Những biến đổi trong văn hóa phố nghề thăng long – hà nội từ truyền thống đến hiện đại (qua trường hợp phố hàng đồng)

Những biến đổi trong văn hóa phố nghề
Thăng Long – Hà Nội từ truyền thống đến
hiện đại (qua trường hợp phố Hàng Đồng)
Cultural movements of Thang Long - Hanoi
trade villages from the past to the present
(A case study of Hang Dong street)

Nguyễn Hà Anh
Viện Việt Nam học
Luận văn Thạc sĩ Chuyên ngành: Việt Nam học; Mã số: 60 22 01 13
Người hướng dẫn: PGS. TS Vũ Văn Quân
Năm bảo vệ: 2013


Keywords. Biến đổi văn hóa; Việt Nam học; Văn hóa phố nghề; Thăng Long;
Phố Hàng Đồng

Content.
1. Reason for choosing topic
1.1. The context of market economy has led to the change in cultural elements of
craft village and trade village
The market economy has made deep changes in every aspect of cultural and
social life. Especially, trade village which has been under the influence of the policies of
the Party and the State has continuously changed, led to the change in elements of trade
village. Many craft villages and trade villages are in the risk of falling into oblivion
because of the negligible need of a handful of customers.
1.2. Thang Long trade village – Hanoi is in the orbit of the deep and strong cultural
transformation
During development history, Thang Long - Hanoi craft village and trade village
have made significant contributions economic development of the Capital. . Nowadays,
craft village and trade village of Hanoi have been becoming an important part of the

Capital that have the deep significance not only in the economy but also in culture,
contributing to job solutions, economic structure transformation, tourism development,
enhancement of living standards both in rural and urban areas, stabilizing and developing
new countryside.
1.3. Research about Hang Dong street ( in Thang Long – Hanoi trade village)
indicates that new surface is associated with the context. The way of approach of the
cultural transformation connected to the features of trade village is a practical
research way
Hang Dong street is in Hanoi Old Quarters. As one of six remaining trade villages
of former Ke Cho region, Hang Dong street has traded copper products for years. Here
was the residence of people of Dai Bai copper hammering and carving village, in Gia
Binh district, Bac Ninh province and the traders of copper products of Cau Nom village,
Khoai Chau district, Hung Yen province as well as other immigrants from some else
areas.
2. History of object
We divide previous research works into three groups:
2.1. Research works about Thang Long – Hanoi craft village and trade village
The work “Thang Long - Hanoi craft village and trade village in the
developing path” [47] is typical. This work edited by Vu Quoc Tuan generalized
chronologically the development of craft village and trade village , from the feudal
period (1010-1858), going through the French domination period and the resistance
against the French colonialists (1858-1954), from the period of liberated Hanoi to the
national unity period (1955-1975), after great victory in spring 1975 to 1986 and from the
innovation period of 1986 and later to the expansion of Hanoi‟s area.
In the same approach, the work “Thang Long – Hanoi craft village, trade
village” of authors Tran Quoc Vuong and Do Thi Hao summed up the surface of Thang
Long – Hanoi craft village, trade village.
2.2. Research works about the transformation in culture of craft village, trade
village
As regard to research of transformation in culture of craft village, trade village,

we could refer to following typical works: Cultural transformation in Red River delta
From 1986 to the present (By surveying some cases in certain villages: Son Dong
(Ha Tay), Bat Trang (Hanoi), Dong Xam (Thai Binh)) of author Vu Dieu Trung.
This dissertation researched comprehensively and completely about the cultural
transformation of craft village and focused on researching three craft villages including
Son Dong (Ha Tay), Bat Trang (Hanoi), Dong Xam (Thai Binh) and extra research of 61
craft villages in three districts including Hoai Duc, Gia Lam, Kien Xuong to indicate
general cultural transformation in craft villages.
2.3. Research works about Hang Dong street and Dai Bai copper hammering village
Hang Dong street and Dai Bai copper hammering village is a rather new subject.
Up to now, there has been only one work that did research on Dai Bai copper hammering
village, it is the book Dai Bai copper hammering village, Do Thi Hao, Vietnam Folk
Art Performance Association, 1987 and the book Thang Long – Hanoi craft village,
trade village, Vietnam Folk Art Performance Association, Tran Quoc Vuong, Do
Thi Hao. The appendix at pages 429-430 only recorded the title conferment to
progenitor Nguyen Cong Truyen in the 7
th
Duy Tan period (1913).
Up to now, there has never been any work that studied Hang Dong street. The
only reference material is on the internet but not much.
Therefore, the topic “Cultural transformation of Thang Long – Hanoi trade
village from 1986 to the present” (the case study of Hang Dong street) has still not been
referred to by any work before.
3. Research objectives
Carrying out this topic, the author aims at following objectives:
Firstly, to outline the surface of Hang Dong street from location, population
components and origin to economic life of the trade village.
Secondly, to indicate typical transformation of each element in trade village,
thence show how features of trade village lead to clear transformation. This is the crucial
objective of the topic. From this transformation, the thesis explains, evaluates and

