Hanoi’s Old Quarter, locally known as Pho Co, occupies roughly one square kilometer north of Hoan Kiem Lake and traces its origins to a network of medieval craft guilds that gave each street its name. The area retains hundreds of narrow tube houses, some dating to the 19th century, alongside active temples, covered markets, and some of the densest street-food concentrations in Southeast Asia. It is both a living residential neighborhood and the historical commercial core of the Vietnamese capital.
What is Hanoi’s Old Quarter known for?
The Old Quarter is known for its 36 named guild streets, each historically dedicated to a single trade—Hang Gai (silk and embroidery), Hang Bac (silver and jewelry), Hang Ma (paper votive goods)—plus its French-colonial-era architecture layered over older Vietnamese merchant buildings and a walkable street-food culture that operates from early morning through midnight. The quarter also contains Dong Xuan Market, the city’s largest covered market, built in 1889 and rebuilt after a 1994 fire, and the 11th-century Bach Ma Temple on Hang Buom Street.
Best things to do in Hanoi’s Old Quarter
Walking the 36 streets, visiting Bach Ma Temple, browsing Dong Xuan Market’s four halls, and attending the weekly Hoan Kiem pedestrian night market on Friday and weekend evenings are the core activities for first-time visitors.
- Visit Bach Ma Temple on Hang Buom Street, the oldest temple in Hanoi’s Old Quarter
- Walk Hang Gai Street for silk, lacquerware, and traditional craft shops
- Explore Dong Xuan Market for wholesale goods, fresh produce, and local snacks
- Cross The Huc Bridge to visit Ngoc Son Temple on Hoan Kiem Lake
- Join the Friday–Sunday pedestrian street along Dinh Tien Hoang and surrounding roads
Where to eat in Hanoi’s Old Quarter
The Old Quarter is the best-documented area in Hanoi for eating bun cha (grilled pork with rice vermicelli), pho bo (beef noodle soup), banh mi, and cha ca (turmeric fish with dill) within a small geographic radius, with most stalls and restaurants concentrated on Hang Dieu, Bat Dan, and Duong Thanh streets.
- Bat Dan Street: well-known cluster of pho bo shops open from early morning
- Hang Dieu Street: accessible bun cha stalls popular with local workers at lunch
- Ta Hien Street: dense block of bia hoi (fresh draft beer) corner stalls, known locally as Beer Corner
- Cha Ca La Vong on Hang Son Street: a long-operating restaurant specializing in cha ca Hanoi
- Dong Xuan Market ground floor: banh cuon, xoi, and fresh fruit vendors from dawn
Where to walk in Hanoi’s Old Quarter
The most rewarding walk in the Old Quarter begins at St. Joseph’s Cathedral on Nha Tho Street, proceeds north along Hang Gai and Hang Bong, crosses through the textile and paper streets to Dong Xuan Market, then loops back south via Hang Buom to Bach Ma Temple and east to Hoan Kiem Lake.
- Nha Tho Street to Hang Gai: boutiques, cafes, and colonial-era facades
- Hang Ma Street: year-round paper goods and seasonal festival decorations
- Ma May Street: preserved 19th-century tube house open as a heritage museum at No. 87
How to get to Hanoi’s Old Quarter
The Old Quarter is served by public city buses including routes 09, 14, and 36 stopping near Hoan Kiem Lake and Long Bien Bridge; it sits within a 10–15 minute taxi or ride-hailing journey from Hanoi Railway Station (Ga Ha Noi) and approximately 40–50 minutes by taxi from Noi Bai International Airport.
- Hanoi Railway Station (Ga Ha Noi): roughly 2 km southwest, accessible by taxi or xe om
- Long Bien Bridge and Long Bien Bus Station: northeastern edge of the quarter
- Grab and Be ride-hailing apps: widely available throughout the district
- Cyclo (xich lo) rides: available within the quarter for short distances
Best time to visit Hanoi’s Old Quarter
October through April offers the most comfortable temperatures for walking the Old Quarter, with October–November providing cool, dry conditions; the Tet (Lunar New Year) period, typically January or February, brings exceptional decorations on Hang Ma Street but also widespread temporary closures of shops and restaurants.
