Saigon Ceramics in Artistic Decoration Architecture of the Hoa People in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam

Hoa people play an important role in reclaiming and building the southern region, especially the Cho Lon area, which is considered to have the largest concentration of Hoa communities in the country. Possessing a unique cultural heritage, Hoa people in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) have created many unique architectural works with outstanding colors and decorative carvings. Exquisitely carved on many materials, such as wood, bronze, and especially ceramic. From the early twentieth century onwards, in the Saigon region, names of pottery kilns such as "Dong Hoa Dieu" and "Buu Nguyen Dieu" appeared on ceramic products used for construction, restoration, decoration, or worship at temples. , Hoa Guild Halls, etc. Saigon pottery appeared because the need to use decorative ceramics and worship objects for new construction and restoration at temples, shrines, and Guild Halls became more popular. The decorative art themes in the traditional architecture of the temple and the Flower Guild Hall are very diverse and rich, such as mascots, plants, stories, symbols associated with religious beliefs,... Decorative images This is vividly portrayed to express the profound ideological and intellectual meanings of human life and the universe while demonstrating the mettle and character of the Hoa people and educating future generations. We aim to introduce the origin, historical significance, and cultural characteristics through each theme, legend, and distinctive layout of the temples by surveying and studying Saigon ceramics in architectural and artistic decoration at some temples, shrines, and Hoa Guild Halls in Ho Chi Minh City, such as: Tue Thanh Hoi Quan, Nhi Phu Hoi Quan, Nghia An Guild Hall, Nam Pho Da Tu, Thao Duong Thien Tu,... Ho Chi Minh City is home to two distinct Vietnamese and Hoa resident communities, which together support the city's distinctive architectural and historical assets.