Two Fujian Assembly Halls: One Source, Two Destinies

Throughout the centuries-long history of the Chinese community in Vietnam, assembly halls – places of gathering, worship, and community activities – have become indispensable cultural landmarks.

Fujian Assembly Hall, Hoi An. Photo: HXK

Two notable examples are the Fujian Assembly Halls: one on Lan Ong Street in Hanoi, and the other on Tran Phu Street in Hoi An (Da Nang). Both were built by people of Fujian Chinese descent and both worship the Goddess Thien Hau, yet they have two contrasting fates: one quietly remains hidden within a school, while the other shines brightly amidst the flow of tourism and culture.

Living heritage in the heart of the old town.

The Fujian Assembly Hall at 46 Tran Phu Street, Hoi An, was built in 1690. Initially a small temple, it was later renovated into a magnificent assembly hall, serving as a religious center for the Fujianese Chinese community – one of the earliest and largest groups of migrants to Hoi An.

With its "Tam" (three-character) architectural style, the three-arched gate adorned with winding dragons, the balanced east-west rows of buildings, the main hall dedicated to the Goddess Thien Hau, and the rear halls dedicated to other deities such as Luc Tan Vuong Gia, the Goddess of Childbirth, and the God of Wealth, the assembly hall is a quintessential architectural and religious space. Details such as the ancient boat statue from 1875, the horizontal plaques and couplets, the statues, and the intricately carved bronze bells create a vibrant and spiritually rich cultural tapestry.

More than just a place of worship, the assembly hall has served as a community center for the Chinese community in Hoi An for hundreds of years. Major festivals such as the Thien Hau Festival (23rd day of the 3rd lunar month), the Lantern Festival, and the Vu Lan Festival are regularly and solemnly celebrated, attracting not only the Chinese community but also locals and tourists from all over, transforming it into a meeting point between the present and the past, between spiritual life and vibrant cultural heritage.

Recognized as a national monument since 1990, the Fujian Assembly Hall has transcended the boundaries of a typical tourist attraction to become an indispensable part of the Hoi An ancient town exploration route. Unlike many monuments that only exist as "static exhibits," this place maintains its original function - as a center of religious belief, community life, and cultural exchange, truly a living heritage.

Every day, thousands of visitors come not only to admire the architectural beauty or listen to the explanations, but also to feel the vibrancy of the spiritual space operating in the heart of the ancient city.

Besides sightseeing, visitors can also participate in spiritual rituals deeply rooted in Chinese culture. One of the most special experiences is lighting a large incense stick to pray for health, wealth, and peace for family and loved ones.

The sleeping relic

In the midst of modern Hanoi , where skyscrapers and a hectic pace of life increasingly dominate the space, few people know that a Fujian Assembly Hall still exists in the heart of the Old Quarter. Located at 40 Lan Ong Street, the assembly hall was built around 1817 and once served as a center of religious belief and community for the Fujian Chinese who migrated to the North.

Hanoi Fujian Assembly Hall. Photo: HXK

The Fujian Assembly Hall in Hanoi has a serene appearance and simpler architecture, yet it retains all the characteristic elements such as: the altar of Thien Hau, the god of wealth, horizontal plaques with Chinese couplets, and a sacred atmosphere deeply rooted in the East.

After a major renovation in 1925, the assembly hall still retains its traditional structure, including a triple gate, courtyard, pavilion, sanctuary, school, and two rows of auxiliary buildings. Details such as the layered roof, the "three-sided beam" technique supporting the roof, and lotus buds hanging from the rafters... make the assembly hall not only a religious space but also a testament to the unique architectural fusion between Chinese culture and Vietnamese identity.

Lan Ong Street was formerly Fujian Street (it was renamed Lan Ong Street in 1947), which partly attests to the once-golden age of this assembly hall, closely associated with the Chinese community in Hanoi's Old Quarter. However, the original community and religious role of the assembly hall no longer exists.

Despite being classified as a National Architectural and Artistic Monument since 2007, the Fujian Assembly Hall is currently closed to visitors and is not included in any Old Quarter tourist routes.

The name "Fujian Assembly Hall" is gradually fading from the community's memory. Long-time residents of Lan Ong Street say that because the building was as large as a village communal house, they usually called it a "communal house" and didn't know it was an assembly hall.

In 2015, the entire building was renovated as part of the Hong Ha Primary School - Fujian Assembly Hall project, with its primary function being a school. The area that was once the school building is now the library of Hong Ha Primary School. The main gate of the assembly hall is often used as a parking area for students.

The two Fujian Assembly Halls, both relics of the ancient Chinese community, exist in two very different ways. This difference stems not only from their location or urban context, but also reflects how each locality approaches its cultural heritage. When they no longer serve their traditional function, will the cultural values ​​associated with them still have the opportunity to be properly promoted?

Source: https://baodanang.vn/hai-hoi-quan-phuc-kien-mot-mach-nguon-hai-so-phan-3299598.html