The Old Quarter
The Old Quarter covers an area of 100 ha, just north of the central
Hoan Kiem Lake. Founded in early 15th century, the Old Quarter is
considered as the oldest city in south-eat Asia. The original 36
streets that make up the Old Quarter are named after the goods once
sold there such as silk, paper, silver, copper, herbs, cotton, fish
and chicken...These street names all begin with the Word Hang
- in Vietnamese means merchandise: Hang Gai - Silk Street, Hang
Duong - sugar street, Hang Ma - Paper street... The very symbolic
street is Hang Thiec (Tin street) where the deafening sound of hammers
striking tin plates is heard all day long. Hanoi's Old Quarter bears
not just the cultural values of the capital, but the historical
one of a 1,000 year old capital. The Old Quarter's character lies
in its architecture, with tube-shaped house (narrow in width,
but long and deep behind). They now become the long, narrow shop
houses which sometimes end on another street. From ancient time
till now, the Old Quarter has been the most crowded and busiest
area in Hanoi. According to a recent survey, there are now 15,270
house-hold living in the Old Quarter, with over 66,000 registed
residents.
Right in the heart of the Old Quarter lies Dong Xuan Market which
is already over 100 years old. This is the biggest market in Hanoi
so far .
|
