Old Quarter is the oldest area in Vietnam. This area has built for more than 2000 years ago. Interestingly, until now the area is still growing as with the times without leaving the traditional impression owned. Old Quarter is located in the Hoan Kiem Lake and the Long Bien Bridge, as well as the walls of the Citadel. Initially, this environment is a swamp full of snakes and crocodiles. Then the area turned into residential areas. At that time most houses are made of clay. When Vietnam achieved independence during the dynasty, King Ly Thai To build a palace at this place. This area developed into the center of the craft. Initially just a bunch of places around the palace craft, but then developed when many artisans come and set up work or shop there. They form a kind of association. Because residents of each street came from the same village, most houses in a street will look the same. Of which previously only shop, evolved into people’s houses. And, because the taxes paid by the width of the face of the store, the store’s most narrow in the front, but extends to the rear. Average sized house with a width of 3 meters length can reach 60 meters. This kind of house is often called the tube.
The craftsmen who moved to the Old Quarter is the most devout followers of faith. Thus, when switching from the village, they also move the temples and religious traditions. Therefore, in each street in the Old Quarter at least one temple, with different gods. Now, the many religious buildings which have been converted into shops or houses, but the shape of the building resembles a temple can still be seen, especially from the roof. Although the environment is referred to as the 36 streets, there are actually more than 36 streets. According to historians, the possibility of the 15th century there were 36 groups of craftsmen so called so. Currently there are more than 70 lines in the area of Old Quarter. Some famous streets like Han Gai with silk clothing store, embroidery, fabrics, and accessories of silver. While Han Quat formerly filled with shops selling silk and feather fans are now turning to the center of the flag for the funeral ceremony or religious celebrations, as well as sells various religious objects. Thinh to connect both the road and still be the center of wooden handicrafts.
Meanwhile, Hang Ma sold a variety of items ranging from gift wrapping paper, ornaments wedding ceremony, and the usual paper craft burned to honor the spirits. Lan Ong sell a variety of herbal medicinal products are usually made from roots, leaves, and tree trunks. If you down this path will smell the aroma of the herbs. Another path is Hang Bac, which literally means silver shop. First craftsman in this way just melt the silver, and then print and then sent to the prime minister.The longer growing silver and instead many established shops selling silver jewelry.
Gate located on Hang Be My Loc, once this area is central to the making of a bamboo raft. with raft made by binding bamboo rods. Taling leather binder made of green bamboo. At that time the bamboo raft is essential to navigate the shallow rivers Hanoi, swamps, and lakes. Design data in accordance with the climate of northern Vietnam which often hit by hurricanes. Cau Go or Wooden Bridge Road is located in the northern part of Hoan Kiem Lake. So called because about 150 years ago contained a wooden bridge to cross a small river which connects the lake Thai Cuc with Hoan Kiem Lake. Formerly at the end of the lake the women selling flowers to be offered to the French invaders. Now the market standing relationship that lies at the intersection between Cau Go to the main road. Travelers should visit Cau Go if you want to buy women’s accessories as souvenirs for loved ones.
Hang Dao fighting as the main axis that divides the Old Quarter in the middle. It is one of the oldest streets. In the French colonial period, Hang Dao was the center of silk sales. At the beginning of the 15th century, the area was inhabited by a group of artisans from Hung Province which is a craftsman pink dye clothing. After that, they also produce a more varied clothing dye. Later, the Indian apparel merchants opened stores to sell silk and wool fabrics imported from the West. The street has now become the center of apparel. Dong Xuan is also called as half-way road market. Dong Xuan Market is the oldest and largest market in Vietnam and was once the busiest urban areas in Southeast Asia. first, Hang Mam fish sauce and sells a variety of other marine products. in 1940, it evolved into the center of the street that sells ceramic coffins and gravestones.
Ma May is a combination between May and Hang Hang Ma. Hang May is the sales center of rattan products and Hang Ma sold as mock objects money paper, clothes, which burned to honor the dead. In French colonial times, the road is dubbed as the Way Black flag, because the Black Flag group of robbers based in the region. halfway there Tuong Hung temple which was established in 1450 in honor of Nguyen Trung Ngan, governor of Hanoi which was then called Thang Long. Now tourists can visit Ma May if you want to look for a travel agency. Hang Thiec is the center of the manufacture of goods of copper, while the Hang Non making hats. The artisans in both road used to work together to produce a Yen No helmet. hang Thiec producing light oil, opium boxes, and candles. Until now some stores are still selling the mirror, as well as plates, glass, and zinc. While Hang Thung was once the center of the manufacture gallon timber for storing and carrying water and fish sauce.
Old Quarter is a significant historical witness to Vietnam. The times make the environment increasingly changed from its original form. Now many places craftsmen who turned into a restaurant, store, or small hotel. Overall 40 percent of the Old Quarter is a trader, and only 9 percent are artisans. The Vietnamese government is trying to make plans for the historical evidence in the Old Quarter is not eroded by the times.