Hoi An is a charming and picturesque little city located near the coastline in Central Vietnam. Once a major trading port between the 16th and 18th centuries, it managed to retain to this day some of his architectural heritage. The old city spreads on 30 hectares and is listed on the UNESCO Word Heritage since 1999.
Although many of the 1000 old houses in Hoi An are now converted to tailor, souvenir, coffee shops and restaurants due the booming of both international and national tourism (more than 2 million tourist in 2016), an handful of preserved houses are open to the public. To visit them, you need to buy a 120 000 VND ticket (about USD 5), valid for only 5 world heritage sites. This post lists all heritage houses you can visit with one pass.
I would recommend to start your visit around 8 am to avoid group tours that can spoil your experience and make it difficult to take pictures. The advantage also is to be able to use a tripod as the interior of some houses is really dark. Except for the ancient house, each site is only few minutes apart by walk.
Tan Ky house (101 Nguyen Thai Hoc St)
Named after its builder Tan Ky, this house is the most popular heritage house in Hoi An, also the first one to be listed on the national heritage of Vietnam in 1985. Built in the late 18th century, its architecture is a combination of Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese styles. Two entrances are available, one facing the river but unfortunately the first floor is not open to the general public. It is not the best house to take interior pictures as often crowded with groups.
A short five minutes introduction is given but some members of the founding family before you can wander around. On one wall, water levels due to floods are recorded, the last one being in December 2016 which lasted for 4 days.
Interior of Tan Ky old house in Hoi An
Old bed displayed in Tan Ky old house
Phung Hung House (4 Nguyen Thi min Khai St)
Not far from the famous Japanese covered bridge, Phung Hung is a two-stories private house built in 1780 with a combination of Japanese (four-sided roof), Chinese and Vietnamese styles. A balcony with a nice vintage on the street below and on the room below is accessible. A small tour with few explanations is given to you when you enter the premises. It is one the best house to take interior pictures because it is quite large and bright. A shop selling embroideries is located on the second floor.
Interior of Phung Hung old house in Hoi An
Interior of Phung Hung old house in Hoi An
Interior of Phung Hung old house in Hoi An
Quan Thang house (77 Tran Phu St)
Built by a Chinese merchant in the late 17th century, Quan Thang is a one-story shop-house with some interesting architectural details especially the teak walls. No explanations about the house was given by family during the visit. The back of the house is private so photographic opportunities are quite limited.
Interior of Quan Thang old house
Portrait of Ho Chi Minh in Quan Thang house
Portrait of an ancestor at Quan Thang house altar
Duc An old house (129 Tran Phu St)
Duc An is an heritage house built in 1850 with some timber carvings. The house was a bookstore at the end of the 19th century and Chinese medicine dispensary during the 20th century. Unfortunately a souvenir shop is now located on the back of the house thus restricting photography. There was no guide during the visit.
Interior of Duc An old house
Interior of Duc An heritage house in Hoi An
Old medicine dispensary in Duc An old house
Tran Family Chapel (21 Le Loi St)
Tran chapel is a beautiful house built in 1804 by Tran Tu Nhac with purpose to worship his ancestors. Architecture reflects Japanese (five columns), Chinese (turtle roof) and Vietnamese (bow and arrow) styles. The house has three entrances, a beautiful waiting room leading to the atmospheric ancestors’altar with stone tablets. A shop is located at the back with some interesting Yin Yang coins and few Piastres from the Indochina period. The guided visit was one of the best of all the houses.
Waiting room in the Tran Chapel family
Waiting room in the Tran Chapel family
Tran Tu Nhac, the founder of the Tran Chapel
Ancestors of the Tran family
Beautiful floor tiles in Tran Chapel family
Detail of a drape in Tran Chapel Hoi An
Yin Yang coins in Tran Chapel Hoi An
Ancient House (104 Thai Phien St)
One of my favorite heritage house situated in the northern part of the old town. Built 250 years ago on one floor with 4 rooms it has an unique Vietnamese architecture. A cluster of beautiful red lanterns are hanging in the entrance room and carved pillars are well preserved. Hosts are quite friendly and invite you for tea and biscuits to reply to questions you might have. Entrance is free so if if you do not want to buy anything from the shop, a donation box is available. Ancient House receives only few visitors daily so you are likely to be alone during your visit.
Ancient house interior Hoi An
Red lanterns in ancient house Hoi An
Beautiful carved pillar in Ancient House
Red lanterns in Hoi An Ancient House
Glass window detail in ancient house Hoi An
Diep Dong Nguyen house (82 Nguyen Thai Hoc St)
This old house built late 19th century has been converted to a museum displaying ceramics and furniture. Of particular interest is the wooden facade of the house with no windows. You do not need the old town ticket to visit the premises.
The beautiful wooden facade of Diep Dong Nguyen house
Porcelain displayed at Diep Dong Nguyen house
Resident of the house burning incenses for prayer
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