One of Vietnam’s notable indigenous religious movements, Hoa Hao, meaning “peace and kindness,” originated in the late 1930s near Chau Doc in the Mekong Delta. Founded by the mystic Huynh Phu So, the sect advocates a pure, simple form of Buddhism that emphasizes self-practice through meditation, fasting, and prayer without reliance on clergy or elaborate rituals. Its teachings promote moral discipline by prohibiting gambling, alcohol, and opium, while filial piety is highlighted to strengthen social order.

Origins and Development of Hoa Hao

As a young man, Huynh Phu So suffered from a mysterious illness, which was cured by monks at Tra Son Pagoda near Chau Doc. Inspired by this experience, he stayed at the pagoda under the guidance of Monk Xom. After Xom’s passing, Huynh returned to his home village. During a storm in 1939, he entered a spiritual trance, emerging with the foundation for what would become the Hoa Hao faith.

The simplicity of Huynh’s teachings quickly attracted followers. However, the sect soon became entangled in Vietnam’s nationalist politics. The French colonial authorities deemed Huynh a dangerous subversive. In an attempt to suppress his influence, they confined him to a psychiatric hospital, but this backfired when he converted the attending doctor to his beliefs. Huynh was later placed under house arrest.

During World War II, Hoa Hao adherents were armed by the Japanese and subsequently fought against the French and opposed Communist forces. After the war, the sect formed an anti-Marxist political party, making Huynh Phu So a target for the Viet Minh, who assassinated him in 1947. Despite his death, the movement continued to expand.

Challenges and Resilience

Hoa Hao’s private army grew to rival that of the Cao Dai, but the rise of President Ngo Dinh Diem in the 1950s significantly weakened its political and military influence. The sect fragmented, with some members aligning with the National Liberation Front, while others supported American efforts during the Vietnam War.

After the Communist victory in 1975, many Hoa Hao leaders were arrested, and the sect’s organized priesthood was dissolved. However, Hoa Hao remained resilient, and by the late 20th century, it had retained a substantial following, particularly in the Mekong Delta.

Modern-Day Hoa Hao

Today, it is estimated that over 1.5 million Hoa Hao followers practice in Vietnam, predominantly in the Mekong Delta region. In 1999, the Vietnamese government officially recognized the principal Hoa Hao sect, granting it legal status to operate. However, offshoot groups accused of anti-government activities remain banned.

Hoa Hao continues to be a significant cultural and spiritual presence in southern Vietnam, emphasizing a return to core Buddhist principles of simplicity, morality, and self-reliance, making it a distinctive force in the country’s religious landscape.