Duc An Old House stands as a testament to traditional Vietnamese architecture, offering visitors a glimpse into the cultural tapestry of Hoi An Ancient Town. If you are looking for must-see attractions in this town, the old house should be on the top of your bucket list.

1. Location of Duc An Old House

Duc An Old House is located at No. 129, Tran Phu Street, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, right in the center of Hoi An Ancient Town. You can easily reach the old house on foot, via a cyclo ride, or by renting a bicycle.

2. Opening hours & entrance fee

As a tourist attraction in Hoi An Ancient Town, Duc An Old House welcomes tourists from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily. The entrance fee to the old house is included in the ticket price of Hoi An Ancient Town, which is 120,000 VND.

3. History of Duc An Old House

3.1. Origin

Duc An Old House was built in 1830, during the reign of King Minh Mang of the Nguyen Dynasty. The house was left by the Phan family's ancestors to his descendants, and until now, there have been 8 generations living in this house.

The name “Duc An” means to maintain morality and peace for the family. “Duc An” is also the name of a bookstore founded by the third generation in the late 19th century. During this time, patriots such as Huynh Thuc Khang, Phan Chu Trinh, or Tran Quy Cap often came here to buy and read books with progressive ideology.

3.2. Significant historical events

In the early 20th century: The patriotic movement against the French took place throughout Quang Nam Province, where Duc An Old House remains a bookstore to spread patriotism. In 1908, the anti-tax movement failed, so the old house had to cease its bookstore operation temporarily and switched to selling traditional medicine.
In 1923: Duc An Old House once again became a meeting place for patriotic intellectuals. Many progressive books and newspapers were still kept here.
In 1927: The Vietnam Revolutionary Youth Organization in Hoi An was established following a meeting at Duc An Old House, which would later become Hoi An Communist Party. The patriot Cao Hong Lanh, the fourth generation member of the old house’s family, chaired this historic meeting.
In 1930: Quang Nam Provincial Party Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam was established in Hoi An. Since then, Duc An Old House remained a key location for meetings of patriots.

>>> Check out: Hoi An itinerary: A handy guide to explore the best of Hoi An in 1-5 days

4. Impressive architecture of Duc An Old House

4.1. Overall architecture

Duc An Old House showcases a traditional Vietnamese architectural style in the early 19th century. It is built around a central courtyard which serves as the heart of the house. Similar to other Hoi An ancient houses, the oId house is characterized by its surrounding brick walls, tiled roof, and wooden beams. In front of the house, the main entrance has two door eyes, a very typical detail of Hoi An ancient houses. These door eyes have red cloths attached to them to prevent bad luck from coming to the house.

4.2. Inside Duc An Old House

Duc An Old House used to serve as a place for business. To this day, the house still preserves some medicine cabinets and bookcases with old publications in the front room. The living room is the family's place of worship. At the room entrance, there is a sign that says "Phan Tong Duong", which means the Phan’s family worship area. This area has a lot of furniture and antique books.

The middle room, where the family lives, showcases a system of stacked beams with two roofs overlapping each other. This is a unique structure of Hoi An ancient houses. The rooms are connected by a bridging hallway next to the courtyard, where the family used to rest, play chess, read books, or drink wine. This interconnected area provides natural light, ventilation, and a serene outdoor space for the old house.

Duc An Old House still retains its structure

Visiting Duc An Old House brings a valuable opportunity to appreciate the craftsmanship, cultural significance, and historical continuity preserved within its walls. While you are in Hoi An, don’t miss the chance to swing by other famous ancient houses such as Tan Ky Old House, Phung Hung Old House, Quan Thang Old House, Thai Phien Old House, etc.

After exploring the nostalgic charm of Hoi An, it is time for entertainment! To make the most of your itinerary, you can opt for an exhilarating adventure at VinWonders Nam Hoi An and a tranquil retreat at Vinpearl Resort & Golf Nam Hoi An. With opulent rooms and exquisite services, Vinpearl promises a perfect destination for a family vacation with lasting memories.