proposes solutions to the re-planning of the street in such a way that the living,
production and trading activities could develop under the most favorable conditions.
4. Subjects and research scope
4.1. Subject
The thesis concentrates research about clutural movements of Hang Dong street,
from the past to the present.
4.2. Research scope
Research space
The scope of research is Hang Dong street including 48 households. The
interviewed people are selected randomly from the age of 23 to 83. They are almost
married and has been living and trading here.
Research duration
From 1986 and later, owing to the policies of open economy and stimulating
trade, Hang Dong street in particular and Hanoi in general have developed strongly
trading activities. The massive immigration from contiguous provinces to Hanoi, the
appearance of shops and the diversification of mode of trading have made the clear
change of the surface of Hang Dong street.
From 1986 to the present, we emphasize the research landmark since 2000. The
reason is from 2000 to now, the urbanization with deep transformation in economy,
culture and society has impacted this trade village. Urbanization process has had both
positive and negative effects on every aspect of economic, cultural and social life.
Urbanization has caused the growth of population, brought about the increase of need
and benefits towards the relic area. This increase has both positive and negative
indications.
5. Research method
Four following methods are used associatively in the topic.
5.1. Observation method
5.2. In-depth interview method
5.3. Method of questionnaire, survey
5.4. Method of studying documents, method of collecting and classifying documents

6. Contribution of the thesis
Conducting this topic, the thesis contributes on the following aspects
Firstly, it outlines the looks of Hang Dong street from location, composition and
population origin to the economic life of trade village. These are important documents in
the process of management of trade village for managers
Secondly, it indicates the changes in characteristics of each element in trade
village, indicating how the nature of “trade village” clearly defines the changes. This is
the greatest result of the topic.
Thirdly, Hang Dong street planning aims to associate economic development with
traditional crafts, travel from Hang Dong trade village to Dai Bai craft village.
7. Structure of the thesis
Apart from the Introduction, Conclusion and Appendexes the content of the thesis
consists of three chapters
Chapter 1. Theoretical foundation and overview of Hang Dong street
Chapter 2. Change of elements in culture of Hang Dong trade village since 1986-now
Chapter 3. Reservation and development of culture of Hang Dong street

Chapter 1: THEORETICAL FOUNDATION AND OVERVIEW OF HANG
DONG STREET
1.1. Theoretical foundation
1.1.1. Craft village and trade village
1.1.1.1. Traditional handicraft
On the concept of "traditional handicraft", author Vu Quoc Tuan stated that:
"Traditional handicraft is considered as small scale industry specializing in production by
hand with simple tools, primarily using manpower with the creative experience of the
artist and skilled workforce” .
In the Convention for the Safeguarding of the In- tangible Cultural Heritage
published in 2003, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO) clearly stated that “The traditional handicraft is one kind of the intangible
culture”.

1.1.1.2. Village and street
a. Village
“Village”, as many scholars confirmed, is absolutely Vietnamese word. Unlikely,
commune and village are Chinese – Vietnamese words, village is rooted in Vietnam life
and expressed in Vietnamese language only.
b. Street
“Street” means “the place of business” originally and shop currently. However,
“streets” locate closely together into a long row so a long row of “streets” is called
“street”. Gradually over time, the word "street" with meaning of "a row of shops" became
overwhelmed from "street" of a shop, a store. Therefore, nowadays we have 36 streets of
Hanoi with Hang Bac, Hang Manh, Hang Dong and so on to mean a series of "street"
(shops) selling the same items.
c. Differences between village and street
Thus, the similarities of "village" and "city" are densely populated places with
particular characteristics of production, business, lifestyle, customs and habits. However,
the difference is the main economic activity of village with farming and small- industries
and of the street with mainly trade or business. This difference will prescribe the
particular characteristics between the craft villages and the trade village.
1.1.1.3. Craft village and trade village
a. Craft village
Traditional craft village is the center of production, processing and sales of
handicrafts; the place to gather artisans and skilled craftsmen from families, family lines,
clans that have existed, developed and been well-known for a long time. There, people
work according to guild style, every craftsmen must comply with the tight provisions.
People worship the same craft ancestor.
b. Trade village
In the trade village, people still keep lifestyle, habits and customs as village style,
craftsmen come from farmers or work in both handicraft and farming in their native
village. However, due to the lifestyle of urban residents, the craftsmen at the trade village
have the elegant styles of townspeople. Up to now, the imprint of the street names is

