The most awesome things to do in Hanoi Old Quarter

All of us have heard the name Hanoi Old Quarter or Hanoi 36 streets. The old town with ancient houses, streets imprinted with historical memories of the capital once, has become one of the first and attractive destinations that visitors cannot ignore. Coming here, visitors will have the opportunity to learn about Ha Thanh culture, life and people in the past and present, enjoy many delicious dishes and countless other interesting things. Now start exploring and exploring around this neighborhood with Threeland Travel.

Introducing Hanoi Old Quarter

Hanoi Old Quarter has a special position, located in the north and west of Hoan Kiem district. This is the concentrated area of ​​36 streets as the ancients called it such as Hang Ngang, Hang Dao, Hang Bong, Hang Gai, Hang Chieu, Hang Bamboo, Hang Duong, Hang Bac, Hang Buom, Hang Trong, Hang Manh .
Adjacent to the east of the old town are Tran Quang Khai and Tran Nhat Duat streets, to the west is Phung Hung street, to the south are streets, to the north to Hang Dau street. As a densely populated place, but each street here has a distinct characteristic, which is a highlight and cannot be missed when traveling to Hanoi.

The preserved and preserved Old Quarter today is an epitome of Hanoi's 36 old streets. Visiting the old town, you will partly imagine the culture, socio-economy and people of old Thang Long Hanoi.
The most characteristic feature of the Old Quarter is the craft streets. From the craft villages around the ancient Thang Long citadel, Hanoi's famous craftsmen gather here by area to work together to create traditional craft quarters. The famous trade streets of Hanoi 36 old streets include:

Hang Bong Street specializes in selling quilts, blankets and cushions
Hang Bac Street specializes in processing and trading gold and silver jewelry
Hang Dao Street specializes in selling fabrics of all kinds
Hang Ma Street specializes in trading votive goods, worshiping items, decorations, toys for the Mid-Autumn Festival and Christmas.

Hang Fan Street specializes in selling worship items
Hang Buom Street sells sweets and jams for Tet
Hang Thiec Street specializes in metal processing, casting tin and iron into household items
Ma May Street specializes in travel and tourism services

Fun places in Hanoi's Old Quarter

Hoan Kiem lake

Located in the city center, Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as Sword Lake, is considered the heart of Hanoi capital, associated with the legend of the Tortoise claiming the sword. Anyone who comes to this city for peace must visit this place once. Not only attracting visitors with its airy and cool landscape, this is also a **Hanoi tourist destination ** associated with the historical and spiritual tradition of the capital land.

Located right in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake is the ancient Turtle Tower. Located on a small peninsula in the middle of the lake, besides Turtle Tower, there are other famous heritages such as Pen Tower, Nghien radio, The Huc bridge leading to Dac Nguyet floor or Tran Ba ​​communal house on the entrance. Ngoc Son temple... Visiting Sword Lake, you can also enjoy the famous Trang Tien ice cream for generations in the land of Ha Thanh. All these beauties have created an image of Hoan Kiem Lake with a characteristic imprint in the hearts of tourists.

Dong Xuan market

Born in 1889, Dong Xuan Market is the oldest and most famous market in Hanoi located in the Old Quarter. It focuses on a variety and abundance of products and goods such as clothes, shoes, confectionery, household appliances, toys, fabrics with traditional motifs, souvenirs, food, etc. most are still fabrics and clothes. Visiting Dong Xuan market, you will witness a bustling, bustling scene, crowded with buyers and sellers.

Stop by Dong Xuan market, do not forget to ignore the alley of Dong Xuan market located right next to the market because this is the coordinates of many restaurants and eateries. An interesting experience for those who want to discover and enjoy Hanoi cuisine. In the cold of a Hanoi afternoon, nothing is more wonderful than a bowl of rib porridge, a bowl of hot eel vermicelli or a plate of shrimp cakes, bun cha, a cup of tea... Rest assured that you can Eat and drink freely here without worrying about your wallet going flat.

If you visit Dong Xuan market on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, you will now have the opportunity to explore the night market here with many interesting activities. This is a miniature corner of the bustling life of Hanoi at night. Immerse yourself in the crowded atmosphere of the night market with a full range of items and choose the cutest souvenirs for your loved ones and friends.

Hang Ma street

Located in the Old Quarter, Hang Ma Street is known by tourists as the busiest and most brilliant of the 36 ancient streets in Hanoi. Famous for its traditional craft of making votive papers for offerings and paper decorations, this place is considered a haven for traditional items bearing the stamp of old folk.
Visiting Hang Ma Street on every New Year's Eve, you will see that this place is like wearing a colorful shirt. If on every Mid-Autumn Festival, the shops sell typical items such as lanterns, balloons, star lights, masks, unicorn heads, drums, etc., then on the occasion of the Lunar New Year, the whole street will overflow. full of vibrant colors of flowers, red couplets and even small and beautiful items to decorate the house for the New Year.

Besides shopping, when you come here, you can also immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of trading activities with the fun sounds of drums, revolving horns and even trumpets. While walking, learning, admiring traditional goods, toys, watching the streets of Hanoi, you will see Hang Ma Street bearing the spiritual imprint of the Eastern people.

