By Shu Zhen Chen
The ancient town of Hoi An, which is 30 km South of Danang, lies
on the banks of the Thu Bon River. Hoi An was one of the major
trading centers of Southeast Asia in the 16th century. It has
a distinct Chinese atmosphere with low, tile-roofed houses and
narrow streets; the original structure of some of these streets
still remains almost intact. All the houses were made of rare
wood, decorated with boards and panels engraved with Chinese
characters. Pillars were also carved with ornamental
designs.
On our visit to Hoi An, we visited a family temple that was
preserved for ten generations. Walking through the doors, one
could feel the spirits of the past. We learned about the structure
of the temple and how even minor details had great meaning to those
who constructed the building. The five wooden supports on the
ceiling represented the five elements of the earth.
We also learned about the perseverance of the ancestor’s spirit.
When a member of the family passes away, their spirit goes to the
paradise in the west. The entrance of the temple faces the
west so that it is easier for the spirits to find their way
home. The front doors of the temple remain close throughout
the year except for twice a year: lunar moon and the family
day. Upon entering the barrier between the living area and the
worship area was a step that required anyone entering to look down
as if they were to bow in respect to the spirit. Boxes were placed
on an altar to symbolize the presence of the spirit. Each box
contained the possessions and valuables that had great meaning to
the individual. It was remarkable to see that this temple was
very well preserved by the later generations. The traditions
and beliefs that were established by the first generation are shown
and displayed by the family members. They follow in the roots
of the earlier generations and continue the family name.
We also stopped by a museum that spoke about the history of Hoi
An. We learned that it began as a trading post used by the
Japanese and Chinese. Throughout the exhibit, we saw artifacts
that were recovered and preserved since the 16th century. We ended
with a visit to the bridge that linked the Chinese and Japanese
quarters. This is a place where these two cultures met.
This was a worthwhile visit to a city that has had so much
history behind it. To see that the temples, bridges are so
well kept displays the importance of family values and
tradition.