Diep Dong Nguyen House is one of the best preserved houses in Hoi An Ancient Town Vietnam. It’s a shophouse owned by Diep family which has its origin from Canton in southern China. In the past, traditional medicine, Chinese-written books and other products were sold here. Nowadays, this heritage house is filled with ancient antiquities, including currencies, ceramics, paintings, potteries, etc. In this article, HoiAn Day Trip Company will tell everything about Diep Dong Nguyen House in Hoi An.
You may also like: Old Houses in Hoi An Vietnam
• Content by Tam Le, founder of HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD
• Designed by Giang Cong Minh, co-founder of LS E&C LTD and his team
• Photo by Dang Cong Loi, Dao Xuan Son, Tam Le & others
Must Knows about Diep Dong Nguyen House (Hoi An)
– Location/address: 80 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Minh An ward, Hoi An city, Quang Nam province, Vietnam
– Other name(s): Diep Family House, Nha co Diep Dong Nguyen
– Opening hours: not opened yet to visitors
– Ticket price: 120,000 VND each adult and children above 15 years old to enter Hoi An Old Town world heritage area (see more details)
– Reason(s) to visit: one of the best preserved houses in Hoi An
– Time to spend: 10 mins
– Best time to visit: anytime during the day
– Travel blog: https://hoiandaytrip.con/diep-dong-nguyen-house-hoi-an
– Tour guide: contact +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo)
– Recognition(s): national heritage, Unesco world heritage site (1999)
– Food & drink: not available
– Shopping: not available
– Fact: Diep Dong Nguyen House is one of museums which has most antiquities in Hoi An
Diep Dong Nguyen House on Map
History & Architecture of Diep Dong Nguyen House
According to the genealogy book of the Diep family in Hoi An, Diep Dong Nguyen House was constructed in the late 19th century by successors of Diep Ngo Xuan, a Cantonese man who moved from southern China to the town in 1856. He specialized in Chinese traditional medicine (passed down from older generations) and owned a shop named ‘Diep Dong Xuan’ on Tran Phu Street at that time. Later, his successors continued his business and opened one more shop at 80 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street (nowadays Diep Dong Nguyen House). Xuan’s grandson gave the name ‘Diep Dong Nguyen’ for the shop when he was inherited and it’s unchanged up to date. A Buddha was chosen to be the official image of the business (that’s why on the façade of the house, a Buddha is showcased). Here, besides medicine, the family also sold kerosene (from Shell company), books, fabric, tea, spices, clothes, gold and silver accessories, etc.
Until today, there are 5 generations of Diep family living in Hoi An. Some members of this family like collecting old currencies and other antiquities (such as ceramics), which are preserved and exhibited on the ground floor of the house. They collected them across Vietnam and from many places in China. The oldest coins date back to the 10th century and the rarest coins come from China. On the upper floor, there are luxury and export ceramics produced in famous workshops or villages, terracotta vase made over 2,000 years ago (belonging to people who owned Sa Huynh culture), old costumes, the table where Bao Dai king (Vietnam’s last king) worked on 15th December 1933 when he visited the area, makeup table of Nam Phuong queen (Bao Dai’s wife), etc. Furthermore, visitors will also see a collection of old photos about Hoi An, taken from the 1920s to 1960s. By that, can know how the town looks like in the past and at the present. Amongst them, the photo on which the house owners took a picture with the Bao Dai king is most precious for them. Lots of paintings, calligraphy works and Chinese books are also preserved here.
To preserve precious and expensive antiquities in Diep Dong Nguyen House, the family doesn’t open it as a tourist attraction. No entry ticket or fee is required, but visitors need to ask for a permit from family members if want to walk in and sightsee. From outside, the house façade is special and impressive, making many pedestrians stop and photograph.
Tips to Visit Diep Dong Nguyen House in Hoi An
– It’s free to visit Diep Dong Nguyen House, but to enter Hoi An Ancient Town where it’s located, visitors need to buy an entry ticket. The nearest ticket booth is in crossroad of Tran Phu Street and Le Loi Street. The price is 120,000 VND for adult and children above 15 years ago. See more information & details
– No dress code regulation is required to visitors at Diep Dong Nguyen House. However, to see other attractions in town (such as temples, assembly halls), wearing long pants and shirts covering armpits/shoulders/navel is necessary.
– Follow rules, regulations and signs while visiting Diep Dong Nguyen House.
– Do not enter private areas and touch on old antiquities in Diep Dong Nguyen House.
– Vietnamese traditional costume ao dai dress is highly recommended. Any garment made of see-through material is not respectful.
– In the dry season, from February to the end of August, visitors should bring sun cream, hat/cap/umbrella, sun glasses, and bottles of water to drink. If don’t have, it’s easy to buy at shops near Diep Dong Nguyen House.
– In the rainy season, from September to January, visitors should bring rain poncho/jacket or umbrella, sandals or waterproof shoes. Don’t forget to check the weather forecast usually when traveling during this period.
