[Photo] Hanoi's Old Quarter looks new and different from an aerial perspective.

NDO - If you're already familiar with the everyday image of Hanoi's 36 streets and alleys, take a look at the capital's "small streets and alleys" from a new and unique perspective, taken from above.

GAZING AT THE STREETS FROM MIDDLE... With an aerial perspective, let's walk through and admire the main streets like Hang Ngang, Hang Dao, Hang Bac, Hang Quat, Hang Ma... to the smaller streets like Ta Hien, Dao Duy Tu, To Tich, Ma May... The image of Hanoi appears modern and fresh, yet still retains the ancient charm and old-world appeal of Hanoi's Old Quarter.

Viewed from a height of over 10 meters, Hang Dao Street today evokes images of "old Hanoi," characterized by the tram running along the street and the rickshaw drivers. After decades, the street remains peaceful, with the clanging of rickshaws and the bustling crowds...

Hang Be Market, with its distinctly old Hanoi atmosphere, is a familiar address for the people of the capital city. Many residents of Hoan Kiem district who shop there daily will be surprised by the sight of the intersection of Gia Ngu Street and Hang Be Market.

Hang Bac Street, formerly a silver-casting district, was considered one of the wealthiest areas in Thang Long Imperial City. Despite centuries of change and upheaval, Hang Bac Street has retained many architectural features and the traditional lifestyle of the old craft village. From this vantage point (10 meters), one can clearly see the old houses with yellow walls; to the left is Kim Ngan Temple, and on both sides of the street are still numerous shops, large and small, specializing in jewelry making and selling gold and silver handicrafts.

10 meters – that's the height of... the middle of the street. From here, you can see more clearly the ancient charm of the old houses with their sloping tiled roofs, interspersed with modern concrete buildings. (Hang Quat Street viewed from above).

One of Hanoi's famous old streets, Ma May Street looks beautifully serene and ancient when photographed from above.

Hang Ma Street blends modern beauty with old-world charm...

From this vantage point, we can see that the city gate still has one main gate and two smaller gates on either side, with a watchtower atop the main gate. The ancient architecture of Quan Chuong Gate has been preserved almost intact.

A street corner on Dao Duy Tu Street, photographed from a height of over 10 meters, clearly reveals the ancient buildings with moss-covered yellow walls on the second floor, while the ground floor houses food stalls run by locals.

Known as a "sleepless neighborhood" in the heart of Hanoi, Ta Hien Street welcomes visitors from all over with a variety of entertainment options. Unlike other streets in the capital, Ta Hien Street in Hanoi's Old Quarter comes alive and bustles with tourists after nightfall.

Hang Bong Street, viewed from above, is one of the most expensive streets in Vietnam, with houses that still retain their old French architecture.

With an aerial perspective, the entire To Tich street is beautifully captured in the setting sun, revealing glimpses of street vendors, schoolchildren returning home from school, and small shops lining the street.

LET'S TAKE A STROLL THROUGH THE CITY CENTER

Instead of keeping readers suspended at this height while strolling along the streets, let's lower our altitude and take a leisurely walk through the old streets to better appreciate the culture and lifestyle of the people in the old town .

The defining characteristic of Hanoi's 36 Old Streets is their tube-shaped architecture, sloping tiled roofs, and storefronts that serve as shops. These houses were primarily built in the 19th and 20th centuries. Hanoians skillfully designed the rooms, mezzanines, and courtyards to meet their living needs. As a result, although the houses aren't large, each old Hanoi house still provides ample space for business, living, and entertaining guests.

Spanning a vast area of ​​76 hectares, the Old Quarter is divided into 72 streets across 10 wards. As one of Hanoi's most attractive tourist destinations, the Old Quarter boasts a unique blend of classic, romantic charm and modern French architecture, creating an atmosphere that is both nostalgic and poetic, yet modern and captivating.

Walking through the Old Quarter, visitors encounter the sight of moss-covered houses, still standing proudly amidst the changes of time and space. These houses, built in the early 20th century, with their narrow interiors and weathered brickwork, are a familiar and unmistakable scene in the heart of the capital.

The images of old window frames and balconies, stained with the passage of time, are characteristic features and the very soul of Hanoi's Old Quarter.

It's not uncommon to see residents of the Old Quarter leisurely strolling or sitting on chairs in front of their houses, calmly reading newspapers and watching the passersby. This is a habit and a cultural way of life for the people of the Old Quarter.

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, people still seek out Hanoi with its old-world charm, a peaceful and profound beauty. They can find solace in the quiet alleyways, savoring street food, and enjoying a glass of light wine with friends.

But what is most appealing to many tourists is witnessing the peaceful way of life, reflecting the lifestyle, customs, and habits of the people in the Old Quarter. It's the sight of neighbors greeting each other whenever they meet, shops chatting all day long, helping and supporting one another – a way of behaving that still bears the strong imprint of traditional craft villages and guilds. This creates the unique cultural value and character of Hanoi's Old Quarter.

Faced with the challenges of urbanization, modernization, and integration, Hanoi's Old Quarter, with its unique identity, has always adapted to survive and thrive.

Nhandan.vn