Tan Ky Ancient House: A 200-Year-Old Heritage in the Heart of Hoi An Ancient Town

Tan Ky Ancient House was built in 1741 by Mr. Le Cong, an ethnic Chinese merchant who migrated to Hoi An. Mr. Le Cong initially traded agricultural products from the highlands to the port city, gradually prospering and building this house as a residence and trading warehouse. By his son's generation, the house was named "Tan Ky", meaning "prosperous in business" in Chinese, reflecting the family's prosperity.

For over 200 years, Tan Ky Ancient House has been owned by 7 generations of the Le family, witnessing many historical ups and downs of Hoi An – once one of the most bustling trading ports in Southeast Asia in the 17th-18th centuries. The house once endured the historic flood of 1964, when floodwaters reached the first floor, but it remained standing thanks to its solid structure. Today, the 7th-generation owner still lives on the upper floor, while the ground floor is open to visitors, making it a living heritage. Tan Ky Ancient House not only preserves family memories but also contributed to UNESCO's recognition of Hoi An Ancient Town as a World Cultural Heritage in 1999.

Tan Ky Ancient House is located at 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City, former Quang Nam Province (now Da Nang City). This location is extremely prime: the front faces the bustling Nguyen Thai Hoc Street – home to many shops and souvenir stores, while the back adjoins the Thu Bon River, convenient for transporting goods by boat in ancient times. From central Da Nang, you can travel to Hoi An by motorbike or car in just about 30-40 minutes. If you are already in Hoi An Ancient Town, the house is right in the center, an easy walk from other landmarks such as the Covered Bridge or Fujian Assembly Hall.

For precise navigation, you can use Google Maps with the keyword "Tan Ky Ancient House Hoi An". The surrounding area is often crowded at night with glowing lanterns, creating an ideal atmosphere for exploration.

The architecture of Tan Ky Ancient House is highlighted by the characteristic tube-house design of Hoi An ancient houses, consisting of 2 floors and 3 main bays, using no nails or screws but only intricate wooden joints. The house was built from high-grade materials: ironwood for rafters and frames, jackfruit wood for doors, marble from Thanh Hoa or Bat Trang for the exterior, and floor tiles from Non Nuoc Da Nang. What makes it special is that the house has no conventional windows, relying instead on a skylight for light and ventilation, keeping it cool in summer and warm in winter.

The "house-over-house" structure with multiple separate bays allows for the division of living, business, and worship spaces. The roof is covered with curved yin-yang tiles, and the column rafters are delicately carved with folk motifs. Overall, the architecture is not only durable but also demonstrates cleverness in flood resistance, a frequent issue in Hoi An.

Every carved detail and artifact in Tan Ky Ancient House carries a profound meaning, reflecting Eastern philosophy and culture.

• Carvings: Motifs on the rafters such as fish heads with dragon tails symbolize strength and protection; pomegranates represent prosperity and numerous descendants; pumpkins or peaches signify good luck and longevity; bats (phuc) wish for happiness, prosperity, and longevity.
• Artifacts: Most prominent is the "Confucius" cup – a 200-plus-year-old antique dating back to the era of Confucius (around 550-600 years ago). The cup is specially designed: when filled up to 8/10, the liquid automatically overflows, serving as a reminder of moderation, keeping a pure heart, and avoiding greed. In addition, the house displays ancient ceramics, badges, and souvenirs from past merchants, telling the story of international trade.

These details are not merely decorative, but also a way for the homeowners to impart moral philosophy, feng shui, and ethical foundations to future generations.

Tan Ky Ancient House was once the residence and business venue of 7 generations of the Le family, reflecting the lives of ancient Hoi An merchants. The ground floor served as a warehouse and shop, with the back facing the river for easy import and export of goods from Japan and China. The family lived on the upper floor, which featured private spaces for ancestor worship and rest. Daily life revolved around commerce: trading agricultural products, spices, and silk, connecting with international trading ports.

Despite their wealth, the family maintained a modest lifestyle, respecting feng shui and family values. Today, the owners still uphold these traditions, sharing historical stories with visitors and helping preserve the heritage.

According to updates in 2026, to visit Tan Ky Ancient House, you need to buy an entrance ticket to Hoi An Ancient Town, as the house is part of the heritage site. The ticket prices are as follows:

• Vietnamese visitors: 80,000 VND/person (free for children under 1m, 1m-1m4: 50,000 VND).
• International visitors: 120,000 VND/person (same for children).

This ticket allows you to select 3-5 heritage sites in the ancient town to visit, including Tan Ky Ancient House. The ticket is valid for the day, and you can purchase it at ticket booths around the town. Groups of 8 or more receive a free guided explanation.

To make your first visit to Tan Ky Ancient House smoother and more fulfilling, you should keep the following important points in mind:

• Ideal time: Open from 8:30 AM to 5:45 PM daily (Monday to Sunday). Avoid peak hours (10:00 AM - 3:00 PM) for fewer crowds. The visit duration is about 20-30 minutes.
• Preparation: Buy the ancient town ticket in advance and keep the ticket stub for inspection. Bring drinking water and a hat as Hoi An can be hot and sunny.
• Rules: Do not touch artifacts to prevent damage; keep quiet as the owners still live on the upper floor. Do not sit or lie down inappropriately.
• Enjoyment: Request a guided tour (free for large groups) to gain a deeper understanding of the history. Explore the souvenir display area at the back to buy handmade crafts as gifts.
• Combination: Combine your visit with nearby landmarks such as the Covered Bridge or Thu Bon River to enrich your trip. If visiting during the flood season (October - November), check the weather as the house may be closed.

Tan Ky Ancient House is not only a prominent attraction in Hoi An Ancient Town, but also a place that preserves intact historical, architectural, and lifestyle values of an ancient trading port that once flourished. Over more than 200 years of existence, the house still retains its rare originality, helping visitors gain a better understanding of the lives of Hoi An merchant families and the distinctive cultural fusion of this land. To fully experience the beauty and depth of Hoi An Ancient Town, you should choose a full-package Hoi An Ancient Town tour, in which Tan Ky Ancient House is an important stop along the journey. An all-inclusive tour not only saves you time and ensures convenient transportation, but also features detailed guidance from a tour guide, combined with visits to the Covered Bridge, Hoai River, assembly halls, and traditional craft villages. This is the ideal way to make your Hoi An trip complete, hassle-free, and memorable.