Duc An Ancient House: An ancient house that preserves many historical stories

Duc An Ancient House: An ancient house that preserves many historical stories

Duc An ancient house is one of the most beautiful ancient houses in Hoi An ancient town, it is a must-see destination for tourists who want to explore ancient architecture and traditional culture of Vietnam. The house was built in the 19th century, carrying heroic historical stories and is a testament to the development of Hoi An tourism.

Introduction to Duc An Ancient House

Nestled among the ancient streets of Hoi An, Duc An ancient house is like a precious gem, shining with its quiet and ancient beauty. Built in the mid-19th century, the house is not only a unique architectural work but also a living historical witness, marking the ups and downs of a period.

With a prime location at 129 Tran Phu Street, Minh An Ward – one of the busiest streets of Hoi An ancient town, Duc An Ancient House has long been an attractive destination for tourists from all over the world. The house is built in traditional Vietnamese architecture, with a system of columns, rafters, and wooden trusses that are intricately carved, creating a living space that is harmonious and close to nature.

According to historical documents, Duc An Ancient House was once the place where many generations of the Phan family lived and worked. The house was not only a place of residence but also a place for trade and cultural activities of the community. In particular, in the early 20th century, it became a place of vibrant revolutionary activities, where patriots such as Cao Hong Lanh gathered, discussed and spread revolutionary ideas.

Duc An Ancient House is open to visitors from 8:00 to 18:00 daily.

The ticket price to visit Duc An ancient house is only 80,000 VND and you have the opportunity to visit 2 more of the other ancient houses in Hoi An ancient town. You can choose the next 2 destinations in the list: Tan Ky Ancient House , Phung Hung Ancient House , Quan Thang Ancient House, Tran Family Chepel,…

Duc An – a name that sounds so rich, with a deep meaning of morality and peace. It is said that at the end of the 19th century, the Phan family chose this name to name their bookstore, a familiar address for those who love letters. By the beginning of the 20th century, this ancient house became a meeting place for patriotic Vietnamese soldiers, who came here to light the fire of struggle, sowing revolutionary seeds in the hearts of the people of Hoi An. Through the ups and downs of history, ancient house still stands firm, becoming one of the destinations not to be missed when visitors set foot in Hoi An ancient town.

Nhà cổ Đức An (Duc An ancient house)

Figure 1. Duc An ancient house

Historical Value and Cultural Mark of Duc An Ancient House

Duc An Ancient House is not only an ancient architectural work but also a living museum, preserving many historical and cultural imprints of a golden age. Built in 1830 under the reign of King Minh Mang, the house has gone through nearly two centuries of ups and downs of history, still retaining the ancient beauty and warmth of a traditional roof.

Role in Hoi An trading port: During the period when Hoi An was a bustling international trading port, Duc An Ancient House played an important role. The house was not only a place for the family to live but also a bustling place for trading and commerce. With its favorable location, Duc An Ancient House witnessed cultural exchanges between Vietnamese people and foreign traders, contributing to the diversity and richness of Hoi An culture.

A vibrant cultural center: In addition to being a house and a place of business, ancient House is also a vibrant cultural center. The house used to be a large bookstore, specializing in Han Nom books and stationery. Many Confucian scholars, scholars, and patriots such as Huynh Thuc Khang, Phan Chu Trinh, Tran Quy Cap… often came here to buy books and exchange knowledge.

Các sĩ phu yêu người Việt Nam

Figure 2. Vietnamese patriotic scholars and revolutionary activists

Associated with historical figures: Duc An ancient house is also associated with the name of Mr. Cao Hong Lanh – the homeowner, a prestigious patriot. He used the house as a meeting place, discussing revolution, contributing to the cause of national liberation. Many secret meetings of revolutionary organizations took place here, leaving a strong mark in the history of the struggle against foreign invaders of the Vietnamese people.

This place used to be a Duc An Chinese Pharmacy: First of all, you need to understand what Chinese medicine is? Chinese medicine is a type of medicine that uses Chinese herbs and prescriptions. Because China is in the North of Vietnam, these imported herbs are called Chinese medicine. China has a developed traditional medicine based on yin and yang, the five elements, and the eight meridians to diagnose, examine, and prescribe medicine. During the period when Hoi An trading port developed, Duc An ancient house was a bustling pharmacy where people came to get medicine, buy, sell, and exchange medicines with each other. To better understand Chinese medicine, you should visit Discovering the Mystery of Ancient Medicine and the Treasure of Knowledge at the Hoi An Traditional Medicine Museum .

