Hoi An is full of history and charm. While most travelers rush to see the famous Japanese Covered Bridge, I always suggest taking a little detour to discover the quieter, more meaningful places. One of my favorite spots is the Cam Pho Communal House (Dinh Lang Cam Pho).
As someone who loves learning about the deeper stories behind every destination, I found this place truly fascinating. Recognized as a national monument and part of Hoi An’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s not just an ancient building; it’s the spiritual heart of Cam Pho Village, one of the town’s oldest communities.
In this article, I’ll share everything you need to know, from its history and worship traditions to helpful tips for your visit. Let’s dive in.
A Must-Know Visitor’s Guide to Cam Pho Communal House
If you are planning your trip to Hoi An, knowing the practical details for visiting sites like this is crucial. The good news is, visiting the Cam Pho Communal House is straightforward once you have the local knowledge.
Location and Access
The communal house is located at 52 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St, right in the bustling Cam Pho ward. It is conveniently situated close to one of Hoi An’s most famous structures, the Japanese Covered Bridge. In fact, the communal house is near the Bridge, making it easy to spot while walking that famous route.
From my experience, the best way to see the Cam Pho Communal House is by walking. The area around it is part of a pedestrian zone during certain hours (like 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 3:00 PM to 9:30 PM). If you’re coming by bike or taxi, the nearest place to drop off or park is near the Red Seal Ship model at the west end of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street.
And if you’re traveling from Da Nang, you can easily book a private car with Huracars for a smooth and comfortable ride. Simply reach out via WhatsApp at +84 935 566 099 to arrange your trip directly.
And if you want a full guide to moving around the city smoothly, don’t miss my essential travel tips for Hoi An.
Ticket Information and Hours
Now, about the price. The Communal House requires the Hoi An Old Town ticket. The ticket Entry Fee is 120,000 VND for foreign adults and children above 15 years old. This single ticket allows entry into five attractions within the Ancient Town, so it’s a great value!
The Opening hours are 8 AM to 5:30 PM daily. I suggest visiting first thing in the morning when it’s less crowded. You will only need a short amount of time here; the suggested Time to Spend is 15–30 mins.
Essential Visitor Tips
Since this is a holy place, there are some important courtesies to observe. The Communal House is a place of worship, so visitors need to wear respectfully. This means clothing that covers your upper knees, shoulders, and midriff. As an example, garments like long pants or shirts are highly recommended.
Finally, a note on the weather:
- In the dry season (February to August), it gets hot, so bring water, a hat, and sunscreen.
- In the rainy season (September to January), carry an umbrella or a rain jacket.
- A crucial warning: from October to December, the town may be flooded, so always check the forecast before you leave your hotel. I can confirm from personal experience that dealing with flooded streets in sandals is not like a good time!
Discover more suggestions on how to dress for Hoi An’s weather.
The Sacred Deities and Spiritual Role of the Communal House
Understanding who and what is worshipped here is key to grasping the structure’s significance. The spiritual focus is intense, reflecting centuries of local belief.
The Principal Deity
The main focus of the worship is the Dai Can Goddess, also known as the Four Holy Mothers/Queens or Tu Vi Thanh Cuong. This Goddess is a deity related to river/water. I found her story particularly moving—she was a princess of the Southern Tong dynasty.
Throughout history, the Communal House worships the Dai Can Goddess, and I have a great example of why: according to the old texts, she and the other goddesses have appeared to help kings defeat invaders or ensure fishermen’s safe trips at sea.
Other Gods and Worshipped Figures
Besides the main deity, the inhabitants of the village worship ten other deities. These include fascinating figures like the ‘whale god’ (Nam Hai Cu Toc Ngoc Lan) and the ‘otter god’ (Dong Nam Sat Hai). There is also Thien Y Ana, a goddess stemming from co-existing Vietnamese and Cham folk beliefs.
Later, the Communal House added worship for the village’s founding men (tien hien) and successors (hau hien). A fantastic historical fact is that the Communal House Preservation has thirty-two imperial sheets to confer gods, including 15 original sheets.
A Look Inside: Architecture and Design of the Dinh Lang Cam Pho
The building itself is an architectural treasure, reflecting Vietnamese religious traditions. The total size of the Cam Pho Communal House Area is 1,125 m².
Overview of the Structure
The main layout is well-defined:
- Entrance Gate
- Worshipping Hall with the pavilion (phuong dinh)
- East House
- West House
The first building you encounter is the Entrance Gate, which has color yellow, a color typical of the Hoi An Ancient Town. I like the twin columns topped with lotus flowers, which are holy in Vietnamese culture. The central entrance features four Chinese words.
Key Architectural Elements
The Worshipping Hall is the centerpiece. It has five compartments inside. The structure has a pavilion (phuong dinh) in the front with two roof layers, and I immediately noticed the phoenixes along the ridges—a fitting motif since the main deity is a goddess!
The original restoration details are fascinating. I learned that the Communal House was restored in 1818 during the reign of Gia Long king. The information about this restoration is carved on wooden bars inside the hall. In modern times, the Communal House was used as storage from 1975 to 1989 for a co-operative making sedge mats before it was restored again. The East and West Houses, simple and functional, were used for communal meetings and festival preparations.
Cam Pho Village: A Pillar of Hoi An’s History
To truly appreciate the Communal House, you need to understand the village it represents.
The Village’s Origins
The Cam Pho Village founded in 15th century and is one of the oldest in Hoi An. The village’s name itself, Cam means ‘brilliant, gorgeous’, and Pho means ‘to spread, to display’. I found a note of its historical importance in the 16th-century book Chau O Can Luc. In its earliest days, the community was a blend of Vietnamese people migrating from the northern central provinces and the indigenous Cham people who lived here first.
Economic and Geographical History
Historically, the people of Cam Pho did many jobs: growing rice, fishing, making handicrafts, and trading. When Hoi An became a major port, business boomed. The land of the village was once enormous; the Communal House was originally built on Cam Nam Island but was moved due to flooding.
The village has three hamlets: Tu Le, Xuan Lam, and Truong Le.
Fun Fact: The Communal House has recognition National monument (1991), making it a formally protected cultural site years before the entire town was recognized by UNESCO.
Beyond the Main Site: Other Communal Houses in the Area
The Cam Pho Communal House is the center for the whole village (dinh lang), but each hamlet also had its own smaller communal house (dinh ap).
Xuan Lam Communal House
The house for the Xuan Lam hamlet is located at 40 Tran Hung Dao St. It was built in 1905, during the reign of the Thanh Thai king. It hosts an important ceremony, the spring ceremony, on the 15th day of the first lunar month.
Tu Le Communal House
Serving the Tu Le hamlet, this structure is located at 169 Tran Hung Dao St. It was built in 1908. Similar to the main Communal House, its central compartment is dedicated to the Dai Can Goddess. The existence of these two other Communal Houses gives a sample of how pervasive and important communal religious and social life was in the area.