36 streets for 36 trades of Ha Noi Old Quarter

The Old Quarter of Ha Noi is a must-see place for anyone visiting Vietnam. It is located at the north of Hoan Kiem Lake and is where many economical hotels, tourist shops and cafes in Hanoi are concentrated at. In Ha Noi Old Quarter, there are about 36 streets, but the actual streets are up to 70. The number 36 has rooted from the 15th century when the streets developed from workshop area into streets. Each street has a different function and characteristic.

Busy 36 Streets

Interestingly, Old Quarter is also known as the ‘36 Streets’ because of the famous streets that make up the place, all named for the type of goods or service they were originally known for. There are streets which are named for selling silk, shoes, jewelries etc. Some of these streets still retain their original purpose so do not be surprised when you come across streets with most or all stores selling similar stuff or service.
Let explore most famous streets out of thirty-six to have a closer look at the Ha Noi Old Quarter.

Hang Bac

Bac means silver and till today, the street is still lined with silver shops, although some have expanded their wares to include jade bangles and other jewelleries. Although this is a street that is located near our hotel and we walked on it several times, we hardly patronise the jewellery shops here since we were not intending to buy any jewellery in Ha Noi.

Besides jewelleries, the shops are also known as a good ‘unofficial’ place for money exchange. However, with recent crackdowns, this might be less easy nowadays. Hotels and travel agencies have become the ‘legal’ money exchangers now instead.

Cau Go Street

Cau Go Street is a commercial street specializing in women’s accessories, and is situated just beside the huge eatery building that houses Thai Express, City View Cafe and Highlands Coffee, just to name a few.

Hang Be Street

In the mid-19 century, Hang Be street was the place where the craftsmen made bamboo rafts. Each raft consisted of 12 to 15 bamboo poles lashed by the bamboo bark. The bamboo poles were sold in Hang Tre street. Bamboo raft played an important role in the traveling and fishing of the residents because they could easily move through Ha Noi’s shallow river, swamps and lakes.

Hang Dao Street

Hang Dao street is one of the main streets in the Old Quarter running from the north to the south, dividing the quarter into two halves. “Dao” refers to the pink peach blossoms, the symbol of Tet in Vietnam. At that time, there was a huge demanding for this color, so the street was named after that story. In the past, the street was a center for silk products. On the first and sixth days of lunar months, there were fairs that people tried to try silk products for French and Ha Noi local people. When there was a turn from 19th to 20th century, the street sold not only silk but also western clothing products. Nowadays, this street is specializing in ready-made clothes.

Hang Mam Street

The name of Mam rooted from “fish sauces”, which is a kind of ingredients commonly used in Vietnam's dishes. The street was originally located on the riverside near the day’s catch. After the sauce was made, it was stored in barrels that were made on Hang Thung Street. From 1940, a ceramics industry including memorial stone etching, tombstone and coffin appeared and replaced the fish sauce business.

Read more: 5 homestays to find peace in the heart of Ha Noi

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5 must-visit bazaars and markets in Bali

Bali is full of colorful markets. Whether it is textiles, art, jewelry or even food, there are several scattered across the island that will suit all budgets. Shop for art at Sukawati Art Market, Ubud Art Market, and Pasaran Art Market at Hubud.  Snap up finds at Samadi Sunday's Farmers Market, Love Anchor Weekend Bazaar, and Old Man's Market in Canggu.

Love Anchor Weekend Bazaar – Canggu

The most popular market in town and one of the most hipster markets in Bali. Here they sell everything from clothing to souvenirs and heaps of beautiful jewellery. It is undoubtedly the perfect set up with music playing and happy faces. A real good vibe.

Address: No.56 Jl. Pantai Batu Bolong, Canggu, North Kuta, Badung, Bali
Market opening hours: 9a.m to 9p.m (daily)

Samadi Sunday Farmer’s Market – Canggu

This is it, you have been transported to Bangkok – the capital city of trendy night market shopping. Whether you are a self-proclaimed foodie, a fashionista or a beauty treatments’ obsessed, the market at Mercure Resort in Sanur is bound to keep you busy on Sundays.

