Tran Family Chapel

Historic Building in Hoi An

Over two centuries ago, during the reign of Emperor Gia Long, Tran Tu Nhac, a cultural official from the Tran clan, was appointed as an envoy to China in 1802. Prior to his diplomatic mission, he established a chapel for the Tran clan, intending it to serve as a communal place for future generations to honor and remember their ancestral origins.

Nestled quietly in the bustling heart of Hoi An old town, the Tran Family Chapel spans 1,500 square meters. This serene enclave is a haven from the external world, steeped in nostalgia.

The Architecture of Tran Family Chapel

Despite being over 200 years old, the Tran Family Chapel has preserved its architectural essence, which is a blend of three cultural styles: traditional Vietnamese, unique Chinese architecture, and Japanese feng shui. This fusion significantly enhances the chapel’s cultural importance in Hoi An. It embodies a typical ancestor worship site, featuring a layout akin to a Vietnamese garden house with two wings and three primary sections. The intricately carved wooden beams and columns add to its artistic charm. Inside, everything from the furniture and altars to the couplets is meticulously preserved, with a family museum located just behind the chapel.

A standout feature of the Tran Family Chapel is its unique architecture, highlighted by elaborate carvings and frescoes that reflect traditional Vietnamese aesthetics. The chapel is divided into two main areas:

The central worship space, designed with a high roof for an expansive feel, prominently features an ancestral altar dedicated to the Tran clan’s forebearer. This main shrine, equipped with three doors— the largest for the clan’s elders and two side doors for other male and female descendants—is opened only during Tet, festivals, and family anniversaries.

Adjacent to the main worship area is the annex, serving as the residence for the clan head and other family members.

Behind the chapel lies a spacious, airy backyard of 20 square meters, home to an ancient star fruit tree as old as the chapel itself, which bears sweet fruit year-round, delighting visitors. The chapel’s layout, adhering strictly to feng shui principles, offers a vivid and tactful arrangement that commands respect and mindfulness from its visitors.

The Tran Family Chapel also houses a collection of antiquities from the eras of Emperors Minh Mang and Tu Duc, displayed behind the altar. This collection includes invaluable items like genealogies, diaphragms, and couplets, each housed within glass cabinets and holding unique historical significance.

The Tran Family Chapel appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Hoi An!

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