Ha Noi old quarter

If you only have time to do one thing in Hanoi, we recommend that you take the time to walk through Hanoi's Old Quarter. After all, the history of Hanoi goes back over 2,000 years, and the Old Quarter in particular retains an ambiance that gives one insight into the past as well as the present.

The area of Hanoi's ancient streets is rather like a triangle. This ancient section was laid out in an order with its streets bearing the names of the goods manufactured on them. The homes in this section of the city are called tunnel houses because of their narrow width and deep length. In general, the homes have a front room serving as the place where goods can be manufactured, followed by a small open courtyard to let in light, and a back room which is used as living quarters.

The streets are always alive and bustling. Hanoi wakes up early. By 5:30 am, people are out on the sidewalk exercising, washing clothes, and playing badminton. Economic activity starts at 6:00 am with restaurants opening for breakfast, shopkeepers getting ready for the day, and street vendors arranging their wares. All this goes on till 9:00 at night and by 9:30 the streets become quiet. The photographs we feature here only show you a few points of interest, but the entire area is filled with visual treasures. The best part of the walk is that you can easily observe how people are living and you have a chance to interact with Hanoians both young and old.

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