The Chinese community in Chau Doc

Community solidarity

As a second-generation member of a Chinese family settled in Chau Doc, Mr. Tran Binh Hoa has dedicated his life to this border town and considers it his second home. At the age of seventy, Mr. Hoa blends the generosity of the people of the Mekong Delta with a warm and friendly demeanor. "I speak Vietnamese as fluently as Chinese. Having lived in Vietnam, everyone has a responsibility to contribute to this homeland. I participate in social welfare activities and community solidarity with the Chau Doc Chinese Mutual Aid Association to build our homeland," Mr. Hoa shared.

Quan Đế Temple - the religious center of the Chinese community in Châu Đốc ward. Photo: THANH TIẾN

According to Mr. Hoa, the Chinese community in Chau Doc ward currently has more than 370 households, including groups from the same hometown: Teochew, Cantonese, Fujianese, and Chongzheng; of which, Teochew Chinese account for about 60%. “The Chinese are skilled in business, so they mainly concentrate in market towns. Wherever we go, we integrate into the lives of the local people. Thanks to our business acumen and our emphasis on saving for the future, the Chinese economy is usually quite prosperous. We often actively participate in local social welfare activities,” Mr. Hoa said.

Besides their strong trading influence, the Chinese community also brought unique religious values to Chau Doc. Among these, the Quan De Temple attracts many local people for worship. During the annual festival of Ba Chua Xu Mountain Sam, this temple is also a destination of interest to tourists from all over. With a history spanning over 170 years, the Quan De Temple serves as a place that unites faith and reflects the diverse religious values of the ethnic communities residing in the Chau Doc region.

"Every year, during the Quan Đế festival or the Vu Lan festival, we usually give gifts to the poor. We've lived here for generations, and we must work together to help Chau Doc develop further," Mr. Hoa confided.

Working together to build our homeland.

Besides focusing on economic development, the Chinese community in Chau Doc is also actively contributing to the development of their homeland. Mr. Dai Quoc Dan, Vice Chairman of the Chau Doc Chinese Mutual Aid Association, said: “We settled in this area, so we are committed to contributing to the development of our homeland. With the call of the government and local organizations, the Chinese community often provides enthusiastic support, both materially and spiritually. We believe this is the right thing to do because the Chinese tradition always emphasizes mutual support and compassion within the community.”

Mr. Dai Quoc Dan - Vice Chairman of the Chau Doc Chinese Mutual Aid Association, lights incense to commemorate the merits of Guan Yu. Photo: THANH TIEN

The Chau Doc Chinese Mutual Aid Association was established in 2002 and currently has 197 members. Since its inception, the association has served as a bridge between the local Chinese community and the government. With a tradition of valuing education, the Chinese community is committed to providing scholarships to underprivileged students. Each year, the Chau Doc Chinese Mutual Aid Association awards scholarships twice, providing 2 million VND per scholarship for high school students and 3 million VND per scholarship for university students.

“We coordinate with the Quan De Temple Preservation Board to distribute rice to the poor, with a quantity of 10-20 tons of rice during the Vu Lan festival every year. We support the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Chau Doc ward with one house each year, with a budget of 50 million VND... Mr. Dai Quoc Dan shared.”

With many positive contributions, the Chinese community in Chau Doc ward affirms the spirit of solidarity among the ethnic groups settling in this land.

THANH TIEN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/cong-dong-nguoi-hoa-o-chau-doc-a466761.html