reflected in many streets of Hanoi and some provinces in our country.
c. Differences between craft village and trade village
Craft village and city are similar in the way that they are the gathering places of
the artisan groups specializing in producing the certain crafts. The labor method and
scale of craft village and street are not basically different.
Meanwhile, the trade village formation closely associates with the "migration"
process of artisans from everywhere to the capital doing business. They, at first, resided
temporarily, and then permanently if the business was good. The craftsmen made
handicrafts in the precinct and sold in the front of street, then formed the street. In
summary, we can see that the village is origin that generates trade village. The trade
village is place to promote crafts in reaching the highest level of development. Trade
village contributes to balance the production, sales, and even the business is much more
dominant. The craft village pays special attention on production so trading usually is
under any kind of wholesale.
1.1.1.5. From craft village to trade village
The immigration from localities to capital city formed craft villages and trade
villages of Thang Long, which made Hanoi become a concentration place of craft
villages in Northern Delta in particular and Vietnam in general. It involves a process
from craft villages to trade villages. Craft villages form trade villages. Traditional crafts
were imported to urban area, forming production and trade facilities of such products and
diversifying life. The more and more prosperous trade villages were, the more products
and models were developed. That is unique characteristics during the development of
craft villages and trade villages of Thang Long.
1.1.2. Culture change of trade village
1.1.2.1. Contexts that have influenced on craft villages and trade villages since
1986
Since 1986, Vietnam has implemented Doi Moi policy. That is to transform from
command economy hay centrally-planned economy into market economy, develop multi-
sector economy in which private sector plays more and more significant role, actively
integrate into regional and international economy in accordance with conditions and facts

of Vietnam.
The significant transformation of thinking leading to changes of manufacture
method considerably affected social and cultural life. Such impacts always have two
sides (positive and negative) and pose problem to solve.
Besides, the government changed the policy on worshipping products in 1986,
which was a vital policy. Since seizing the independence and unifying nation, Vietnam
Communist Party abolished superstitions from 1975 to 1986, therefore, the production of
worshipping products was considered as superstitious activities. So, with great impacts of
a significant political event of the country, after 1896 thanks to policy of economic
openness, encouragement of economic activities, Hang Dong street in particular and the
whole country in general strongly developed business activities.
1.1.2.2. Trend of cultural movements
The cultural movements is a popular phenomenon that is different among
societies, nations and communities. It is a process with 2 trends: adapting trend: under
the influence of external factor, self – activated cultural elements both keep their
characters and adapt to the new conditions; and conservative trend: the cultural elements
fail to adapt to new condition, the integration capacity is weak, the cultural characters
will be sink into oblivion.
1.1.2.3. Culture of craft village and trade village in Hang Dong
People of Dai Bai village brought the traditional features of craft village to street
village, which formed the character of trade village with the combination between craft
village and trade village. Therefore, it is important to consider both culture of craft
village and trade village when researching the change of culture of Hang Dong trade
village.
1.2. Overview of Hang Dong
Hang Dong is located in Hanoi Old Quarters. In the past, it belonged to Yen Phu
village, Tien Truc commune, Tho Xuong district. In the French domination period, the
nineteenth century, Hang Chen street was a street that included between Hang Dong and
Bat Su street. In the present days, Hang Dong street is located in Hang Bo ward, Hoan
Kiem district, Hanoi. The length of street is 0.13 km to the Northwest – Southeast.

Northeast end of the street is a crossroad with Hang Ruoi and Hang Ma street. Southwest
end of the street is a intersection with Hang Vai, Bat Su, Lan Ong. It is 0.7 km from
Hang Dong street and Hoan Kiem Lake to the southwest and 0.3km from Dong Xuan
market to Hang Dong street to the northwest.
1.2.2. Population components and process of inhabitance
1.2.2.1. Population components
There are 48 households that are divided two residential groups: Group No. 8 in
Hang Bo ward consists of the households from number 2 to number 12 and from number
3 to number 13. Group No. 6 includes households from number 14 to number 48 and
from number 15 to number 47. The houses with number 49, 51 and 53 are located in
Hang Vai ward. Therefore, such three households are under the management of Hang Vai
ward and the thesis will not mention these households.
1.2.2.2. The process of inhabitance
According to statistics of inhabitance years of families in Hang Dong street, it is
clear that families with below 50 years of inhabitance count for the majority while
families with 50 or more years of inhabitance count for small part. Specifically, families
with over 50 years count for 33%, and about 10% of families with the inhabitance of
more than 100 or 200 years.
1.2.2.3. Economic life
Before, production and business activities of people in Hang Dong street involved
products made of copper such as worshipping products, home products. Such items were
imported from Dai Bai village, Bac Ninh. Such activities not only met demand of
consumers but also improved life and developed production and business activities. At
present, main economic activities of people in Hang Dong street are trading apart from
producing copper products. Over 50% of households here are involved in copper
business.
* Sub-conclusion
Hang Dong street, like many other streets in Hanoi, is featured with the
tranquility, brown roofs, old bricks and tube small houses. 48 households in Hang Dong
street include 2 main population elements. Those are Hanoi native people and people

