Quan Thang Ancient House, Hoi An: Explore Oriental Architecture

Quan Thang Ancient House is a merchant’s shophouse at 77 Tran Phu Street in Hoi An Ancient Town, 350 metres’ walk from the Japanese Covered Bridge, and one of the old houses on the Hoi An Old Town ticket. It is a small house; go for the carving and the porcelain-studded courtyard.

Hoi An Ancient Town is famous for various ancient houses. Apart from Tan Ky Ancient House or Phung Hung Ancient House, Quan Thang Ancient House is also a renowned tourist attraction.

I. History of Quan Thang Ancient House

Quan Thang Ancient House was built for a Chinese merchant family. VnExpress says it is named after Quan Thang, one of the town’s leading traders. At that time, this house was used both as a trading place and an accommodation. 

Sources disagree on its age: the heritage centre’s 2012 page says more than 150 years, while VnExpress (November 2025) puts it in the late 18th century. Through the harshness of time, it still remains intact in terms of architectural designs and interior decorations. Today’s descendants, therefore, have a chance to be recalled to business class people’s lifestyle in Hoi An Port. A 2016 restoration was funded 60% by the state and 40% by the owners.

II. Architecture and Structure of Quan Thang Ancient House

Quan Thang Ancient House is Chinese in style, with some Vietnamese elements. The heritage centre credits the woodwork and carving in this Hoi An Ancient Town house to craftsmen from Kim Bong Carpentry Village. 

This 300-square-meter house is a typical example of a long tube-shaped house, around 30 metres deep. Its front and back side connect with Tran Phu and Nguyen Thai Hoc Street. The front of the house was utilized for trading purposes. 

Quan Thang Ancient House retains several major Hoi An architectural features namely crab-shell roofs, a small space with a roof overlooking a sky yard. In addition, the walls surrounding the sky yard are decorated with Chinese porcelain pieces, along with a variety of landscape and animal designs.

In general, Quan Thang Ancient House is divided into 3 primary compartments: business space, living space and worship space. Each space has its own uniqueness, but all furnished in a delicate way. 

Pertaining the trading space, there are two large wooden stalls for displaying goods at the outermost part. Inside the house is the living room and living space for all members of the family. Visitors can see a kitchen and a storage area as well, which all depicts the daily life of our predecessors.

The sky yard is considered an interesting feature in the structure of this ancient house. Located in the middle of the house, this sky yard holds a miniature rockery (hon non bo). Open to the sky, it tends to provide more light for compartments, as well as making the house warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

III. What to See and Do in Quan Thang Ancient House?

1. Explore Amazing Oriental Architecture

Quan Thang Ancient House is a unique historical work of art bearing the imprints of Oriental design and sculpture. Artistic patterns lie everywhere: on beams, shutters, arches and sub-arches. In the roofed space facing the sky yard, look up at the carved stacked-beam truss (chong ruong).

2. Learn about Building Materials

We are definitely all familiar with modern buildings constructed from concrete. So a visit to Quan Thang Ancient House enables visitors to contemplate more uncommon materials used to create this old house. 

In particular, the house is built mostly of wood, including ironwood. Here, you can see house frames which are assembled together by wooden mortars, pillar legs on marble slabs, or bricks and thick tiles building up the outside area.

3. Contemplate Precious Ancient Antiques

Those who are antique-lovers will consider this house as a treasure box. Almost all the furniture, including horizontal lacquered boards are valuable relics showing off the wealth and prosperity of ancient merchants. 

4. Find the Flood Marks

Past floods are marked on the wooden walls. On 30 October 2025 the Thu Bon River passed its 1964 flood record and the house flooded again (VnExpress).

IV. How to Get to Quan Thang Ancient House?

Some suggestions to reach this destination:

• On foot: about 350 metres east of the Japanese Covered Bridge along Tran Phu. From 9:00 to 21:30 in summer (21:00 in winter) the old town is closed to motor vehicles.
• By plane: You can book flight tickets to get to Da Nang Airport, and then move to Hoi An, about 31 km by road.

When you choose means of transport while visiting Hoi An, remember that bicycles can enter the walking zone.

V. Extra Tips

• The estimated visit time for the entire house is short, so you can easily arrange your itinerary to visit Quan Thang Ancient House at any time during opening hours.

• As the rooms are narrow, some large-scale tour groups may have to wait for their visit turn.

• The owning family serves food here: VnExpress mentions white rose dumplings, steamed buns and fried wontons; ask the price first.

VI. Do You Need a Ticket for Quan Thang Ancient House?

Yes: Quan Thang is one of the old houses on the Hoi An Old Town ticket, valid up to 3 days. The heritage centre’s January 2026 notice lists two:

• 80,000 VND: the Japanese Covered Bridge or Quan Cong Temple, plus two sites of your choice.
• 120,000 VND: the same, plus the museums, with three sites of your choice.

VII. Quan Thang, Tan Ky or Phung Hung: Which Old House Should You Visit?

For carving and the courtyard, Quan Thang is the pick.

• Quan Thang (77 Tran Phu): Kim Bong carving, a porcelain-walled courtyard, flood marks and the family’s dumplings; its upper floor is the family’s private space.
• Tan Ky (101 Nguyen Thai Hoc, about 300 m away): a two-storey 19th-century trading house, a national heritage site since 1990.
• Phung Hung (4–6 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, just past the Japanese Covered Bridge): late 19th century, with a high wooden loft; a national heritage site since 1993.

>> Check out: Tan Ky Old House, Hoi An

Nearby: the Japanese Covered Bridge and the Assembly Hall of Fujian Chinese Congregation, both within 350 m. See our Hoi An travel guide and Hoi An day tour.

Sources: Hoi An heritage centre (visitor notice, January 2026; Quan Thang House page); Resolution 1659/NQ-UBTVQH15