Located very close to Hoan Kiem Lake (0.7 kilometers) and Dong Xuan Market (1.1 kilometers), Hang Ma Street which belong to Hanoi’s Old Quarter is one of the most bustling street and should not miss place for tourists. In 1872, this street was called Rue du Cuivre by French when they set foot on Tonkin (Northern of Vietnam – part of Indochina). Hang Ma Street’s length is 339 meters. This street used to divide into two by To Lich river but this river was filled for a plant to expand the city. Today Hang Ma is main street and part of Hang Ma ward, Hoan Kiem district. Hang Ma originates at Phung Hung tertiary and 100 years old- elevator railway, then run eastwards until crossing with Hang Duong, Hang Ngang and Hang Chieu Street.
Workship items and paper ornaments are traditional handy craft in this street until today. Hang Ma is typical commercial street in Hanoi from past to present. During festival time such as Lunar New Year or Mid-Autumn Festival, this street become vibrant and turn into red color with many ornaments, sound of traditional toys seems to be a sign of very close festival, bearing the hallmarks of Orient spirituality.
(Read More: Hanoi Old Quarter)
The World is getting flat today, the difference is accepted by different cultures, a traditional festival can become popular not only within national border but also in the countries, as long as it brings joy to everyone. Hang Ma Street change its usually red color into the green of pine tree at season. Christmas nowadays become a well-known festival in Vietnam even not everyone in the country follow Christian. Hang Ma Street quickly catch up with consumer trends though it keeps all the traditional element.
Like other streets in Hanoi Old Quarter, mostly all the houses in Hang Ma Street is tube house which is very long but have narrow wide and divide into many rooms. Today local people turn their first room which face to the street into a shop and store the goods inside further rooms.
As a street of traditional with many ancient house, the beauty of Hang Ma Street remains after many years and wars. Let take a walk around here to enjoy the beauty, peaceful and truly spirit of Hanoi’s Old Quarter.