As the oldest continuously developed area of Vietnam, Hanoi's Old Quarters has a history that spans 2,000 years and represents the eternal soul of the city.
Although the old section of Hanoi is often called the “36 Old streets", there are more than 36 actual streets. Some researchers believe that the number of 36 came from the 15th century when there might have been 36 guild locations, which were workshop areas, not streets. When streets were later developed, the guild names were applied to the streets. The number nine in Asia represents the concept of “plenty”. Nine times the fore directions make 36, which simply means “many”. There are now more than 70 streets in the area.
