Hanoi Old Quarter

The 36-street Old Quarter of Hanoi has been organized by trade since the 13th century -- each street named for the guild that dominated it (Silk Street, Paper Street, Tin Street) -- and still functions as a living commercial district where 70,000 residents occupy shophouse buildings that have changed little in 300 years. The street food of the Old Quarter, from pho bo at 6am to bun cha charcoal-grilled at midday, was declared by Anthony Bourdain in 2016 to be among the world's great culinary experiences, richer than Ho Chi Minh City's street food scene. With over 4 million visitors in 2023, it attracts 20% more food tourists than any other district in Vietnam.