Hoi An possesses a serene, romantic, and ancient charm that captivates visitors’ hearts like no other place. Not only does it bear the imprints of a prosperous trading port in the past, but it also remains an attractive destination with its system of ancient houses featuring yellow walls, old tile roofs, and moss-covered surfaces. Among these, Duc An Ancient House is one of the few houses that has preserved its original ancient architecture and allows tourists to visit. Let’s explore all the details of this ancient house with DanangPrivateCar.com’s in the following article!
Table of Contents
Introduction to Duc An Ancient House.
To delve into the history of Hoi An and the changes of time, exploring the ancient houses here is an ideal suggestion for you. Among them, Duc An Ancient House is one of the few houses that still preserves its unique architecture and welcomes visitors to come and visit, making it an unmissable destination.
This ancient house is named Duc An, which means “upholding ethics for peace.” Additionally, “Duc An” was also the pen name of the Phan family’s book in the late 19th century. In the 20th century, this ancient house became a meeting place for patriotic revolutionaries.
Duc An Ancient House is nearly 200 years old and has been inhabited by six generations up to the present. Every year, the house undergoes renovations to prevent deterioration and preserve its ancient beauty through the years.
You can book a trip from Da Nang or Da Nang Airport to Hoi An to quickly explore Duc An Ancient House. Our tourist car rental service can provide you with a convenient and efficient journey. Feel free to contact us to arrange the booking and plan your visit to Duc An Ancient House in the most efficient way.
Coordinates of Duc An Ancient House:
Address and opening hours of Duc An Ancient House:
- Address: 129 Tran Phu Street, located in the heart of the ancient town, within the jurisdiction of Hoi An city, Quang Nam province.
- The ancient house is open to visitors from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily, from Monday to Sunday.
Not only does the house preserve its overall architectural integrity, but even the interior and small items inside, such as wall paintings, pens, ink, chairs, bookshelves, are carefully cherished and maintained by the owner.
Thanks to this, when visiting this ancient house, tourists can fully appreciate and gain a more authentic insight into the lifestyle and culture of the past.
Directions to Duc An Ancient House:
Duc An Ancient House is located right in the center of Hoi An, making it easy for tourists to find. You can use Google Maps or ask local residents for directions.
To get to this ancient house from the city center, DanangPrivateCar.com suggests that visitors should choose to walk, rent a bicycle, or take a cyclo (rickshaw). This way, you can enjoy the scenery and also stop at other sightseeing spots along the way.
- Cyclo price: Around 150,000 VND per hour per vehicle.
- Bicycle rental price: Around 40,000 VND per bike per day.
Furthermore, if you are looking for a means of transportation in Hoi An, you can utilize our tourist car rental service in Hoi An. Our professional team of drivers with years of experience in serving international tourists will ensure you have a safe journey.
Ideal time to visit Duc An Ancient House.
The weather in Hoi An throughout the year is typically divided into two distinct seasons.
- Rainy season: From October to February of the following year. During this time, Hoi An may experience storms and relatively chilly weather. Despite the rainy season’s unique charm, with its tranquil and ancient atmosphere, visiting outdoor tourist attractions might be affected by the rain and cold winds.
- Dry season: Lasting from March to September. During this period, the weather is very pleasant, with clear blue skies, white clouds, and warm sunshine, making it perfect for photography enthusiasts to capture stunning check-in photos. Moreover, moving around and exploring various sightseeing spots is highly convenient.
Duc An Ancient House with a historical value of nearly 200 years.
When you visit Hoi An on your own, taking the time to explore this nearly 200-year-old ancient house will undoubtedly satisfy those who have a passion for history and national culture, offering many valuable insights.
Duc An Ancient House as a renowned bookshop in the 19th century.
Upon arriving at the ancient house, you’ll be amazed to learn that it has been standing for almost 200 years. Constructed in 1803 during the reign of King Minh Mang of the Nguyen Dynasty, the house is named “Duc An,” symbolizing “Upholding ethics for peace.” It was built as a place of worship by the Phan family’s ancestors. Up until now, eight generations have lived and grown up in this house.
In the late 19th century, the third-generation ancestor turned Duc An into a reputable bookshop. It became a unique bookstore specializing in Han-Nom books and stationery in Quang Nam province.