from other regions coming here to live and trade. The latter element is mainly from Nom
village, Hung Yen and Dai Bai, Bac Ninh.
Chapter 2: CHANGE OF ELEMENTS IN CULTURE OF HANG DONG TRADE
VILLAGE SINCE 1986-NOW
2.1. Community relationship
2.1.1. Limited theory of definition
2.1.1.1. Definition of “community”
"Community" is a basic concept of the Social Sciences and Humanities with
many different meanings.
2.1.1.2. Community of Hang Dong trade village
48 households living and carrying on business at Hang Dong Street is a
community, because they live within a certain administrative boundary, and they are
under the management of Hang Bo Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
Lifestyle changes quickly, the relationship between family members suddenly
becomes loosen and in danger of being more harmed. The relationship between members
of Hang Dong street also change. Due to the development of society with the essential
needs of life and the demands of business, community engagement in urban families has
decreased. Among many factors affecting this engagement, composition and origin of
population - a factor related to the blood-relation and territory had some impacts on the
community in family these days. This effect can loosen the community relations. Yet
overcoming the impact of external factors, community relations have been stronger.
2.1.2. Indication
2.1.2.1. The entire street – faded common practices
Before mentioning the absence of common activities, we need to talk about the
component and origin of people here. Since Doi Moi and open market policy, the
components of population in Hang Dong street significantly change. There are two major
residential components:
People who are from different villages coming to Thang Long Citadel for
establishing their business. In which, Dai Bai villagers (Gia Binh, Bac Ninh) make up the
highest rate. They focused on doing business as Thang Long started to develop business

busily. Due to nature of the business activities, in general, trade is "a life without a
friends is a life without sun", people gathered together to trade. From 1958 to 1960, the
land reform of the communist government made some families who were living here
migrated to the South. Their houses belonged to the government. For continuous
complication of war, some houses were abandoned. The immigrants from Dai Bai came
here to live and occupied such houses. Open market policy in 1986 made the business
crowded and busy.
There were two parts of population so that the street was not too messy and mixed
as some other trade villages.
2.1.2.2. Component of Hanoi native population
Family record of Tran Thien Can‟s family, whose origin is Hanoi, had recorded
name, age, and hometown of 70 people. Among them, there are 34 people with the same
blood and they were born and raised in Hanoi, especially the Old Quarters. Marital
relations added into this family 26 people, including 17 natives of Hanoi and 9 people
from other places. In the nine people, there were 3 from the Central and 6 from the
North.
Currently, this family still lives together and expands the scope of business
activities. According to Tran Thien Can, traditional people of Hang Dong, particularly
his mother (Ms. Phung Thi Thien-deceased) had carried out the customs and traditions
meticulously and fussily. Additionally, there are many people who come from different
regions, so that the common activities get more and more loosen. Each household has its
own activities. On holidays, they want to come back their hometown for reunion.
2.1.2.3. Component of Dai Bai native population
With people of craft village, a common activity that can connect families strongly
is festival. The village festival of copper casting Dai Bai village - Bac Ninh was held for
3 days from 27 to 29 of September (according to Lunar Calendar) in order to
commemorate the founder of the village, Nguyen Cong Truyen who taught copper
casting and shaped a comfortable life for people here. According to some household
businesses here, in the past, on festival, Dai Bai villagers joined and served for the
festival positively. Today, despite busy life, the natives of Dai Bai still try to participate

and contribute to the festival.


2.2. Architecture
2.2.1. Formation of production and business architecture space of the old
quarters
In the eleventh to the fifteenth centuries, there were many handicraft villages
around Thang Long – Ha Noi due to convenient transportation based on rivers and
natural terrain. From the fifteenth to eighteenth centuries, policies of the feudal
government made people to move to Thang Long for production and business. Besides,
the development of commodity economy serving royal activities and exchange between
handicraft and agricultural products caused the birth of many markets for consuming
redundant products.
In such situation, it required craftsmen to have camps and tents for storing goods
and and producing simple and small items without the need of large area or other
conditions. Moreover, such camps and tents were places for people to rest and sleep in
waiting the next market.
Through the time, under impacts of technology and technique plus increasing
demand in production and business as well as eating and accommodating conditions of
people, such camps and tents were built into adjacent houses, forming guilds and villages
in Thang Long – Ha Noi.
From the fifteenth century to the eighteenth century, Thang Long – Hanoi
flourished with craft production and business with the center as Ke Cho that was located
between the city and the bank of Red river. The face of Thang Long – Hanoi from the
seventh century to nineteenth century was reflected with wide main streets even some
small ones. There were also street gates in Thang Long – Ke Cho that separated craft
guilds.
Among such streets, there were crowded shops in the form of house-shop. That is
the out most section of the house was for presenting goods and the inner ones for living.
It can be said that architecture space in handicraft business and production of shops

initially included production, business and in connection with space for living and storing
goods.
Building materials of such houses were mainly bricks, stone, wood structures
covered with traditional tiles. Houses consisted of sloping roofs, sometimes with
intervals of 3 to 4 meters to form yards. On two tops of roofs close to streets were
emerging rectangular shapes called as roof abutments. Walls between houses were high
with saw form for preventing fire and penetration of rain to the houses. Houses had one
or two floors.
2.2.2. Changes to architecture spaces in production and business in Hang Dong
Street
2.2.2.1. Production and business space
+ From front to back, they start with business space adjacent to street, living
space and production spaces next and additional space at the end (such spaces ay be
within one house or separated by small yards). - At presence of 2-3 floor houses,
organization of such spaces did not change much.
+ In such houses, production and business spaces were in the first floor, then the
stairs, additional space at the end and living space on the second or the third floors. The
depth was shorted and the height was more.
2.2.2.2. House architecture
the process of changing house architecture in Hang Dong street is divided into the
following phases:
- Before the French invasion
- During the French invasion
- At present
a. House architecture before the French invasion:
Before the French invasion until the Nguyen dynasty, houses in Hang Dong Street
were built close to each other without any gaps, quite narrow fronts. The entire
architecture of houses was crossed to street with the depth about 20 meters, forming a
special type of houses called as “tubular house” due to the big contract between the front
and the depth of the house. In the front, copper items were presented on bamboo beds.

