If you’re in Hoi An, Vietnam, and want to delve into the city’s fascinating history, make sure to visit the Assembly Halls. These halls are a testament to the Chinese tradition of building social gathering spaces when they migrated or conducted business in foreign lands. Today, five Chinese Assembly Halls grace the historic Tran Phu Street, facing the picturesque Thu Bon River. Despite the passage of time, these halls have become renowned attractions of Hoi An.
History & Location
The construction of Assembly Halls has been a long-standing tradition amongst Chinese communities around the world. In Hoi An, a town steeped in international trade history, the Chinese community left their mark with these architectural gems. Among the five remaining Assembly Halls in Hoi An, you’ll find the Fujian, Chaozhou, Hainan, Cantonese, and Chinese Assembly Halls—all tucked away on Tran Phu Street.
Architectural Marvels
Enter any of these Assembly Halls, and you’ll encounter a familiar layout. The grand gate welcomes you to a serene garden adorned with ornamental plants. Beyond lies the main hall and a spacious altar room. Every inch of these halls is meticulously adorned with statues, lacquered boards, and murals—testament to the importance of aesthetics in Chinese culture. However, each Assembly Hall focuses on different gods and goddesses, reflecting the unique beliefs of their respective Chinese communities.
Photo: tourdulich.org.vn
A Glimpse into the Noteworthy Halls
The Fujian Assembly Hall stands out as the largest and most famous among its counterparts. Located at 46 Tran Phu Street, it mesmerizes visitors with its grandeur.
The Trung Hoa Assembly Hall, also known as Ngu Bang Assembly Hall, is the oldest of the five. It currently stands at 64 Tran Phu Street and pays homage to the Goddess Thien Hau.
Not far from the Fujian Assembly Hall, you’ll find the Ghaozhou Hall (Trieu Chau), also called Ong Bon or Am Ban Pagoda. It sits on 157 Nguyen Duy Hieu Street and is dedicated to General Phuc Ba, the god of mastering waters.
The Cantonese Assembly Hall (Quang Dong), located at 176 Tran Phu Street, offers visitors a serene courtyard adorned with exquisite statuary. It was constructed in 1885.
Lastly, the Hainan Assembly Hall, situated at 10 Tran Phu Street, is a place of worship for 108 Chinese merchants who were tragically killed after being mistaken for pirates. Later, they were vindicated and honored as “deities” by King Tu Duc. The king granted funds to build this assembly hall, serving as a lasting tribute to these merchants.
How To Get There
The Assembly Halls are conveniently located on Tran Phu Street in the center of Hoi An. Your entrance ticket to Hoi An grants you access to one of these five assembly halls. While some halls have ticket-takers, others can be freely explored. The best way to discover the town and its architectural marvels is to travel by bike or on foot.
Useful Information
- Location: Hoi An, Vietnam
- Best for: Family, couple, solo
- Entrance: Free
- Hours: 9AM – 4PM
- Distance to city center: 0.7km (0.4 mi)
For more information on Hoi An and its breathtaking attractions, check out our comprehensive Travel Guide. Don’t miss the chance to explore these remarkable Assembly Halls and immerse yourself in the rich Chinese heritage preserved within the heart of Hoi An.