Take a Walk Through the Time in Tan Ky Old House, Hoi An

Tan Ky Old House construction dates back 200 years ago, when it was built for the Tan Ky family, a well-to-do Vietnamese merchant family. Located on the Nguyen Thai Hoc street, the house's construction was in accordance to both Chinese and Japanese architectural styles, reinforcing the influence of these two cultures in Hoi An. The house has a front entrance facing the street, with its back partially leaning against the river, symbolizing good fortune in Chinese Feng Shui belief.

Upon entry to the house, one notices that the low ceilings of the interior spaces represent how the family valued privacy and exclusiveness. The architectural design of the house included four rooms with different functions. The family used the first room for receiving guests and business associates, the second room for praying, the third room as a living room, and the last one for the household's business needs. The house has hidden wells inside, through which the family could secretly transport goods and escape from danger.

Throughout the house, one can observe the mixing of various cultural styles in decorating the rooms. Dragon and phoenix motifs in the living room show the influence of Chinese culture, while the incorporation of Japanese decorative tiles displays the influence of Japanese culture. Vietnamese artisans created carved and painted decorative details on the house's beams, columns, and wooden carvings.

The water well in the entrance courtyard of Tan Ky Old House is one of its most notable features. It has been said that the underground water tunnel of the house dates back to the Cham era, explaining the house's unique architecture. Another unique feature is a large rectangular wooden box in the front yard of the house. Its purpose was to place incense, fruit, and flowers to honor the ancestors. The positioning of the incense and the vents in the box made it possible for the whole household to smell the incense's aroma during the ancestral worship rites.

A visit to Tan Ky Old House Hoi An is a must-do activity when you are in Hoi An. This historic building allows visitors to take in the different architectural and cultural influences that make Hoi An such a unique destination. With the town being a UNESCO World Heritage site, Tan Ky Old House is one of the many jewels travelers can discover in this charming town.  The house provides an environment for visitors to learn Hoi An's history while immersing in its beauty. So, when planning your next trip to the city, be sure to include Tan Ky Old House in your itinerary and take a walk through time.