Exploring craft streets in Hanoi’s Old Quarter

Hanoi’s Department of Tourism and the Vietnamtourism Hanoi Company have piloted 4 free-guided tours exploring Hanoi’s Old quarter and space around Hoan Kiem lake on the weekend. 

Tourists are offered to join tours to learn about Hanoi’s history and culture, architectural styles and typical constructions, craft streets, and the integration of oriental and western cultures.

Tourists can get information about the tours at the Tourism Information Center, 28 Hang Dau street. 

The tour of craft streets takes tourists along Hang Dao – Silk street, Hang Bac – Silver street, Lan Ong, a street with traditional medicine, Hang Thiec – Tin street Hang Quat – Fan street, and Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square. 

They will call at some shops to talk with artisans about their handicraft products, visit traditional tube houses, and try some street foods. 

Tran Thi Trang, who lives in Hanoi, shares her feeling after joining the tour: “The tour is very helpful and interesting. I learn more about Hanoi’s history and the development of craft streets.”

A walking tour around Hanoi’s Old Quarter takes about 90 minutes starting 9am to 4 pm from Wednesday to Sunday for Vietnamese and English speaking tourists. 

The tourist guides are students from the Tourism Faculty of the Open University who are involved in a joint-program of university and businesses to improve the quality of students before graduation. 

Nguyen Tien Dat is one of them. He said, “We’ve gained much experience. We’ve learned about Hanoi’s Old Quarter, craft streets, and tourism skills and services. We must help tourists have the best experience.”

Le Vu Trang, General Director of Vietnamtourism Hanoi Company, said, “We aim to diversify options for tourists. This free-guided tourist program also aims to help students train themselves before graduation. It’s part of a cooperative program between universities and the tourism sector on skill training for tourism staff.”