In the thirteenth century, guilds established themselves in what is now called “The Old Quarter”. The ancient quarter is located on an area of about 100 ha, within the territory of Hoan Kiem district. Geometrically, the ancient quarter has a shape of triangle, whose peak is constituted by Hang Than street, eastern side by Red River damp, western side by the streets of Hang Cot, Hang Dieu, Hang Da, and base by the axis of Hang Bong - Hang Gai - Cau Go streets.
In the thirteenth century, guilds established themselves in what is now called “The Old Quarter”. The ancient quarter is located on an area of about 100 ha, within the territory of Hoan Kiem district. Geometrically, the ancient quarter has a shape of triangle, whose peak is constituted by Hang Than street, eastern side by Red River damp, western side by the streets of Hang Cot, Hang Dieu, Hang Da, and base by the axis of Hang Bong - Hang Gai - Cau Go streets.
Each guild set up in a different street, 'Hang' in Vietnamese means 'merchandise' and the street was named after the particular merchandise sold. Some streets still sell the original merchandise. It is a fascinating area to explore, one never tires of discovearing some new corner or trade. The 'tube' houses in this area are narrow buildings which extend back a long way. Peer down the alleyways between them to get a glimpse of how deep the buildings are, or visit one of the shops on Hang Gai.
According to the assessment of some historians, the ancient quarter made its appearance immediately after the Thang Long's establishment, i.e. nearly a thousand years ago. Most of houses presently existing within the ancient quarter's borders have, however, their age of only more than 100 years. In this quarter, those houses that keep an air of anxiety are no longer so numerous. It is just the phenomena of extension that has sharply and negatively deformed its spatial appearance. Under such circumstances, the embellishment and preservation of this quarter has required great efforts.
The old house at 87 Ma May str...
The old house No 87 Ma May street is in the North of Hoan Kiem lake. In the past, Ma May street was two streets; the beginning is Hang May selling rattan products, the next is Hang Ma street. Under French colonial period, it was also named Quan Co Den (black flag army).
The house was built in about the end of the XIX century in structure of traditional house; there is a small yard between buildings to have wind and light, the ground floor (facing street) used for store, the inner used for living and production, the inmost is kitchen and toilet. In the second floor, the front side room used for worship and receiving guests, the rear side room for bedroom. Old architectural decorations of Hanoi are retained here.
The house was restored in 1999 and finished in October 1999. It will be the house for introducing old architecture of Hanoi and suggesting people living in old quarter how to repair and maintain their old houses.
The house at 38 Hang Dao str…
The house at 38 Hang Dao street was formerly Dong Lac communal house (brassiere selling market). The Communal house was built in the Le dynastic time (the XVII century) in large scale. It was destroyed by the war. About 1856, (Binh Thin lunar year of Tu Duc period), it was restored. In 1941 (the fifteenth year of Bao Dai period), the communal house was rebuilt in scale of two floors. The ground floor was used for residence, the altar was removed to the second floor. There were grounds with plants in front and behind the house. A 150 years old stone stele (very rare in Hanoi communal house) and some decorations are presersing here.
The house has been started to be restored in the beginning of 2000 and finished in April 2000. It will introduce you the traditional building technique and the modern restoration technique as well as information on the restoration of the old quarter.
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