#Cholon was the 1st #ChineseSettlement established in #Vietnam in 2nd half of 17th century, after the fall of the #MingDynasty in #China, by the people who remained loyal to the fallen emperor and exiled to Vietnam.
Then, later during the 18th century, a 2nd wave of #Chinese immigration arrived to Cholon, as a consequence of the demographic pressure in China.
*My patriarch ancestors fled from China in 18th century & starting rebuilding life in Saigon. This thread is about where we lived.
(2) The #Chinese #communities in #Cholon organized themselves in “bangs” or “community groups”, based on their respective #dialects and regions of #origin.
In the late 18th century, the #ChineseSettlement was destroyed when the #TaySon #RebelArmy captured the city of #GiaDinh (actual #Saigon).
#AsianMastodon #Vietnam #Teochew #BeforeOurDisplacement #RefugeeLives
(3)The #survivors had to rebuild the town and took this opportunity to improve the waterway system by building high embankments and wharves along the river. The settlement then took the name of #TaiNgon (embankment).
It grew and became a bustling center of #commerce. #Chinese merchants started to trade a larger variety of goods such as building materials, opium, alcohol, tobacco.
#AsianMastodon #Vietnam #Teochew #BeforeOurDisplacement #RefugeeLives #Saigon #Cholon
(4)In 1820’s, citizens of #Chinese origins saw their privileges abolished by Emperor #MinhQuang who distrusted the Chinese.
In 1859, the #French #invaded #Vietnam and started naming #Saigon the administrative center located in today’s District 1, while the #ChineseSettlement became known as #ChoLon - literally meaning “Big market”.
(5)The #Chinese community sought the #French’s protection and, thanks to their support, could resume trading as they did before #MinhQuang’s reign.
In the 1930’s #Cholon was a real “suburb” of #Saigon and they started to merge together.
(6) #Cholon got pretty much destroyed during the #AmericanWar aka #USinvasion. However it has kept its reputation of frantic #TradingHub and has become one of the largest #ChineseCommunities outside #China. It is also a city within the city, with its own #culture, #customs and #beliefs.
The only remains of what was our multi-families home in #Cholon were pieces from the original foundation. There were no remains from my Grandpa's incense factory - which was located beside our family's house/compound. Where our home used to be - there's a gas station, water station & some small shops. There's an autobody shop & noodles shop, where Grandpa's incense factory was. I saw both sites when going back to my birthplace in the 90s with my parents.
That must’ve been sad.
PhoenixSerenity
Looking for explanations…