The communal house is the most important building in any Vietnamese village. Here, local people gather to meet up, worship and commemorate ancestors or heroes. Today, visitors will see many communal houses in Hoi An to learn about history, culture and architecture. In this article, HoiAn Day Trip Company will introduce the best communal houses in Hoi An that are located in Hoi An’s Old Town Vietnam.
You may also like: Old Houses in Hoi An, Assembly Halls in Hoi An, Museums in Hoi An
• Content by Tam Le, founder of HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD
• Designed by Giang Cong Minh, co-founder of LS E&C LTD and his team
• Photo by Dang Cong Loi, Dao Xuan Son, Tam Le & others
Better to Know about Communal House in Vietnam
Every Vietnamese village has a communal house (known as dinh lang in Vietnamese language). It often lies in the central point of the village or on the highest ground. Here, local people worship Thanh Hoang (which means ‘city god’), village founder or local hero. At Hoi An, local gods and goddesses are also honored. At special times of the year (such as god’s day of death), local people gather here to do ceremonies and festivals. If people in the village are wealthy (such as craft villages or trading villages), it would have a grand size with sophisticated furnishings. For that reason, decorative art at Vietnamese communal houses is another highlight.
Around Hoi An city, there are many villages, paired with many communal houses. In the Hoi An Ancient Town world heritage area, 4 communal houses can be seen. Some large villages (with a large population) have more than one communal house.
HOIAN DAY TRIP Company daily organizes tours and transfers to Hoi An Old Town. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
List of Communal Houses in Hoi An Vietnam
Here is the list of communal houses in Hoi An:
– Cam Pho Communal House, Cam Pho ward (within Hoi An Old Town heritage area, see details below)
– Minh Huong Communal House, Minh An ward (within Hoi An Old Town heritage area, see details below)
– The Hoi An Communal House, Minh An ward (within Hoi An Old Town heritage area, see details below)
– Hoi An Tien Tu (Ancestral Temple of Hoi An) at 3 Le Loi Street, Minh An ward (within Hoi An Old Town heritage area)
– Son Phong Communal House at 350 Nguyen Duy Hieu Street, Son Phong ward (within Hoi An Old Town heritage area)
– Tu Le Communal House at 169 Tran Hung Dao Street, Cam Pho ward (next to Evangelical Church of Hoi An, within Hoi An Old Town heritage area)
– Xuan Lam Communal House at 40 Tran Hung Dao Street, Cam Pho ward (next to Da Ken Tree, within Hoi An Old Town heritage area)
– Xuan My Communal House at 65 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Tan An ward (next to Tan An Market or Tiger Market)
– Xuan My Communal House in Thanh Ha Pottery Village, Thanh Ha ward
– Thanh Ha Communal House at 128 Hung Vuong Street, Thanh Ha ward
– Son Pho Communal House at 358 Cua Dai Street, Thanh Ha ward
– De Vong Communal House in alley of Tran Nhan Tong Street, Cam Chau ward
– An My Communal House on Le Thanh Tong Street, Cam Chau ward
– Kim Bong Communal House in Kim Bong Carpentry Village, Cam Kim commune
HOIAN DAY TRIP Company daily organizes tours and transfers to Hoi An Old Town. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
Best Communal Houses in Hoi An Vietnam
Cam Pho Communal House
Location/address: 52 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Cam Pho ward, Hoi An city, Quang Nam province, Vietnam
Opening hours: 8 am to 5 pm
Ticket price: 120,000 VND for adult and children above 15 years old
The Cam Pho Communal House is the communal house of Cam Pho village, one of the earliest found villages in Hoi An today (about 15th century). So, it might have been constructed in the same period. In the 19th century, it’s largely restored. Here, local people worship the Four Holy Mothers/Queens (Tu Vi Thanh Cuong) or Dai Can Goddess, a water deity who blesses safe journeys on the river. Like other Vietnamese communal houses, 9 other deities are also honored at Cam Pho Communal House. About architecture, it has a triple gate, a temple with a pavilion in the front and two smaller houses on the left and right sides. See more information & details
HOIAN DAY TRIP Company daily organizes tours and transfers to Hoi An Old Town. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
Minh Huong Communal House
Location/address: 14 Tran Phu Street, Minh An ward, Hoi An city, Quang Nam province, Vietnam
Opening hours: 8 am to 5 pm
Ticket price: 120,000 VND for adult and children above 15 years old
The Minh Huong Communal House is the communal house of Minh Huong village, a Chinese village established in the first half of 17th century in the heart of Hoi An today. Minh Huong means ‘people of Ming (dynasty) origin’. This ancestral temple was established around 1725 and moved to the current location (near Hoi An Central Market, between Quang Cong Temple and Hainan Assembly Hall) in 1905. It’s used to worship ancestors of all local Chinese communities and successors who had merits to the community. About the architecture, Minh Huong Communal House has a triple gate, a front entrance hall, a temple and two houses on the right and left sides. Its complicated wooden carvings and structures were made by the finest carpenters from Kim Bong Carpentry Village in Hoi An. See more information & details
HOIAN DAY TRIP Company daily organizes tours and transfers to Hoi An Old Town. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
Hoi An Communal House
Location/address: 52 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Cam Pho ward, Hoi An city, Quang Nam province, Vietnam
Opening hours: 8 am to 5 pm
Ticket price: 120,000 VND for adult and children above 15 years old
The Hoi An Communal House is the communal house of Hoi An village, an old Vietnamese village in the centre of Hoi An today. It may have been constructed in the 15th century, heavily damaged in the wars. It’s known as ‘Elephant Communal House’ because there are only two elephant statues surviving before it’s completely restored in 2020. Here, local people worship the Four Holy Mothers/Queens (Tu Vi Thanh Cuong) or Dai Can Goddess, a water deity who blesses safe journeys on the river. Like other Vietnamese communal houses, many other deities are also honored at the Hoi An Communal House. About architecture, it has a triple gate, an entrance hall, a main temple and two smaller houses on the left and right sides. See more information & details
HOIAN DAY TRIP Company daily organizes tours and transfers to Hoi An Old Town. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
Tips to Visit Hoi An’s Communal Houses
– To see Hoi An’s communal houses, visitors need to buy a ‘Hoi An Old Town ticket’. The price is 120,000 VND each adult and children above 15 years old. See more information & details
– Visitors need to wear respectively if want to visit Hoi An’s communal houses because it’s a holy site. In other words, it’s needed to wear long pants or shorts covering upper knees, T-shirts or shirts covering armpits, navel, shoulder and breast.
