Hanoi Old Quarter, St. Joseph’s Cathedral area and French Quarter

Select an area to see its description and shops. Tap a dot to open the shop details.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Area boundaries and street descriptions are approximate guides by our editorial team. Shop locations are estimated from street numbers unless they match OpenStreetMap address or shop data. Pins for estimated shops are confirmed when we visit.

Areas and streets

Old Quarter

The merchants’ quarter spreading north of Hoàn Kiếm Lake. Each street once specialized in its own goods, and trades like silk, silverwork and decorations live on in the street names. The narrow streets form a maze, so pick one street to start with and you’ll be less likely to get lost.

Around St. Joseph’s Cathedral

A small pocket around St. Joseph’s Cathedral. Design-led brands, select shops and artisans’ stores cluster within a few hundred meters. One step away from the bustle of the Old Quarter, it’s an area to browse at a relaxed pace.

French Quarter

Southeast of the lake, a district where French colonial-era buildings and tree-lined avenues remain. Embroidery and ethnic textile shops are dotted around Tràng Tiền Street, home of the Opera House.

Silk Street (Hàng Gai) (Hàng Gai)

The Old Quarter’s signature street, lined with silk, embroidery and souvenir shops. You’ll also find T-shirt and design-goods brands, and shops selling Bát Tràng ceramics.

Silver Street (Hàng Bạc)

As the name suggests, a street where silversmiths have long gathered. Come here for silver jewelry and small silver goods.

Decorations Street (Hàng Mã)

A street of wholesalers selling paper crafts and decorations. Before Tết (Lunar New Year) and the Mid-Autumn Festival, the street bursts with color.

Tô Tịch Street (Tố Tịch)

A short street in the middle of the Old Quarter. Small shops selling ethnic minority textiles, tableware and gifts line up, so you can peek into one after another as you walk.

Hàng Quạt Street (Hàng Quạt)

A street on the western side of the Old Quarter. Small shops carve and sell wooden stamps and molds right at the storefront.

Nhà Chung Street (Nhà Chung)

A street running south from beside St. Joseph’s Cathedral. Lined with Hanoi-born fashion and lifestyle brands, it’s the hub for select-shop hopping.

Chân Cầm Street (Chân Cầm)

A short street on the north side of St. Joseph’s Cathedral. A handful of small ceramics and craft shops sit in a row, so tableware lovers can see them all at once.

Lý Quốc Sư Street (Lý Quốc Sư)

A street running north from St. Joseph’s Cathedral, with artisans’ shops and handmade goods stores.

Tràng Tiền Street (Tràng Tiền)

A tree-lined boulevard leading to the Opera House. Among the bookshops and a long-standing ice cream parlor, you’ll find an embroidery shop.