Hanoi Old Quarter
One of the reasons that Hanoi – the capital city of Vietnam, has attracted so many tourists over the years is its Old Quarter
It is an area well-known for the history, the architecture,
the enormous amount and diversity of products and even the everyday life of its residents.
Skilled craftsmen migrated to the Quarter to live and work together in the same guilds,
which were made specialized for artisans performing similar services.
The new allocation of production and service helped to create a cooperative system for merchandise transportation to designated streets.
Soon under French colony, the Old Quarter increasingly became a marketplace for trade between the local and businessmen from China, India and France.
The Old Quarter marked its appearance in the 11th century, when King Ly Thai To decided to build his palace.
That means By 2010, Hanoi as well as the 36 old streets turned 1000 years old.
Originally a group of workshop villages surrounding the royal palace,
the Old Quarter has gradually transformed into craft cooperatives or guilds
and soon gained its reputation as the business trading areas of the Red River delta.
Most tourists are eager for exploring the old streets well-known for each one’s specialized.
Hang Ma Street
Hang Ma glimmers with shiny paper products,
such as gift wrappings,
wedding decorations and miniature paper objects to burn for the dead.
Hang Chieu Street
Lasting 275m, located in the area of Dong Xuan Commune, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi City
This street sells mats and bed sheets.
Lan Ong Street is a sensual delight of textures and smells emanating from the sacks of herbal medicinal products
Such as: leaves, roots, barks, and powders, etc.
Dinh Liet Street
Dinh Liet Street was one of the street in Hang Bac ward, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi.
The street has a length of 180 m in the north-south direction.
The street has been known for a street of wool merchandise since the period of centralized economy.
Although many of the streets no longer sell the products after which they were named, some still do.
Cyclo, in Vietnamese, we call "Xích Lô"
One of the most typical vehicles in Hanoi,
you can see anywhere in the old streets.
Cyclo is a human-powered transport with a seat at the front for passengers and the driver at the back.
Originally inspired by Japanese rickshaws pulled by strong arms, the trishaw made its debut in Hanoi under the French colonial period.
Explore old Quarter Hanoi by cyclo to dive in the soul of Hanoi.
You can also find many street sellers and vendors in old streets.
Another indispensable function street vendors play is to provide a great variety of food all day all year around.
Types of food may alter with the rhythm of season.
Street vendors may be considered equivalence with fast food
because a dish is often ready in no time, yet it is not mass-produced and contains significantly less fat.
I recommend bargaining before buying something from street sellers.
Ta Hien Street
Ta Hien is a small street lying in famous Old Quarter of Hanoi, near Hoan Kiem Lake.
The street just stretch 200 meters,
but it is one of the most crowded streets in Old Quarter particularly and in Hanoi generally.
Ta Hien has the most specific features of both old Hanoi and modern Hanoi.
It is named “international crossroad”, drawing many foreign visitors and also Hanoi people
On the small and crowded street of Ta Hien, you can find variety of best Hanoi street foods
Especially, in summer, Ta Hien is famous for beer.
Ta Hien street is more and more drawing thousands backpackers from everywhere around the world.
It is an unforgettable memory when you stop here to have some beer after long day of exploring the Old Quarter.
You can see some street food stores on any streets
or even available in pavement
It is not hard to satisfy your hungry stomach when visiting the Old Quarter.
Despite the damages that Vietnam War left in Hanoi,
the Old Quarter still retained much of the original traits that interests tourists,
especially those with architectural passion.
These houses are neither tall buildings as people normally see in cities nor stilt houses on lines of poles,
which were popular in Vietnam mountainous regions these days.
They are also called “tubular houses” which are short and narrow but have great length.
The house is sometimes too narrow that only one person can pass by at a time.
Today, the Old Quarter has become the unique classical feature of Hanoi,
and the inspiration of numerous writers, poets, and painters,
and one of the desired tourist destinations in Hanoi.
In addition, visitors as well as city dwellers can go to the night market
taking place along 4 walking old streets: Hang Dao – Hang Ngang – Hang Duong – Dong Xuan
in the evening from Friday to Sunday with products on great sale.
Let's explore this night market in the next video.
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