Fujian Assembly Hall and the talent of folk artisans

VOV4.VN - In Hoi An, Quang Nam province, there are still five assembly halls: Phuc Kien, Trung Hoa, Trieu Chau, Quynh Phu, and Quang Dong. These assembly halls are quite large and are all located on Tran Phu street, facing the Thu Bon river. Among them, the Phuc Kien assembly hall has a unique architecture.

Báo điện tử VOV•09/02/2026

Besides being a community center for the Chinese community who came to Hoi An to trade, the assembly hall is also a place for worshipping the ancestors and guardian deities of the people.
Of the five assembly halls in Hoi An, the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall is the largest, located at 46 Tran Phu Street.
According to legend, the Fujian Assembly Hall was built on the site of a temple. Folklore recounts that, long ago, when the Thu Bon River flooded, a golden statue drifted downstream to the location of the present-day Fujian Assembly Hall. The people then built a temple to worship this statue, naming it Kim Son Temple.
By 1697, merchants of Fujian origin who came to Hoi An to trade renovated and established the Fujian Assembly Hall to serve as a community center and a place for worshipping their ancestors, as well as the deities of the Fujian community.
On February 17, 1990, the Fujian Assembly Hall was proudly recognized as a national historical and cultural relic.
The assembly hall has a "three-part" architectural style, following the order: gate – courtyard – pond – ornamental plants – two rows of buildings on the east and west – main hall – back courtyard – and rear hall.

The two-tiered gatehouse features a horizontal plaque inscribed with the title: Kim Son Temple.

The symbol of a fish transforming into a dragon is displayed in front of the triple-arched gate of the assembly hall.

A pair of lions, one male and one female, stand guard in front of the triple gate, adding to the majestic appearance of the assembly hall.

The decorative system of mythical creatures on the triple-arched gate is rich, following the design of the four mythical creatures: dragon,麒麟 (qilin), turtle, and phoenix. On the second level, the images of these animals are depicted through sculpted and painted pieces of blue ceramic and porcelain, following the design of two dragons.

In particular, on the fourth roof section, each side is decorated with images of carp transforming into dragons. This is a prominent feature in the decorative motifs of architectural relics in Hoi An. These symbolic motifs carry auspicious meanings. The dragon represents strength, longevity, and prosperity, while the carp symbolizes growth and remarkable transformation. (Image caption: The triple gate viewed from the back.)

From the triple gate, passing through a spacious courtyard decorated with many colorful ornamental plants, you arrive at the main hall.

The courtyard of the main hall is designed with a yin-yang tile roof, covered with glazed tiles, and decorated with a four-mythical-creature motif, including two dragons flanking a scroll.

In addition, the roof ridge features a curved, boat-shaped design, decorated with motifs of the four mythical creatures.

The community hall is a meeting place for fellow villagers. On special occasions, holidays, or for important internal matters, the villagers come here to meet. Inside the hall, right by the entrance, is a set of tables and chairs for villagers and visitors to rest and discuss matters. Notably, according to Mr. Tram The Quy, head of the Phuoc Khien Community Hall's management board, the blue chairs are a hundred years old.

The two walls in the lobby feature paintings related to the history of Chinese settlement. One depicts the Goddess of Heaven, worshipped in the Fujian Assembly Hall. According to folklore, when the Chinese sailed across the sea in search of new lands, they encountered danger in the rough seas, and the Goddess of Heaven appeared to help them. Upon reaching land, in gratitude, the Chinese community worshipped her.

The second painting depicts six generals from the Ming Dynasty. They fought bravely in the anti-Qing, pro-Ming restoration movement but failed. Many generals sacrificed their lives. To show their respect, the people worshipped them in the community hall. Every year on February 16th, the villagers hold a grand ceremony to commemorate their ancestors – that is, to offer sacrifices to these six generals.

Altar of the Heavenly Empress

In the sacred shrine of the assembly hall, a model of a boat is displayed, reminding descendants of the arduous past of their ancestors.

Behind the main hall are shrines dedicated to six Ming Dynasty generals, three goddesses of childbirth, twelve midwives, and the god of wealth, serving the religious beliefs of the local people.