The Ethnic Identity of Chinese in Hoi An ,Viet Nam: The Study of La, Diep, Luu Families

• Main Authors: Luu Tran Thach Thao, 劉陳石草
• Other Authors: I-Chun Kung
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/17838116411497941039

碩士 === 國立暨南國際大學 === 東南亞研究所 === 101 === Hoi An is a town famous as a perfect preserver of the traditional Chinese architecture in 17th century. From 17th century, the Nguyen dynasty, the State of Vietnam opened ports in Hoi An and started trade relations with other counties, which led to Hoi An’s hundreds of years of prosperity and made it the economic and cultural centre of mid-southern Vietnam. Hoi An was a gathering place of businessmen from China, Japan, India, Netherlands, and many other European countries; most immigrants coming to Hoi An were from costal areas of China (Fujian and Guangdong Province). Loitering in this ancient town, you will be immersed in its long history and the aura of Chinese elements: many classical Chinese architecture, like quadrangles and eye-gate, have completely different style from Vietnam’s traditional architecture. These constructions not only marked the national identification of Chinese people, but also symbolized the cultural conversation between two countries. In 1999, Hoi An, the town full of Chinese style, was formally recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, recommended as “an example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 17th to the 19th century”. In mid 16th century, many Chinese businessmen, as well as many foreign ships, had come to this port for trading. Hoi An hence became a prosperous port, in which Chinese people played an exceptionally important role. The Chinese businessmen influenced the trading process in the middle Vietnam (south of Quang Binh Province), and the Chinese immigrants had brought more color for the social life of Hoi An. The Chinese culture transported by them deeply took root in Hoi An, integrated with Hoi An’s indigenous culture, and became a indispensable part of Hoi An’s culture or even middle Vietnam’s culture. In this ancient town, Chinese culture is shown in many details of life: architecture, cuisine, clothes, religion, rituals and the like. These tangible and intangible took their root in 17th century as Chinese people came; today, they are still well-preserved, making Hoi An a showcase of the longest and the most unique Chinese culture in the history of Vietnam, as well as one of the most important world heritage sites. As for the history of the development of Hoi An’s Chinese people in 17th and 18th century, there have been many related studies by local and foreign scholars; however, most of them focus on their special field, like the business or the architecture. This research, by analyzing the pedigree of three big Chinese family—La’s family, Diep’s family and Luu’s family—intends to have a deeper understanding of the development of the identification of Chinese groups in Hoi An. The economy, society and culture of Hoi An has been considerably influenced by the immigration of these three families; the ups and downs of Hoi An were close connected with Chinese people. Although the records of the three families’ hundreds of years are all simple, we can tell from them their overseas struggle for life and their taking root and development—how to preserve Chinese culture and bring more elements to the indigenous culture? The historical data about Chinese people in Hoi An is only a few. With my experience of upbringing and settlement in Hoi An as well as the rare materials collected by me, I intend to further discuss how Chinese people and their descendants live and identify with their second mother town when they leave their “mother country”?