Hoi An’s Chinese Assembly Halls and Chinese Temples

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.

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Table of content

1 Fujian Assembly Hall
2 Cantonese Assembly Hall
3 Chaozhou Assembly Hall
4 Hainan Assembly Hall
5 All-Chinese Communities Assembly Hall
6 Quan Cong Temple
7 Tuy Tien Duong Minh Huong (Chinese Ancestral Temple)
8 Ba Mu Temple
9 Guided Hoi An History Tour
10 Related Posts
11 Bach Ma National Park: Hiking, Trekking in Da Nang and Hoi An
12 Hoi An Wet Season: What to Do in Hoi An When It Rains?
13 Thanh Ha Terracotta Park
14 Vinwonders Nam Hoi An Theme Park (formerly Vinpearl Nam Hoi An)
15 Am Phu Cave Complete Travel Guide
16 Hoi An or Hue: Which is Better?
17 The Official Hoi An Travel Guide (MUST READ)
18 The Hoi An Market (Hoi An Central Market) Complete Guide
19 Hoi An Memories Show: The Best of Hoi An Impression Theme Park
20 Hoi An Bridge: Famous Bridges in Hoi An
21 How to Get From Hoi An to My Son Sanctuary
22 Hoi An’s Chinese Assembly Halls and Chinese Temples
23 Hoi An Walking Tours: Heritage, Foods, Photography & Locals
24 Hoi An Self Guided Walking Tour (Hoi An By Yourself)
25 How to Visit Golden Bridge Vietnam
26 Unique Experiences in Hoi An and Why?
27 An Bang Beach: A Guide to Hoi An’s Best Beach
28 Experiences in Hoi An: Get Insight Into Hoi An’s Local Culture
29 Things to Do in Ba Na Hills Besides Golden Bridge
30 Hoi An Nightlife: What to Do in Hoi An At Night?
31 Hoi An Countryside: Villages, Rice Fields & Tours
32 How to Get to Golden Bridge From Hoi An
33 Hoi An Entrance Fee: Old Town, Golden Bridge, My Son, More
34 Hoi An Airport: Everything You Need to Know
35 Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride on Hoai River
36 Hoi An Private Car and Driver
37 What to Do in Hoi An Ancient Town
38 Da Nang and Hoi An Itinerary for Visitors Staying Overnight in Hoi An
39 Hoi An 3 Day Itinerary: A Travel Plan for 3 Days in Hoi An
40 Hoi An Free Things to Do: Budget Travel in Hoi An Vietnam
41 Hoi An One Day Itinerary: A Travel Plan for One Day in Hoi An
42 Hoi An Half-Day Tours: Guide to Half Day Trips From Hoi An
43 Hoi An Day Tours: A Guide to Best Day Trips From Hoi An
44 Hoi An Beach: A Guide to All Beaches in Hoi An Vietnam
45 Hoi An Food Specialties
46 How to Get From Hoi An to Da Nang
47 Hoi An Cheap Things to Do: All Solo Travelers Need to Know
48 Hoi An Best Things To Do: Recommendations from Local Experts
49 Hoi An Things to Do: All What Can You Do in Hoi An Vietnam
50 Hoi An Things Not to Miss: A Guide to Must Do in Hoi An
51 Hoi An or Da Nang: Which is Better?
52 Hoi An Pottery Village: A Guide to Thanh Ha Pottery Village
53 Hoi An Ancient Town Tour
54 Hoi An Old Town Ticket: Price, Sellers, Included Sites, More
55 My Son Sanctuary Tour
56 Hoi An Lanterns: Festival, Making Class, Where to Buy, More
57 Hoi An Best Area to Stay: Guide to Where to Stay in Hoi An
58 Hoi An Weather by Month: Guide to Hoi An Monthly Weather
59 Hoi An River Cruise: Guide to The Best Boat Tour in Hoi An
60 Hoi An Old Town Boats: Guide to Boat Rides in Hoi An Town
61 Hoi An 2 Day Itinerary: Traveler Guide to 2 Days in Hoi An
62 Cham Island Hoi An
63 Hoi An Basket Boat Ride
64 Hoi An Coconut Village: A Guide to Cam Thanh Coconut Village
65 Hoi An Cham Temples: My Son Sanctuary & Quang Nam Temples
66 How to Get from Da Nang Airport to Hoi An
67 Da Nang to Hoi An: Best Da Nang Airport Transfer and More
68 Hoi An Tour Guide: How to Find a Private Tour Guide in Hoi An
69 Hoi An Ancient Town Attractions
70 Hoi An Old Town Map
71 Tra Que Vegetable Village
72 Hoi An Lantern Festival
73 Hoi An Night Market: A Thing to Do in Hoi An at Night
74 My Son Sanctuary Travel Guide
75 Hoi An Old Town Unesco World Heritage – Hoi An Travel Guide
76 Featured Tours and Experiences

