When it comes to cultural tourism, few places spark the imagination like historic quarters. In Vietnam, Hanoi’s Old Quarter stands out as a remarkable example of how heritage and modern tourism can harmoniously coexist. How does a centuries-old neighborhood remain vibrant amid rapid urban development? Reporter Werawan Bღoonmee from NNT – the National News Bureau of Thailand – visited Vietnam to find the answer.
The celebrations also serve as a platform to showcase Hanoi's traditional craft villages, offering residents and tourists alike the opportunity to contemplate unique handcrafted products made from traditional materials.
As Tet approaches, Hang Ma Street in Hanoi bursts into life, glowing in vibrant shades of red and gold. From morning till night, shoppers weave through dazzling displays of calligraphy scrolls, lanterns, firecracker garlands, and lucky money envelopes. More than just a shopping destination, the street is a hub for those eager to soak in the essence of the Lunar New Year.
Hanoi’s Old Quarter, with its bustling 36 streets, each often named after a traditional craft, such as Hang Bac (Silver Street), Hang Dong (Copper Street), and Lo Ren (Blacksmith Street), has retained the unique cultural values of Vietnam’s capital over time. Ancestral worship sites have also become must-see attractions for both domestic and international tourists.
Traditional professions were a unique cultural feature of ancient Hanoi. In order to preserve this feature, the Management Board of Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi’s Old Quarter have held a series of cultural activities with the theme “Preserving ancient professions on the streets”, focusing on introducing Vietnamese traditional medicine on Lan Ong Street.
In the heart of Vietnam’s capital Hanoi, the Old Quarter is full of hustle and bustle from a range of traditional customs and rituals held for the Lunar New Year, or Tet, holiday, as part of the annual “Tết Việt - Tết Phố” (or Vietnamese Tet - Street Tet) programme.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had lunch at an eatery in Hanoi’s Old Quarter on June 3, where he tried the world-famous Vietnamese sandwich "banh mi", a favourite street food of many Vietnamese people and foreign tourists, and drank "bia hoi", a locally brewed beer often used by Hanoians on hot summer days.
Hanoi’s Old Quarter is all hustle and bustle at the moment, with various activities featuring traditional customs and rituals for the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival.
The Hoan Kiem District People’s Committee opened a traditional flower market and is hosting an array of activities along the Phung Hung Street mural space to welcome the upcoming Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday.
An array of cultural activities highlighting characteristics of the traditional Tet (Lunar New Year) festival kicked off at Hanoi’s Old Quarter on January 28 - the 26th day of the last lunar month.
A wide range of cultural activities will take place throughout Hanoi’s Old Quarter from February 6, or the 25th day of the 12th lunar month, as part of celebrations for Tet (Lunar New Year).
Nguyen Chi Thanh is one of the few craftsmen who still practice Hanoi’s traditional silver craft. Mr. Thanh’s small shop in busy Hang Bac street is one place preserving the craft.
Hang Bac is viewed as the “most expensive” among Hanoi’s 36 old streets. In the past, people living on this street relied on three major jobs, involving silver ingot and jewellery making.
Amid the abundance of colourful modern toys displayed in Hanoi’s Old Quarter during the Mid-Autumn Festival, traditional offerings till have their place in the hearts of Vietnamese children.
Hanoi’s Old Quarter will offer opportunities to visitors to experience Vietnamese traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) with an array of cultural activities from January 25 to February 24.