– Vietnamese traditional costume ao dai dress is highly recommended. Any garment made of see-through material is not respectful.
– In the dry season, from February to the end of August, visitors should bring sun cream, hat/cap/umbrella, sun glasses, and bottles of water to drink. If don’t have, it’s easy to buy at shops near Hoi An’s communal houses.
– In the rainy season, from September to January, visitors should bring rain poncho/jacket or umbrella, sandals or waterproof shoes. Don’t forget checking weather forecast usually when travel in this period.
– From October to December, the town may be flooded, so visitors need to keep updating the weather before going to Hoi An.
– The best way to visit the Hoi An Old Town is walking, so make sure that you have good/comfortable shoes or sandals.
– Smartphone or camera is needed for taking pictures. For more experiences, visitors can consider renting Vietnamese traditional costume (for example, ao dai long dress for ladies) or even booking a private photographer.
– Don’t forget bringing cash to pay for entry fee tickets and small things because many places in Vietnam don’t accept payment by cards.
– Toilets are near the second gate (outside) and behind the second worshipping area. Visitors may give a small money to pay for cleaning (usually 5,000 VND).
– There are many chairs and seats inside Hoi An’s communal houses, to have a break and learn about the history of the place.
– It’s better to visit Hoi An’s communal houses with a local guide. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) if need a professional guide in Hoi An.
HOIAN DAY TRIP Company daily organizes tours and transfers to Hoi An Old Town. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
Itinerary to Visit Hoi An Old Town for First Timer
First of all, to enter and visit the Hoi An Old Town (the part inscribed by Unesco), visitors need to buy an entry ticket. Its price is 120,000 VND per adult and children above 15 years old and free of charge for smaller kids. Entry to 5 attractions is also included for free. See more information & details
If possible, first time visitors should go with a local guide, to know better about history and culture. Contact us by +84968009827 (call/whatsapp) to book a private English-speaking guide.
We suggest this itinerary for first timers:
Total distance: 1,65 kilometers
– Starting point: the Japanese style gate (the west end of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street). A model of the Red Seal Ship Model (Japanese merchant’s ship) and a ticket office are in a close distance.
– Walk along Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street. On this road, visitors will have the chance to sightsee Cam Pho Communal House (ticket required), Japanese Culture Gallery (ticket required), Phung Hung Old House (one of the best heritage houses, ticket required), Nguyen Tuong Family Chapel (in the alleyway, ticket required).
– Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, the symbol of Hoi An. This place definitely is a must see attraction.
– Walk along Tran Phu Street, the most beautiful road in Hoi An, until Hoi An Central Market. On this road, visitors will have the chance to sightsee so many historical attractions. From the bridge to the market, there are Cantonese Assembly Hall (ticket required), Museum of Sa Huynh Culture (ticket required), Duc An Old House (ticket required), Kazik Park (free), Quan Thang Old House (ticket required), Museum of Trade Ceramics (ticket required), Trung Hoa Assembly Hall (ticket required), Fujian Assembly Hall (ticket required), Quan Cong Temple (ticket required), Quan Am Pagoda (ticket required), Hoi An Central Market (free to enter), a couple of rooftop coffee shops, Instagrammable spots, shophouses selling lanterns, food, souvenirs and fashion items.
– Walk southwards and along Tieu La Street (east side of Hoi An Central Market). On this road, there are many vendors and stalls selling a diversity of local products, giving a good chance to know about local life and photograph.
– Walk westwards and along Bach Dang Street (the riverside street). On this road, visitors will see Hoi An Traditional Performance House (ticket required if want to watch shows) and Museum of Folklore (ticket required).
