In Pictures: Hanoi's Old Quarter viewed from above

If you are too familiar with the image of Hanoi’s Old Quarter in daily life, let’s take a look at the “small streets and small alleys” of the capital city from a strange new angle from above.
In Pictures: Hanoi's Old Quarter viewed from above

CONTEMPLATING STREETS FROM THE HEIGHT HALFWAY DOWN THE STREET

With a camera angle from above, we can go through and contemplate the main streets, such as Hang Ngang, Hang Dao, Hang Bac, Hang Fan, and Hang Ma, to the small streets of Ta Hien, Dao Duy Tu, To Tich and Ma May. The image of Hanoi appears modern and fresh but still retains the ancient features of Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

Hang Dao Street, seen from a height of more than 10 metres, makes people remember the image of “old Hanoi”, with trams running along the road and hand-rickshaw drivers. After decades, the street is still peaceful with the jingle of cyclos and people.

Hang Dao Street, seen from a height of more than 10 metres, makes people remember the image of “old Hanoi”, with trams running along the road and hand-rickshaw drivers. After decades, the street is still peaceful with the jingle of cyclos and people.
Hang Be Market, with a very typical space of the ancient city, is a familiar address for the citizens.

Hang Be Market, with a very typical space of the ancient city, is a familiar address for the citizens.

Hang Bac Street, which was formerly a silver casting ward, is considered the richest in Thang Long Citadel. Over many centuries with time fluctuations, Hang Bac Street still retains many architectural features and old styles. Looking from a height of 10 metres, the ancient houses with yellow walls, Kim Ngan communal house and the large and small shops purchasing jewellery and gold and silver handicrafts, are very beautiful.

Hang Bac Street, which was formerly a silver casting ward, is considered the richest in Thang Long Citadel. Over many centuries with time fluctuations, Hang Bac Street still retains many architectural features and old styles. Looking from a height of 10 metres, the ancient houses with yellow walls, Kim Ngan communal house and the large and small shops purchasing jewellery and gold and silver handicrafts, are very beautiful.
10m is the height halfway down the street. Viewed from here, you can see more clearly the ancient features of old houses with slanted tile roofs, interwoven with modern concrete houses. (In photo: Hang Quat Street)

10m is the height halfway down the street. Viewed from here, you can see more clearly the ancient features of old houses with slanted tile roofs, interwoven with modern concrete houses. (In photo: Hang Quat Street)
Ma May, one of the famous old streets of Hanoi, is beautiful, idyllic and ancient.

Ma May, one of the famous old streets of Hanoi, is beautiful, idyllic and ancient.
Hang Ma Street with modern beauty intertwined with ancient features.

Hang Ma Street with modern beauty intertwined with ancient features.

Looking from this height, the architecture of ancient Quan Chuong Gate is still almost intact with one main door, two side doors and a gazebo on the roof of the main door.

Looking from this height, the architecture of ancient Quan Chuong Gate is still almost intact with one main door, two side doors and a gazebo on the roof of the main door.
A corner of Dao Duy Tu Street is seen from a height of more than 10m. The ancient houses with mossy yellow walls appear beautifully.

A corner of Dao Duy Tu Street is seen from a height of more than 10m. The ancient houses with mossy yellow walls appear beautifully.

Known as a “sleepless street” in the heart of Hanoi, Ta Hien Street welcomes tourists from all over the world, thanks to various types of entertainment. Far from other old streets, Ta Hien is crowded when night falls.

Known as a “sleepless street” in the heart of Hanoi, Ta Hien Street welcomes tourists from all over the world, thanks to various types of entertainment. Far from other old streets, Ta Hien is crowded when night falls.
Hang Bong, the most expensive street in Vietnam, features houses that still retain the old French architecture.

Hang Bong, the most expensive street in Vietnam, features houses that still retain the old French architecture.
From above, To Tich Street seems to be captured beautifully in the afternoon sun. The images of street vendors, children returning from school, or small shops stretching the whole street, are very familiar.

From above, To Tich Street seems to be captured beautifully in the afternoon sun. The images of street vendors, children returning from school, or small shops stretching the whole street, are very familiar.

WALKING IN THE CITY

Let’s lower the altitude to walk through the old streets to see more clearly the culture and lifestyle of people in the Old Quarter.

Characteristic of the 36 old streets of Hanoi, is the ancient architecture of tubular houses, slanted tile roofs and shops in the front of the houses. These houses were mainly built in the 19th and 20th centuries. Hanoians skillfully arranged rooms, mezzanines and courtyards to meet the needs of life.

Characteristic of the 36 old streets of Hanoi, is the ancient architecture of tubular houses, slanted tile roofs and shops in the front of the houses. These houses were mainly built in the 19th and 20th centuries. Hanoians skillfully arranged rooms, mezzanines and courtyards to meet the needs of life.
With a large area of up to 76ha, the Old Quarter area is divided into 72 streets with 10 wards. As one of the attractive tourist attractions in Hanoi, the Old Quarter possesses its own classic and romantic characteristics, interwoven with modern French architecture. All have made the space nostalgic and poetic but also modern and attractive.

With a large area of up to 76ha, the Old Quarter area is divided into 72 streets with 10 wards. As one of the attractive tourist attractions in Hanoi, the Old Quarter possesses its own classic and romantic characteristics, interwoven with modern French architecture. All have made the space nostalgic and poetic but also modern and attractive.
Walking on the old streets, visitors can capture the mossy houses, which were built at the beginning of the 20th century, with small passages inside and old bricks.

Walking on the old streets, visitors can capture the mossy houses, which were built at the beginning of the 20th century, with small passages inside and old bricks.
The images of old door frames and balconies are typical features of the soul of Hanoi's Old Quarter.

The images of old door frames and balconies are typical features of the soul of Hanoi's Old Quarter.
It is not difficult to see the image of people living in the Old Quarter leisurely strolling or sitting in front of the house, reading newspapers and watching people passing by. This is also the habit and cultural lifestyle of the citizens in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

It is not difficult to see the image of people living in the Old Quarter leisurely strolling or sitting in front of the house, reading newspapers and watching people passing by. This is also the habit and cultural lifestyle of the citizens in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.
Amid the hustle and bustle of modern life, people still do not forget to find a Hanoi with its ancient, beautiful and profound beauty. They can go through small alleys, enjoy street food and sip a cup of wine with friends.

Amid the hustle and bustle of modern life, people still do not forget to find a Hanoi with its ancient, beautiful and profound beauty. They can go through small alleys, enjoy street food and sip a cup of wine with friends.
However, the most attractive feature for most tourists is to witness the peaceful lifestyle of people in the Old Quarter, with the images of neighbours asking each other when they will meet and shop owners chatting all day and helping together, creating values and unique cultural features for Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

However, the most attractive feature for most tourists is to witness the peaceful lifestyle of people in the Old Quarter, with the images of neighbours asking each other when they will meet and shop owners chatting all day and helping together, creating values and unique cultural features for Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

Faced with the challenges of urbanisation, modernisation and integration, with its own identity, Hanoi’s Old Quarter always adapts to survive and develop.

Faced with the challenges of urbanisation, modernisation and integration, with its own identity, Hanoi’s Old Quarter always adapts to survive and develop.

Thanh Dat

Translated by NDO

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