History of Ancestral Temple of Swallow Nest Gatherers (Cham Island)

Built in the mid-19th century (1848) at Bai Huong, the Mieu To Nghe Yen (Swallow Nest Business Founders Temple) honors the pioneers of the bird’s nest trade. The industry became a vital economic pillar for the Cham Islands and the Nguyen Dynasty, requiring gatherers to scale dangerous cliffs to harvest the “white gold.” Swallow nest is also a local product that merchants from Europe wanted to buy when Hoi An played its role as an international trading port (15th to 19th centuries). Today, it’s well known across the country.

At Cham Islands, swallow nest is collected at inacessible caves and cliffs near Bai Huong Village, Hon Tai Island, Hon Khe Me Island,… Visitors can’t visit without a help from local (or it’s very dangerous if want to do it on their own!). 

The Ancestral Temple of Swallow Nest Gatherers is dedicated to the deities who protect this perilous profession and the founders who established the harvesting techniques. Every year on the 10th day of the third lunar month, locals gather here for a major festival to pray for safety and a prosperous harvest.

The ancestral death anniversary is also hosted at Cam Thanh Village in Hoi An (formerly Thanh Chau Village or the ‘Swallow Nest Village’ because it’s home of bird nest gathers). This village was established in the 17th century by 6 clans: Trần, Hồ, Lê, Nguyễn,
Phạm, Huỳnh.

At Ancestral Temple of Swallow Nest Gatherers, visiors will met men and ladies who make the hammock by ngo dong tree (Firmiana colorata, scarlet sterculia, bonfire tree, coloured sterculia or Indian almond). This is a striking deciduous tree known for its vibrant orange-red, bell-shaped flowers that bloom in dense clusters on leafless branches. Native to Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent, it features a distinctive pale, papery bark and broad, lobed leaves that provide lush shade during the rainy season. Near Bai Xep Beach, visitors can see lots of ngo dong trees.

Fishermen in Bai Huong Village daily come to the Ancestral Temple of Swallow Nest Gatherers to weave or repair the fishing net before they catch fish in the sea during the dry months.

The Ancestral Temple of Swallow Nest Gatherers also has 2 heritage trees: cay ken (Casearia grewiaefolia) and cay nanh (Millettia nigrescens Gagnep) that have lived up to 200 years.