Kaleidoscope - Roam the vibrant Streets of Hanoi, Vietnam

At the beginning of the 20^th century, Hanoi – the capital city of Vietnam was estimated to have around 36 streets only. Almost all of these streets make up what is now famously known as the ‘Old Quarter’ including the ‘French Quarter’. It is an area bursting with life toned by scenic and tranquil lakes, sacred temples, pagodas and cathedrals.

In commercial areas, streets are named after the special trade or merchandise sold at shops along a particular street and the faithful vendors worship the guardian deity associated to their particular trade. Many of the streets no longer sell the products for which they were named but shrines dedicated to their respective deities can still be spotted.

Today, the Old Quarter is a major draw for local visitors and foreign tourists for its extraordinary cultural flavour, nostalgic appeal showcasing lifestyles of the less ‘modern’, interesting shopping and delightful sampling of a great variety of traditional cuisines and street food.

Motorcycles rule the streets of Hanoi especially at the older parts of the city, hence the nickname ‘City of Motorbikes’. The symbolic red (national) flag is reflective of its socialist government but society at large is rapidly achieving economic progress and inclining towards capitalism.

Ho Hoan Kiem or ‘Lake of the Restored Sword’ is a pleasant sight and retreat in hazy Hanoi. Legend has it that a king’s treasured sword was ‘snatched’ by two turtles in the lake and disappeared mysteriously. The ‘loss’ was later acknowledged as the sword’s return to the gods after it has helped the king to accomplish the mission of expelling Chinese occupiers.

This way to the opera. Rue Paul Bert was the chic street of yesteryears when French colonials and the elite rode in rickshaws along its length. Today, motor vehicles ply Trang Tien Street and man-powered cyclos only serve tourists.

Resting time for cyclo peddlers. Many streets in the Old Quarter have broad boulevards shaded by trees.

Enjoying street food. Mobile stalls have very simple set-ups. Vendors shoulder or hand-carry cooking pots, food ingredients and plastic stools along with them and stop wherever suitable or when hailed.

A street of every trade. Among the many - a vegetable seller on foot stops to show her stuff to a potential customer while a signage highlight massage, beauty care and related services. The upper floors of the shop buildings are either used for businesses or as private living quarters.

Busy but carefree lifestyle. Motorists do not worry too much about obstructing traffic in front of Bach Ma or ‘White Horse’ Temple. The temple is one of the 4 sacred temples dedicated to gods guarding at each cardinal position of the ancient citadel of Thang Long sited at the heart of present day Hanoi.

Traffic and people in the Old Quarter - seemingly chaotic to the visitors but it is life as usual for the residents. In general, Hanoians are reputed to be very hardworking people.

Baguettes on sale. These ladies carry on the trade of feeding those who have continued to make French bread a part of their diet, even after the colonial occupiers left in 1954.

Preparing afternoon snacks. Most street food vendors are ladies.

Riding past a white sculpture glorying communist military heroes in a public recreational space.

Façade of Cua Ba Cathedral in the vicinity of former French government buildings. Christianity is practiced by minority in western influenced areas. Traditionally, Vietnamese religion include elements of Indian beliefs (especially in the South – former ancient Champa) and 3 Chinese religious systems – Mahayana Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism due to a cumulative millennia of Chinese domination over historic times.