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

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

Hainan Assembly Hall

Built in 1875 and largely embellished in 1931, Hainan Assembly Hall (or Quynh Phu Assembly Hall, Hainan Temple, Hoi quan Hai Nam) is owned by Chinese people moving from Hainan island. It has been a place to worship the 108 saints (or brothers) as protector deities for seafarers and merchants. According to history, these people traveled by boat to Vietnam and were then killed because they were thought to be pirates. In 1851, Tu Duc – the 4^th king of the Nguyen dynasty understood that it’s wrong and requested to construct temples to honour them. On the 15^th day of the sixth lunar month, the community organizes solemn ceremonies to commemorate them. Previously, on the 2^nd day of the new year, all Hainan people in Hoi An gather here for communal activities and celebrate the spring.

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

– Address: 10 Tran Phu St, Minh An ward, Hoi An

– Opening hours: 8 am to 5 pm daily

All-Chinese Communities Assembly Hall

All-Chinese Communities Assembly Hall (or the Chinese Assembly Hall, the Five communities assembly hall, Duong Thuong assembly hall) was built in the early 18^th century. It has been used for communal activities of most Chinese people in Hoi An, for the small Gia Ung community and for worship of deities. The main deity is Thien Hau goddess or Goddess of sea because she patronizes merchants, fishermans and migrants while they’re in the boat. The God of wealth, ancestors, the Lady buddha, martyrs, two door gods (“Thousand-mile eye” and “Wind-following ear”), a sailing boat, dead leaders and vice-leaders of the entire Hoi An’s Chinese community are also venerated. In addition, this edifice also is a school where older generations teach the next ones their own cultures and languages.

Here, there are important information about the All-Chinese communities assembly hall:

– Address: 64 Tran Phu St, Minh An ward, Hoi An

– Opening hours: 8 am to 5 pm daily

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

Tuy Tien Duong Minh Huong (Chinese Ancestral Temple)

Established in 1725, Tuy Tien Duong Minh Huong (or the Chinese Ancestral Temple) is dedicated to worship the ancestors of Chinese people in Hoi An, particularly Minh Huong village. Worshiping characters include 10 Mans who were former officials of Ming dynasty but later quit, changed their names and went to Vietnam. Three Mans succeeded them and developed the community. Chinese also praised them as ancestors. Altars to venerate a lady of Ngo family name and Hue Hong monk are also seen.

Until now, it’s embellished 5 times. Information about each was carved in Mandarin on wooden sticks used to support the roof of the house. It has been standing at its current location in 1905. Entire temple was built by Kim Bong village’s carpenters who had the best skills at that time.

Here are there are important information about the Chinese ancestral temple:

– Address: 14 Tran Phu St, Minh An ward, Hoi An

– Opening hours: 8 am to 5 pm daily

Ba Mu Temple

Ba Mu Temple was firstly established in 1626 and then moved to its current location without clear reasons. Due to fire and wars, only its gate remains and in 2018, reconstruction works were done, giving it a new stage. This gate has a circle representing the moon in the middle and 4 entrances to both sides. Two doors allowed people to enter the shrine to the Deity of medicine and 36 generals as deities. The others open to the shrine where Thien Mau goddess (Goddess of the sea) and 12 midwives are worshipped. Both shrines will be rebuilt soon. In the front, there is a water lily pond. No matter daytime or nighttime, the Ba Mu temple’s gate is still grand and photogenic.

In 1930, French people listed Ba Mu temple with other Hoi An town’s landmarks (Japanese bridge, Quan Cong temple) as protected heritages of the Indochina federation.

Here are there are important information about the Ba Mu temple:

– Address: 675 Hai Ba Trung St, Minh An ward, Hoi An

– Opening hours: 24 hours

– Ticket price: free of charge

– Dresscode: no required

Guided Hoi An History Tour

We arrange private tours with a knowledgeable guide to allow visitors to deeper understand the history of Hoi An and communities living in it. The tours are walking, and the Hoi An old town world heritage is the host place. Of course, Chinese assembly halls and temples are included in the itinerary. Text us in whatsapp number +84968009827 or email centralvietnamguide@gmail.com for assistance.