Hoi An’s Temples and Pagodas
When arriving in Hoi An, many are immediately taken by the charm of the city. This small beach town in Central Vietnam has a singular allure that simply cannot be duplicated by its neighbours. Whether it be the city’s ubiquity of lanterns, it’s near indiscernible – but surely Asian – architectural style, its overflow of tailors and artisans, or a combination of these details. There is certainly a soul that distinguishes Hoi An from other towns with similar qualities. Therefore the soul of the city can be understood when visiting Hoi An’s temples and pagodas.
Fortunately, many of these sacred sites are easily found preserved within Hoi An’s Ancient Town, nestled between local businesses. But in order to get the most out of these places of worship, it’s necessary to know a bit of the history that makes Hoi An the cultural melange that it is today.
In this article, Hidden examines the city’s cultural influences over the past half-century. We highlight a few of our favourites among Hoi An’s temples and pagodas.
North Vietnam cover temples pagodas in the North of Vietnam.
Contents
History of External Influences on Hoi An’s Temples and Pagodas
Firstly, the river city of Hoi An has not always belonged to the Vietnamese. Prior to being annexed by southern Nguyen Dynasty lords in the 15th Century, Hoi An was a thriving spice trade town under the Champa empire. Only the ghost of Champa culture remains in the city proper. However prime examples of the Champa’s Hindu-influenced architecture are found a stone’s throw away at My Son Sanctuary.
So, over the following few centuries, Hoi An flourished as a port of trade. In efforts to maximize the economic potential of the city’s proximity to the Thu Bon River, Vietnamese officials extended invitations to foreign traders to settle in Hoi An. Therefore solidifying Hoi An as a key trading port in South East Asia for Chinese and Japanese traders until the 18th century. Hoi An was a port to ships from many different regions (China, Japan, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, India, Indonesia, Thailand, France, the United Kingdom and America) However it is China and Japan that have the most lasting influences due to the regularity of their visits and eventual settlements.
Chinese and Japanese ships would annually ride the winds of spring monsoons to Hoi An and stay until summer. Some would stay longer to handle off-season affairs, establish local businesses, or start new lives.
The 18th Century and Hoi An’s Declining Status
The 18th Century would see the sudden decline of Hoi An’s status as a commercial epicentre with the silting of the Thu Bon River and the advent of the Tay Son Rebellion. Therefore following the destruction of foreign settlements resulting from the rebellion, the Chinese were able to rebuild. But the Japanese were unable to do so due to the Japanese policy of seclusion in 1637.
Tickets and Tips for Visiting Hoi An’s Temples and Pagodas
Many of Hoi An temples and pagodas lie within the Ancient Town and require a ticket that costs 120,000 VND (5 USD). Ticket kiosks are abundant but can be tricky to find. So we’ve provided a handy guide for how to purchase a Hoi An Ancient Town Ticket.
However, while a strict dress code is not enforced, many temples post signs requesting visitors wear modest clothing and remove shoes before entering worship halls. So, as long as your shoulders and knees are covered, you should be fine.
Hidden Hint: Many shrines offer incense for visitors to burn. When praying, it is customary to burn an odd number of incense: one or three is best. One represents unity, or three to represent the pursuit of equilibrium.
Which of Hoi An’s Temples and Pagodas to Visit?
With 20 Hoi An temples and pagodas in the Ancient Town alone, and only five entries per Ancient Town ticket, it’s difficult deciding which ones to visit. So, fortunately, Hidden has canvassed the city and come up with a list of our favourites. The temples below can be visited in order by walking from east to west on Tran Phu Street, with an additional stop just north of the Ancient Town.
Hidden Hint: Hoi An’s Ancient Town’s hours are from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Motorcycles are not permitted during certain hours, so it’s best to navigate these sites on foot or with a bicycle.
Hai Nam Assembly Hall
Address: 10 Tran Phu – Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Hai Nam Assembly Hall was built in 1851 as a memorial to 108 merchants from Hainan, China. They were slain upon being mistaken for pirates. The merchants have since been deified and proclaimed martyrs.
This place of worship contains a foyer, courtyard, main altar, and two side houses. Its Chinese architecture and decor apparent with its double eaved Resting Hill roofs, strung red lanterns, and abundance of gold and red Chinese calligraphy. The modest garden courtyard flanked by the seating areas of the side houses makes the Hai Nam Assembly Hall an ideal location to take a break from the hubbub of the Ancient Town.
Quan Cong Temple
Address: 24 Tran Phu
The Quan Cong Temple is on the smaller side of Hoi An’s temples and pagodas. Built by Chinese immigrants, the temple serves as a place for merchants to pay respects to Quan Cong. He was a revered general during the time of the Three Kingdoms. Quan Cong is renowned for being respectful, empathetic, courageous, and decisive. Similarly his battle strategies focused on holistic rather than hollow victories.
The courtyard leading to the main worshipping chamber houses a small fish pond and islet that drink in light from the open roof. In addition, its walls adorned with poetry illuminating virtues exemplified by Quan Cong: patriotism, moderation, and righteousness.
Prominently displayed in the courtyard, a large drum with the Yin Yang symbol of balance, surrounded by trigrams. Representing Water, Mountain, Earth, Lake, Heaven, Thunder, Fire, and Wind. The eight symbols of Daoist Cosmology.
The temple’s interior decorated with deep crimson pillars and banners displays golden Chinese characters. In addition, its main altar features a large wooden status Quan Cong and the steps. However though small in size, the temple has traces of the mysterious and the divine with its dim lighting open roof.
