About Tan Ky Old House
Tan Ky Old House is a preserved 18th-century merchant house at 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street in Hoi An Ancient Town, Da Nang. Built in 1741 and inhabited by seven generations of the Le family, it is notable for its fusion of Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese architectural elements. Recognized as a National Historical-Cultural Relic in 1990, it forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hoi An Ancient Town.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a well-preserved two-storey wooden townhouse with a narrow street frontage opening to a rear courtyard facing the Thu Bon River. Inside are polished wooden columns, carved Chinese poems, Japanese-style ceiling, Vietnamese roof tiles, antique furniture, porcelain and family heirlooms. The house shows flood-level marks from historic inundations and is explored on foot with a short guided explanation in the central courtyard and living areas.
Key highlights
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Over 200-year-old merchant house built in 1741 and preserved by seven generations of the Le family
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Distinctive fusion of Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese architecture with yin-yang roof tiles and carved wooden details
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Interior antique collection including mother-of-pearl inlaid furniture and Chinese calligraphy panels
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Historic flood marks on interior walls documenting Thu Bon River flood levels
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Part of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hoi An Ancient Town and National Historical-Cultural Relic since 1990
History of Tan Ky Old House
Built in 1741 by the Le family as a merchant residence and shop during Hoi An's period as a major trading port. The house has been continuously inhabited by seven generations of the same family for over 200 years and survived numerous historic floods. It was designated a National Historical-Cultural Relic in 1990 and contributes to the Hoi An Ancient Town UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 1999.
Culture & Context
Represents the traditional merchant house of Hoi An with a harmonious blend of Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese architectural styles reflecting the town's multicultural trading history. The house preserves Confucian, Taoist and Buddhist elements in its carvings and layout, and demonstrates traditional Vietnamese construction techniques, Feng Shui principles and the living heritage of Hoi An's old merchant community.