During this time, nationalistic figures, such as Phan Chu Trinh, Huynh Thuc Khang, Tran Quy Cap, often visited Duc An bookshop to read books and spread progressive nationalist ideas. It became a hub for literature and information promoting patriotism.
Becoming Bac Duc An Pharmacy.
In 1908, the anti-tax movement in Quang Nam and Central provinces failed. The Hue court was terrorized, and the leaders were exiled to Con Dao. Duc An bookshop suspended its activities and transformed into Bac Duc An Pharmacy, specialized in traditional Chinese medicine.
Red Address of the Revolution – The place where the Hoi An Revolutionary Youth Association was founded.
Besides being a favored spot for intellectuals and patriots to read books in the past, Duc An Ancient House is also the red address of the revolution in Quang Nam.
In October 1927, the Vietnam Revolutionary Youth Association of Hoi An was established here. After this event, the revolutionary movement in Hoi An gradually gained strength. In 1930, it became a location for distributing revolutionary leaflets and organizing meetings to establish the Communist Party of Vietnam in Quang Nam.
The birthplace of revolutionary soldier Cao Hong Lanh.
Duc An Ancient House is not only a revolutionary address but also the birthplace of the patriotic Cao Hong Lanh (Real name: Phan Hai Tham). He was born in 1906 and presided over the meeting to establish the Vietnam Revolutionary Youth Association in Hoi An in October 1927.
Cao Hong Lanh is the pride of the Phan family in Hoi An – a steadfast revolutionary figure who held many positions in the Party and the State.
What experiences can tourists have when visiting Duc An Ancient House?
Do you believe that traveling means going to bustling, lively places with plenty of exciting entertainment activities? Or are you wondering if there is anything interesting about visiting an ancient house?
Explore the unique architecture of Duc An Ancient House.
While learning about history, visitors here also have the opportunity to admire the ancient beauty and unique architecture preserved for nearly 200 years in this ancient house.
Despite undergoing several renovations and the passage of time, Duc An Ancient House still retains almost intact the values left by its ancestors.
Duc An Ancient House has a tube-shaped structure with a frontage of 7m and a length of 40m. The front faces Tran Phu Street. In front of the house, there is an inscription facing the middle entrance with the three words “Phan Tong Duong” (From the lineage of the Phan family). On each side, there are two windows, and above the entrance, there are two eyes – a distinctive feature of Hoi An’s ancient houses.
Passing through the outer compartment, used for trading, leads to the next compartment, which is used as a living room and a place of worship. The house features a wooden frame, following the style of Central Vietnam’s “nha ruong.” The roof is covered with tiles, and the surrounding walls are made of bricks.
The reason for this unique architectural style is that in the feudal system, commoners were not allowed to build tall houses with multiple floors; their houses had to be lower than those of officials.
Check-in in the most ancient and nostalgic space in Hoi An.
As mentioned above, Duc An Ancient House still retains the beauty of ancient architecture through the changes of 200 years. Connecting the different compartments is the bridge house next to the courtyard. The spaces have no doors separating them, creating an open and visually impressive atmosphere, ensuring good ventilation and lighting.
Combining the exploration of other famous ancient houses in addition to Duc An Ancient House.
Apart from Duc An Ancient House, Hoi An’s old town is also renowned for many other ancient houses with high cultural and historical value. These places not only attract tourists but also preserve the cultural and architectural beauty of the former prosperous port city. Let’s discover other ancient houses in Hoi An with Danang Private Car’s.
Phung Hung Ancient House.
- Address: No. 4 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
Phung Hung Ancient House has been standing for over 100 years. In the past, traders and customers often came here to trade silk, marine products, and other goods.
It is a two-story tube-shaped house, with a front door connecting to the rear door – a typical architectural feature of Hoi An’s ancient houses, blending the essence of Chinese and Japanese architecture.
Tan Ky Ancient House.
- Address: No. 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
Tan Ky Ancient House is one of the few houses that have existed for more than two centuries in Hoi An, along with Duc An Ancient House. The house is entirely made of wood, with two sides facing the street and a spacious and cool courtyard in the middle.
This place has welcomed many high-ranking leaders for visits. Tan Ky was the first ancient house in Hoi An to be recognized as a national heritage.
Quan Thang Ancient House.
