The Fujian Assembly Hall: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

Architecture of the Fujian assembly hall

The entire complex stretches about 100 meters in length and 24 meters at its widest point. Arranged along a straight front-to-back layout, it’s divided into four main parts: the main gate, the courtyard, the main hall, and finally the rear hall.

The main gate

The first thing you’ll see as you approach is the red main gate. Above it hangs a traditional plaque with Chinese characters that read ‘Fujian Assembly Hall.’ The gate has three doorways, but only the two side doors are used for daily entry. The center door stays closed most of the year and is only opened on special occasions. In the past, people believed that keeping the main gate shut would prevent bad spirits from entering the hall.

Name plaque of the Fujian Assembly Hall gate

View from the main gate of the Fujian Assembly Hall, showing the courtyard and temple hall

The courtyard

Right past the gate, you’ll step into a small courtyard filled with potted plants and bonsai trees. The space feels calm and welcoming, almost like a pause before you enter the main hall. In both Chinese and Vietnamese architecture, courtyards like this are common—they’re meant to bring a sense of balance and peace to the space.

The main hall

The facade of the main hall looks modest at first glance, with weathered roof tiles that hint at its age. But step inside, and the scene changes—the hall opens up in deep shades of red, giving it a solemn yet striking atmosphere. Right at the entrance stands a long stone table, once used by members of the Fujian community to gather and discuss important matters.

Main hall facade of the Fujian Assembly Hall

View from the entrance into the main hall of the Fujian Assembly Hall, with its red interior and historic stone table.

Side wing of the Fujian Assembly Hall

The roof is supported by rows of striking red wooden columns. Hanging from the ceiling are large incense coils, and if you look closely, you’ll notice a small yellow tag attached to each one.

Visitors write down their wishes or prayers on these tags before hanging them with the incense. When the coil finishes burning, the caretakers of the hall collect and burn the tags—an act believed to help send those wishes to the divine.

The hanging incense coils carry small tags where visitors write down their wishes and prayers

At the very center stands the altar of Thien Hau, the sea goddess worshipped by the Fujian community. According to legend, she was born in Fujian and was known for her ability to swim and rescue people from shipwrecks. After her death, locals began to worship her as a protector of sailors, praying for her blessing before setting out on dangerous sea journeys.

Thien Hau altar at Fujian Assembly Hall with visitors praying

The walls are decorated with murals showing Ming generals resisting the Qing dynasty and the perilous sea journeys that brought the Fujian settlers here. In addition to these murals, there’s also a model of the boat used by Fujian immigrants, complete with the supplies they carried for life at sea.

One of the temple’s murals illustrates Ming generals resisting the Qing dynasty before their eventual journey to Hoi An

This mural shows the perilous voyage across stormy seas, while Thien Hau, the sea goddess, appears in the top left corner with her attendants to bless and protect the travelers.

A model of the boat that carried Fujian settlers to Hoi An

Everyday items that Fujian settlers brought with them on the boat

The rear hall

If you walk all the way to the back, you’ll find a rear hall. This space is dedicated to six Fujian generals who fought against the Qing dynasty. After their defeat, they brought their families by sea to Hoi An, and today the altar here honors their legacy

The rear hall of the Fujian Assembly Hall, where six Fujian generals are honored