Quang An street was recently declared one of the “coolest streets in the world” by Time Out. The British Travel Magazine praised its cozy cafes, boutique shopping and global cuisine in particular. The street is at the heart of the popular expat area in Tay Ho in the country’s capital, however there are many other unique streets in Hanoi that deserve recognition for their specialities.
Phan Dinh Phung
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| People walk on Phan Dinh Phung Street in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Trinh |
One of the greenest streets in the city connects Hoang Hoa Tham with Hang Dau and is one of the most aesthetically pleasing and notably cooler roads in Hanoi due to the countless amount of trees lined up on either side. Whilst driving down this street the northern gate of the former citadel will capture your attention, especially the two areas of impact caused by a French canon fired from the Red River in 1882. It’s full of history, significance and beauty and is home to other buildings such as Cua Bac Church and the famous Hang Dau Water Tank at the end of it.
The street is often nicknamed ‘drancotomelon street’ due to the parallel rows of plentiful trees that can best be observed in the autumn where thousands flock to Phan Dinh Phung dressed in traditional Ao Dai to capture one of the most romantic settings in the capital.
Hoang Dieu
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| Blooming ban (Bauhinia variegata) on Hoang Dieu Street in Hanoi in March. Photo by Viet Nguyen |
One right turn off Phan Dinh Phung street will take you down Hoang Dieu, an equally green and important area within the city. Historical buildings of ancient Hanoi such as Thang Long Imperial Citadel and Doan Mon Gate can be found here, with a view of Hanoi’s Flag Tower peaking over the high walls. Although it does not have numerous cafes on it like the previous street it connects to, it is perhaps more pleasant to drive down as there’s usually less traffic.
The street is named after the former governor general of Ha Ninh (an area encompassing Hanoi, Ha Nam and Ninh Binh) who is revered by Vietnamese people due to the sacrifices he made to protect the country against the French. He would later commit suicide during the Battle of Hanoi in 1882 when French captain, Henri Riviere, stormed the citadel.
Thanh Nien
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| Thanh Nien Street between Truc Bach Lake and West Lake is lit up at night. Photo by Nghiem Dinh Chinh |
A truly unique and eye-catching road that divides Truc Bach Lake and West Lake provides a perfect balance of green and blue as you pass iconic sites such as Quan Thanh temple and Tran Quoc pagoda. The two bodies of water either side of the street were once connected until the 17th century when fishermen built a narrow embankment connecting Yen Hoa to Yen Ninh. It would gradually grow and was formerly known as Co Ngu Street before eventually being renamed and further expanded by President Ho Chi Minh.
Several decades later it was visited by American president Joe Biden, to commemorate John McCain at the site of his memorial. The former U.S. senator parachuted into Truc Bach lake next to Thanh Nien in 1967, when his plane was shot down by a missile before being taken to Hoa Lo Prison.
Dinh Tien Hoang Street
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| Two tourists walk on Dinh Tien Hoang Street in Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Kieu Duong |
Away from Ba Dinh district and towards Hoan Kiem Lake, you’ll discover another street bordering the water that is steeped in history with heritages such as Ba Kieu Temple, Ngoc Son Temple, Hoa Phon tower and Bao A Pagoda. The street has been pedestrianized during the weekends since 2016 and is a hub of activity for all generations of Vietnamese life, starting with locals running at dawn, followed by students playing da cau and filming TikTok videos in the afternoon and finally heartwarming couples dancing together in the evening as it cools down.
The eastern bank of Hoan Kiem Lake is home to the huge statue remembering former emperor, Ly Thai Tho and was often frequented by Ho Chi Minh where he would enjoy the serene landscape and visit the workers at the Post Office and Bo Ho light factory.
Ta Hien
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| Food and beer shops at the intersection of Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen Street in Hanoi is crowded at night, August 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy |
Perhaps even Vietnam’s former leader could not have foreseen what nearby street, Ta Hien would look like today. The street, formerly known as Quang Lac Alley was famous for its theatre and many food stalls dotted along it for theatregoers to enjoy before a performance prior to its renaming in 1945.
Nowadays, it hosts a sea of domestic and international travellers and is arguably the most vibrant and chaotic street in Hanoi during the evenings. Many visitors from around the world will picture the yellow stalls, cheap beer and endless food vendors that fill Ta Hien when they recall their time in Hanoi. Its atmosphere is certainly unique and a stark contrast to what you’ll find anywhere else in the city, although many feel you cannot spend time in Hanoi without experiencing it at least once.
