Hoi An Ancient town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a charming gem located in central Vietnam, it near Da Nang Airport 30 km and Hue city 130km. Hoi An known for its well-preserved architecture, rich history, and vibrant culture, Hoi An offers visitor a glimpse into the past with its blend of Vietnam, Japan, China, and European influences. The heritage Hoi An Old Houses are living museums, offering travelers a unique glimpse into the town’s rich cultural past. These well-preserved structures, some dating back over 200 years, showcase a fascinating blend of architectural styles influenced by Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and European designs. Each Old house in Hoi An tells its own story, featuring intricate wood carvings, traditional furniture, ancestral altars, and unique structural elements that have withstood the test of time.
Hoi An has nearly 1,000 ancient houses, of which 844 are listed by UNESCO for their historical value. When exploring Hoi An, be sure to visit these 8 remarkable Old houses that the Hura Cars team would like to introduce to highlight the town’s unique architectural heritage.
1. Tan Ky House
Map direction: https://maps.app.goo.gl/R1uPW5scxBzgDb177
Add: 101 Nguyễn Thái Học Str, Old Town, Hoi An, Viet Nam
Admission Hoi An Old Town ticket
Built two centuries ago as the home of a well-to-do ethnic Vietnamese merchant, Tan Ky House has been lovingly preserved and today looks almost exactly as it did in the early 19th century.
The design of Tan Ky House shows evidence of Japanese and Chinese influence on local architecture. Japanese elements include the ceiling (in the area immediately before the courtyard), which is supported by three progressively shorter beams, one atop the other. Similar beams are found in the salon. Under the crab-shell ceiling, there are carvings of crossed sabers wrapped in silk, representing flexibility and nobility. The sabers symbolize force; the silk represents flexibility.
The courtyard serves several functions: it lets in light, provides ventilation, brings a glimpse of nature into the home, and collects rainwater for drainage. The stone tiles covering the patio floor were brought from Thanh Hoa province in north-central Vietnam. The carved wooden balcony supports around the courtyard are decorated with grape leaves—a European import and further evidence of the unique blending of cultures that took place in Hoi An.
The house was built in 1741. The owners of the house still live in the upper floor area, while the lower floor area is reserved for tourists to visit.
The back of the house faces the river. In the past, this section of the building was rented out to foreign merchants. That the house was a place of commerce as well as a residence is indicated by the two pulleys attached to a beam in the storage loft just inside the front door.
The exterior of the roof is made of tiles; inside, the ceiling consists of wood. This design keeps the house cool in summer and warm in winter.
2. Tran Family Chapel
Map direction: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9sxgy4AJ72P1XvLG7
Add: 21 Lê Lợi Str, Old Town, Hoi An, Viet Nam
Admission Hoi An Old Town ticket
The Tran family moved from China to Vietnam around 1700. Built in 1802, the Tran Family Chapel is a house for worshipping ancestors. It was built by one of the Tran clan who ascended to the rank of mandarin and once served as an Ambassador to China. His picture is to the right of the chapel.
The architecture of the building reflects the influence of Chinese and Japanese styles.
The central door is reserved for the dead—it’s opened at Tết and on the anniversary of the main ancestor. Traditionally, women entered from the left and men from the right, although these distinctions are no longer observed in supposedly egalitarian communist Vietnam.
The wooden boxes on the altar contain the Tran ancestors’ stone tablets—featuring chiseled Chinese characters setting out the dates of birth and death—along with some small personal effects. On the anniversary of each family member’s death, their box is opened, incense is burned, and food is offered. Nowadays, photographs have replaced the stone tablets.
There’s a museum and souvenir shop at the back of the chapel. The small garden behind is where the placentas of newborn family members are buried—the practice is meant to prevent fighting between the children.