– From October to December, the town may be flooded, so visitors need to keep updating the weather before going to Hoi An.
– The best way to visit the Hoi An Old Town is walking, so make sure that you have good/comfortable shoes or sandals.
– Smartphone or camera is needed for taking pictures. For more experiences, visitors can consider renting Vietnamese traditional costume (for example, ao dai long dress for ladies) or even booking a private photographer (contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) if you need).
– Don’t forget bringing cash to pay for entry fee tickets and small things because many places in Vietnam don’t accept payment by cards.
– It’s better to visit Diep Dong Nguyen House with a local guide. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) if you need a professional guide in Hoi An.
– Visitors should buy souvenirs at Diep Dong Nguyen House to support local family who owns and preserves it.
How to Get to Diep Dong Nguyen House in Hoi An
Diep Dong Nguyen House is located at 80 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Minh An ward, Hoi An city, Quang Nam province, Vietnam.
If stay in or near the Hoi An Ancient Town, visitors can walk to Diep Dong Nguyen House. From hotels or places in Cam Pho, Minh An and Son Phong areas, the distance isn’t long.
Visitors can easily ride the bicycle to get to Diep Dong Nguyen House. It’s often free at many hotels, so please ask again when check in (come first serve first). If not available, renting a bicycle is also very cheap at Hoi An. A good one should have basket in the front (to storage personal items), horn to warn when needed, and a locker to use when go shopping or sightseeing. Different from motorized vehicles, visitors can ride the bicycle anytime of the day, to the Hoi An Ancient Town and Diep Dong Nguyen House. Just park around the entrance of the house (sure, it’s free).
If ride the motorcycle, make sure that you know the pedestrian hours (because the house is within the Ancient Town). Everyday, from 9 to 11:30 AM, and from 3 to 9:30-10 PM, motorbikes are banned. So, to go directly to the house by bike, it’s needed to get there earlier than 9 AM or from 11:30 AM to 3 PM. If come in the pedestrian hours, please park near Tran Family Chapel, and then walk to Diep Dong Nguyen House. The fee is 5,000-10,000 VND.
If getting to the town by car/taxi/minivan, let’s tell the driver to drop off at the Hoi An Museum and then follow Le Loi Street and Nguyen Thai Hoc Street to see Diep Dong Nguyen House. From anywhere inside Hoi An, a car ride to the town is 15-20 mins maximum. From Da Nang, it’s 45-60 mins. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) to book a private car to Hoi An with a good price.
HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD daily organizes transfers to Hoi An and Da Nang. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
Itinerary to Visit Hoi An Old Town for First Timer
First of all, to enter and visit the Hoi An Old Town (the part inscribed by Unesco), visitors need to buy an entry ticket. Its price is 120,000 VND per adult and children above 15 years old and free of charge for smaller kids. Entry to 5 attractions is also included for free. See more information & details
If possible, first time visitors should go with a local guide, to know better about history and culture. Contact us by +84968009827 (call/whatsapp) to book a private English-speaking guide.
We suggest this itinerary for first timers:
Total distance: 1,65 kilometers
– Starting point: the Japanese style gate (the west end of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street). A model of the Red Seal Ship (Japanese merchant’s ship) and a ticket office are in a close distance.
– Walk along Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street. On this road, visitors will have the chance to sightsee Cam Pho Communal House (ticket required), Japanese Culture Gallery (ticket required), Phung Hung Old House (one of the best heritage houses, ticket required), Nguyen Tuong Family Chapel (in the alleyway, ticket required).
– Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, the symbol of Hoi An. This place definitely is a must see attraction.
– Walk along Tran Phu Street, the most beautiful road in Hoi An, until Hoi An Central Market. On this road, visitors will have the chance to sightsee so many historical attractions. From the bridge to the market, there are Cantonese Assembly Hall (ticket required), Museum of Sa Huynh Culture (ticket required), Duc An Old House (ticket required), Kazik Park (free), Quan Thang Old House (ticket required), Museum of Trade Ceramics (ticket required), Trung Hoa Assembly Hall (ticket required), Fujian Assembly Hall (ticket required), Quan Cong Temple (ticket required), Quan Am Pagoda (ticket required), Hoi An Central Market (free to enter), a couple of rooftop coffee shops, Instagrammable spots, shophouses selling lanterns, food, souvenirs and fashion items.
– Walk southwards and along Tieu La Street (east side of Hoi An Central Market). On this road, there are many vendors and stalls selling a diversity of local products, giving a good chance to know about local life and photograph.
– Walk westwards and along Bach Dang Street (the riverside street). On this road, visitors will see Hoi An Traditional Performance House (ticket required if want to watch shows) and Museum of Folklore (ticket required).
– Turn into Le Loi Street and then turn left, walking along Nguyen Thai Hoc Street. On this road, visitors will see Tan Ky Old House (one of the best heritage houses, ticket required) and Diep Dong Nguyen Old House (not yet opened to visitors, see from outside).
