Hanoi Ancient House

Historic Building in Hanoi

Heritage House In Hanoi
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Christophe95

The architecture at 87 Ma May is one of 14 traditional houses in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Known locally as Ma May Ancient House or Hanoi Ancient House, it was built in the 19th century for both residential and business purposes.

Over the years, the house has had many owners, but thanks to the efforts of its various owners and the government, its original structure has been preserved. Before 1945, the house belonged to a renowned rice trader. It was later sold to a medicine businessman, who lived there for ten years before leaving it uninhabited for a short period. In the late 1950s, the government allocated the house to five families. In the late 1990s, French and Vietnamese teams repaired the house, maintaining all original building materials. After restoration, the Hanoi People Committee, responsible for the house’s management, opened it to tourists as a model of ancient architecture. In 2004, 87 Ma May was granted National Heritage status.

Architecture

Covering a total area of 157.6 square meters, Ma May Ancient House follows the traditional “tube house” structure with multiple layers, typical of its time. The front of the house is 5 meters wide, the back is 6 meters wide, and the length reaches 28 meters. The broader back end reflects the historical belief that such a design would bring fortune and joy.

The house features two main floors with a central courtyard and a small mezzanine, used for storage, never exceeding 2.5 meters in height. On the first floor, the room closest to the street was used for displaying and selling goods. The living area of the family is across the central courtyard, which is lined with Bat Trang bricks and used for ventilation and lighting. The innermost part of the house contains the kitchen and toilet.

The second floor is accessed via an old wooden staircase. The outer room serves as a worship area and a guest reception space, furnished with a sofa and teapot set. The bedrooms occupy the inner part of the second floor. A small, plant-adorned space between the sections creates a connection with nature. The house’s furniture is primarily made from wood, ceramic, and bamboo. Built from ironwood and terracotta bricks, with a holy creature-titled roof and large frame doors, the house exudes an aura of historical significance, distinct from the outside bustle.

Traditional Performances

Ma May Heritage Site hosts many local cultural activities, particularly during the Mid-Autumn Festival. The main pavilion displays and promotes Vietnamese traditional handicrafts, such as wind paper paintings, lacquerware, and ethnic musical instruments. The house is open to tourists every morning, and on weekends at 7 pm, visitors can enjoy Ca Tru folk music performed by the Thang Long Guild. This 60-minute performance adds to the cultural richness of the heritage site.

The Hanoi Ancient House appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Hanoi!

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Visiting Hanoi Ancient House

Hours:

8:30AM – 4:30PM


Price:

Small fee

Address: Old House, Phố Mã Mây, Old Quarter, Hàng Buồm, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi, Vietnam

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