Changes Are Sweeping Through the Old Quarters

What do you expect to see in the Old Quarters?

If you have read the history of the Old Quarters in travel guidebooks (Lonely Planet Guide, Insight Guide Vietnam, Traveler's Companion), you know that many of the street names were derived from the trades that were plied in those streets in times begone.

However, many of the streets have lost the original trades which gave rise to street names like: Phố Hàng Bè (Rafts Street), Phố Gia Ngư (Fishermen Street), Phố Hàng Tre (Bamboo Streets), Phố Hàng Buồm (Sails Street).

Phố Hàng Gai (Silk Street) is a noticeable exception. It continues to live up to its name. There are many silk shops lining the street, offering tourists a colourful selection of silk scarves, shawls, dresses and áo dàis.

Besides Silk Street, there are still some streets, where some of the shops continue to ply their original trades. An example is Phố Hàng Bạc (Silver Street), where a few silversmiths continue to sell silver jewellery.

But on the whole, the Old Quarters seem to be developing a ubiquitous look – overcrowded with travel cafes, hotels, and restaurants.

Many of the original buildings and temples have given way to modern development. Instead of seeing two-storey ancient shophouses or temples, 7- to 8-storey hotel buildings now stand in their place.

In recent years, efforts have been made by the provincial government to preserve certain buildings in the Old Quarters, but is it already too late?

One thing is for sure. Some effort is better than no effort.