– The ending point: the crossroad near the north end of An Hoi Bridge or the west end of Nguyen Thai Hoc Street. In the evening, from here, visitors can walk cross the bridge and then turn right to see the entrance of the Hoi An Night Market, the biggest night market in Hoi An.
For more information and details, please browse https://hoiandaytrip.com/hoi-an-self-guided-walking-tour
Guided Tours to Hoi An Ancient Town Vietnam
From Hoi An
– Hoi An Old Town Walking Tour – 2 Hour Express Tour with Local
– Hoi An Half Day Walking Tour: Heritage Sites, Crafts & Show
– Hoi An Early Morning Walking Tour with Local Pho & Coffee
– Hoi An Afternoon Walking Tour + Thu Bon River Sunset Cruise
– Hoi An Night Tour from Hoi An: Lantern Boat, Markets & Food
– Hoi An Walking Tour with Sightseeing & Cooking Class
– Hoi An Late Afternoon Walking Tour with Local Food Tastings
– Hoi An Walking Tour with Thanh Ha Pottery Village by Boat
– Hoi An Instagram Tour: Best Photo Spots & Rooftop Café
– Hoi An Old Town Food Tour with Night Boat Ride
– Hoi An Old Town Private Walking Tour with Local Expert (4 hours duration from departure time)
HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD daily organizes tours in Hoi An and Da Nang. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
From Da Nang
– Hoi An Half Day Tour from Da Nang
– Hoi An Night Tour from Da Nang
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Day Tour from Da Nang
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Night Tour from Da Nang
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Highlights Tour
– Marble Mountain, Lady Buddha & Hoi An Day Tour from Da Nang
– Hoi An Day Tour from Da Nang with Chinese Speaking Guide
– My Son Sanctuary & Hoi An Tour from Da Nang
– Golden Bridge/Ba Na Hills Tour & Hoi An Tour from Da Nang
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Tour from Da Nang Cruise Port
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Tour from Chan May Cruise Port
HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD daily organizes tours in Hoi An and Da Nang. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
Places to Visit near Diep Dong Nguyen House in Hoi An
– Bridges: Japanese Covered Bridge (Pagoda Bridge), Moonlight Bridge, An Hoi Bridge (Bridge of Lights), Cam Nam Bridge, Cam Kim Metal Bridge
– Museums: Museum of Sa Huynh Culture, Museum of Sa Folklore, Museum of Trade Ceramics, Museum of Traditional Medicine, Hoi An Museum of History & Culture, Japanese Culture Gallery, Black Sesame Soup Demonstration
– Chinese assembly halls: Cantonese Assembly Hall, Fujian Assembly Hall, Trung Hoa Assembly Hall, Hainan Assembly Hall, Teochew Assembly Hall
– Heritage houses: Tan Ky Old House, Phung Hung Old House, Duc An Old House, Quan Thang Ancient House, Diep Dong Nguyen House, Thai Phien Ancient House
– Temples & pagodas: Quan Cong Temple (Ong Pagoda), Ba Mu Temple, Phap Bao Pagoda, Quan Am Pagoda, Hoi An Confucius Temple, Cao Dai Temple of Hoi An, Hoi An Ancestral Temple, Cam Pho Confucius Temple, Minh Huong Confucius Temple, Vien Giac Pagoda, Hy Hoa Temple
– Family chapels: Tran Family Chapel, Nguyen Tuong Family Chapel
– Communal houses: Cam Pho Communal House, Hoi An Communal House, Minh Huong Communal House, Tu Le Communal House, Xuan Lam Communal House, Son Phong Communal House
– Markets: Hoi An Central Market, Hoi An Cloth/Fabric Market, Hoi An Night Market (Nguyen Hoang Night Market), Cam Pho Market
– Theatres: Hoi An Traditional Art Performance House, Hoi An Lune Center for Performing Arts (now where Teh Dar Show takes place), Hoi An Memories Land Theme Park (now where Hoi An Memories Show takes place)
– Famous streets: Tran Phu Street, Phan Chu Trinh Street, Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Bach Dang Street/Wharf, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Street, Phan Boi Chau Street (Hoi An French Quarter), Hoi An Lantern Streets
– Other points of interest: Red Seal Ship Model, Hoi An Evanlegical Church, Thong Dang Prison & Park, Kazik Park (Memory Statue of Kazimierz Kwiatkowski), Hoai River (Hoi An River), Song Hoai Square, An Hoi Sculpture Park, Hoi An Catholic Church, Hoi An Prison, Hoi An Central Park, Ba Le Well, Hoi An Book Street, Hoi An Lantern Park, An Hoi Island, Cam Nam Island, Thu Bon River, Da Ken Tree
Photos, Videos about Diep Dong Nguyen House
Here are beautiful photos and videos about Diep Dong Nguyen House in Hoi An:
