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Duc An Ancient House in Hoi An | 200-Year-Old Heritage
🪶 Overview
Among Hoi An’s many cultural landmarks, the Duc An Ancient House stands out for its exceptional preservation and rich historical roots. Built nearly two centuries ago, this house has witnessed both the prosperity of Hoi An’s trading era and the patriotic movements that shaped Vietnam’s modern history.
Located at 129 Tran Phu Street, in the heart of Hoi An Ancient Town, Duc An House is still inhabited by the descendants of the Phan family, who have preserved it through eight generations.
📜 The History of Duc An Ancient House
Origins and Early Days
The house was built in 1830, during the Nguyen Dynasty under Emperor Minh Mang. It was originally designed as a family temple and residence for the Phan clan. The name “Duc An” translates to “Virtue Brings Peace”, reflecting the family’s traditional moral values.
Duc An Bookstore – A Center of Reformist Thought
In the late 19th century, the house became the Duc An Bookstore, the most famous bookshop in Quang Nam at that time. It sold Chinese and non-literature works and later imported Western reformist writings.
Notable patriots like Phan Chu Trinh, Huynh Thuc Khang, and Tran Quy Cap frequently gathered here, spreading progressive ideas and political awareness. Duc An thus became not only a cultural hub but also a secret revolutionary meeting place.
From Pharmacy to Revolutionary Base
By 1908, following French crackdowns, the bookstore was closed and converted into the Duc An Traditional Medicine Shop. Behind its quiet façade, it functioned as a covert base for revolutionaries, distributing banned newspapers and hosting meetings that later led to the foundation of the Vietnam Revolutionary Youth League in Hoi An (1927).
The house’s owner, Phan Them (alias Cao Hong Lanh), was among the early revolutionary leaders who paved the way for the Communist Party of Vietnam in Quang Nam.
🏛️ Architectural Design
Duc An House perfectly showcases traditional Hoi An tube-style architecture — a narrow façade (7m) and deep interior (over 40m).
Built entirely from ironwood (kien kien), the structure combines both Vietnamese and Chinese influences with:
- Yin-yang tiled roofs
- Carved wooden beams
- Decorative eye windows (mắt cửa) for spiritual protection
The interior layout includes:
- Front room – used as a shop (bookstore/pharmacy)
- Living & worship room – featuring ancestral altars and photographs of Cao Hong Lanh
- Courtyard (sky well) – a light-filled ventilation area
- Private quarters – the family’s living space
💡 Unique Feature:
The “hidden upper floor under the roof” (mái chồng mái trốn lầu) makes Duc An House the only remaining house in Hoi An with this architectural trick — built this way because commoners in the past weren’t allowed to have second floors visible from the street.
🪑 Antiques and Interior
Inside, everything is authentic and historically valuable:
- Antique furniture, wooden beds, chairs, and medicine cabinets
- Original gold-lacquered calligraphy panels bearing phrases like “Drink Water, Remember the Source”
- Personal belongings of Cao Hong Lanh – his radio, watch, letters, and photos with President Ho Chi Minh and General Vo Nguyen Giap
Each corner tells a story — not just of a family, but of a nation’s journey to freedom.
🎖️ Cultural and Historical Importance
Duc An House embodies both artistic and revolutionary heritage:
- It’s a well-preserved 19th-century townhouse, representing traditional Hoi An culture.
- It’s also a historical site that inspired the patriotic movement in Central Vietnam.
In 2010, the Hoi An People’s Committee designated Duc An House as a Cultural and Historical Relic, officially opening it to visitors.
Today, descendants of the Phan family still live here and personally welcome guests — a rare chance to meet locals who live within a UNESCO-listed heritage site.
🎟️ Visitor Information
- 📍 Address: 129 Tran Phu Street, Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam, Vietnam
- 🕘 Opening hours: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM (daily)
- 🎫 Tickets: Included in the Hoi An Ancient Town entrance pass (choose 3 sites per ticket)
- ⏰ Best time to visit: Morning (8–10 AM) or late afternoon (4–6 PM)
📸 Things to See & Do at Duc An House
- “Front view of Duc An Ancient House, Hoi An”
- “Interior of Duc An House with traditional wooden furniture”
- “Courtyard and skylight inside Duc An Ancient House”
- “Historical photos of revolutionary leader Cao Hong Lanh displayed at Duc An House”
🧭 Nearby Attractions
- Tan Ky Ancient House – a few steps away
- Phung Hung Ancient House – 5 minutes’ walk
- Japanese Covered Bridge – 3 minutes’ walk
- Hoi An Night Market – about 10 minutes on foot
💡 Travel Tip by Anh Khoa Hoi An
Want to explore Hoi An Ancient Town easily?
Rent a scooter, electric bike, or bicycle from Anh Khoa Hoi An and enjoy your trip at your own pace.
🚲 Motorbike Free delivery within Hoi An city
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