Abstract

Mazu worship, a form of folk goddess veneration originating from coastal China, plays a central role in the spiritual life of many overseas Chinese communities. In Hoi An (Quang Nam, Vietnam)—an important international trading port from the 17th to 19th centuries—this belief system was preserved and practiced by Chinese immigrants within the space of their assembly halls. Three notable examples include the Phuc Kien, Trung Hoa, and Quang Trieu Assembly Halls.
Based on fieldwork, architectural analysis, religious artifacts, and Han-Nom textual sources, this study investigates the role of Chinese assembly halls as socio-religious institutions where cultural identity is preserved and community cohesion is reinforced. It also provides a comparative perspective with Mazu worship at other temples and assembly halls in Ho Chi Minh City, where a large number of Chinese migrants settled, to reveal differences in ritual organization, sacred architecture, and levels of cultural localization.
The study demonstrates that Mazu worship not only reflects processes of cultural adaptation in new settlement environments but also serves as a vital mechanism for preserving identity, navigating historical transformations, and integrating into local society. Moreover, it constitutes an essential element of Vietnam’s intangible cultural heritage that warrants protection in the context of modernization and globalization.