Hoi An’s Chinese Assembly Halls and Chinese Temples

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.   

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

– 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.

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

– 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.

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

– 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

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.  

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