Moreover, Hanoi Old Quarter is also a special highlight of the ancient capital, when it carries the typical beauty of culture and architecture of the thousand-year-old capital. Let’s explore the unique features of Hanoi Old Quarter with Origin Vietnam right away.
1. Where is the Hanoi Old Quarter?
Hanoi Old Quarter is located in the center of Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi capital, Vietnam. The scope of the Old Quarter is as follows:
- The North is Hang Dau Street.
- To the West is Phung Hung Street.
- The South are Cau Go, Hang Gai, Hang Bong and Hang Thung streets.
- To the East are Tran Nhat Duat and Tran Quang Khai streets.
2. How is Hanoi’s Old Quarter unique?
Hanoi’s Old Quarter is located in Hoan Kiem district, covering an area of about 100 hectares and including 76 streets in 10 wards: Dong Xuan, Hang Dao, Hang Ma, Hang Bo, Hang Bac, Hang Gai, Hang Buom, Hang Bong, Ly Thai To and Cua Dong. This is also a place that the local government is interested in preserving and maintaining.
Most of the streets here are named after ancient craft villages with the word “Hang” in front of Hang Than, Hang Gai, Hang Bong, Hang Dao, etc. Currently, many streets still maintain traditional occupations but still focus on trading a certain type of goods such as Ma May Street specializing in providing tourism services, Hang Buom Street selling confectionery, Hang Quat Street selling worship items, Hang Ma Street selling decorations for each holiday, etc.
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3. History of the formation of Hanoi’s Old Quarter
Hanoi’s Old Quarter is the name of a residential area that appeared during the Ly – Tran dynasties. Located in the East of Thang Long Imperial Citadel, extending to the banks of the Red River. Today, it is the North and West areas of Hoan Kiem District.
At that time, people from villages around the Northern Delta of Vietnam gathered in this area to live. It formed typical craft neighborhoods, and became the busiest trading place in the capital. During the Le Dynasty, a number of Chinese people came here to settle down and establish Chinatowns.
Besides, this is where the traffic and trading activities of the capital Thang Long often took place. The residential areas in the old quarter were built in the classical architectural style. The image of Hanoi’s old quarter with small tube houses, sloping tiled roofs, and popular yellow paint has been imprinted in the minds of the people of the capital in particular and the Vietnamese people in general.
During the French colonial period, Indians and French people also came here to trade. Dong Xuan Market was also established from here, with the Bo Ho tram system. This was a very popular means of transportation in Hanoi at one time.
4. How to get to Hanoi’s Old Quarter?
4.1. How to get to the Old Quarter
Hanoi’s Old Quarter is located right in the center of Hanoi, so getting there is quite easy and convenient. To get to the Old Quarter, you can take a bus, taxi or motorbike.
- A taxi is a convenient means of transport to take you anywhere in the city. If you are traveling with your family or a large group, you can call a taxi to optimize costs. This is a famous tourist destination in the capital, so most drivers know the way by heart, so you can rest assured.
- If you want to save money, a motorbike is a suitable choice to get to the Old Quarter and other attractions in the capital.
- To get to the Old Quarter by bus, take bus 36, 09, 14 to Hoan Kiem Lake, about 1.8km from the Old Quarter. Or bus 03, 14, 18, 34 to O Quan Chuong, about 2km from the Old Quarter. Then, get off the bus and walk to the Old Quarter.
4.2. Means of transport to visit the old town
- By walking: This is the form of visiting Hanoi’s old town that is chosen by most tourists. Walking can help you visit every corner of the old town and stop to check in at any corner you like.
- By cyclo: Sitting on a cyclo to see the 36 streets, walking around the old town is an interesting experience you should try. Note, when choosing to ride a cyclo, you should negotiate the price with the driver in advance to have a suitable cost.
- By motorbike: If you do not like walking or sitting on a cyclo, you can rent a motorbike to visit the old town. The rental price ranges from 150,000 – 200,000 VND/vehicle depending on the type of vehicle and the time of rental.
5. Sightseeings at Hanoi Old Quarter
Hanoi Old Quarter is home to many famous tourist attractions of the capital. Here, you can stroll around the neighborhoods, visit historical sites, traditional markets and experience the vibrant atmosphere of urban nightlife.
5.1 Hoan Kiem Lake – the symbol of Hanoi Capital
Located in the heart of Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake is a symbol of the beauty of the capital with a peaceful, green landscape. There are many relics here such as Ngoc Son Temple, The Huc Bridge, Turtle Tower, Pen Tower. In addition, this place is also known as Hoan Kiem Lake because it is associated with the legend of the divine turtle and the precious sword.
- Address: Hoan Kiem Lake, Hang Trong Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi City.
5.2 Hang Ma Street – a colorful check-in paradise
Hang Ma Street has long been famous for its production and trading of paper money and votive paper products. Nowadays, the street is even more attractive with stalls displaying all kinds of handicraft products. It is not only limited to votive paper money but also includes lanterns, folk toys, masks, drums, etc. So, all of which create a bustling Hanoi Old Quarter with colorful colors.
- Address: Hang Ma Street, Hang Ma Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi City.
5.3 Ta Hien Street – a “never-sleeping” beer street in the heart of Hanoi
Ta Hien Street is an interesting intersection of modern life in an old cultural space. When night falls, this Hanoi Old Quarter becomes vibrant with bustling bars and pubs. Therefore, this is a famous destination, attracting a large number of tourists, creating a typical Western street space in the heart of the capital.
- Address: Ta Hien Street, Hang Buom Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi City Hanoi.
5.4 Dong Xuan Market – a super HOT shopping and dining spot
One of the most famous and largest markets in Hanoi. Dong Xuan Market is notable for its unique architecture and bustling trading activities. The market sells a variety of products from fabrics, fashion, accessories to household appliances, electronics, serving the entire Northern region of Vietnam. Not only that, Dong Xuan Market is also a place for you to enjoy many delicious Hanoi dishes during your tour of the Old Quarter.
- Address: Dong Xuan Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
5.5 Quan Chuong Gate – a unique ancient architectural work
Quan Chuong Gate is one of the five famous side gates of the ancient Thang Long Citadel that still exists. The relic is designed in the typical watchtower architecture of the Nguyen Dynasty with the main gate in the middle and the side gates on both sides with a soft curved dome. Capture stunning sights with our Hanoi private tour with flexible itineraries. Explore the Old Quarter’s impressive photography locations and enjoy a personalized experience
- Address: Dong Xuan Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
5.6 Ma May Ancient House – an attractive destination in Hanoi’s Old Quarter
Built in the late 19th century, Ma May Ancient House possesses ancient architecture and many old artifacts that are still preserved. The space of the heritage house also partly conveys the lifestyle and living habits of the ancient Hanoians.
- Address: 87 Ma May Street, Hang Buom Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
- Opening hours: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm daily.
5.7 Bach Ma Temple – an ancient temple, stained with time
Bach Ma Temple was formerly one of the four important towns of Thang Long Citadel (Thang Long Tu Tran). The building is a place to worship Long Do god – the original god of ancient Hanoi, associated with many legends. With its ancient architecture and history spanning over a thousand years, Bach Ma Temple is an impressive destination for you to better understand the architecture and religious culture of the Imperial City.
- Address: 76 Hang Buom, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
5.8 Phung Hung Mural Street
Phung Hung Mural Street contains an impressive artistic space with beautiful murals. The neighborhood is also a place to preserve memories of Hanoi when vividly recreating the old scenes and the rustic, familiar lifestyle of the people of the capital.
- Address: Phung Hung Street, Hang Ma Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
5.9 Hanoi Old Quarter Night Market
Hanoi Old Quarter Night Market is about 3 km long along the streets from Hang Dao to Dong Xuan Market gate. Along with the walking street, the night market has become an attractive destination for locals and tourists when selling a variety of products and possessing a rich culinary space. The market operates every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening. Opening hours are from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
5.10 Ngoc Son Temple
Ngoc Son Temple was built in 1841 of the 19th century. This is the place to worship Van De Quan – the god of fortune and fame for scholars, Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan – the great national hero of the nation. Buddha, Tam Hoa Thanh Mau, Cong Dong, …
When coming to Ngoc Son Temple, you will admire the Tam-shaped architecture including 8 square roofs, 2 floors, 8 supporting columns, 3 main houses connected together. This is the typical architectural feature of temples in the Northern region of Vietnam. Ngoc Son Temple is most crowded on the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month. If you come here, don’t forget to admire and check-in with The Huc bridge, which stands out with its long-standing red color.
6. Activities and Experiences in Hanoi Old Quarter
6.1 Taking a cyclo tour around the old quarter
When coming to Hanoi’s 36 streets, you can rent a cyclo to roam around the streets. You can fully enjoy the simple, familiar beauty of Hanoi here. Not only that, you will also be shared interesting stories about the house numbers and streets associated with time by the drivers. In particular, traveling by cyclo also helps reduce emissions into the environment, thereby contributing to creating a green – clean – beautiful capital.
6.2 Taking photos with a mossy background, extremely cool
If you are a photography enthusiast, you definitely cannot ignore the old quarter. This place owns houses covered with moss, creating a nostalgic and ancient scene. This is an extremely impressive background for you to comfortably check-in. When visiting here, you will be free to take photos of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, capturing wonderful moments with family and friends.
6.3 Enjoying Hanoi’s Old Quarter at night with its own unique beauty
Hanoi at night in general and the Old Quarter at night in particular have their own unique beauty, sparkling and strangely elegant. The colorful billboards and billboards on the streets create an extremely satisfying visual effect. Although the street lights are on, the streets are still bustling with traffic.
However, that bustle is not the hustle and bustle of making a living, but this is the time for family and friends to gather and meet each other. It is like that downstairs, on the sidewalks, countless shops are equally bustling and noisy. If you have the opportunity to come here, you will witness all these very Hanoi scenes, and when you leave, you will definitely feel reluctant to leave.
7. Specialties when visiting Hanoi Old Quarter
No need to go far, you just need to walk around Hanoi Old Quarter to enjoy countless delicious specialties. Below is a list of Hanoi specialties and famous delicious restaurants that you can choose for your journey to explore the capital’s cuisine.
7.1 Cha Ca La Vong – 14 Cha Ca
Cha Ca La Vong is one of the famous and iconic dishes of Hanoi cuisine. The dish is elaborately prepared from thinly sliced catfish, marinated with spices, grilled on charcoal and fried again in a pan of oil. To create a crispy, sweet, delicious “irresistible” taste.
- Address: 14 Cha Ca, Hang Bo Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi City.
- Opening hours: 11:00 – 14:00, 17:00 – 21:00.
7.2 Bun Cha Hang Quat
When mentioning lunch in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, many people will find it hard to ignore bun cha in alley 74 Hang Quat street. The restaurant’s Hanoi bun cha has a special delicious flavor thanks to being made from soft pork belly, carefully marinated with spices. And grilled completely on charcoal.
- Address: 74 Hang Quat, Hoan Kiem District.
- Opening hours: 10:30 – 14:00.
7.3 Bun thang Cau Go
On your journey to explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter at night, you can choose bun thang Cau Go for dinner. Located in a small alley on Cau Go Street, Mrs. Duc’s Hanoi bun thang restaurant is always bustling with diners. Thanks to its unique delicious flavor with rich ingredients and its sweet broth.
- Address: 48 Cau Go, Hang Bac Ward, Hoan Kiem District.
- Reference price: 30,000 – 55,000 VND/bowl.
7.4 Thuy snail noodles
Thuy snail noodles is the next suggestion for your culinary exploration journey in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. The noodle shop is “memorable” with the delicious, characteristic flavor of crunchy snails and hot, rich broth. It is served with many types of fresh raw vegetables.
- Address: 11 Dong Xuan Market Alley, Dong Xuan Ward, Hoan Kiem District.
- Opening hours: 7:30 am – 5:30 pm.
7.5 Ly Quoc Su Pho
Ly Quoc Su Pho is a long-standing brand and has become a trusted culinary address in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. This Hanoi pho restaurant has a diverse menu with beef pho, rare pho, flank pho and soft, chewy pho noodles. In addition, the broth is delicious and rich.
- Address: 10 Ly Quoc Su, Hoan Kiem District.
- Opening hours: 6:00 am – 2:00 pm & 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm.
7.6 Mrs. Thin’s Sticky Rice and Sweet Soup
Mrs. Thin’s Sticky Rice and Sweet Soup is a popular snack spot in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. The shop sells many types of traditional and seasonal sticky rice and sweet soups with sweet and refreshing flavors.
- Address: 95 Hang Bo, Hoan Kiem District.
- Opening hours: 7:30 am – 11:00 pm.
7.7 Mai Nga Salad
The next snack suggestion in Hanoi’s Old Quarter is Mai Nga Salad. The shop is especially popular for its Hanoi dried beef salad and spicy and sour mixed salad with delicious banh bot loc and spring rolls.
- Address: 25 Ham Long, Hang Bai Ward, Hoan Kiem District.
- Opening hours: 10:00 am – 9:00 pm.
8. Accommodation when visiting Hanoi Old Quarter
Hanoi Old Quarter is located right in the central district of Hanoi capital. Therefore, you do not have to worry about where to stay when traveling here. Here are some hotels in the Old Quarter area that you can refer to:
8.1 Luxurious Hotels:
- Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. Address: No. 15 Ngo Quyen Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi City.
- Silk Path Boutique Hotel Hanoi. Address: No. 21 Hang Khay Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi City.
- The La Sinfonia Majesty hotel and Spa. Address: No. 01 Cau Go Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi City.
- May De Ville Legend Hotel & Spa. Address: No. 23 Nguyen Sieu Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi City.
- Mercure La Gare Hotel Hanoi. Address: No. 94 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi City.
- De L’Opera Hanoi Hotel – MGallery. Address: 29 Trang Tien, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.
- La Sinfonia Del Rey Hotel Hanoi. Address: 33-35 Hang Dau, Ly Thai To Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi City.
- Muong Thanh Hanoi Centre Hotel. Address: 78 Tho Nhuom, Tran Hung Dao Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi City.
- Melia Hanoi Hotel. Address: 44B Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Tran Hung Dao, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi City.
8.2 Ancient streets hotels:
- Hanoi Charming House. Address: 15 Yen Thai, Hang Gai, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
- The Chi Boutique Hotel. Address: 13 Nha Chung Street, Hang Trong Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
- Mayflower Hotel Hanoi. Address: 11 Hang Ruoi, Hang Ma, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
- Church Legend Hotel Hanoi. Address: 46 Au Trieu, Hang Trong Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
- Solaria Hotel Hanoi. Address: 22 Bao Khanh Street, Hang Trong Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam.
- Apricot Hotel. Address: 136 Hang Trong Street, Hang Trong Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
- Hanoi L’Heritage Hotel. Address: 39-41 Hang Ga Street, Hang Bo Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
- Hanoi Paradise Center Hotel & Spa. Address: 22/5 Hang Voi Street, Ly Thai To Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
- Rising DragonHotel. Address: 43A Bat Su Street, Hang Bo Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
- Hanoi Chic Boutique Hotel. Address: 51-53 Bat Su Street, Hang Bo Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
8.2 Homestays:
- Homestay Tre House. Address: 12 Alley 781 Hong Ha Street, Chuong Duong Do Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
- Homestay Hygge. Address: 244 Au Co, Quang An Ward, Tay Ho District, Hanoi
- Homestay An Family. Address: 10 Nguyen Sieu, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.
9. Some other famous tourist attractions near Hanoi Old Quarter
- Ceramic Road: 1.5 km away.
- Hoa Lo Prison: 2 km away.
- Quan Thanh Temple: 2.1 km away.
- Thang Long Imperial Citadel: 2.3 km away.
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: 3.2 km away.
- National Museum of History: 1.2 km away.
- Hanoi Opera House: 1 km away.
10. Some important notes when visiting Hanoi Old Quarter
To make your Hanoi tour to Hanoi Old Quarter fun and complete. You need to refer to some necessary notes below:
- Traveling to Hanoi Old Quarter with grandparents, parents, children, … You should rent a car to be taken around the old quarter, both to see the streets and to ensure your health. Car rental costs are not expensive but are very convenient for sightseeing.
- When buying souvenirs in the Old Quarter, you can choose to buy dried apricots, green rice cakes, lotus tea, etc., which are specialties of the capital.
- Some tourist attractions in the Old Quarter have entrance fees. Therefore, you should ask the price in advance and carefully understand the regulations when visiting.
- When visiting temples, pagodas, and sacred places, you need to dress politely, discreetly, and keep order. Avoid making noise and limit taking photos that affect the people around you.
- Take care of your personal belongings, especially in crowded places or on festival days. Beware of thieves.
- When buying souvenirs, you can bargain to avoid being overcharged.
Hanoi’s Old Quarter, with its long-standing historical value and cultural diversity, has become a typical symbol of the thousand-year-old capital. The neighborhood promises to leave you with many unforgettable impressions from the poetic lakeside, peaceful street corners to ancient houses and delicious dishes.
Hopefully, with the useful information shared by Origin Vietnam – a professional tour operator, through the above article. It will help you have a complete tour Vietnam to Hanoi’s Old Quarter with many memorable experiences.
