Well getting to know a new city is always interesting. We decided to explore some of the old quarter in Hanoi. The streets are narrow and congested with a mix of scooters, small cars, hawkers and tourists making there way around. Like the rest of Hanoi crossing the road is an art form bikes come from everywhere and as you cross the move all around you so its best to keep moving and not stop, just look straight and walk.
Picture: One of the corners in the old quarter
Description from the lonely plant book "This part of the city is home to a thousand years of history, the commercial quarter of the city evolved alongside the Red River and the smaller To Lich River, which once flowed through the city centre in an intricate network on canals and waterways, teeming with boats. Waters could rise as high as 8m during the monsoon. Dikes were constructed to protect the city and these can still be seen along Tran Quang Khai. In the 13th century Hanoi's 36 guilds established themselves here, each taking a different street, hence the original name 36 Streets. Today, there are more than 50 streets in today's Old Quarter. 'Hang' means merchandise and is usually followed by the name of the product that was traditionally sold in the street. Thus, Pho Hang Gai translates as 'Silk Street'. These days the street name may not indicate what's sold there, otherwise there would be lots of Pho Hang Du Lich (Tourism Streets)".
Picture: Some buildings in the old quarter
Walking around we found some streets stare very narrow and open up while others narrow into a warren of alleys. Even with a map it is easy to get disoriented. Many of the stores sell the same thing but I think if you find something you like it is best negotiate a price and buy as it may be a hard task finding the same store again if you want to come back. As a person now living here it is hard to blend, being a Westner we just look like another tourist so you pay the price for example the prices seem to be higher here, the area we live you can buy on the street two small peeled pineapples for 10,000 dong (less then $1) here in the old area, one peeled pineapple is 30,000 dong ($2) still cheap when you feel like a snack but just goes to show some of the difference. Being such a big area we only saw a small part of this area so exploring another time will be added to the list of things to do.
Picture: A local lady walking around selling her items
Picture: Local cat taking it easy
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