Abstract

This paper focuses on the formation, institutional structure, and integration of the Minh Hương community (Minh Hương xã) in Hội An from the mid -17th to the mid - 19th centuries. The study analyzes a number of issues, such as the wave of Chinese migrants from China to Hội An, especially during the political movements and uprisings of the anti- Qing movement to overthrow the Qing and restore the Ming. Given this situation, many Chinese refugees and Ming officials fled to Hội An, escaping the wars and disturbances in mainland China. They established the Chinese Minh Hương xã in Hội An trading port. The
Minh Hương (明香) understood this term to mean “maintaining joss-sticks for the Ming dynasty,” but in 1827 the Vietnamese Court took it to mean the “Minh village” (明鄉) - the
character for “village” (鄉) being a homophone of that for “joss-stick” (香). Hence, members
of a Minh Hương village included Chinese men married to Vietnamese women, and their descendants. This paper also focuses on the institutional structure and organization of the Minh Hương xã, as well as its relations with local society and local government.