A unique character, deeply rooted in the spirit of the capital city.

Việt Nam•20/08/2024

Hanoi pho has become a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. (Photo: CTV/Vietnam+) — Hanoi pho has become a national intangible cultural heritage.

Not only renowned as the capital city with a thousand years of cultural heritage, Hanoi also makes its mark as a destination for food enthusiasts from both Vietnam and around the world . In particular, in recent times, several areas within the Old Quarter and surrounding suburbs have been planned to develop attractive nighttime food tours.

This activity also aims to promote tourism and the night-time economy in anticipation of the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of Hanoi (October 10, 1854 - October 10, 2024).

Vibrant night food streets in the inner city.

For generations, the people of Hanoi have created and prepared famous dishes such as pho, bun cha, bun oc, and many other unique dishes, creating a distinctive culinary style characteristic of the capital city. Notably, in recent years, night tours exploring Hanoi's cuisine have attracted a large number of young people and tourists.

The Tong Duy Tan - Cam Chi night food street, located at the corner of Hang Bong street, has long been famous for dishes such as braised chicken noodles, chicken feet with lemongrass and chili, chicken fried rice, snails, etc. With dozens of stalls side by side and diverse menus, this "small but mighty" street has become an attractive destination for young people.

Not only is it a renowned "culinary meeting point" characteristic of Hanoi residents, but it is also a popular stop for visitors from other provinces and international tourists. As Tung Pham (a tourist from Quang Binh) said, he chose stir-fried chicken rice for his first day back in Hanoi.

“I find the rice here delicious, firm and perfectly cooked, very fragrant and flavorful, with tender, firm chicken meat and golden-brown skin that clearly shows the chicken is fresh and high-quality. Although I rarely have the opportunity to visit Hanoi, every time I come back to the capital I always eat at this food street and I always feel happy because I love the lively atmosphere here,” Tung shared.

Phan Linh (Doi Can, Ba Dinh, Hanoi) shared that last weekend, she and her group of friends had a memorable Hanoi night food tour. Their first stop was Tong Duy Tan Street, where they met at 6:30 PM and chose the famous braised chicken noodle soup for dinner. They then walked around exploring the food street and enjoying some snacks.

Leaving the food street, Phan Linh's group moved on to enjoy egg coffee at a long-standing cafe on Nguyen Huu Huan Street – a destination that evokes fond memories because it offers both the delicious and distinctive flavor of egg coffee and the old-fashioned atmosphere with its narrow passageways reminiscent of old Hanoi. The group's nostalgic conversations flowed playfully to the soothing, gentle music.

Linh's group's nighttime "food tour" ended on Ta Hien night street with snacks and cold beer. Phan Linh said: "A Hanoi night food tour definitely shouldn't miss Ta Hien street. Because here you will clearly feel the vibrant and bustling nightlife of a Hanoi that 'never sleeps'."

Besides snacks like chicken feet, chicken wings, and grilled meat, Ta Hien Street also has many shops selling fresh and delicious yogurt and fruit salads that tourists should try when exploring the night market. Although these are all simply prepared dishes, they are best enjoyed in the vibrant nightlife of the Old Quarter.

Foreign tourists at a beer pub in Hanoi's Old Quarter.

In 2023, Hanoi's tourism industry announced 15 unique night tour products, creating a breakthrough for the development of the capital's night economy. Among them, the "Thang Long - Hanoi Cycling" tour stands out, starting from the Vietnam National Historical Museum and continuing to the Grand Opera House, the Northern Revolutionary Relics Palace, the Northern Gate, the Hanoi Flagpole, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Ba Dinh Square, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the National Assembly Building, the Presidential Palace, Quan Thanh Temple, Tran Quoc Pagoda, and finally stopping at the Ngoc Island - Ngu Xa pedestrian and food street (Ba Dinh district, Hanoi) to enjoy the famous rolled pho and fried pho.

This new culinary space, located at the intersection of two central streets on the island, Ngũ Xã and Nguyễn Khắc Hiếu, spanning approximately 120 meters, has added another destination for entertainment, shopping, and dining for Hanoi residents and tourists.

The Chairman of the People's Committee of Truc Bach Ward (Ba Dinh District), Mr. Nguyen Dan Huy, assessed that the Ngoc Island - Ngu Xa pedestrian street has the advantage of spaciousness with many surrounding lakes and convenient bus routes connecting it to the pedestrian area, facilitating travel for residents and tourists. In addition to coordinating with functional units of the district in organizing cultural and artistic activities, the People's Committee of the ward pays special attention to maintaining environmental hygiene and security to ensure that the pedestrian street truly offers many enjoyable experiences for residents and tourists.

The ancient village of Đường Lâm lights up with nighttime culinary tours.

Following the success of the Tong Duy Tan food street and the Ngu Xa - Dao Ngoc food street, which have become iconic landmarks of the inner-city Old Quarter, the new culinary tour "Ancient Village Night" in Duong Lam ancient village (Son Tay town, Hanoi) is attracting considerable attention from tourists.

Launched in May 2024, "Ancient Village Night" has become a popular destination for locals and tourists every weekend. The main event takes place at the village gate, with a focus on local products prepared and sold by the villagers themselves, such as sticky rice cakes, thorn cakes, peanut candy, sesame candy, rice cakes, cassava cakes, roasted pork, and free-range chicken, catering to visitors' desire to explore local cuisine.

Cultural performances are held to entertain tourists visiting Duong Lam ancient village.

The dishes, seemingly simple, are actually elaborate in preparation, requiring skilled "village artisans" to preserve the authentic taste of the countryside. Besides enjoying the traditional village cuisine, visitors can also watch performances of traditional folk art, experience making clay figurines, wood carvings, and more. And after only a short time in operation, the "Ancient Village Night" culinary tour has made a special impression on tourists.

Notably, beyond simply creating a new tourism product, the "Ancient Village Night" event has contributed to supporting and promoting other overnight tourism services, while also creating livelihood opportunities for over 50 local households.

According to information from the Duong Lam Ancient Village Relic Management Board, the Duong Lam Commune People's Committee and the Duong Lam Ancient Village Relic Management Board have connected with nearby resorts and vacation areas to bring tourists to experience new products. As a result, it is estimated that hundreds of tourists stayed overnight thanks to the weekend night tour of the ancient village.

It can be said that Hanoi's tourism has undergone a strong transformation in recent times. With the determination of all levels of management to help the capital's tourism "take off," a new and vibrant image is gradually emerging. In particular, the "Ancient Village Night" culinary tour is contributing to reviving traditional cultural values and enhancing the experience for tourists visiting Duong Lam ancient village in particular and Hanoi in general.