Tan Ky Old House carries the quiet memory of Hoi An’s trading days, kept alive through generations under the same roof. A visit reveals the beauty of an old merchant’s home and its lasting place in town.
Introduction To Tan Ky Old House
Tan Ky Old House is an old-time home of merchants set in Hoi An Ancient Town that has remained within a family through the uninterrupted seven generations. It is at the intersection of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese influence, evidenced in its timber structure, open courtyard, and hidden space behind the street. It represents the impact of commerce on daily life, rather than a simple place to snap a photo, providing an isolated, well-preserved tour of a thriving river port.
Tan Ky Old House captivates visitors with its familiarity: rooms are still furnished, carvings have family messages, and the flood marks on the walls mingle the seasons of the town in a silent column. Caretakers tell stories that render the architecture legible. It is a key to quick access to the Japanese covered bridge and the shophouses adjacent to it, which provide first-time travelers with a clear, concise starting point in Hoi An.
History Of Tan Ky Old House
Tan Ky Old House was erected at the close of the 18th century at the request of a wealthy family conducting business in rice, pepper, and other commodities on the Thu Bon River. The name, which translates to progress and prosperity, pointed to what they wanted in a port town that teemed with international exchange. The house has been a representation of the golden age of trading at Hoi An when Chinese, Japanese, and later European ships moored at one time or another in the port.
The amazing fact about the story of the house is that it has been inhabited by seven generations of people. And all preserved its integrity and customs despite floods, conflicts, or the weakening of Hoi An as a trading port. It became a national heritage site in 1990 and is celebrated annually with dignitaries and tourists following this timeline; the French president, François Mitterrand, visited there in 1993. Family care and the community pride of long, continuous lineage resonate in each visit today.
Unique Architecture Of Tan Ky Old House
What is beautiful about Tan Ky Old House is its age and the combination of styles, the styles that were united within it. Both sides bring out a conversation between cultures, and they are the ones that make it cozy and unique at the same time.
Traditional Tube House Layout
Tan Ky Old House looks modest on the surface with its small overhanging street front. But it penetrates inwards, as in the tube house typical of Hoi An. Business and residential areas are divided by the floor plan, and there are front business rooms and rear residential quarters. A sky-facing indoor court provides natural light and open air in addition to acting as a peaceful family area.
Chinese Decorative Elements
Wooden carvings and calligraphy, themselves, panels can best be considered the results of Chinese influences. Beams and columns are decorated with symbols of prosperity, long life, and unity; mother-of-pearl inlaying displays the wealth of the family, red-lacquer furniture and ancestral altars help to refer to ancient times. These ornaments serve not only a cosmetic purpose-they are a symbol of respect or build religious defense.
Japanese Structural Techniques
The house’s timber framing is Japanese. The construction contractors used construction methods that nailed the beams together through joining, which helped protect them against floods. This kind of technique was to cushion the house against flooding and storms that would recurrently beat the Thu Bon River area. These little touches on curved rafters with little decoration contrast with the otherwise exuberant Chinese style.
Treasured Artifacts
Beyond its very bricks and mortar, Tan Ky Old House guards precious antiques from the golden age of Hoi An. Ceramics, lacquer cabinets, and merchant tools remain in their very places. On one wall, flood marks denote the highest water levels for centuries-turning a very practical reminder into a quite unique historical document. These artifacts make the house feel alive, allowing visitors to step into the daily world of a prosperous merchant family.
4 Cultural Experiences You Shouldn’t Miss at Tan Ky House
Though a visit to Tan Ky Old House is often brief, these cultural touches make it one of the most memorable things to do in Hoi An. These moments transform the house from a preserved monument into a living cultural encounter.
Explore The Architectural Blend
One notices the distinct tube house design as you pass from the sizable street-facing shopfront to the courtyard. Courtyard opens the project to natural light, softening the otherwise windowless design. On closer examination, you will find that Chinese decorative panels have been combined with the old Vietnamese style to come up with a house that is functional and classy at the same time.
View Historical Artifacts
The most impressive is the Cup of Confucian, a water bowl that is actually made to overflow once overfilled to serve as a reminder to the family to live sparingly. Porcelain pieces, Lacquer boards, and centuries-old merchant tools surrounding it all testify to prosperity. The purpose of every artifact is to tie you to the city of Hoi An as a lively trading post, but it also reflects the ideology upon which the citizens base everyday life.
Observe Traditional Decorations
The house itself is packed with painted handmade furniture, screens, and painted panels with Han characters and floral patterns. These carvings could not merely feel like decorations, since they had the messages of goodness, honor, and balance. Giving time to unravel these particulars affords you an idea of that loveliness and wisdom, united in one.
See The Exhibit And Souvenir Area
A side hall is a reminder that the time Hoi An welcomed the merchants representing every corner of the Asian world and Europe. There are sailing ship models that remind us of this fact. By buying a souvenir, the visitor can take home with them minor reminders of their visit and increase the lift of the family who has stayed behind. The latter provides a bit of knowledge about culture and some souvenirs for visitors.