Such type of house was normally divided into two parts with different functions:
the outer section was the shop including production, stock and sales, the inner section
was for living rooms, additional stocks, yards.

b. Architecture during the French invasion
At the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century,
Hanoi became French colony and then considered as the capital of the entire Indochina
region. The French made modifications to 36 streets, built new roads mainly for the
middle-class Vietnamese around Hoan Kiem Lake. Consequently, traditional houses
faced strong changes.
. Initial houses at the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the
twentieth century still remained their tubular structure but living section and shop
increased to 2 floors while some houses had three floors. Landscape yards and wet yards
were still kept. Walls were made of bricks while foundations were deeper. Roofs were
covered with industrial tiles instead of traditional tiles as before. The second floors were
mainly made of wood. Reinforced concrete was still rare.
c.House architecture at present
In order to have a deep investigation of all 48 houses we divided architecture of
houses as the following (there is no religious architectures, villas and gardens):
- C1: Architecture of traditional houses under repair and improvement
- C2: Big houses (of the State) or public service houses
- C3: High rise buildings (4-6 floors) that are completely built
- C4: House with tile roofs/ tole roofs/ flat roofs (1-3 floors)

C1
C2
C3
C4
7
1

8
32

Architecture of traditional houses with repair and improvement
Such architecture still keeps some features similar to those of houses in the past
yet few number with total of 7. Such houses have undergone some repairs and
improvement for meeting living conditions. 2 of 7 houses still keeps tile roofs. Such
houses are characterized with windows on the two sides and canvas for preventing rain
and sunlight. They are numbered 6, 35, 36, 39, 38, 41 and 44. In which the houses at No.
35 and 39 (without business) still remain many old features.
High rise buildings (4-6 floors) that are completely built
In accordance without our observation, houses of this type are of small number.
There are 8 houses of total 48 houses in the street. They are big shops of copper products
or sold to new owners to build hotels, companies or private houses.
These houses are completely built under modern architecture. Walls are paved
with ceramic tiles with interesting decorations on tiles. Doors are equipped with thick
and clear glass.
House with tile roofs/ tole roofs/ flat roofs (1-3 floors)
This type of house is dominant in architecture in Hang Dong street with total 32
houses. They are houses of 1-2 floors, some with 3 floors close to each other in a line.
Such houses are the combination of traditional and modern architectures. The houses
must be repaired and improved to meet living demands of owners.
2.3. Landscape
2.3.1. Prior to 1986
There are two outstanding features in landscape of Hang Dong street.
The first, the formation and development of the street are mainly spontaneously,
under needs, with no plan and under the decision of natural terrain due to the lack of
condition and time for restructuring the landscape. Streets are formed from small paths
with irrigation functions, with wavy form.
The second, since 1954, due to the policy of recovering capitalism and individual

industry and trade: production development policies, economic policies of the subsidy
period (the State was responsible for providing all necessities to all people through
department stores and services). All the old quarters began to develop business activities.
The third, it was just a short time after the war, all were not recovered after war,
landscapes of were in general quiet and not crowded
2.3.2. Since 1986 to now
2.3.2.1. Common characteristics
There have been some outstanding features in landscape of Hang Dong street
since 1986:
The formation of the street is quite in order thanks to conditions and time for re-
planning the old quarters. The street is straight, no longer under the decision of the
nature. As a result, there are many shops of different goods in general. Small household
businesses compete each other and form trade street.
Landscapes of the street are different on two sides. The left side is involved with
business of copper products and very busy and crowded. The right side is of private
houses and it is more peaceful and wide.
2.3.2.2. Street surface, pavement and environment
The coat is smooth and the traffic is light even in rush hours in the morning, noon
and evening. Main vehicles on the streets are mainly motorbikes, bikes, cars, electric
vehicles for tourism purposes, pedestrians, tourists and vendors. Pavement is mostly
occupied for business purposes such as parking lot, exhibition of craft items.

