Explore 200-Year-Old Tan Ky Old House In Hoi An Vietnam
Tan Ky old house is an interesting stop to see the ancient features of Hoi An town, Vietnam. This house was built more than 200 years ago but still retains its original structure and architecture from the first day of construction.
We visited the house recently and were fascinated by its architecture and history.
In this travel guide, you’ll find useful information about the Old House of Tan Ky and tips to make the most of your experience there.
About the Old House of Tan Ky Hoi An
Tan Ky old house was built at the end of the 18th century, witnessing historical events over the past 200 years.
This place has been home to the Tan Ky family for seven generations. Currently, the owner is still living in the upper floor area, and you can visit the ground floor on your trip.
Tan Ky old house has a prime location. The main entrance is on Nguyen Thai Hoc street, crowded with buyers and sellers, while its back faces the riverside, on Bach Dang street to facilitate the import of goods.
It was fascinating to visit the house and learn about its history. It was amazing to know that this house has witnessed many historical floods that swept through this area.
The peak was the flood in 1964, when the water rose and flooded the house’s first floor. However, Tan Ky still exists proudly as a challenge to the erosion and destruction of natural disasters and time.
Admission fee
You’ll need a ticket to enter Tan Ky old house.
The ticket package is 120,000 VND, and you can use it to see five places in Hoi An ancient town.
Here are the ticket booths’ locations:
- Hai Ba Trung street
- 78 Le Loi
- 10B Tran Hung Dao
Opening hours
The old house of Tan Ky opens daily from 8:30 am to 5:45 pm. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes to see the house.
I recommend visiting the old house in the early morning to avoid the crowd. Also, please check my Hoi An visit time guide to know the best time to visit the ancient town.
The architecture
Tan Ky old house represents Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese architectural styles.
It has two floors and three compartments. From the outside, you will see the house covered with moss color over the years.
Vietnamese architecture
The most prominent is the traditional Vietnamese architecture, including 3-room houses and yin-yang tiled ceilings.
The pillars are beautifully carved with images of dragons, birds, pomegranates, pumpkins, and peaches.
Chinese architecture
A unique feature of this old house is that there are no windows, but it is not stuffy or hot. The courtyard brings natural light and regulates indoor airflow.
Japanese architecture
This style is depicted mainly in the living room area, built according to feng shui – Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth.
Besides, there is a harmonious yin and yang tile roof, bringing an airy and cool atmosphere in the summer and cozy in the winter.
The materials
The main materials of this house are wood, Thanh Hoa stone, and Bat Trang brick, offering a cool feeling even in the middle of summer but warm and peaceful in winter.
The interesting point is that there is no nail in the building. All columns and trusses are skillfully erected and matched by tenons.
The antiques
Not only has fascinating architecture, but Tan Ky old house also attracts visitors with several antiques.
The most prominent one is the Greedy cup, also known as the Cup of Confucius.
This cup is dated back to the 16th century in Fujian, China. According to historical records, the Le family had it more than 200 years ago.
The Cup of Confucius has a unique shape and significant meaning. When pouring water into the cup, you can only pour up to 80%. If you add more, the water will automatically overflow. This principle reminds us that we must know how to control our behavior.
The paintings
Currently, the old house of Tan Ky still preserves a lot of monuments and beautiful paintings such as: “Tich Duc Luu Ton,” “Tam Thuong Thai,” and “Bach Dieu.”
Tips for visiting Tan Ky old house
Here are some tips that you should know to make the most of your visit.
- To better understand the house’s historical value, you should ask for a guide at the ticket area when you enter.
- Visit Tan Ky old house in the early morning to avoid the crowd.
- This place displays many artifacts of great value, so you should be extra careful during the visit. Avoid touching the artifacts to avoid damage.
- Keep quiet and respect the living space of the owner.
- Support the resident by buying gifts.
Useful information
- Location: Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam.
- Best for: Family, couple, solo.
- Entrance: You need to buy tickets to enter.
- Opening hours: 8:30 am to 5:45 pm.
- Interesting fact: It has survived several floods.
Nearby places to visit
There are several places that you can visit after your trip to the Old House of Tan Ky.
Also, watching the Hoi An Memories show is an excellent way to spend an evening in Hoi An. Learning how to make lanterns, boat riding at night, and visiting Coconut forest are our favorite things to do in Hoi An.