Entrance Fee
Tan Ky Old House has a ticket; however, the way to get it is easy. Visits to the house should be noted as one of the heritage sites covered by the official entry ticket to the Hoi An Ancient Town, and in some cases, personal admission is also possible. Below is the typical pricing:
| Visitor Type | Price (VND) | Notes |
| Foreign adult | 120,000 (Old Town ticket) | The ticket includes entry to the Ancient Town and any 5 heritage sites of choice, such as Tan Ky. |
| Vietnamese adult | 80,000 (Old Town ticket) | Same conditions apply, valid for 24 hours. |
| Children under 16 | Free | ID may be required to confirm age. |
Walking tickets in the heritage zone do last through the day and would have to be purchased at the official counters before entry into the heritage zone. The rates might change a little according to seasons, but this fee can be marked as quite reasonable compared to other similar UNESCO sites. To the majority of the visitors, though, strolling through the historic halls of Tan Ky and viewing objects not younger than several centuries old is a trivial cost of experiencing that.
Opening Hours
The house can be visited every day from 8:30 AM until 5:45 PM. This timing is consistent all year through, thus allowing tourists to plan their visits accordingly. Individual tours generally run around 20 minutes, loosely fitting into a schedule where one bandages nearby shines with a Japanese Covered Bridge.
Dry towns from February to August are best to visit Hoi An, as temperatures enjoy their warm spells and the streets of Hoi An float in comfortable air for most walks. Early morning or late afternoon admittance helps avoid the heat, along with the midday rush. Late-night trips for a full-moon experience would enchant travelers into the deeper side of local culture, roaming the luminous town.
How To Get To Tan Ky Old House
Tan Ky Old House is located at 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, right in the center of Hoi An Ancient Town. Since the heritage quarter is pedestrian-friendly, most travelers explore it on foot or by bicycle after they arrive. Tan Ky Old House also has the advantage of being in proximity to nearby attractions, like the Japanese Covered Bridge, which is only a few minutes away.
For travelers from Da Nang City, there are a few ways to get to Hoi An. Depending on traffic, taking a taxi or car can take about 45 minutes, and the price ranges between 300,000 and 450,000 VND for added comfort and convenience. Motorbikes can also be rented for a price range of 120,000 to 180,000 VND per day and provide the freedom to stop along the way along the beautiful coastal road.
| Transportation Mode | Travel Time | Estimated Price (VND) | Best For |
| Taxi/Grab | 45 – 60 mins | 300,000 – 450,000 | Comfortable, direct transfer |
| Private Car | 45 – 60 mins | 350,000 – 500,000 | Families or groups |
| Motorbike Rental | 50 – 70 mins | 120,000 – 180,000/day | Adventurous, flexible stops |
| Public Bus | 70 – 90 mins | 30,000 – 50,000 | Budget travelers, local vibe |
Within the old town, motorbikes and cars are restricted during certain hours of the day, so walking remains the most enjoyable way to reach Tan Ky Old House. Strolling through lantern-lit streets before or after your visit adds charm to the experience.
Things To Know Before Traveling To Tan Ky Old House
Visiting Tan Ky Old House is simple, but small details can make your experience smoother. These tips are drawn from real visitor needs and local practices.
- The official Hoi An ticket counters are located near the main entrances to the old town; buy your ticket there before heading to Tan Ky.
- The house can be fairly crowded with tour groups from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, so arriving just after the door opens usually gives you more elbow room.
- Antique items might look fun to touch, and the lacquer and wood are really made to handle being touched, but even light contact causes damage to lacquer and wood, so there is no point in getting so close to enjoy the item.
- The interior can get warm during summer, so having a hand fan and/or taking time to enjoy the courtyard is a good tip to make the visits more comfortable, if needed.
- Tan Ky is only a couple of minutes ‘ walk from the Japanese Covered Bridge, so it makes logical sense to get both in on the same day to save time.
- During the full moon festival, the streets around the house close earlier than the norm, so consider the access times if you hope to visit the house during the evening.
- Group tours are usually scheduled for about 20 minutes, so if you are hoping to hang out a little longer, you might want to consider simply visiting and not joining everyone else.
- Photography is permitted, so shoot away! Just remember not to bring a tripod, so you will be shooting handheld if you are shooting in the low light inside all of the rooms.
- The upper floor still remains family-owned and private, so please respect the barriers and do not enter the areas marked as restricted, as you will be told to leave.
Final Thoughts: Is Tan Ky House Worth Visiting?
Tan Ky Old House is absolutely worth a stop for anyone exploring Hoi An, and it naturally earns a place in any well-planned Vietnam itinerary. Its blend of architecture, artifacts, and family history makes it one of the most authentic glimpses into the town’s merchant past. To make the most of your journey, plan your trip with Seni World, where thoughtful guidance ensures every detail of Hoi An’s heritage comes alive.
