Visit Hanoi Ancient House nearly 140 years old at 87 Ma May

Suppose you want to understand more about Vietnamese culture and see the daily lives of Hanoian people in the 18th and 19th centuries. Hanoi Ancient house is a great place to visit, and it's right center of Hanoi old quarter.
Its number 87 Ma May Street – local people also call it Ma May Heritage house.

 

1. History

This is one of the 14 old houses in Hanoi built-in 1890 with Vietnamese tubular architecture of 157,6 square meters. With a total of 28 square meters, the width of the front is 5 meters, and the width of the back is 6 meters.
After many years of establishment, the house has changed owners many times and been restored, but it still retains its original pristine features.

In 1945, a businessman sold traditional Chinese medicine to buy a house, the owner used to stay and for business. From 1954 to 1999, 5 families were living here.

In 1999 it was restored following cooperation between Hanoi City and Toulouse City (France). All architectural structures, building materials (from wood) to living things are kept intact.
 

1.1. Hanoi Ancient House entrance fee and opening hours

  • Ticket price: 10,000 VND per person.

  • Morning: 8:00am -12:00pm

  • Afternoon: 13:00pm – 20:00pm

hanoi ancient house ma may ancient house 

From the main gate of Hanoi ancient house

1.2. Architecture

Many houses in Hanoi Old Quarter have lengths up to 70meter, but the width is only 2 meters. Local people called "tubular house."
A common question I get from foreign visitors frequently when exploring Hanoi Old Quarter, especially the Ancient House Hanoi, is why it is so narrow?
The formation of a tube house is thought to be due to the landowner fragmentation of the land to sell to many households.
Because the government will charge tax money based on the width of your house in front of the street, it means that the wider your house was, the higher the money you needed to pay!
It sounds very weird, right? ^^
Therefore, the Vietnamese people were very smart when building thin but deep to reduce tax and save a lot of money.
Besides that, local people will design one or more skylines arranged in the middle divide different functions to get enough light.
Typically, it will have two floors: 1st floor: Shop - courtyard - bedroom, warehouse, and kitchen.
The second floor: Is the living room, worship - courtyard - bedroom. In the courtyard, display pots to create a landscape and ventilation for the home.
Until now, this is still a place introducing to visitors the Old Quarter's cultural beauty, the daily of the ancient Ha Thanh people.
Currently, this attracts a large number of domestic and international tourists every day.
If you have the chance to visit this attraction, especially on weekends, there are many activities, cultural and artistic exchanges right in front of the house.
Ma May ancient house
Hanoi Ancient House 87 Ma May


You might want to visit some attractions nearby:
>>> French quarter Hanoi attractions
>>> Bach Ma Temple - Everything you need to know
>>> Water puppet show in Hanoi 

>>> Read more Hanoi tours with the best prices, services, and itinerary
Go Viet Trip hope this article will help you understand more about Hanoi, besides that visitors can explore many interesting in Hanoi if you need any more help. Please feel free to contact us: Email: Goviettrip@gmail.com or hotline +84968667589. We are guarantee about quality and prices. Get a full refund if you do not feel happy with our services.

Author Hoan Nguyen

He has over 10 years of experience working in the tourism sector and operator. He has traveled to many places in Vietnam and around the world.

 
author hoan
My name is Hoan and I come from Hanoi, with more than 10 years working in the tourism industry (both as a tour guide then tour operator). I am very proud to say that I can give you the best advice for your trip to beautiful Vietnam.
 

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