– Turn into Le Loi Street and then turn left, walking along Nguyen Thai Hoc Street. On this road, visitors will see Tan Ky Old House (one of the best heritage houses, ticket required) and Diep Dong Nguyen Old House (not yet opened to visitors, see from outside).
– The ending point: the crossroad near the north end of An Hoi Bridge or the west end of Nguyen Thai Hoc Street. In the evening, from here, visitors can walk cross the bridge and then turn right to see the entrance of the Hoi An Night Market, the biggest night market in Hoi An.
For more details and the map, please browse https://hoiandaytrip.com/hoi-an-self-guided-walking-tour
Guided Tours to Hoi An Ancient Town Vietnam
From Hoi An
– Hoi An Old Town Walking Tour – 2 Hour Express Tour with Local
– Hoi An Half Day Walking Tour with Traditional Art Performance
– Hoi An City Tour: Old Town, Coconut Village & Lunch
– Hoi An Morning Walking Tour with Local Breakfast & Coffee
– Hoi An Afternoon Walking Tour with Thu Bon River Sunset Cruise
– Hoi An Night Tour with Lantern Boat Ride & Dinner
– Hoi An History & Food Tour – Famous Landmarks & Specialty Dishes
– Hoi An Instagram Tour: Best Photo Spots & Rooftop Café
– Hoi An Old Town Food Tour with Night Boat Ride
– Hoi An Old Town Private Walking Tour with Local Expert
– Hoi An City Tour by Electric Car
HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD daily organizes tours in Hoi An and Da Nang. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
From Da Nang
– Hoi An Half Day Tour from Da Nang
– Hoi An Night Tour from Da Nang
– Hoi An Night Tour from Da Nang with Coconut Forest Basket Boat Ride
– Hoi An Night Tour from Da Nang with Hoi An Memories Show
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Day Tour from Da Nang
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Night Tour from Da Nang
– Hoi An Full Day Tour from Da Nang
– Hoi An City Tour from Airport
– Marble Mountain, Monkey Mountain & Hoi An Day Tour from Da Nang
– Hoi An Full Day Tour from Da Nang with Chinese Speaking Guide
– My Son Sanctuary & Hoi An Tour – World Heritage Site Tour
– Golden Bridge/Ba Na Hills Tour & Hoi An Tour from Da Nang
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Tour from Da Nang Cruise Port
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Tour from Chan May Cruise Port
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Day Tour from Intercontinental Danang Resort
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Day Tour from Lang Co
HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD daily organizes tours in Hoi An and Da Nang. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
Places to Visit near Hoi An’s Communal Houses
– Bridges: Japanese Covered Bridge (Pagoda Bridge), Moonlight Bridge, An Hoi Bridge (Bridge of Lights), Cam Nam Bridge
– Museums: Museum of Sa Huynh Culture, Museum of Sa Folklore, Museum of Trade Ceramics, Museum of Traditional Medicine, Hoi An Museum of History & Culture, Japanese Culture Gallery, Black Sesame Soup Demonstration, Museum of Local Products
– Chinese assembly halls: Cantonese Assembly Hall, Fujian Assembly Hall, Trung Hoa Assembly Hall, Hainan Assembly Hall, Teochew Assembly Hall
– Heritage houses: Tan Ky Old House, Phung Hung Old House, Duc An Old House, Quan Thang Ancient House, Diep Dong Nguyen House, Thai Phien Ancient House
– Temples & pagodas: Quan Cong Temple (Ong Pagoda), Ba Mu Temple, Phap Bao Pagoda, Quan Am Pagoda, Hoi An Confucius Temple, Cao Dai Temple of Hoi An, Hoi An Ancestral Temple, Cam Pho Confucius Temple, Minh Huong Confucius Temple, Vien Giac Pagoda, Hy Hoa Temple
– Family chapels: Tran Family Chapel, Nguyen Tuong Family Chapel
– Communal houses: Cam Pho Communal House, Hoi An Communal House, Minh Huong Communal House, Tu Le Communal House, Xuan Lam Communal House, Son Phong Communal House
– Markets: Hoi An Central Market, Hoi An Cloth/Fabric Market, Hoi An Night Market (Nguyen Hoang Night Market), Cam Pho Market
– Theatres: Hoi An Traditional Art Performance House, Hoi An Lune Center for Performing Arts (now where Teh Dar Show takes place), Hoi An Memories Land Theme Park (now where Hoi An Memories Show takes place)
– Famous streets: Tran Phu Street, Phan Chu Trinh Street, Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Bach Dang Street/Wharf, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Hoi An Lantern Streets
– Other points of interest: Red Seal Ship Model, Hoi An Evanlegical Church, Thong Dang Prison & Park, Kazik Park (Memory Statue of Kazimierz Kwiatkowski), Hoai River (Hoi An River), Song Hoai Square, An Hoi Sculpture Park, Hoi An Catholic Church, Hoi An Prison, Hoi An Central Park, Ba Le Well, Hoi An Lantern Park, An Hoi Island, Cam Nam Island, Thu Bon River, Da Ken Tree
Photos, Videos about Communal Houses in Hoi An
Here are beautiful photos and videos about communal houses in Hoi An:
