The Old Quarter, or Hanoi 36 streets, is a familiar name referred to the old town with historical memories of this capital city. Over the years, Hanoi Old Quarter may have been changed, but this area is still a top tourist attraction to experience the remains of an old Hanoi.
The Old Quarter is an urban area formed from the Ly – Tran dynasty and located east of Thang Long Royal Citadel to the Red River. This downtown area focused on small-scale industrial and commercial activities. Each street had different characteristics in this old town as artisans from the villages around Thang Long gathered here according to the profession. The main products of each street became street names with the word Hàng at the beginning. From there, Hang Trong, Hang Buom, Hang ga, etc., were born. Throughout history, the old town of Hanoi still stands and remains as the bustling commodity market and as one of the busiest places in the capital. Society develops and changes, and the old town also gradually transforms, but the streets still retain their inherent cultural values.
Walking through the old town, visitors can observe the ancient architecture of houses in this area. The houses were built in the style of pipe houses with tiled roofs and small business shops in the facades. They were mainly constructed from the beginning of the twentieth century. Old signs are still present through the old houses of Hanoi, with the tile roofs covered in moss. There are many generations of Hanoian living in these houses, preserving the lifestyles and cultures of Hanoi.
