Hoi An Communal House is located in Hoi An Village, Tam Thanh Commune, Phu Quy Special Zone. The structure was first built in the late 18th century and later renovated in 1812, becoming a more spacious and dignified spiritual center for the local community.
Hoi An Communal House and Whale Temple (Đình – Vạn Hội An) were established to worship the Tutelary Deity of the Local Domain (Thành Hoàng Bổn Cảnh), the God of the Sea (Nam Hải – the Whale Deity), as well as the village founders and early settlers who contributed to establishing and developing the community. These worship practices reflect the beliefs of residents who traditionally lived by farming and fishing, expressing their hopes for peace, prosperity, and safety at sea.
Located in Trieu Duong Hamlet, Tam Thanh Commune, the site embodies two principal spiritual functions in Vietnamese folk belief:
- Worship of the Tutelary Deity — the guardian spirit who protects the village and ensures harmony in the community.
- Worship of the Whale Deity (Cá Ông) — the sacred protector of fishermen, believed to save those in distress at sea and guide them through storms.
Additionally, the communal house honors the village pioneers who gathered settlers, reclaimed land, and built the original communal structures.
Every year, Hoi An Communal House and Whale Temple host three major ceremonies:
- Spring Ritual (Tế Xuân) and Autumn Ritual (Tế Thu) following the traditional practice of “praying in spring, giving thanks in autumn” (xuân cầu – thu báo).
- The Annual Commemoration of Ancestors (Lễ Kỵ Cố) on the 1st day of the 6th lunar month, honoring the contributions of early founders.
Recognizing its historical and cultural significance, the site was officially listed as a Provincial Historical–Cultural Relic by the People’s Committee of Bình Thuận Province under Decision No. 2155/QĐ-UBND dated October 30, 2012.
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