3. Quan Thang Ancient House
Map direction: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4B8Rzgn3tnPKF2tK9
Add: 77 Trần Phú Str, Old Town, Hoi An, Viet Nam
Admission Hoi An Old Town ticket
This private house is three centuries old and has been in the family for six generations, having been built by an ancestor who was a Chinese captain. Again, the architecture includes Japanese and Chinese elements. There is some especially fine carving on the teak walls of the rooms around the courtyard, on the roof beams, and under the crab-shell roof (in the salon next to the courtyard). Look out for the green ceramic tiles built into the railing around the courtyard balcony.
4. The Old House of Phung Hung
Map direction: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LmdWmGHb3MSnCTcY7
Add: 4 Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai Str, Old Town, Hoi An, Viet Nam
Free entry
In a lane full of beautiful buildings, this old house stands out. It’s still a family home, having housed eight generations over 226 years. At present, it showcases hand embroidery and souvenirs; wander through and enjoy the ambience. The first owner of the house was an extremely wealthy Vietnamese merchant. The name “Phung Hung” also expressed the desire for prosperity and warmth for future generations.
Like other ancient houses in Hoi An, the Phung Hung house is a two-story tube structure with a wide façade and doors at both front and back. Its architecture uniquely blends Vietnamese, Japanese, and Chinese styles.
Wood is the primary building material, featuring a cleverly designed door system for easy assembly and disassembly. The eaves’ supports are adorned with intricate carp carvings, traditional symbols of luck, prosperity, and power.
5. Tran Duong House – Hart Hoi An – Upcycled Home Decor
Map direction: https://maps.app.goo.gl/z1RFD5cFGFgLF11Q7
Add: 25 Phan Bội Châu Str, Old Town, Hoi An, Viet Nam
Free Entry – Souvenir Shop
There’s a whole city block of colonnaded French-colonial buildings on 25 Phan Boi Chau, built among them the 19th-century Tran Duong House. It’s still a private home, so a family member will show you around. There’s some antique French and Chinese furniture, including a sideboard buffet and a sitting-room set with elaborate mother-of-pearl inlay. By contrast, the large, plain wooden table in the front room is the family bed.
The owner, a charming retired mathematics teacher, speaks English and French, and is happy to explain the history of his 62m-long house that has been in his family for six generations. The large wooden table in the front room is the family bed.
Nowadays, this house is used to sell various goods and souvenirs for travelers to provide income for the family. You can see Hart Hoi An – Upcycled Home Decor in the front.
6. Diep Dong Nguyen House
Map direction: https://maps.app.goo.gl/z4WZKdsd65Q86oDx6
Add: 58 Nguyễn Thái Học Str, Old Town, Hoi An, Viet Nam
Private House – Souvenir Shop
Built for a wealthy Chinese merchant in the late 19th century, the Diep Dong Nguyen House is open from 8 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The front room on the ground floor was once a dispensary for Thuoc Bac (Chinese medicine); the medicines were stored in the glass-enclosed cases lining the walls.
The owner’s private collection of antiques—which includes photographs, porcelain, and furniture—is on display upstairs. Two of the chairs were once lent by the family to Emperor Bảo Đại.
The colour and the design is very unique. It used to be a shop that sold all sort of things from silk to medicine from Saigon Cho Lon. Now there’s a lot of old bowls and cups displayed inside
7. Nha Co Thai Phien – Old House at 104 Thai Phien
Map direction: https://maps.app.goo.gl/p3GaPGBivAiVX8sS8
Add: 104 Thai Phien Street, Old Town, Hoi An, Viet Nam
Visitors to this site will marvel at the unique architectural design of the ancient Hoi An house. Its distinctive features include a yin-yang tiled roof, exquisite carvings, and a floor made of antique Bat Trang bricks.
