Han Chinese epitaphs of Chinese people in Hoi An and adjacent areas

Abstract

Hoi An is an ancient trading port in the Central region of Vietnam, which
was formed in the sixteenth century and regarded most prosperously in the seventeentheighteenth century with numerous interactions from foreign merchant ships, mostly Chinese
people. As a result, a strong cultural and religious imprint has been left in the region. This
is considered an inevitable consequence resulting from the Nguyễn Dynasty's open door
policy, which facilitated Chinese people’s trade all over Vietnam. Remarkably, under the
reigns of Emperor Gia Long, Minh Mạng, and Tự Đức, Chinese community in the region grew
quickly, contributing to the prosperity of the Central Coast urban areas. Besides, they actively
participated in restoration of Hoi An's famous cultural and historical sites/relics, in which a
number of Han Chinese epitaphs remained. The article summarizes characteristics and forms
of Han Chinese epitaphs, as well as typical information related to Chinese community in Hoi
An and in the Central Coast of Vietnam