- Address: No. 77 Tran Phu Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
Quan Thang Ancient House has stood proudly in Hoi An for over 150 years. The house is entirely made of wood, following Chinese architecture, and adorned with many Chinese paintings and ceramics.
Diep Dong Nguyen Ancient House.
- Address: No. 80 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
Diep Dong Nguyen Ancient House was built in the 19th century. The two-story house is like a museum of antiques as every object inside holds cultural and historical value. Particularly, this ancient house harmoniously combines the architectural essence of Vietnam, Japan, and China.
Thai Phien Ancient House.
- Address: No. 104 Thai Phien Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
This is one of the oldest ancient houses in Hoi An, with a history of over 250 years. Not only is it an attractive tourist destination, but Thai Phien Ancient House also sells many beautiful handicraft products. Visitors can combine their trip with buying some exquisite handicrafts or lanterns as souvenirs.
Specialties that tourists will have the opportunity to enjoy when visiting Duc An Ancient House.
When visiting the ancient town, one exciting experience that Danang Private Car believes every tourist will be thrilled about is strolling along the streets, admiring the peaceful beauty of the old town, and indulging in delicious local dishes.
Banh Mi – Hoi An Bread.
The first famous dish you cannot miss is Hoi An Bread. It’s no coincidence that this bread is hailed as the “best bread in the world” – the most famous street food in Vietnam.
Despite being a common and simple dish, Hoi An Bread still represents the sophistication of Vietnamese cuisine. In one flavorful and hot bread, you’ll find the harmonious combination of crispy and fragrant bread, meat, sausage, eggs, creamy pate, chili, herbs… all blended with a special homemade fatty sauce.
Cao Lau Hoi An.
One of the renowned specialties in Hoi An for centuries is Cao Lau – a dish with origins from China. It first appeared in the 17th century when Chinese traders settled and lived in Hoi An.
The noodles in Cao Lau are made from rice and have a light brown or yellow color. It is served with various toppings such as pork, eggs… The dish is accompanied by a flavorful broth and crispy rice crackers, along with over 10 types of fresh herbs, including cinnamon basil, sawtooth herb, cucumber, corn, banana flower, water spinach, lettuce, bean sprouts, and coriander.
Mi Quang.
Mi Quang is a familiar dish that has become a symbol of Da Nang and Quang Nam cuisine. There are various versions of Mi Quang to choose from, such as shrimp and meat eggs, chicken Mi Quang, frog Mi Quang, snakehead fish Mi Quang, crab Mi Quang, beef Mi Quang, jellyfish Mi Quang… catering to diverse tastes for tourists.
Che Hoi An.
Throughout Hoi An, you will easily find numerous dessert stalls and small shops. Che Hoi An is highly diverse, ranging from corn sweet soup, bean sweet soup, to xoa xoa sweet soup, tao pho (soybean curd), etc. Che Hoi An is very affordable and has a sweet and refreshing taste that will keep you coming back for more!
See More: Explore Ong Pagoda – a sacred temple nearly 400 years old
What to keep in mind when visiting Duc An Ancient House?
With its cultural and historical significance, Duc An Ancient House is undoubtedly a must-visit destination for tourists coming to Hoi An. DanangPrivateCar.com’s will share some tips for visitors when exploring the ancient houses in Hoi An.
- Dress appropriately and neatly when visiting. The ancient houses are tourist spots with a formal atmosphere, bearing a strong historical and cultural imprint.
- While you can talk and laugh out loud in public places, when entering the ancient houses, please be mindful not to speak too loudly or disrupt the order.
- Avoid pushing, shoving, spitting, or littering. In spaces used for living or worship, tourists should absolutely not cross boundaries if there are signs prohibiting it.
- Do not move or touch any items or antiques inside the house without permission.
- When visiting the ancient houses, remember to ask for permission from the homeowners and greet the family members politely.
- Riding a bicycle, cyclo, or walking would be the most suitable choices when exploring Hoi An in general and the ancient houses in particular. Pay attention to lock your bicycle securely when stopping at different places.
Duc An Ancient House is not just a sightseeing spot or a place for taking photos. It is also a destination where you can discover the historical and cultural values of Hoi An from the past to the present. After this detailed review, why hesitate any longer? Dress up and witness with your own eyes the ancient house that has been standing there for nearly 200 years, waiting for you to explore!
Comments