History of Hanoi Old Quarter

The first chapter of Hanoi Old Quarter history was started in the 11th century when the King Ly Thai To decided to move the capital from Hoa Lu (Ninh Binh) to Thang Long (Hanoi). After this historical decision, many craftsmen gathered around the royal palace in order to sell their product. It leads to the establishment of the specialized villages of various types of product. In these villages, the skillful craftsmen with the same skills could cooperate conveniently and also made it easier to transport their products to different places. Hanoi’s Old Quarter development reached its peak under French colonial rule.

The name of streets in Hanoi Old Quarter

As mentioned above, the villages of specialized craftsmen formed a long time ago. Year after year, these villages transformed into the streets we see in the present day. There are 36 old streets with their names starting with the word “Hang”.

Now we will take a look at the list of 36 streets: Hang Bo, Hang Bac, Hang Gai, Hang Buom, Hang Thiec, Hang Hai, Hang Khay, Ma Vi, Hang Dieu, Hang Giay, Hang Lo, Hang Cot, Hang May, Hang Dan, Pho Moi, Phuc Kien, Hang Ngang, Hang Ma, Hang Mam, Hang Than, Hang Dong, Hang Muoi, Hang Non, Cau Dong, Hang Hom, Hang Dau, Hang Bong, Hang Be, Hang Thung, Hang Bat, Hang Tre, Hang Voi, Hang Giay, Hang The, Hang Ga, Hang Da.

Let’s enjoy a culinary pleasure in Hanoi Old Quarter

Pho – The symbol of Hanoi cuisine

Pho is not a strange dish to foreigners anymore. You can try this dish many places around the world. However, if you are willing to experience the real flavor of this dish, welcome to Hanoi Old Quarter. Best Pho in Hanoi is usually eaten with rare beef, brisket, flank, fillet, and many other cuts of beef. In addition to these above ingredients are the intense broth made from bones, flank steak, ginger, onions, and aromatic spices.

Every store selling Pho in Old Quarter is keeping to their own secret formula to make their own dish. Because of that, even though you’re ordering the same dish, you can taste a different flavor in different stores. In general, the taste of Pho in the Old Quarter will be carved in your head as something you couldn’t ever forget.

Bun Cha - The food Obama President fall in love

This traditional dish is the fusion of rice vermicelli and grilled pork. They grill the pork in the traditional way – on the charcoal so when you eat it, you can taste the smoky chargrilled flavor and some crispy bits. The broth is made from fish sauce with chili, garlic, and lemon. The sweetness of the pork, the spiciness, saltiness, sourness of the broth all create a harmonious bowl of Bun Cha.

Kem Trang Tien (35 Trang Tien Street)

This brand of ice cream has been established for more than 15 years so it has become the symbolic dessert of Hanoi people. It is the mark of the childhood of many children in the capital. Although it is famous and attracts many tourists, Kem Trang Tien still keeps their acceptable price without raising it. The crowds lining up in front of the store every day speaks volume about its quality.

Where to go in Hanoi Old Quarter

There are many places in Hanoi Old Quarter that you should not miss. Because of that, we have to suggest the list of things you need to know about Hanoi Old Quarter:

O Quan Chuong Gate

If you want to see the last relic of Thang Long citadel, O Quan Chuong is your destination. It was built 10th year of Canh Hung dynasty (1749). After a long time known as the Dong Ha gate, O Quan Chuong changed its name to dedicate the merit of an official in Nguyen Dynasty named Chuong Co who fought against colony till his death in 1873. The architectural style of this relic is the featured style of Nguyen Dynasty so you can explore the architecture of over three hundred years ago.

Hoan Kiem Lake

This lake is named after a historical myth. The myth says that Le Loi accidentally found a sword with the word “Thuan Thien” (Harmonious with Heaven). Thanks to this sword, he won the war with the neighboring country so he thought that this sword must have been a present from heaven.

After the war, Le Loi became the King. One day, when the King was on his trip to Thuy Quan Lake, a tortoise raised above the water and shouted: “The King please return the sword to Dragon Lord”. After this, the King changed Thuy Quan Lake’s name to Hoan Kiem (returning the sword) Lake.

Ngoc Son Temple

Ngoc Son temple was built in the early 19th century in the Northern part of Hoan Kiem Lake. This temple is dedicated to scholar Van Xuong De Quan and General Tran Hung Dao. In 1985, the Confucian Nguyen Van Sieu was responsible for renovating this temple. Then he built Thap But (Pen Tower), Dai Nghien and The Huc Bridge.

Bach Ma Temple

Located on 86 Hang Buom street, Bach Ma temple is the oldest Buddhist Temple in Hanoi. It is one of the four defenses of the ancient capital responsible for protecting the east of the citadel. This temple was built dedicated to Long Do – the ancient god of Thang Long.

When King Ly Thai To moved the capital to Thang Long, he could not build the citadel. The King prayed in this temple and then he saw a white horse coming out of the temple. The King followed the horse to draw the map of the citadel and built it successfully. In order to remind people of the merits of the horse, he dedicated the temple to that very white horse.

The temple is quite small but still attracts many tourists as well as local people to go there for worship.

Ly Quoc Su Pagoda

This place was built to worship Ly Quoc Su, a great monk after he cured King Ly Thanh Tong of a dangerous disease. Here, you can experience the remarkable architecture of Buddhism and traditional sculptures in Vietnam. Besides that, Ly Quoc Su Pagoda is a popular place for Vietnamese and foreigners vegetarian. These are just two examples in the Old Quarter and you should discover all hidden gems of Old Quarter by yourself.

Nowadays, Hanoi Old Quarter still remains as the busiest commercial streets in the capital and one of the main attractions in Vietnam.