Vietnam: Looking toward Hang Khay Street from Trang Tien Street, Hanoi (early 20th century)

The Old Quarter, near Hoan Kiem Lake, consisted of only about 36 streets at the beginning of the 20th century. Each street then had merchants and households specializing in a particular trade, such as silk, jewellery, silversmiths, etc. Most street names in Hanoi's Old Quarter begin 'Hang', meaning 'shop' or 'merchant'. The names still stand to this day. 'Hang Khay' means 'Trays Street' though the majority of merchants sold furniture such as cabinets, chairs and wardrobes. In the 18th century, the French renamed the street 'Rue des Incrusteurs' (Street of Engravers).