The house is 250 years old, spanning 8 generations of people—grandparents, children, and grandchildren. It has been preserved through many generations, a cultural feature of the Vietnamese people. Though old, the house is beautifully crafted with wood materials, showcasing the exquisite design of bygone days while still looking remarkably well-maintained. Travelers can tour the house for free. The owner is friendly and approachable. Currently in its 9th generation, the owner of this old house is hospitable and lovely. The silver handicrafts are particularly beautiful, retaining the cultural value of the nation. It’s recommended to purchase souvenirs to support the family’s efforts in preserving and maintaining the house. This is undoubtedly a place worth visiting when coming to Hoi An.
The wooden frontage and shutters provide an excellent photographic backdrop for this eclectic shop, where women craft silk lanterns.
There are various means of transportation to get to the Thái Phiên ancient house. Visitors can choose motorbike, cyclos, Hoi An Private taxi, or walk there. Looking at the map of Hoi An city, you can see that to get to the ancient house, you will go from Lê Lợi Street towards Nguyễn Thái Học Street.
8. Hoi An Traditional Art Performance House
Map direction: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fKw1nNfJXNe3PGoVA
Add: 66 Bạch Đằng Str, Old Town, Hoi An, Viet Nam
This FREE traditional art performance offers an intimate setting perfect for appreciating the essence of Hoi An’s culture. Professional dancers from Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary deliver polished, authentic performances, including the Cham dance. It’s a must-see for understanding local heritage.
The show is included in the full-option ticket, available at booths around Hoi An. While entrance to the Ancient Town is free, a small fee (80,000 VND for Vietnamese, 120,000 VND for foreigners) allows access to three out of 21 attractions. Multiple show times, an English-speaking MC, and interactive elements like the bài chòi game with prizes enhance the experience. Travelers can also try making handmade masks.
Located at 66 Bạch Đằng Street, the Traditional Art Performance House showcases regional heritage through various cultural shows. These include hô hát bài chòi, Quảng Nam folk songs, and music from 12 countries historically connected to Hoi An. The intimate venue allows close observation of performers’ expressions and costume details. This cultural product has gained such popularity that performers now also entertain at local hotels and international venues.
Travel Guide for Visiting Hoi An Old Houses
Remember to respect the local customs and the private nature of these homes. Some are still inhabited, so be mindful of the residents’ privacy and follow any guidelines provided by the caretakers or guides.
Costume – Dress code
When visiting the Old Houses in Hoi An, it’s advisable to dress modestly and comfortably:
– Wear lightweight, breathable clothing to cope with the warm climate.
– Choose clothes that cover your shoulders and knees, especially when entering places of worship.
– Comfortable walking shoes are essential as you’ll be exploring on foot.
– Consider bringing a hat and sunglasses for sun protection.
– Some private house, they won’t ask about dress code, but polite is best, some people they don’t want traveller wear too short
Tickets for Hoi An Old Houses
To visit the Hoi An Old Houses and other attractions in Hoi An Ancient Town:
– Purchase a Hoi An Old Town ticket, which allows entry to five attractions of your choice: you can consider where is free or request tickets as Hoi An Private Car team mentioned above
– Tickets are available at various booths throughout the Old Town.
– As of 2024, ticket prices are typically around 120,000 VND for foreigners (~5 USD) and 80,000 vnd for Vietnamese (3.5 USD)
– Some private houses not require ticket fee for entry or guided tours, but if you want to visit their house, you should buy some souvenir/ drink at their house.
Transportation
Getting around Hoi An Ancient Town and visiting the Hoi An Old Houses is relatively easy:
– The Old Town is pedestrian-friendly, and walking is the best way to explore the narrow streets and alleys.
– Bicycle rentals are widely available and offer a pleasant way to cover more ground.
– For longer distances or to reach outlying attractions, consider using Hoi An’s private car services.
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Conclusion
These Hoi An Old Houses are not just tourist attractions but also family homes, many of which have been passed down through several generations. Travelers can explore the traditional layout of these houses, typically featuring a central courtyard, and learn about the daily lives of Hoi An’s merchants and residents from centuries past. The preservation of these Old Houses plays a crucial role in maintaining Hoi An’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage site and continues to be a source of pride for the local community.