Overview
The Old Quarter is the cultural heart of Hanoi, where the pulse of life has been beating for nearly 2,000 years. Daily routine starts early and builds to a friendly bustle, while streets have distinct character and are named after the crafts once made there: silver, ladder, silk, paper.
St Joseph’s Cathedral rings for mass regularly throughout the day, and travelers can follow the sound of the bells to check out its Neo-Gothic style. Huyen Thien Pagoda is another of the many temples peppered around this part of town, and the Old City Gate is one of four original entrances to the heart of the Royal City. It has survived over a thousand years. Take time to sample the spirit, atmosphere and shopping on offer here; nothing says Hanoi like its Old Quarter.
The following is a translation of just some of the streets and the trades that were practiced in the Old Quarter. Some of the streets below still sell or produce the same items; others have evolved to more modern goods, but the clumps-of-industry principle remains. Look for the following:
Street Name Translations of Old Quarter Trades
Hang Bac silver
Hang Be rattan rafts
Hang Bo baskets
Hang Bong cotton
Hang Buom sails
Hang Ca fish
Hang Can scales
Hang Cot bamboo mats
Hang Da leather
Hang Dao silk
Hang Dau beans
Hang Dieu bongs and pipes
Hang Dong brass
Hang Duong sugar
Hang Ga chicken
Hang Gai hemp and rope
Hang Giay paper
Hang Hom coffins
Hang Khoai sweet potatoes
Hang Luoc combs
Hang Ma paper replicas/toys
Hang Mam fish
Hang Manh bamboo shades
Hang Muoi salt
Hang Non conical hats
Hang Quat fans
Hang Than charcoal
Hang Thiec tin
Hang Thung barrels
Hang Tre bamboo
Hang Trong drums
Hang Vai cloth
Hanoi Old Quarter is a triangular area of approximately 36 streets centered next to Lake Ho Hoan Kiem. Areas by the lake itself are more touristy and expensive, head into its heart to find true local gems. The Old Quarter gets very busy on weekends, so why not do as the locals do and start early to avoid peak crowds?
Map
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