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Hang Thiec Street is listed among Hanoi's 36 Old Quarters for its tin casting and household goods making craft. Today, the sounds of hammers and welding still resonate, creating a unique and distinctive character for the people here.
Hanoi is beautiful through its "Hang" streets.
Hanoi's 36 streets are a vibrant tapestry, a melting pot of traditional and modern beauty. Each street possesses its own unique character, from the dazzlingly colorful Hang Ma Street to the refined Hang Bac Street, from the tranquil Hang Luoc Street to the bustling Dong Xuan Street. Visiting the 36 streets is like stepping into a magical world, where you can discover unique cultural values, enjoy delicious food, and learn about the lives of Hanoi's people.
Hanoi Old Quarter - A distinctive feature of the capital city.
Hanoi's 36 streets and alleys are a vibrant architectural museum, a melting pot of traditional and modern beauty. Ancient houses with moss-covered tiled roofs and rough brick walls tell stories of a golden age. The characteristic tube house architecture, with its storefronts serving as shops, creates a unique living and working space.
Here, you'll find streets that bear the imprint of the capital city's history.
Some researchers have assessed the French planning of the Old Quarter in the early 20th century as a combination of Western architecture and local climatic conditions, creating a "unique" Old Quarter in Southeast Asia. In particular, the Old Quarter was once a major trading center, and it still preserves many traces of local religion, beliefs, and long-standing customs and traditions.
Hanoi's peaceful Old Quarter lies within the heart of the bustling capital city.
What makes Hanoi culture so highly praised is the "character" of its people. The "essence" of Hanoi is often simple, discreet, and refined, yet still elegant and graceful. A fundamental characteristic of Hanoi's communication culture is its emphasis on interaction, using emotions as a guiding principle. While speaking, native Hanoians pay close attention to their interlocutors, frequently asking questions, observing, and meticulously assessing them. Their communication style is gentle and subtle, supported by established etiquette.
Old trades in old streets
Hang Thiec Street, a tranquil little corner in the heart of ancient Hanoi, has preserved its traditional beauty through the vicissitudes of time. Nestled humbly in the Old Quarter, this small street is like a living museum, preserving the distinctive cultural values of old Hanoi. The rhythmic sounds of hammers and soldering blend into the ancient atmosphere, creating a serene and profound symphony. Each house on Hang Thiec Street tells its own story, its own unique mark, recounting a golden age of traditional crafts.
Nestled modestly in the old town, this small street is like a living museum.
The street is 136 meters long, starting from the intersection of Bat Dan and Thuoc Bac streets to the intersection of Hang Thiec and Hang Non streets, located in Hang Gai ward, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi. The street was formerly situated on land belonging to Yen Noi village, Tien Tuc commune, Tho Xuong district.
In the past, Hang Thiec Street was renowned for its exquisite handcrafted tin products. Incense burners emitting fragrant smoke, teapots that kept tea warm, trays for holding cups... were familiar sights in every Hanoi household. Therefore, the French named the street Rue des Ferblanties (Street of Tinsmiths). But Hanoians still commonly refer to it by its old name, Hang Thiec.
Hang Thiec Street is listed among Hanoi's 36 Old Streets for its specialty of tin casting and making household goods.
However, as time passed, the demand for tinware gradually changed. The skilled craftsmen here quickly adapted, shifting to crafting items from tinplate. Old kerosene drums were reborn into washbasins, ladles, water buckets... both practical and imbued with folk art. Although the street name has changed over time, in the hearts of Hanoi residents, Hang Thiec (Tin Street) will forever remain the address of unique handcrafted products, associated with countless memories.
The sounds of hammers and welding continue to resound daily, creating a unique and distinctive atmosphere for locals and tourists alike whenever they pass by.
Later, street craftsmen also started making goods from sheet metal and zinc, creating durable and beautiful household products. In recent years, many stores have started selling products made from the new material stainless steel, serving family life.
Hang Thiec Street is one of the craft streets with characteristic products of old Hanoi.
The 1930s and 1940s were the golden age of Hang Thiec Street, considered a haven for talented artisans. The sounds of hammers and soldering echoed, blending with the calls of customers from mirror and glass shops. The narrow street suddenly became bustling and vibrant. Each house was a workshop, each craftsman an artist, together creating unique products to serve the lives of Hanoi residents. Despite the passage of time, Hang Thiec Street retains its unique charm, a testament to the enduring nature of traditional craftsmanship.
