The old quarter, formed during the Ly-Tran dynasty, was a bustling residential and trading area east of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel. Hanoi Old Quarter is also known as the "36 Guild Streets of Hanoi." Most streets acquired names starting with “Hàng” (meaning wares) and the typical merchandise sold there, such as Hàng Mã for trading gold and silver items for worship, Hàng Lược specializing in wooden combs, horn combs, plastic combs, and Hàng Bông for cotton, mattresses, etc.

Another characteristic of the Old Quarter is the ancient tube-shaped houses with sloping tiled roofs, with the fronts of the houses used as entrances to the shops. Most of these houses were built in the 18th and 19th centuries, before that the houses used to have thatched roofs.

Although many streets no longer sell traditional goods, the Old Quarter remains a vibrant area in Hanoi with many historical attractions, shops, hotels, and is also a gastronomic paradise.

Things To Do In Hanoi Old Quarter

Have A Food Tour

Begin your food tour in Hanoi's Old Quarter with the iconic Vietnamese dish, Bun Cha. Head to the famous Bun Cha shop at 1 Hang Manh Street and enjoy grilled pork patties and pork belly served with vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, and the sweet and savory dipping sauce.

If you want something a bit more unique, make your way to Dinh Liet Street to indulge in a variety of delicious snail dishes. Try boiled, grilled, or stir-fried snails prepared with flavorful sauces and spices. Compared to French Escargot, Vietnamese snail dishes are crunchier, smaller, and eaten with a triangular sharp utensil to pick out the snails. Snail dishes are absolutely worth trying, and even if you don’t like snails, there are usually other dishes on the menu to try like mussels, quail eggs, or nem chua rán.

Speaking of “nem chua rán”, these crispy fried fermented pork rolls are a popular street food, mostly among younger people, that you can’t find anywhere but in Vietnam. Visit Tam Thuong Alley for the tastiest nem chua rán, with a crispy exterior and a soft interior, dipped in sweet and spicy sauce, and accompanied with a side of green mangoes or jícama, depending on the season.

After sampling savory dishes, treat yourself to a sweet Trang Tien Ice Cream. Choose from a selection of delightful flavors such as coconut milk, green rice flakes, chocolate, or mung bean. The creamy texture and refreshing taste will surely satisfy your sweet tooth.

Walk over to To Tich Street to experience the delightful Vietnamese dessert - Chè. Indulge in a bowl of sweet soup made with a variety of ingredients such as beans, fruits, jelly, and coconut milk. It's a perfect way to cleanse your palate after a savory dish.

Besides the familiar spots like Ta Hien, and Tong Duy Tan Food Street, you can also visit Dong Xuan Market to enjoy street food at affordable prices. Dong Xuan Market has become a sought-after culinary destination with many attractive and typical Hanoi dishes such as shrimp cakes, bún ốc, bún chả, chè, etc.

Visit Hoan Kiem Lake

Whether you're interested in history, culture, nature, or simply enjoying a peaceful stroll, Hoan Kiem Lake has something for everyone to enjoy.

Located on a small island in the northern part of the lake, Ngoc Son Temple is a picturesque temple dating back to the 18th century. Cross the red bridge (The Huc Bridge) to reach the temple and explore its intricate architecture and tranquil surroundings. Sitting on a small island in the middle of the lake, Turtle Tower (Thap Rua) is a symbol of Hanoi. Though you can't enter the tower, it's a beautiful sight to behold, especially during sunrise or sunset.

There's also the Hoan Kiem Walking Street, open from Friday evening till Sunday night each week. The walking street is filled with street performances and cultural activities. You can enjoy traditional music, dance performances, and more. You can also stop by one of the food stalls and try a variety of Vietnamese street food and snacks, there's something to satisfy every craving.

