Many of the old merchant houses are lived in by the locals, but fortunately are beautifully preserved. They ca be typically described as having a narrow and lofty interior with a barrel vault ceiling. The street entrance has a shop front where the merchant used to display his goods. This is still used for his purpose n modern Hoi An with its numerous galleries and antique shops. There is also a back room where the merchant�s family, apprentices and servants lived. The entire inside of the house is made of deeply polished hardwood. Walls, columns and entrances are decorated with poems, words, symbols, and patterns. Much of the heavy ornate furniture are originals, however some pieces are replicas.
Quan Thang Ancient House (77 Tran Phu St.) Quan Thang is, currently, evaluated as one of the nicest ancient houses in Hoi An. It is an over 150 year old house with architecture style of Hoa Ha, China. Through years, the syle as well as interior decoration of the house has been lovingly preserved. That helps us partly imagine the lifestyle of its owner generations who were the merchants class in Hoi An earlier. It is known that the whole of lively and fine architecture and sculptures were made by craftmen of Kim Bong carpentry village. This is a main spot in the journey of discovery the world cultural heritage in Hoi An.
Tan Ky Ancient House (101 Nguyen Thai Hoc St.) Built about 200 years ago, Tan Ky�s architecture style is piped shape – a typical style of Hoi An ancient houses. Its interior is divided into many apartments and each one has its own function. The front of the house is used for stores and the back of the house near the river was the place for import and export goods. The interior decoration item was made of unique wood skilfully carved with symbols of dragon, fruits, eight weapons, silk fillets showing well-off of its owners. On 17th February 1990 Tan Ky house was listed as a national historical vestige.
Phung Hung Ancient House (04 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St.) Over 100 years old, Phung Hung house possessed a unique architecture. The high wooden ceiling and large corridors represent the development of architecture and exchange among Asian architectural styles in Hoi An in the earlier centuries. The house exhibits a lot of information about the lifestyle of merchants who lived in Hoi An long time ago. Although being made from unique woods, Phung Hung house was not carved at all by the owner on purpose. On the 29th of June 1993 the house was listed as a national historical vestige