2.4. Production activities
2.4.1. Production and labor structure
2.4.1.1. Production structure
Main production activities of people in Hang Dong street are to produce copper
items. Since the past to the present, there has been no significant change to such
structure.
2.4.1.2. Production time
Production time: around the year, but mainly in the time before Tet holiday from

the tenth to the twelfth months of lunar calendar.
2.4.1.3. Labor
Before. they worked at home. Now, working at home or for big household
businesses.
2.4.2. Products
2.4.2.1. Material
Before, mainly aluminum and copper with no addition of tin while now Mainly
aluminum and copper with zinc. Particularly, at the present, zinc is mixed with certain
ration, which affect stability and life of casted products.
2.4.2.2. Production tools
Before, simple and slow, trays are flatted by hammer, manual blowing…while
now, modern and faster, flatting machine, motor….
2.4.2.3. Production procedure
2.5. Business activities
2.5.1. General business activities
There are many types of business in Hang Dong street apart from those of copper
products. It is the common development trend in Hanoi. Details are as the following:
footwear: 3/48 interviewed houses; mechanics and stainless steel: 5/48 interviewed
houses; gold, silver and jewelry: 3/48 interviewed houses. In this area, it is rare to see
household without business.
2.5.2. Business activities of traditional copper products
2.5.2.1. Types of goods and presentation
Now, copper products are imported from other regions. Very few products are
made here. Of 16 household businesses, just 7 household businesses still produce by
themselves. The rest of 9 household businesses import products from other regions.
However, of 7 household businesses as mentioned above, only 1 household still
produces. Other 6 households have factories in their native places and import products to
sell in Hang Dong street. Of 9 households above, 1 household works as an agent for
companies and introduces goods.
2.5.2.2. Business relationship

Through our witness and investigation, the business relationship in Hang Dong
street was formed long time ago. Customers may have certain understanding of copper
products or know nothing about products. Some customers are happy and hospitable
while some other are hot-tempered and always bargain for lower prices. This annoys
owners. As a result, business relationship is not good.
Therefore, business relationship is up and down normally. However, people in
Hang Dong street always find the best way to communicate with their customers in order
to remain good relationships with customers and avoid conflicts. Recently, copper
products are not really attractive due to high price, poor model. Imported products are
diversifies but of bad quality. Additionally, many materials can replace copper such as
aluminum, stainless steel. Buyers of copper products are less while sellers and producers
decrease. However, copper products are still the main item in Hang Dong street and the
business relationship is still good.
2.5.2.3. Business method
Before 1986
Since 1986 to the present
- Only one method that
produces and sells in the
street or sell in other
regions.
- Two business methods:
+ The first, to produce in accordance with order, then
goods are delivered to customers‟ site or customers buy at
shops
+ The second, to produce for sale at shops or in other
regions. This is the main business method
2.5.2.4. Consumption of products
Main subject of consumption is domestic. This is the major and traditional
subject. However, the number of international customers is increasing due to the
development of tourism, cultural exchanges between countries. In such context,

foreigners visiting the old quarters are growing in Hang Dong, particularly, and in
Hanoi, generally.
To meet demand of international customers, goods are diversified. Because the
domestic sources of goods are not sufficient in both quality and model, some foreign
goods must be imported from other countries. This can be considered a significant
change in business activities of Hang Dong street.
b. Consumption activities
Before 1986
After 1986
Products in Hang Dong were
sold more easily than those in Dai bai
as Thang Long – Hanoi was the trade
center with convenient location. It
attracted customers and traders from
Recently, products in Dai Bai village are
sold more easily than those in Hang Dong due to
two reasons: The first is cheaper price. The
second is that people prefer to buy goods in their
original regions as they can believe in quality
many regions in the country.

than in other places.
* Sub-conclusion
In this time, culture of village trade in Hang Dong street has changes
considerably. Common domestic practices of the whole street are rare. Private practices
of each population component are somehow decreased. The community consolidation is
now presented best in holidays of Dai Bai native people. In terms of landscape and
architecture, economic activities develop leading to the growth of shops and types of
products in the street. There are many types of houses in form of shops while the inner
sections are for family activities. Although such change cannot avoid certain limitations,

it is suitable with common trend of time, reflecting the adaptation change.
CHAPTER 3: SOME RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RESERVATION AND
DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURE OF HANG DONG STREET
3.1. The significance of reservation of culture in trade village
Despite being a short street and a number of 48 houses, it still keeps remarks of a
development process from village to street. In comparison to other streets in Hanoi, Hang
Dong still remains full characteristics of a trade village that sells original products.
People can earn livings with their profession and participate in holidays in their native
places.
In order to introduce the most applied and feasible methods of reservation to
Hang Dong street, firstly we have to have a general assessment to the formation and
development as well as current situation of the street.
3. 2. Foundation of recommendations
3.2.1. Theoretical foundation
In general, most of projects investigate, survey, assess current situation in the old
quarters comprehensively in terms of population, economy, culture, traffic,
infrastructure, etc. Recommended opinions are valuable, practical. Despite differences,
they somehow confirm the necessity of conservation and development of Hanoi old
quarters. However, there are some limits if applied to the case of Hang Dong street. Hang
Dong is a trade village with self-serviced features (for households with relatives in and
factories in homeland). Therefore, there should be more specific steps, not just general
steps as to other streets in Hanoi old quarters. Consequently, it requires a specific
strategy for such development plan.
3.2.2. Assessment of Hang Dong street face
Hang Dong street is one of very few trade villages remained in Hanoi that people
there can live with their jobs. To have stalls of traditional copper products, particularly
some families with copper production, all people in the street have shown their best
efforts. Among all 36 streets of Hanoi, activities in Hang Dong street were narrowed due
to many internal factors of state policies. Streets at that time changed to repairing
activities. Trade villages such as Hang Dong, Hang Bac were greatly limited with

