These halls were originally built as representative offices of the Chinese coming to Vietnam for a living, each being managed by a particular group of ethnic Chinese. Together they oversaw memorial houses, schools and theaters which were designed to serve the specific needs of Chinese people and those who wanted to learn about China’s cultures. Today such institutions operate independently, but are still supported by the halls through donations.

All of the assembly halls found in Ward 11, District 5 share a more or less similar style in terms of architecture. Dating back to as early as the 1700s, the halls are shaped like 国, a character that means “nation,” perhaps telling us that while in Saigon, the Chinese still yearn for the love of their motherland. In the middle of every assembly hall lies a temple, whose both sides are connected with two small houses. Spacious and filled with the pleasant smell of incense, the temples change colors all the time, due to the sunlight shone through their heavenly wells – the wells from which we might feel that the matter and the spirit are all but intertwined.

The locals have different ways of calling the halls. If one is famous for the god or goddess it worships, then it’s referred to as “Temple.” Whereas, if a hall focuses on secular activities, such as chess playing, information sharing and community gathering, then people call it by its full name, i.e. “Assembly Hall.”

Many visitors find it a surprise that those Chinese halls do not serve Buddhist or any religious purposes. Instead, they worship Shen Xian, a group of Chinese figures who contributed to community development and passed away. At Quynh Phu Assembly Hall and Ba Temple, they venerate Ms. Tian Hou, or “the lady of the sea,” who is said to help Chinese people have safe trips overseas. And just about a hundred meters from Ba Temple, on the same street named Nguyen Trai, is Ong Temple, where there is a grand shrine to Mr. Guan Gong, a symbol of the idealist and entrepreneurial, who – as the Chinese believe – makes their businesses a success.

How many assembly halls do the Vietnamese have? None. One might argue that we instead have cultural houses, parks, pagodas and so on. But they either are governed by the State or serve planned/staged events. But they’re either noisy because of the cries, the market and the propaganda that make people so excited, or filled with lonesome feelings because each individual just does his part, leaving their souls disconnected. If only we had a park that’s not commercialized, a square where spontaneous acts are permitted, and a place in which one could be at ease with himself and yet feel attached to a good larger than himself.

Amidst the alledged and silent hatred that Vietnamese people have towards the Chinese and of our unsettling dispute over the Spratly and Paracel islands, it would make one a fool if he said we need to learn from the Chinese. Yet it’s true – more assembly halls could be a solution to the city’s soul-ache.

Written by Vu Thi Quynh Giao

The ASEAN Youth Exchange Program will be held on 15-25 May 2013 at Chulalongkorn University. The participating youths will be able to learn about the ASEAN and its interrelated pillars as well as attend youth workshops and discussion groups facilitated by experts in related fields during the 10 days’ program in Bangkok, Thailand.

Application Deadline

19 April 2013

Who can Join

Students who are currently studying in universities in ASEAN member countries

How to Submit

1. Download the Application Package

2. Email asc.exchangeprogram@gmail.com

Funding

The ASEAN Studies Center of Chulalongkorn University (ASC) will cover all in-country expenses (transportation, accommodation, entrance fees for excursion and institutional visit). The participating youths have to shoulder their own round-trip air tickets.

Should you require more information, please feel free to contact Ms. Nuanpan at asc.exchangeprogram@gmail.com

Facebook:  CU Youth Exchange Program 2012-2013

Despite a political reform, human rights and ethnic disputes remain key issues in Myanmar. These peace activists aimed to resolve the ongoing civil conflicts in Kachin State and other ethnic areas by creating an awareness through these peaceful marches.

The peace activists were initially denied permission by the authorities to march for reasons such as causing “traffic congestion” and “disturbances to the people”. They went on with the marches and had been arrested just because they broke the law under Article 18 of the Assembly and Procession bylaw – “Staging a public gathering without official permission.” All of them might face up to 10-year jail time as a result.

They were peace-lovers who wanted to stop the war in their own country. They carried out their peaceful marches without causing harm to the other people. Help them now by appealing to the government to release them of these unfair charges.

We are young people from Southeast Asia.
Join us in our campaign to help the 13 by appealing to the government to drop charges and release them.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

1) Find out more information regarding the situation

2) Spread awareness, share the news!

-Share our Facebook campaign page to as many people as possible so they know about this situation.
-Tweet about the campaign and situation using hashtag #freethe13. Other suggested hastags include #humanrights #Burma #Myanmar
-Share our posters and video via Facebook
-Share this post
-Share our petition page

3) Show your support
- email or write to human rights organizations, UN or US State Sect or
- sign our petition
- write opinion pieces to newspapers and blog about this issue
-share your thoughts with us via comments or e-mail: freethe13@seayouthsayso.com (You may send in opinion pieces to be published)

“Peace is not something you wish for; It’s something you make, something you do, something you are, and something you give away.” – Robert Fulghum

Will you give peace a chance? Take action today!

The International Institute for Strategic Studies-Asia (IISS-Asia) invites applications for the Gerald Segal Research Internship 2012-13, which will be tenable for a period of three months between 1 December 2012 and 30 September 2013 at the IISS-Asia office in Singapore.

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The Gerald Segal Research Internship provides an opportunity for a postgraduate student of any nationality to spend three months in Singapore working on their own research project concerned with an aspect of international relations or international security in the Asia-Pacific region, while simultaneously contributing to the activities of the IISS-Asia office, in terms of both research and meetings. IISS-Asia is currently expanding its research and other activities, and in November 2012 will be moving to new, larger premises in the heart of Singapore’s financial district.

The intern will be paid a stipend of SGD600 per month to cover daily expenses. IISS-Asia will provide assistance in securing the necessary temporary work permit for the intern, but finding accommodation will be the intern’s own responsibility.

Interested candidates should submit their CV, a synopsis of their proposed research project (which may be directly connected to their postgraduate programme), and a covering letter to Dr Tim Huxley, Executive Director, IISS-Asia via Huxley@iiss.org by 30 September 2012.