Hoi An Chabad Hosts Seder After Major Winter Flooding

By COLlive Reporter

A record-breaking crowd gathered this year in Hoi An, Vietnam, as Chabad-Lubavitch hosted what is being called the largest Pesach Seder held in Asia this year.

More than 1,200 participants joined the Seder, many of them Israeli backpackers and tourists traveling through the region.

Hoi An draws over 4 million visitors each year, including tens of thousands of Jewish travelers from Israel and around the world. With its mix of history, culture, and relaxed pace, it has become a popular destination for travelers passing through central Vietnam.

The Chabad House, led by Rabbi Menachem Mendel and Rocheli Fridman, has been serving the growing Jewish presence in the region since their arrival in 2023. In a short time, they’ve built a warm and welcoming center with kosher food, daily services, and large Shabbat and Yom Tov gatherings.

This year’s Seder came just months after severe winter flooding affected the city, causing damage in many areas and temporarily impacting the Chabad House. Even so, after months of preparation, the Seder went ahead as planned and on an even larger scale.

In addition to the main Seder in Hoi An, a second Seder took place in nearby Da Nang, about 45 minutes away, with around 180 participants. Alongside backpackers and tourists, the crowd included digital nomads and American expats who have made the area their home.

The Seder was led by Merkos Shlichus bochurim Bentzy Mishulovin and Shmuel Rotban, who ran the program and created a warm, engaging atmosphere for those in attendance.

The Da Nang Seder was organized by Rabbi Avremi Hartman of Ho Chi Minh City. Back in 2006, inspired by the Rebbe’s call to reach every Jew, he left Jerusalem and settled in Vietnam, building the foundation for a warm, accessible network serving Jewish travelers and locals across the country.

The crowds this year in Hoi An really show how much that effort has grown. More people than ever showed up to a Seder, even in a small city far from home.