The Sunday market has lots to offer, the large, grassy expanse, food stalls and groovy ambience at the resort make it a popular place to snare unique items. Stylish fashion, handmade crafts, jewellery, fresh produce and lush homewares are scattered around stalls on the well-manicured lawn.

Address: No.39 Jalan Padang Linjong, Echo Beach Canggu Bali
Market operating hours: Every Sunday 9a.m to 2p.m

Old Man’s Market - Batu Bolong, Canggu

On one Saturday of each month, one of Canggu’s most favorite place at Batu Bolong beach, transforms into a market. Whatever you fancy, you’ll find it at the Old Man’s Market. We absolutely love the Kevala Ceramics stall, Bali’s original fine-pottery studio that collaborates with Australian designers and sell-off samples and leftovers. You will not manage to go past without buying something out of their colorful collections.

Address: Jalan Batu Bolong, Canggu, Bali, Indonesia
Market opening hours: Weekends, 8a.m to 3p.m

Pasar - Pasaran Art Market at Hubud – Ubud

This is a “stray” event that is really going places. Organized by local Balinese artists, this market is the free spirit of Yogyakarta (the artistic capital of Indonesia) that reins in Bali. Crafts and more crafts, all beautifully displayed by the creators themselves who are always open to a friendly talk. Paradise for the kids, as there is so much to do.

Address: No.1 Jl. Kayu Cendana, Seminyak, Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali
Market operating hours: Twice per year

Ubud Art Market – Ubud

A holiday in Bali always calls for some shopping for souvenirs or memorabilia of the trip, and the best place to make the search would be the Ubud Art Market. The Ubud market offers not only exemplary Balinese items, but also rather a universal and international assortment, catering to visitors of all tastes. The items found here also tend to be of a higher artistic value compared to other art markets such as Kuta.

Address: No.35 Jl. Raya Ubud, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali
Market operating hours: 6 a.m to 18 p.m

Read more: 10 must-try activities in Bali

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Visit 4 best colonial architectures in Hanoi

Architecturally, the French left their mark throughout Vietnam, and Hanoi is the city that still preserves it the most in this country.

1. National Museum of Vietnamese History

Built between 1925 and 1932, this architecturally impressive museum was formerly home to the École Française d’Extrême-Orient. Its architect, Ernest Hebrard, was among the first in Vietnam to incorporate a blend of Chinese and French design elements. Exhibit highlights include bronzes from the Dong Son culture (3rd century BC to 3rd century AD), Hindu statuary from the Khmer and Champa kingdoms, jewellery from imperial Vietnam, and displays relating to the French occupation and the Communist Party.

2. Hoa Lo Prison Museum

This thought-provoking site is all that remains of the former Hoa Lo Prison, ironically nicknamed the ‘Hanoi Hilton’ by US prisoners of war (POWs) during the American War. Most exhibits relate to the prison’s use up to the mid-1950s, focusing on the Vietnamese struggle for independence from France. A gruesome relic is the ominous French guillotine, used to behead Vietnamese revolutionaries. There are also displays focusing on the American pilots who were incarcerated at Hoa Lo during the American War.

3. Hanoi Opera House

This glorious neoclassical centrepiece of Hanoi's French Quarter is unmissable with its Gothic pillars and domes. The French-colonial 900-seat venue was built in 1911. On 16 August 1945 the Viet Minh–run Citizens’ Committee announced that it had taken over the city from a balcony on this building. For some drama today, book ahead for a performance here, even if just to experience the grand interior. Most weekends you’ll see Hanoi wedding couples getting photographed on the elegant front steps.

4. La Badiane

This stylish bistro is set in a restored, whitewashed French villa arrayed around a breezy central courtyard. French cuisine underpins the menu – La Badiane translates as ‘star anise’ – but Asian and Mediterranean flavours also feature. Menu highlights include sea-bass tagliatelle with smoked paprika, and prawn bisque with wasabi tomato bruschetta. Three-course lunches (385,000d) are excellent value, and there's an evening degustation (1,490,000d).

See more: Take a trip to Hanoi

Source: lonelyplanet