The Old Quarter is a relatively small district of present-day Hanoi. Here, the narrow alleyways and tall, slender buildings have been preserved in their original state. At the beginning of the 20th century, Hanoi consisted of only 36 streets. Most of these are now part of the Old Quarter.
The Old Quarter has remained true to tradition not only in its architecture, but also in its streetscape, where market stalls and food stalls line the roads. The shops are organized by industry, with streets like Flowers Street, Sunglasses Avenue, and Underwear Alley, to name just a few. The various businesses represented are easily identifiable by the Vietnamese street names.
The food stalls are particularly lovely. Here you can buy all kinds of fruit and vegetables, as well as pretty much every imaginable animal (yes, we even saw a dog). Special emphasis is placed on the freshness of the ingredients. The fish are still swimming in the pond, the chickens are still pecking at the grass on the sidewalks, and the rabbits are still hopping around in their cages.
The most striking feature, however, is the ubiquitous street food stalls. On every corner, you'll find a Vietnamese woman cutting meat, cooking noodles, or stirring soup. Around her, between five and fifty Vietnamese people sit on tiny plastic chairs, poking at their bowls. The food takes some getting used to, especially regarding hygiene. Whether and where you decide to take this risk is therefore entirely up to you.
In summary, the Old Quarter is a "must-see" on any trip to Hanoi. Whether for shopping or dining, a visit is always worthwhile.