O Quan Chuong 

Built in the reign of King Le Hien Tong (1749), located in the East of Thang Long citadel, O Quan Chuong is one of the five remaining gates to this day. The name O Quan Chuong is associated with the merit and heroic sacrifice of an official Chuong Co, who was determined to fight against the French to the end when they attacked Hanoi on November 20, 1873.
O Quan Chuong is designed in the style of a gazebo with the main door in the middle and two side doors on both sides bearing the typical architecture of the Nguyen Dynasty. Located just above the wall to the left of the main door is a stone stele that prohibits gatekeepers from harassing people when passing by, ordered by Governor Hoang Dieu in 1881. Between the top of the main gate and below the gazebo, there is a stele. The title of three large Chinese characters Dong Ha Mon. Today, when coming here, visitors can still admire these unique architectural features.

Over the years, O Quan Chuong still stands proudly in the heart of Hanoi's Old Quarter as a living proof of the resilient and heroic fighting spirit of our people, a symbol of the ancient citadel. historical imprint on the capital of thousands of years of civilization.
Address: located on O Quan Chuong street, at the beginning of Hang Chieu street, near Chuong Duong bridge.

Ma May ancient house

If you want to admire the living space of Hanoians, you should not miss the old house at 87 Ma May. Coming here, you will have the opportunity to learn about the living space and features of an old Hanoi townhouse. Therefore, this place is now one of the attractive tourist attractions attracting a large number of tourists to visit.
In the evening, here often take place ca tru singing sessions performed by Thang Long ward or organize typical folklore forms of old Hanoians. Besides, Ma May ancient house is also a place to regularly organize major cultural events. If you have the opportunity to visit this old house, do not forget to enjoy the unique beauty of the ancient culture.

Address: 87 Ma May, Hang Buom, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Entrance ticket price: 10,000 VND.

Bach Ma Temple

Located at number 76-78 in the middle of Hang Buom Street, Bach Ma Temple is one of the four towns of the ancient Thang Long citadel. Built in the 9th century, according to historical records, this place worships the god Long Do (Dragon's navel) - the original god of ancient Hanoi and the white horse. As a cultural and historical relic with thousands of years old, the scenery around the temple is covered with mossy coats, as if adding to the nostalgic and old beauty.

The temple was built in the shape of the word "Three" with the architecture of eight roofs, one triple treasure and more than 13 diaphragms. In addition to the temples of Te Vuong Phi and Be Nui, now, the temple is also arranged with rituals, communal houses, forbidden palaces and council houses in the back running along in a closed space. The deeper you go inside the temple, the more you will be amazed by the wooden house architecture with a system of tall ironwood columns. Under the skillful and talented hands of the sculptors, the wooden columns and the beams all create their own impression with sophisticated and delicate decorative details.
In addition, when you come to Bach Ma temple, you can also admire with your own eyes the ancient objects such as stone stele, ordination, palanquin, worshiping crane, the painting "Dong Tran Linh Tu", Co Long throne ... a space. The oldest of the ancient temples of Thang Long citadel that have survived until now.
Address: 76 – 78 Hang Buom, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Some interesting experiences in Hanoi's Old Quarter

Gather and play on Ta Hien street in Hanoi's old town

Dubbed the "street that never sleeps" in the heart of the capital, Ta Hien street is one of the famous entertainment places. When night falls, this street starts to light up, the activities take place extremely lively and bustling. Shops, restaurants, etc. are also on display. Surely when you come here, you will be overwhelmed by the food and drinks that are extremely beautiful and irresistible. Interwoven in that space is a busy flow of people. You can go with your group to gather at any restaurant, drink beer, chat,...

Experience learning about traditional craft villages in Hanoi's Old Quarter

The old town also has a lot of famous traditional craft villages that anyone wants to visit. It is shown in streets such as Hang Ma, Hang Thiec, Hang Thuoc Bac, Hang Tre, etc. This is the place to both sell and store traditional craft products. Visitors can visit, learn about those items, ask the seller about the origin and development history of these craft villages.

See Hanoi Old Quarter at night

It is still said that Hanoi's old town is most beautiful at night, at this time, the rhythm of human life is no longer as bustling as during the day. Take a walk around to see the streets, visit the crowded shops or find a place with a cup of coffee to observe the old town, it must be very interesting.

Take part in activities at the walking street of the old town

Not only that, coming to the old town, you can also participate in many interesting activities at the pedestrian street near Hoan Kiem Lake. At this street, you can leisurely walk or participate in street activities. Usually on two weekends, Saturday and Sunday, young people often organize music, dance and many outdoor entertainment games, etc.

Enjoy delicious street food in Hanoi's old quarter

Traveling to Hanoi's Old Quarter is not only famous for its attractions, but also attracts visitors by its attractive cuisine and bold Ha Thanh style. What's better than after a "tired leg" tour, enjoying a delicious and nutritious bowl of bun cha, a famous bowl of fried pork belly/pho or a plate of boiled snails with a bowl of sweet and sour sauce, a plate of crispy fried spring rolls tan… Then sip a cup of coffee, a cup of lemon tea, and if you like, you can also drink a few cups of beer.

Threeland wishes to bring a lot of useful knowledge and experiences to make your trip enjoyable. Please contact us if you want more interesting information!