Hanoi’s 36 Craft Streets
The history of Hanoi's 36 Old Streets dates back to over two thousand years, and this old quarter earned its artistic reputation after the country gained independence in the 11th century.
During the 13th century, around the palace walls, many small crafters and workshops evolved into craft cooperatives, or guilds.
The area began as a swamp teeming with snakes and alligators. It later developed into a site for clusters of small stilt homes and was even the palace ground of King Ly Thai To. Artisans started to inhabit these quarters and eventually the area grew into a hub for a community of like-minded crafters. The quarter soon became exclusive to artisans and has remained like that ever since.
Usually the residents of each street came from the same village. This bestowed a unique look to the street, each varying from the other. What started out as market stalls soon became homes to the crafters. Those who owned shops in this quarter used to be taxed according to their storefront space, which was why storage and living space was moved to the back of the buildings. Consequently the shops began to evolve into long “tube-like” space that measured 3 meters wide by 60 meters long, which became what remains today.
Researches believe that the number “36” from the quarter’s name is not an indication of the number of streets in this quarter, but originated from the 15th century, where there were 36 guilds in the area, at that time. These workshops expanded and later went on to become streets.
Presently there are many well-known streets in this quarter, constantly bustling with tourists and locals. Visitors flock to Han Gai Street for luscious silk clothing and expert tailoring services. Hang Quat is famous for vibrantly coloured funeral and festival flags as well as religious objects and clothing. Along Hang Ma, you can find interesting paper products, from gift wrappings to wedding decorations as well as paper objects used to be burned for the dead. As you stroll along Lan Ong Street, you will be greeted with scents of herbs and medicinal plants, emanating from sacks of leaves, roots, barks and milled powders.
First-time explorers to Hanoi will be dazzled by the number of streets and the assortment of wares to be found in this amazing quarter. Take a look at some of these streets while you are out and about!
Hang Bac Street: This is one of the oldest Vietnamese streets dating back to the 13th century. Bac means silver so this street is is known for the silver crafts. The street started out as a silver factory that was able to cast silver into bars and coins. The 18th century marked a turning point in this street as shop owners began to venture into money exchanging, as well as manufacturing of jewellery. It was then known as the “Exchange Street”. A building of utmost significance located on this street is the Golden Bell Theatre, known for traditional Vietnamese theatrical performances.
Hang Be Street: Geographically Hanoi has a wide barrage of shallow rivers, lakes and swamps. As a result, bamboo rafts were required to navigate through the waters, allowing the locals to fish, as well as seek transportation during storms. In the 19th century, the skilled bamboo raft makers were mostly located on this street.
Cau Go Street: This name simply means “wooden bridge” and in the past, this was the location of a wooden bridge. The bridge spanned across a stream and connected the Thai Cuc Lake with the Lake Of The Restored Sword. This bridge served a variety of purposes as dyers were able to bleach and dry their silk near the bridge and it was also the trading site for flower peddlers. Currently, the bridge has been converted into a regular street and the street is known for selling women’s accessories.
Hang Dao Street: This is said to be one of Vietnam’s oldest streets. In the French colonial era, the area started out as a market for the trading of silk and other types of fabric like gauze, brocade and crepe. In the 15th century, the street became a location for dyeing of silk, especially with a deep pink dye, an auspicious colour. By the 18th century, more colours are used for dyeing silk and the area, along with its craftsmen, became known far and wide for exquisite silk-dyeing skills. In the present day, Indian merchants have set up shop here and now trade ready-made clothing on this street.
Hang Mam Street: Mam refers to fish sauce, and this street is famous for this deliciously pungent fermented condiment. Later, ceramics artisans came and shops were also opened on the street, and you will see tombstone making and stone etching here on this street today.
Ma May Street: This street gets its name from two other streets: Hang May and the Hang Ma street. Hang May was known for rattan products and Hang Ma sold sacred paper replicas of money to burn for the dead. During the French colonial era, this street was regarded as the Black Flag street, since the leader of the Black Flags established his headquarter here. The Black Flag was regarded as a bandit organisation at the time.
Hang Thung Street: Centuries ago, this street was known for the manufacturing of barrels used for storing and transporting water as well as fish sauce. Now it is home to a variety of restaurants and hotels.
Hang Thiec Street: This was known to be the street for tinsmiths, a group of craftsmen who produced small tins to preserve the shape of the signature conical hats one still finds in Vietnam. They also produced oil lamps, candle sticks and metal boxes.
Here is a list of other street names in the quarter, which indicate the type of item you might find on each street:
Bat Dan / Wooden Bowls, Bat Su / China Bowls, Cha Ca / Roasted Fish, Chan Cam / String Instruments, Cho Gao / Rice Market, Gia Ngu / Fisherman, Hai Tuong / Sandals, Hang Bac / Silversmiths, Hang Be / Rafts, Hang Bo / Basket, Hang Bong / Cotton, Hang Buom / Sails, Hang But / Brushes, Hang Ca / Fish, Hang Can / Scales, Hang Chai / Bottles, Hang Chi / Threads, Hang Chieu / Mats, Hang Chinh / Jars, Hang Cot / Bamboo Latices, Hang Da / Leather, Hang Dao / (Silk) Dyer, Hang Dau / Beans, Hang Dau / Oils, Hang Dieu / Pipes, Hang Dong / Copper, Hang Duong / Sugar, Hang Ga / Chicken, Hang Gai / Hemp, Hang Giay / Paper, Hang Giay / Shoes, Hang Hanh / Onions, Hang Hom / Cases, Hang Huong / Incense, Hang Khay / Trays, Hang Khoai / Sweet Potato, Hang Luoc / Comb, Hang Ma / Votive papers, Hang Mam / Pickled Fish, Hang Manh / Bamboo-screens, Hang Muoi / Salt, Hang Non / Hats, Hang Phen / Alum, Hang Quat / Fans, Hang Than / Charcoal, Hang Thiec / Tin, Hang Thung / Barrel, Hang Tre / Bamboo, Hang Trong / Drum, Hang Vai / Cloth, Lo Ren / Blacksmiths, Lo Su / Coffins, Ma May / Rattan, Ngo Gach / Bricks, Thuoc Bac / Herbal Medicine.