A Hundred-Year Corner – The Story of Phung Hung Ancient House

"Located right at the beginning of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, directly facing the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge – the symbol of Hoi An, Phung Hung Ancient House is one of the oldest and most representative residences of this ancient town, once a bustling trading port of Southeast Asia. Built in the late 18th century, this house was not only home to generations of Hoi An merchants but also serves as a vivid testament to the cultural fusion of Vietnam, China, and Japan – beautifully reflected in both its architecture and the daily life it embodies."

 

 

✅Let Amigos Travel guide you in discovering why Phung Hung Ancient House is an unmissable stop in your Hoi An journey!

1. Location & Historical Significance

 

Nestled at No. 04 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, right beside the famed Japanese Covered Bridge, this street once connected the quarters of Chinese and Japanese communities in old Hoi An. Phung Hung Ancient House boasts a prime location that used to be a vibrant hub for trade. Constructed in 1780 by a Vietnamese merchant renowned for his business acumen and wide connections, the house has stood gracefully for over 240 years in the heart of the Old Town.

In the past, this residence was more than a home – it was also a place of business for trading forest and marine goods such as cinnamon, pepper, salt, silk, porcelain, and glassware. The name "Phung Hung" was chosen by the merchant himself, symbolizing prosperity and flourishing, expressing the family's hope for a thriving legacy.

Despite the passage of over two centuries, the house remarkably preserves its original form. It has been officially recognized as a National Heritage Site, and since 1993, is part of the Hoi An Ancient Town UNESCO World Cultural Heritage.

✅Planning your trip to Hoi An? Mark Phung Hung Ancient House on your map – a place where history lives on in every wooden beam and tiled roof.

2. Unique Architecture – A Harmonious Blend of East Asian Cultures

Phung Hung Ancient House is architecturally distinctive, blending Vietnamese folk design with Chinese decorative artistry and Japanese structural techniques. This East Asian fusion, combined with well-thought-out functional layouts, provides a window into the daily life of merchant families of old.

 

From the outside, the house stands out with a wide, open façade, quite rare amid the typically narrow ancient streets of Hoi An. The house features two stories and is divided into three sections. The main entrance is at the center, while the two side areas served as storefronts. Above the main door, you'll find “door eyes”, a characteristic element of Hoi An architecture. These serve both as decorations and spiritual guardians, believed to ward off negative energies.

The house is built in the traditional tube-house style, elongated in depth, yet retains a stately appearance with its four-panel wooden doors that open wide, welcoming guests with open arms. The house structure includes 80 ironwood columns, each seated on stone bases to prevent termite damage and reduce settlement.

Stepping inside, you are immediately embraced by a sense of quiet and age-old serenity – a stark contrast to the lively streets outside. The architectural fusion is evident: windows and balconies carry Chinese influences; the central roof is styled in the Japanese “four-seas” (shi kai) design; while the front, rear, and wooden frame showcase classic Vietnamese craftsmanship. The high ceiling and wooden beams are joined using traditional Japanese mortise and tenon techniques, without nails – demonstrating master-level carpentry from centuries past.

The Ground Floor – A Space for Commerce

 

The ground level was originally used for business, with a spacious layout, smooth wooden flooring, and sturdy lim wood columns supporting the frame. In earlier times, it was a lively place of trade – filled with the hum of conversations, the clinking of coins, the scent of wood and tea, and the soft glow of oil lamps at dusk.

The main doors were made of removable wooden panels, allowing the storefront to open wide to the street – a clever design that facilitated trade. The surrounding walls are adorned with intricate wood carvings crafted by artisans from the renowned Kim Bong carpentry village. Numerous antiques and artifacts remain well-preserved and are still displayed, including horizontal boards and parallel sentences intricately engraved with motifs like the four seasons (mai – lan – cúc – trúc), Eight Immortals, and the trio of Fortune – Prosperity – Longevity. The house exudes a solemn, majestic aura – as if simply standing at the threshold lets you hear whispers of the past.

The Second Floor – A Sanctuary of Family and Faith

 

Ascending the gently curved wooden staircase, the second floor reveals a quieter, more intimate space, reserved for family life and ancestor worship. At the center lies the family altar and a shrine to Thien Hau Thanh Mau, the sea goddess revered by the Chinese community.

A particularly curious detail catches many visitors’ attention – a small wooden table in front of the altar holds a bowl with seven marble dice. These are used for spiritual decision-making: before traveling, family members would cast the dice to determine the most auspicious time to depart.

Walking through the second floor, visitors will also notice a trapdoor in the floor, originally used for moving goods upstairs during floods – a practical feature in flood-prone Hoi An. Surrounding the upper floor is a solid wooden balcony, arranged logically to provide ample ventilation and open space. Above, the roof is layered with mossy yin-yang tiles, adding to the ancient charm. The eaves feature carved carp motifs – symbolizing luck (Chinese), power (Japanese), and prosperity (Vietnamese).

A skylight in the middle of the house allows natural light to pour in, illuminating the wooden interior with a warm glow. The interplay of light and shadow through the wooden slats paints a timeless picture – where every sunbeam and speck of dust carries the breath of history.

Despite having witnessed and endured numerous historic floods, the ancient house has been carefully preserved and maintained to this day by the eighth-generation descendants of the Phung Hung family.

✅If you want to witness the beauty of cultural fusion in every detail with your own eyes, don’t miss the chance to explore the uniquely stunning architecture of Phung Hung Ancient House – one of Hoi An’s most remarkable heritage sites!

3. Cultural Value – A Silent Witness of Time

 

More than just a heritage site, Phung Hung Ancient House is a living museum of merchant life and traditional Vietnamese culture. Inside, family heirlooms, ancestral portraits, and centuries-old worship items are lovingly maintained, giving visitors a deeply authentic glimpse into a bygone golden era.

Today, the house remains the residence of the eighth-generation descendants of the Phung Hung family. Preservation efforts here go beyond bricks and timber – they include maintaining customs, beliefs, and local lifestyles. Visitors are often welcomed by family members who are happy to share stories and historical insights, offering a meaningful cultural exchange.

✅Visit not just to observe, but to immerse yourself in the rhythms of the past, preserved in a living heritage home in the heart of Hoi An.

4. Visiting Experience & Helpful Tips

Sightseeing information:

• Address: No. 04 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street (near the Japanese Covered Bridge)
• Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM daily

Tips for your visit:

• Join a guided tour to fully understand the architectural and historical significance.

• Capture memorable photos at the second-floor balcony, with a beautiful view of the Japanese Covered Bridge – one of Hoi An’s most photogenic corners.

• Embrace the quiet atmosphere, appreciate the cultural fusion, and respect the preservation efforts of the family.

• Pair your visit with Tan Ky Ancient House and Phuc Kien Assembly Hall for a complete picture of ancient Hoi An culture.

• Visit in the morning or early afternoon for optimal lighting and fewer crowds.

• Take the time to chat with the homeowners – their stories breathe life into the heritage you see.

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Let Amigos Travel Guide Your Journey

If you're planning to explore Hoi An in a complete and authentic way, let Amigos Travel be your trusted companion. From peaceful ancient streets to immersive local experiences, we promise a journey that is not only exciting but also emotionally rich.

• Address: Group 32, Ben Tre, Cam Ha Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam
• Hotline: 0915 019 114
• Email: info@amigostours.vn

✅Contact us today for advice and to book the most suitable tour – Hoi An awaits you with all it!