History & Architecture of Tran Family Chapel in Hoi An

Tran Family Chapel in Hoi An was built in 1802, by Tran Tu Nhac, a literature mandarin who worked in the government of Gia Long king, founder of the Nguyen dynasty (1802-1945). He was an intellectual and talented person. Before being appointed as Vietnam’s enjoyer and began his journey to China, he constructed this chapel to worship ancestors. Information about him and his envoyship are not rich.

Hoi An’s Tran Family Chapel has an area of 1,500 m2, including a worshipping building (temple) and a garden in the front. It has one main entrance on Le Loi street that looks to the west which symbolizes the direction of ancestors, and a side door to the south (Phan Chu Trinh street).

The main worshipping hall has brick walls, a tile roof without any holy animal ornamentals, and many doors to go inside. Although, to respect ancestors of the family, visitors will sightsee from the side door to the right. In ceremonies, all doors of this hall are opened.

In the middle of the first room of Tran Family Chapel, there is an altar to worship ancestors. Above the central door, the red-lacquered wooden board has three golden Chinese words which mean ‘The Ancestral Hall of Tran Family/Clan’. On the columns on the sides, visitors can see 4 vertical, long wooden boards on which Chinese sentences are carved, each with a beautiful meaning.

To the right, there is a set of old-fashioned wooden tables and chairs, a picture of Tran Tu Nhac mandarin, paintings and red-lacquered horizontal boards. One of paintings depict the Eight Immortals Cross the Sea (seen also in Cantonese Assembly Hall). They are He Xiangu, Han Xiang Zi, Lan Caihe, Li Tieguai, Lü Dongbin, Zhongli Quan, Cao Guojiu and Zhang Guo Lao. Each immortal shows off her/his own skills and expertise, to achieve a common goal.

To the left, there is a wooden bed, buddha statues and paintings, two red-lacquered horizontal boards with significant sentences written in Chinese inscriptions, calligraphy and a painting depicting a tiger in the mountain.

Today, Tran Family Chapel in Hoi An has preserved many old and precious objects, such as the sword of Tran Tu Nhac, Chinese style ink washing paintings (a traditional painting style involves or depicts beautiful natural sceneries, using brush and ink), a genealogy book dating from 1812 with 46 pages, and ceramic wares (bowl, plate, vase,…) dating from 150-200 years ago, coins produced in 19th and 20th centuries.

In the garden of Tran Family Chapel in Hoi An, visitors will see old trees, such as 100-years-old star fruit, and some small mounds where family members buried the placenta of the childs after birth. This tradition aimed to remind kids to remember their ancestors, hometown, and home country. Today, almost no one does it.

The yellow wall of Tran Family Chapel, along Phan Chu Trinh St, draws many photographers and visitors who love photography. It’s a perfect, typical backdrop for pictures about bicycles or cyclos or ao dai ladies in Hoi An.

Tran Family Chapel is one of the most peaceful sightseeing places in Hoi An Ancient Town although it’s within the most touristy area. While visiting around, people won’t hear noise.