The glamorous belt of the marketplace

Today, when people see the To Lich River, few know that along its banks were once the land of some of the wealthiest craft villages. As one of the tributaries of the Red River embracing Thang Long - Ke Cho, this area became part of the silk belt and the cultural life and customs that formed the soul of the capital city.

Thang Long – Hanoi, known by the folk name Ke Cho (Market Town), was the largest commercial center in the country for centuries. The soul of the Old Quarter – the "36 streets and wards" – was formed from guilds of craftsmen or merchants originating from villages surrounding Ke Cho.

In this development, the craft villages along the To Lich, Nhue, Day, and Chau Giang rivers not only served as a protective barrier, a "shield that has endured for a thousand years," as a song praised, but also as a source of prosperity, producing handicrafts, jewelry, silk, hats, and food for the people of Hanoi.

The craft villages closest to the ancient capital were primarily connected to the needs of the dynasties as well as the food and clothing of the city dwellers. Therefore, along the To Lich River was the land of the oldest craft villages. These villages were also considered the wealthiest in the North in the past.

Recently, following news that the To Lich River will be renovated, many Hanoians are hoping that this historical river will once again become a dreamy ribbon of silk amidst the thousand-year-old city.

Heritage Magazine