taxation and financial policies. During such time, many households had to close their
shops or found other jobs.
Recently, together with the development of Hanoi city, living, production and
business space of Hang Dong street have changed. If about 10 years ago, some families
still produced copper in their houses. Such activities cannot continue at present due to
limited space. However, it can be seen that people in Hang Dong street can still earn their
living with traditional copper craft. It is a valuable thing that should be kept in the
context many crafts are vanishing.
3.3. Some specific recommendations
The cultural conservation of trade village is very important in the dynamic
environment of streets. This is a solution with short-term and long-term effects. Cultural
conservation of Hang Dong trade village is also the conservation of Dai Bai craft village
in the massive penetration of imported products.
With current preferential economic policies, business activities are more smooth
and developed. There is no longer economic barrier as that before 1986. The biggest
threat to the street now is the decrease and disappearance of traditional craft. That leads
to the breakdown of relationship to original craft village. In terms of imported products,
many people say that Taiwanese and Chinese products are taking major market shares
due to their various model and reasonable price. To overcome this situation, there should
be specific policies for the development of production in Dai Bai. If the production in
Dai Bai is stable with various models, traders in Hang Dong street will no longer depend
on Chinese and Taiwanese products. Some specific solutions are as the following:
3.3.1. Development of products
The development of products can be understood as the intensive development of
both production procedure and products. To compete against imported products, people
in Hang Dong street as well as in Dai Bai have sought new ways to diversify models in
order to meet demand of market.
Additionally, customers can order products according to their decisions. Such
decisions then are sent to Dai Bai village to make the most suitable products. During our
visit to Dai Bai village, we saw many customers present here to accept their products.

Such type of products are also various with different demands from customers.To take
the advantages of a trade village in the center of Hanoi city, people in Hang Dong street
can develop more types of products to serve tourists.
3.3.3. Recovery of copper craft village in Hang Dong street.
Years before, it was easy to see people working hard with their copper products in
Hang Dong street, to hear the sound of working from somewhere. Such sound and
images are rare at the present.
Because of narrow living space, many families have to move their factories to
homeland. Steps of completion that were still be performed in Hang Dong street now are
moved to Dai Bai village. Such steps require little participation of machines. Therefore,
if such steps can be recovered in Hang Dong street, the atmosphere of the street will be
more dynamic and active and more develop. Firstly, with the advantages of a business
street, customers will have more beliefs when they witness the final steps to be
performed in front of them.
Moreover, the recovery of traditional craft in Hang Dong street also helps young
people know their ancestors„ careers and promote the traditional craft.
3.3.4. Combination of tourism through street: From trade village to caft village
3.3.4.1. Tourism potentials of the Old Quarters
Vice Head of Old Quarters Management Board Mr. Pham Tuan Long states that
the Board has worked with students of Paris University in France to survey demands of
tourists via 80 leading tourism companies in Vietnam. Results reveal that most tourists
visit the Old Quarters to satisfy their curiosity and they rarely come back. The reasons
are few trade villages, unsafe traffic, availability of imported products, environmental
pollution, poor tourism products, unsecured social security, unprofessional tour guides.
Beside building human values to people living in the old quarters, the important
issues at present is to open tours for discovering and exploring typical features of the old
quarters. Many people say that it is necessary to choose some typical routes for tourists.
3.3.4.2. Recommendations for establishing tours through craft villages (Hang Dong –
Hang Ma) and craft villages (Dai Bai – Dong Ho)
From above analysis, the tours from trade villages to craft villages will attract

more tourists. To implement the above model, the thesis suggests two streets namely
Hang Dong and Hang Ma for establishing the tours. This is an attractive tourism model
to domestic and international tourists as it both introduces to tourists the beauty of trade
villages and promotes traditional craft of the country.
a. Reasons to choose locations
The two streets are chosen as they have many things in common:
- They both have handcraft that exists until now, with dynamic business activities
and people still can live with their career. Copper or paper products require high
craftsmanship and good skills.
- Native places of the two streets still work with the craft and quite near in terms
of geography: people in Hang Ma have origin in Dong Ho (Thuan Thanh – Bac Ninh)
while Hang Dong people have their origin in Dai Bai (Gia Binh- Bac Ninh). The two
places are located on the same route that is very convenient for traveling and sightseeing,
about 45km from Hanoi with 1 hour of driving.
b. Specific programs
After visiting main streets in Hanoi, tourists will be summoned in Hang Dong and
Hang Ma street. There, they will witness handmade craft products with skilled
performance. Then they are transported to Bac Ninh to visit main factory of such
products.
After visiting and buying souvenirs in Hang Ma street, tourist will move to Hang
Dong street. There, they will have chances to witness sophisticated copper products and
the process of making and completing products. Then they are moved to Bac Ninh to
visit craft villages.
Tourists will visit Dong Do village first. Dong Ho village used to be famous for
traditional pictures. However, development trend of society has made the craft disappear.
In spite of somehow decrease, the craft of making pictures has shaped identity of this
northern village.
From Thuan Thanh, Bac Ninh, tourists will move to Dai Bai craft village, about
10km from Dong Ho village. Tourists will love products they buy after viewing the
process of making such products. A small product, for example, must go through full

production steps from the beginning to the completion.
*Sub-conclusion: To develop Hang Dong street at the same time to keep
traditional culture, issues of priority for development include human resources, various
products, application advertising methods, promotion of images by tourism. Young
people of Dai Bai village and in Hang Dong street should know their ancestors‟ career
and tradition. Then they can propose new development directions for traditional craft
with their sensitive brains such as combining craft villages for tourism purposes,
advertising images of craft village and trade village to domestic and international tourists.

