Hanoi and Hoi An are perhaps the only two urban centers of Vietnam where an ancient quarter is still preserved. Due to the impact of climatic conditions, the construction materials and wars, the present physiognomy of the ancient quarter only dated back to the end of the 19th century. But according to various historical sources, this area was the core of Thang Long, the capital, since its establishment in the 11th century. This means that this area has existed for nearly one thousand years.



The ancient quarter has the form of an isosceles triangle the top of which is Hang Than Street, the Eastern side is the Red river dyke, and the Western side is hang Cot, Hang Dieu and Hang Da Street, while the base is formed by hang bong, Hang Gai, Cau Go Streets. Prior to the arrival of the French, the ancient quarter had this common feature: criss-crossing streets like on a chess board, most of the streets bearing the name of the products made or traded there. Sugar Street, Silver Street, Bamboo Basket Street etc. "Tube-house" line both sides of the streets: They are long, narrow shop houses which sometimes and on another street; the front room is a shop for selling or producing goods, behind it is an open -air inner courtyard which provides light and ventilation and which is also used for raising decorative fish or ornamental plants and supplementary area. Most are none-storey house, with up-turned roofs covered with small red tiles, the two walls surpassing in height the roof to be built in the shape of steps and the edge of roof being two strange pillars. Some houses have second storey but it is usually low, and seldom does be very small, because the population was forbidden, under the feudal regime, to look at the face of the Emperor, particularly from above, when he was passing.

These days, the Ancient Quarter becomes "must see" destination for every tourist visiting Hanoi - The Capital of Vietnam.