamese or Chinese are highly encouraged.  

Cantonese Assembly Hall

Cantonese Assembly Hall (or Cantonese Temple, Hoi quan Quang Dong, Hoi quan Quang Trieu) was built in 1885 from the sponsorship of 18 Cantonese merchants. Today, it’s one of the most popular sights in Hoi An ancient town world heritage. Originally, this edifice was used to venerate Thien Hau goddess or Goddess of the sea (middle), the God of wealth (left) and ancestors (right). In 1915, Cantonese people also worship Confucius here and placed his statue in the middle. A short time later, central deities were replaced by Guan Yu, a famous Chinese military general who lived in 3^rd century (the same as the Japanese bridge’s temple). The belief doesn’t change up to the present.

Here, there are important information about the Fujian assembly hall:

– Address: 176 Tran Phu St, Minh An ward, Hoi An

– Opening hours: 8 am to 5 pm daily

– Ticket price: visitors need to buy Hoi An ancient town ticket to enter. It’s impossible to pay directly to locals to visit. Besides this assembly hall, they can go to 4 other places or see the performances at 66 Bach Dang St theatre.

– Dresscode: the community requires visitors to wear respectively to respect the gods and for the holiness of the temple. Shirts must cover the armpits, back, navel and are not made of see-through fabrics. Pants must be longer than knees. Traditional costumes of Vietnamese or Chinese are highly encouraged.   

Chaozhou Assembly Hall

Chaozhou Assembly Hall (Hoi quan Trieu Chau) was built in 1845 (or earlier) by Chinese people coming from Chaozhou. In 1887, 1970 and 1991, it’s embellished. Traditionally, this edifice venerates Ma Yuan or Phuc Ba Tuong Quan (meaning “the General who Calms the Waves”), a real Chinese military general living from 14 BC to 49 AD. Locals call him Ong Bon, so it’s named “Ong Bon temple” for that reason. In past centuries, merchants and sellers came here to pray, borrow some money and give back later, with an interest. The biggest festival here is on the 16^th day of the first lunar month, to celebrate the spring and a new year.

After the Vietnamese, Chaozhou assembly hall was also used as a government office for locals and from 1988 to 1900, workers made wool carpets here. Today, it’s totally given back to the community, and opens for tourists.

Here, there are important information about the Chaozhou assembly hall:

– Address: 362 Nguyen Duy Hieu St, Minh An ward, Hoi An

– Opening hours: 8 am to 5 pm daily

– Ticket price: visitors need to buy Hoi An ancient town ticket to enter. It’s impossible to pay directly to locals to visit. Besides this assembly hall, they can go to 4 other places or see the performances at 66 Bach Dang St theatre.

– Dresscode: the community requires visitors to wear respectively to respect the gods and for the holiness of the temple. Shirts must cover the armpits, back, navel and are not made of see-through fabrics. Pants must be longer than knees. Traditional costumes of Vietnamese or Chinese are highly encouraged.   

Quan Cong Temple

In the front of the Hoi An central market, Quan Cong Temple (or Ong Temple, Chua Ong) was founded in 1653 (or earlier) to worship Quan Cong. He is an esteemed Chinese military general who lived in 3^rd century, representing royalty, integrity, sincerity and justice. For that reason, merchants often visit him to pray for luck, swear or guarantee something when they have business deals. On 24^th day of the sixth lunar month, Hoi An locals come here to pray with offsprings, making long queues of prayers. They also memorize Quan Cong’s day of death.

Up to date, Quan Cong temple was embellished 7 times and the details about them were written in Mandarin, on steles on the walls. In its heart, the holiest space, the statue of Quan Cong is placed solemnly. Next to him, there is the statue of Guan Ping – his oldest son (adopted), Zhou Cang – a fictional character of the “Romance of Three Kingdoms” novel and his beloved horses (two). All were carved by local carpenters of Kim Bong village.

Behind the temple, visitors can see the Quan Am pagoda or “Lady Buddha/Quan Yin pagoda”. For merchants, the Lady Buddha is their protector when traveling in the sea. Shoes must be taken off if someone wants to go in and pray.

Here are there are important information about the Quan Cong temple:

– Address: 24 Tran Phu St, Minh An ward, Hoi An

– Opening hours: 8 am to 6 pm daily

– Ticket price: visitors need to buy Hoi An ancient town ticket to enter. It’s impossible to pay directly to locals to visit. Besides this assembly hall, they can go to 4 other places or see the performances at 66 Bach Dang St theatre.

Ba Mu Temple