In Hoi An, other than old houses with iconic yellow walls, the Japanese Covered Bridge, or the lantern-lit streets, there are also colorful buildings that are on the must-visit list when in Hoi An (there is a literal list when you buy the entrance ticket to the town). These buildings aren’t necessarily temples. They are also a lot more bright and over-the-top than the usual buildings you see in Vietnam. But they are nonetheless one of the symbols of Hoi An and worth checking out. They are Assembly Halls. So what are these 5 Assembly Halls in Hoi An exactly and what makes them so special?

What Is an Assembly Hall in Hoi An?

Assembly halls, specifically the ones in Hoi An, are communal gathering places built by Chinese ethnic groups who settled in the area centuries ago. These halls served as centers for social, cultural, and religious activities for the Chinese community that lived here.

By the 17th and 18th centuries, Hoi An had become a prosperous urban center and trading port where ships from various countries docked for trade. Among them, the Chinese played a significant role. The Chinese residents in Hoi An originated from coastal areas southeast of China. Upon settling in Hoi An, they established five provinces: Guangdong, Fujian, Chaozhou, Hainan, and Jiaying, and built houses, shops, markets, schools, hospitals, banks, temples, pagodas, cemeteries, and assembly halls. The Chinese residents in Hoi An built four individual assembly halls for each province and one communal assembly hall. The Jiaying province did not have an assembly hall and conducted activities at the Chinese Assembly Hall.

5 Assembly Halls in Hoi An You Shouldn’t Mis

Fujian Assembly Hall (Phuc Kien)

The Phuc Kien Assembly Hall (Fujian Assembly Hall) in Hoi An was constructed in the 16th century, making it the oldest one of the five. With its maximalist architecture, pink gates and intricate patterns, the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall is the rather flamboyant symbol of the ancient town and is a tiny bit kitschy if we’re being honest.

The assembly hall was originally dedicated to the worship of Thien Hau Thanh Mau, the goddess of the sea. The main hall is dedicated to her, with elaborate altars and statues depicting her legendary role in protecting sailors and fishermen. The Fujian Assembly Hall also houses a collection of valuable artifacts, including ancient statues, bronze bells, intricate carvings, and lacquered boards. Besides marveling at the architecture, you can also light incense coils (which can burn for up to 30 days) or write your wishes on pieces of paper and burn them.

Address: 46 Tran Phu, Hoi An, Quang Nam

Opening hours: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Chaozhou Assembly Hall (Trieu Chau)

Established in 1845, the Chaozhou Assembly Hall in Hoi An is the gathering place for the Chaozhou Chinese community. It was dedicated to the worship of Phuc Ba, the god who controls the wind, to aid in smooth sailing and prosperous trade at sea.

The Chaozhou Assembly Hall is just a few steps away from Hoi An Market and is one of the quieter assembly halls in the old town. Inside its golden walls are meticulous wood carvings, roof reliefs, a set of four gentleman paintings, and colorful glass paintings on the doors. Most of the building materials and displayed artifacts, including an ancient bronze bell and a finely carved wooden painting, were brought from China by boat.

Address: 157 Nguyen Duy Hieu, Cam Chau, Hoi An, Quang Nam.

Opening hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Hainan Assembly Hall (Hai Nam)

The Haian Assembly Hall, also known as Quynh Phu Assembly Hall, was built by the Haian congregation in 1975. It was originally meant for community activities and to preserve the cultures and religious beliefs of the Gia Ung and Hai Nam people in Hoi An. Later on, it became a place of worship for the 108 Chinese merchants who tragically died at sea because the Vietnamese military officials had mistaken them for pirates and sunk their boat. During the reign of Emperor Tu Duc, they were bestowed with the title of “Trung Đẳng Thần” (Middle Ranking Gods of Fortune) and allowed the construction of a temple. 

The Haian Assembly Hall has a light pink façade with two horse-drawn carriage paintings on either side of the entrance gate. Take a rest under the flower-filled canopy inside the entrance gate to read about the story of the 108 heroic spirits on the wall, then proceed into the courtyard to admire the hundred-year-old bronze incense burner in front of the main hall. The Haian Assembly Hall is one of the two assembly halls in Hoi An with a spacious rear courtyard (ask the guide to open the courtyard gate if you wish to visit).

Address: 10 Tran Phu, Minh An, Hoi An, Quang Nam.

Opening hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM 

Cantonese Assembly Hall (Quang Dong)

The Quang Dong Assembly Hall was constructed around the late 19th century (according to ancient records, in 1885) by the Cantonese merchant community. Initially, the assembly hall was dedicated to worshiping Thien Hau Thanh Mau (the Goddess of the Sea) and Confucius. However, since 1911, it has transitioned to worshiping Quan Cong (a revered general) and the Divine Ancestors. Besides being a place of religious worship, the Cantonese Assembly Hall is also a focal point for community activities of the Cantonese in Hoi An. Here, they often hold community meetings and gatherings to assist each other in business dealings and other life matters.

In addition to being called the Quang Trieu Assembly Hall, the Quang Dong Assembly Hall is also known as the Ong Pagoda. Its namesake, Quan Cong, represents the six virtues of "loyalty, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, benevolence, and bravery," which were fundamental principles in the successful business practices of the merchants at that time.

Fun fact: different parts of the Assembly Hall were crafted in China, then transported by ship and assembled into their complete form in Hoi An.

Address: 176 Tran Phu, Minh An, Hoi An

Opening hours: 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM

Entrance Fee for Assembly Halls in Hoi An

The Trung Hoa Assembly Hall, also known as the Ngu Bang Assembly Hall, was constructed in 1741 and has become a prominent tourist destination in Hoi An. Its name, “Ngu Bang” ("Five Congregations"), originates from the contributions of merchants from the five regions. The assembly hall was historically a gathering place for Chinese merchants to engage in cultural and spiritual activities.  

While the four aforementioned assembly halls were dedicated to specific groups from different regions of China, the Trung Hoa Assembly Hall serves as a meeting place for all Chinese residents in Hoi An, regardless of their origins. With nearly 300 years of history, it is the only assembly hall in the old town with blue walls. Today at the Assembly Hall, Chinese language classes are still held for children of Chinese descent or anyone interested in learning the language.

Address: 64 Tran Phu, Minh An, Hoi An

Opening hours: 5:30 AM - 5;30 PM

Entrance Fee in the Assembly Halls in Hoi An 

The Trung Hoa Assembly Hall and the Haian Assembly Hall are free to visit. You need to buy a ticket for 120,000 VND to visit the sites in Hoi An Ancient Town, which include the other three. You can use ¾ stubs on your ticket to visit them, or you can visit the ones that seem the most appealing; Fujian and Cantonese Assembly Halls are the most popular ones. 

Tips for Visiting the Assembly Halls in Hoi An 

You should dress modestly and respectfully, as these are spiritual and solemn destinations.

Do not eat or drink inside the assembly halls in Hoi An to ensure general hygiene.

During the Lunar New Year or full moon days, the assembly halls in Hoi An often organize festivals, attracting many visitors to come and visit.

Switch your phone to silent mode to maintain solemnity in the spiritual space.

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