Duc An Ancient House stands as a preserved gem amidst Hoi An's ancient town, beckoning travelers with its distinct Eastern architectural flair and rich historical significance.
A must-visit destination

This 180-year-old architectural marvel (PHOTO BY ST)
Situated at 129 Tran Phu Street, right in the heart of Hoi An's ancient town, Duc An Ancient House captures the attention of visitors, being close to the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge. With over 180 years of history, this house exudes an ancient and solemn ambiance, reflecting the passage of time and ancient cultural traits in every detail.

Not only is this a source of pride for the house owner but also for Hoi An town (PHOTO BY ST)
Preserving not only the overall structure but also every small item inside, such as quill pens and inkwells, the owner carefully maintains them, showcasing dedication to the ancient heritage while offering visitors authentic insights into the local ancient culture.
To date, six generations have lived in this house, and it undergoes annual renovations to preserve the beauty of bygone eras almost intact.

The meticulously preserved ancient ambiance inside the house (PHOTO BY ST)
The unique architectural charm of the house
Duc An Ancient House blends ancient Vietnamese architecture with Chinese style. Despite its central location in the old town, it boasts a relatively large area, measuring 39m in length and 7m in width, featuring a tube-shaped structure with a courtyard in the middle.

Ancient Eastern architectural elegance (PHOTO BY ST)
Right at the front entrance, there's a set of three doors: the central one serves as the main entrance while the two on either side are large windows, positioned about 70-80 centimeters above the ground. What's remarkable is that the entire front facade is made of wood, adding to the ancient charm of the house at first glance. Moreover, unlike other ancient houses, the three doors here are quite unique. The main door features low door wings, not too high for adults. The other two doors do not have door wings but instead use horizontal wooden panels, locally referred to as 'cross-panel doors.'

The distinctive doors of the house (PHOTO BY ST)
Similar to other ancient houses in Hoi An, Duc An Ancient House is roofed with familiar yin-yang tiles. Beneath these tiles lies a sturdy wooden framework, ensuring durability over time despite centuries passing.

Wooden utensils inside the house (PHOTO BY ST)
A distinctive feature of this house's structure is that it's predominantly constructed from wood, particularly a special type known as 'kieng kieng' wood found only in the Quang Nam region. With this type of wood, the house is able to withstand the hot and humid weather typical of this sunny and windy Central land.
Furthermore, the house harnesses natural light, blending nature seamlessly into its structure.

Natural ambiance at Duc An Ancient House (PHOTO BY ST)
Eternal historical significance
Duc An Ancient House not only embodies cultural and architectural beauty but also serves as a significant witness, closely associated with the name of Comrade Cao Hong Lanh during our country's past resistance struggle.

Relics preserved from revolutionary soldiers (PHOTO BY ST)
During that time, this was a meeting place for soldiers and patriotic youth. From 1925 to 1926, this house officially became a gathering and discussion point for patriotic intellectuals. Hence, it preserves many works of famous patriots like Phan Chau Trinh during the Duy Tan movement era, along with numerous renowned publications in history such as New Century, Dong Phap Times...

Ancient bookshelf meticulously preserved by future generations (PHOTO BY ST)
Hence, this place is regarded as a starting point and a beacon for the patriotism of the people of Central Vietnam, playing a significant role in our nation's victory.
Therefore, Duc An Ancient House is undoubtedly a must-visit destination in Hoi An. Come here to feel the beauty of history hidden in every object!