C. CONCLUSION
1. In terms of population, settlement process and economic activities
Hang Dong Street now has 48 households in two population groups: Group No. 8
in Hang Bo Ward and Hang Vai Ward. There are two main components in this
population; firstly, the original inhabitants have existed since the appearance of Thang
Long Capital City, they were born, grew up and traded under their families and relatives.
Secondly, the residential component come from other places to live and trade here.
Specifically, they come from Nom Village, Hung Yen and from Dai Bai, Bac Ninh.
Previously, the primary production and business activities of the people in Hang
Dong Street is copper casted products such as worshipping items, household items.
However, due to the fierce competition of the market, with the strong growth and
mechanism of copper product and business activities in Dai Bai Village, the income from
this activity has declined somewhat.

2. Public relations
Due to the development of society and the essential needs of life and demands of
production and business activities, the community engagement in urban family has been
eroded. Among many factors affecting this coherence, the composition and origin of
population – a factor related to the blood-relationship and territory has had an impact on
the community spirit in current families. This impact may loose public relations, namely
common living of the whole quarter. According to a number of business households here,

each previous festival local people of Dai Bai Village were excited to participate and
serve these festivals. Today, despite busy lives, Dai Bai local people still try to
participate and contribute to the festivals.
3. Architecture and landscape of Hang Dong Street
In general, the architecture of Hang Dong Street now is mostly modern buildings
on the basement of Old Quarters. There is divided space in the house. The outer space of
normal houses (not trading) (normally houses for living) is used to greet guests, the next
space is used to place the altar, the next is bedroom and the last is auxiliary construction
of toilets. The landscape of Hang Dong Street since 1986 has emerged a number of
features. For the street landscape, if before 1986 the street landscape is quite messy,
influenced by the nature and not planned; now due to planning conditions and schedule at
the old quarter, it looks more ordered. The street line is straight, no longer influenced by
natural conditions.
4. Production and business activities
Regarding alternative factors, if before 1986 main materials were national
defense‟s garbage, after 1986 machinery and equipments of companies which were old
and no longer used were resold to business householders instead. Today, some large
production and business households have divided production into steps, resulting in
worker groups specialized in stages such as molding, carving, painting etc. The
neighborhoods produce similar items. In particular, household items are preferred for
living demands of local people. In addition, new items such as paintings and letters have
been also popular in the past few years.
5. Business activities
Like other streets in the old quarter, in the Hang Dong Street, in addition to
typical items for the trade village nature, business shops also develop similar items as the
common development trend in business in other streets in Hanoi. In business of
traditional copper items, copper items displayed to be sold here have their various
quantities and models. After 1986, there appears one new business method which means
production by given orders. And then the business households will transfer items to
customers‟ hands or customers will come to buy items. The target is not only domestic

customers but also foreign customers. Although the above variation is inevitable but
certainly limited, but it is consistent with the general trend of the times, showing the
adequate variation.
6. Cultural conservation of Hang Dong Street
Faced with the risk of gradual erosion of traditional craft, the cultural
conservation of Hang Dong trade village is a necessary action. To do this well, we would
like to offer some suggestions to preserve and develop traditional craft. Thus, the
manpower math needs to be resolved. The craft transfer for young generation also needs
more attention.
To conduct the above study title, we have clarified the transformation of cultural
elements in the Hang Dong trade village – one of six remaining trade villages of the
ancient Thang Long. During this period, the study on transformation of cultural elements
is the research that provides high theoretical and practical values. The follow-up studies
of the title tend to tourism and cultural activities of craft villages and trade villages not
only in Hang Dong Street but also in other trade villages in Hanoi.
References.

1. Tran Thuy Anh, The course of tourism and culture – Theoretical and professional issues,
Education Publishing House, 2011
2. Dang Duong Binh, Environmental issue in Hanoi old quarters, Vol 1. - P.118-121,
Vietnam Social and Scientific Review, 2004
3. Pham Gia Ben, Outline of craft development in Vietnam, Literature- History-Geography
Publishing House, 1957
4. Ministry of Culture and Information – Office of Ministry of Culture and Information;
Cultural Newspaper; Cultural and Art Review. Construction and development of an
advanced Vietnam culture imbued with national identity – Reality and solution. Hanoi,
1999
5. Ministry of Culture and Information. Development strategy of Vietnam culture up to
2010 (First draft). H, 2000
6. Phan Dai Doan, Skillful hands of ancestors , Education Publishing House, 1988