Hiệu thuốc bắc Đức An

Figure 3. Duc An Traditional Medicine Store

Duc An Ancient House is not only a unique architectural work but also a living historical witness. The house has gone through many ups and downs of time but still retains its beauty and cultural value. Preserving and promoting the value of ancient House is an extremely meaningful work, contributing to preserving the cultural identity of the nation.

Unique Architecture Of Duc An Ancient House

Duc An ancient house is a living testament to Vietnamese folk architecture, especially the traditional house style of the Central region of Vietnam. The house is built entirely of wood, with a system of columns, rafters, and trusses that are intricately carved, demonstrating the ingenuity of ancient artisans. The roof is covered with yin-yang tiles, softly curved, creating a harmonious and balanced whole.

Unique features in architecture:

  • Column system: The columns are made of rare ironwood, which is strong and termite-resistant. The column system is placed on stone bases, helping to support the entire house.
  • Trusses and trusses: The truss and truss system is exquisitely designed, creating a solid house frame. The mortises and dowels are skillfully assembled, without the need for a single iron nail.
  • Walls: The walls are built of thick, baked bricks, providing good insulation. The walls are often decorated with paintings or Chinese parallel sentences, creating a cozy living space.
  • Roof: The roof is covered with yin-yang tiles, softly curved, creating a unique beauty. The roof is designed in an overlapping style, helping to increase the ability to drain water and cool the house.
  • Yard and garden: Surrounding the house is a large yard with many trees, creating a fresh and airy living space.

Không gian bên trong Nhà cổ Đức An (Duc An ancient house)

Figure 4. Duc An ancient house space

Influence of Asian architecture: The architecture of Duc An Ancient House has a strong Asian character, with a harmonious combination of natural and artificial elements. The house is arranged in a south direction, receiving natural sunlight and wind. The windows are designed small, helping to regulate the air and create shade.

Climate adaptation: The architecture of Duc An ancient house has been designed to adapt to the tropical monsoon climate. The high roof system and thick walls provide good insulation, ensuring the house is always cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Duc An Ancient House is a unique architectural work, reflecting the talent and creativity of the ancient Vietnamese people. The house is not only a place to live but also a living museum, preserving the traditional cultural values of the nation.

Guide to Visiting Duc An Ancient House

To make your visit to Duc An Ancient House meaningful, we would like to share some experiences and detailed instructions below:

1. Ideal time to visit:

  • When should you travel to Hoi An? From March to September is the best time to explore Hoi An in general and Duc An Ancient House in particular. The weather is sunny and beautiful, favorable for sightseeing and taking photos.
  • Avoid rush hour: Avoid coming on holidays, Tet or weekends to avoid crowds, affecting the sightseeing experience.

2. Prepare before going:

3. Tour guide:

  1. Main Door: When you enter the main door, you will immediately feel the ancient atmosphere of the house. Take a moment to admire the intricate carvings on the doors and walls.
  2. Main space: Going deeper inside, you will reach the main space of the house. Here, you can admire ancient household items such as tables, chairs, cabinets, beds, oil lamps…
  3. Altar room: The altar room is the most sacred place in the house. Here, you can learn about the beliefs and customs of ancient Vietnamese people.
  4. Garden: After exploring the interior space, you can go out to the garden to enjoy the fresh air and admire the ancient trees.

4. Some notes when visiting:

  • Respect the space: Please keep it clean and do not touch the exhibits.
  • Listen to the tour guide: If there is a tour guide, listen to them explain the history and architecture of the house.
  • Photography: You can freely take souvenir photos, however you should turn off the flash and not use a tripod.
  • Souvenir shopping: There are many souvenirs for sale here such as wooden handicrafts, paintings, bracelets…

5. Advice:

6. Additional experience:

ẩm thực Hội An tại nhà hàng Anabas Restaurant (Hoi An cuisine at Anabas Restaurant)

Figure 5. Some delicious Hoi An specialties at Anabas Restaurant

Let me tell you a secret delicious places to eat in Hoi An ancient town , especially here there is a chef who was born and raised in Hoi An. If you are looking for a perfect stop to enjoy the typical flavors of Hoi An, come right away famous specialty restaurant Anabas Restaurant! Here, you will discover the quintessence Hoi An cuisine is prepared by chef Truong Van Truc, a native of the ancient town. With traditional recipes and exquisite creativity, dishes such as Cao Lau, Quang noodles, wontons, chicken rice, wontons and countless other specialties will take you on a journey to discover the unique culinary culture. All ingredients are carefully selected from Hoi An, bringing freshness and richness to each dish. Not only that, the restaurant space with ancient architecture and cool green garden will make your meal more interesting and comfortable. Visit Anabas Restaurant today to experience Hoi An cuisine your own way!

Wish you a happy and meaningful trip at Duc An Ancient House!

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Cập nhật lần cuối: 25/09/2024 16:03