Quan Am Pagoda
Address: 24 Tran Phu
Quietly tucked away behind the Quan Cong Temple lies Quan Am Pagoda. While it does not contain the perfectly preserved, grand altars of other Hoi An temples and pagodas, it does have its own unique charm. The main worship hall houses three modern altars with idols haloed under spiralling electronic lights. These modern altars are representative of those you might find in a standard family home or business.
However, the real draw of Quan Am Pagoda is its extensive gallery of paintings and wall scrolls. The gallery contains a wealth of watercolour paintings depicting scenes of nature, calligraphy, and philosophical teachings. Fresh art supplies suggest that artists are continuously adding to the gallery.
Phuc Kien Assembly Hall
Address: 46 Tran Phu – Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Also known as Fujian Assembly Hall, this traditional assembly hall is the largest and most grand of the sites accessible with the Ancient Town of Hoi An ticket. Its interior painted a crisp white with vibrant accents of blue, yellow and red. As opposed to the predominantly red and gold colour palette of Hoi An’s other temples and pagodas. However, sometime after its construction in 1960, the hall was converted into a temple dedicated to Thien Hau. The goddess of the sea, who shelters sailors from the malevolence of open waters.
Firstly upon entering the large, multi-sectioned courtyard of the temple, you encounter a brilliant mosaic fountain. It showcases a leaping fish carved in stone. This is one of many detailed animal statues strewn about the temple. Notable among these statues is a majestic flowing dragon set atop a shallow pool located in a secondary open-air worship chamber. The secondary worship chamber located at the rear of the temple and dedicated to 12 midwives, the God of Wealth, and the benefactors of the hall.
Tran Family Chapel
Address: 21 Le Loi – Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., daily
The Tran Family Chapel offers a unique experience to travellers. Entering the garden at the front of the small estate, you are greeted and directed to the main worship chamber. There, a guide offers you sweets before beginning a short tour to this part of Hoi An temples and pagodas. Your guide offers some history on the Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese architectural influences of the building. Then they lead you to a room of ancient artifacts, the back garden, and finally a souvenir shop.
However, the tour guide’s insistence on handling the coins, incense and other souvenirs can be a bit off-putting. But looking past the scripted suggestiveness, the shop offers a large variety of modestly priced authentic goods emblematic of Hoi An.
Interestingly, to this day, it is occupied by the 8th generation of the Tran family. Mandarin settlers who built the chapel in the early 19th century.
Phap Bao Temple
Address: Hai Ba Trung/Phan Chu Trinh
Phap Bao Temple, also known as Phac Hat Pagoda, is a Buddhist temple located at the crossing of Hai Ba Trung and Phan Chua Trinh Street. So just one block away from the Tran Family Chapel. Because Phap Bao is an active Buddhist temple, there is no need to present the residents with a ticket. But it is necessary to dress modestly and remove shoes when entering the main sanctuary.
Its main gate emblazoned with fierce bronze guardians lies within a huge courtyard. There is a fountain, multiple statues and shrines, and potted plants aplenty. In addition, the exterior of its main worship hall is striking in appearance. Its double Resting Hill roofs, ornate dragon and tortoise statues, and large lacquered panels depict scenes from the life of Buddha.
The altars within the worship chamber predominantly of a subdued golden palette with statuettes painted in vibrant primary colours. Therefore a refreshing departure from the deep reds and golds of the typical sacred sites within the Ancient Town.
The Phap Bao Temple is a garden oasis just outside of the Ancient Town. Therefore, flanked by cafes and storefronts. However, the large open garden is spacious enough for a sense of zen and tranquility.
Japanese Covered Bridge
Address: Tran Phu/Bach Dang – Hours: 24 hours (temple open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., daily)
The Japanese Covered Bridge is Hoi An’s most famous attraction. Originally constructed in the 16th century as a link between the Japanese and Chinese trading settlements in Hoi An. Above all today, it stands alone as the definitive piece of Japanese architecture in Hoi An. Because the majority of Japanese settlements were destroyed during the Tay Son Rebellion in the 18th century.
The bridge crosses over a stream flowing into the Thu Bon River. Situated on the western edge of Hoi An’s Ancient Town, the curved bridge rests atop stone pillars. It is the most iconic structure of Hoi An and usually packed with tourists during the day time.
Hidden Hint: In order to truly enjoy the splendour of the bridge, visit early in the morning from 7 – 8 a.m. Therefore during these early hours, there’s no need to jostle among other eager visitors. So you have time to admire the monkey and dog guardian statues without feeling hurried by others awaiting their turn.
Chuc Thanh Pagoda
Address: Ton Duc Thang
The Chuc Thanh Pagoda is located just a few minutes north of Hoi An’s Ancient Town. The complex’s vast gardens and large, open worship halls boast a sense of serenity. This is unrivalled by other Hoi An temples and pagodas. There is no ticket or entry fee required. In other words, just drive through its large open gate. Within is a sign requesting visitors turn off their bikes and walk them to a designated parking area.
The huge sprawling gardens on the site are host to several statues and altars. On either side of the gardens, burial grounds appear with extravagant tombs of monks long passed. In addition, monks quietly tend to the grounds.
The main worship chamber lies in the middle of the complex. Within are two mighty drums, a plethora of carved wooden statues both large and small, and a grand statue of Buddha featured front and centre. The large wooden pillars and the deep brown tones result in a down-to-earth and modest spiritual resonance.
Hidden’s Thoughts
While these are a few of our favourites, Hidden encourages you to explore Hoi An’s temples and pagodas with a loose itinerary. The temples and pagodas of Hoi An are places of worship and tranquillity. Therefore best experienced at a leisurely pace. So you can take your time to relax, light some incense, and breath in the beauty and history of the space.
However, we’d be remiss if we didn’t recommend setting time aside to visit Chuc Thanh Pagoda. Above all, its charms and authenticity easily missed if one elects only to stay within the Ancient Town.
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