Visit Bach Ma Temple

Bach Ma Temple is the oldest temple in Hanoi and one of the Four Guardian Temples protecting the city. The four temples are: Kim Lien Temple guarding the South, Quan Thanh Temple guarding the North, Voi Phuc Temple guarding the West, and Bach Ma Temple guarding the East.

Bach Ma Temple, which translates to "White Horse Temple," has a rich history dating back over a thousand years. Legend has it that the temple was originally built in the 11th century during the reign of King Ly Thai To, the founder of the Ly Dynasty, to honor a white horse that guided the king to this location for the construction of the city's citadel.

Join A Cooking Class

If you’re a fan of Vietnamese cuisine and you think that you’re going to miss it when you come back home, why not join a cooking class in Hanoi? You’ll gain insights into the flavors, and culture of Vietnamese cuisine, and get hands-on experiences!

In these classes, you will have the opportunity to shop with the chefs at the local markets, then personally prepare dishes at your cooking station with the help of the chef, then taste the fruits of your labor. And the best part is, you can recreate these dishes at home for your friends and family to try too!

See A Water Puppet Show

Water puppetry, known as "Múa rối nước" in Vietnamese, is a traditional art form that originated in the Red River Delta. Water puppetry has a long history in Vietnam, dating back as far as the 11th century. It originated as a form of entertainment for farmers during the rice harvesting season when fields were flooded. Today, puppeteers would stand in waist-deep water behind a bamboo screen and manipulate puppets on the water's surface, accompanied by live traditional music and singing.

For water puppet shows in Hanoi, you can visit Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, which is the only theater that offers performances 365 days a year.

Visit Hanoi Train Street

Hanoi Train Street is a narrow residential street in the Old Quarter of Hanoi, Vietnam, where train tracks run through the middle of the neighborhood. The houses along the street are built very close to the tracks, sometimes only a few feet away. The train passes through the street twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Generations of residents have called Hanoi's Train Street home, adapting to the limited space and the cacophony of passing trains. When there aren’t any trains, people would dry their clothes, wash the dishes, play chess, etc, often spilling onto the railway tracks themselves.

You can visit one of the cafes on Hanoi Train Street (read more in the article) to watch the daily lives of the people unfold, and to have a rush of adrenaline as the train rushes past just inches from you !

Have A Beer

Drinking beer has become a culture for Vietnamese people. Specifically bia hơi, or draft beer. There's nothing better than the feeling of sipping on a cool glass of draft beer on a hot day in Hanoi. Add a plate of peanuts, a few sticks of nem chua, and you'll truly experience the rustic drinking culture of Hanoians.

A draft beer joint doesn't need much besides a few plastic tables and chairs, and a couple of bottles of beer, chilling in an ice bucket. Perhaps, the sidewalk draft beer culture of Hanoians originated from there. Besides the noise of passing vehicles, you’ll also hear people chant “1,2,3, Dzô!” as they clink their glasses.

If trà đá, or iced tea, is the sought-after treat during lunch breaks, draft beer joints are the place people flock to after hours of hard work. It’s not just because of its strong malt flavor and delicate aroma, but also because it provides a sense of relaxation. Beer drinkers can wear anything from formal trousers and shirts to casual shorts and T-shirts, sit cross-legged, or prop their feet up on the stool. Draft beer in Hanoi is super cheap too, only 13.000 VND a glass, that’s $0.52! People of all walks of life, incomes, backgrounds, ages, can enter a draft beer joint with the bright yellow sign "Bia Hơi Hà Nội", order a couple of frothy glasses of beer and immerse themselves in the lively flow of the capital.

Where To Stay In Hanoi Old Quarter ?

Luxury Hotels

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

InterContinental Hanoi Westlake

Apricot Hotel.

Mid-range Hotels

Oriental Suites & Spa

Diamond Westlake Suites

Le Jardin Hotel Haute Couture

Affordable Hotels

Myrcella Urban Studio

Old Quarter View Hanoi Hostel

Central Backpackers Hostel

=> Hanoi City Tour Full Day