Ba Dinh District burgeons in Hanoi’s night tourism scene

In the larger context of Hanoi’s nightlife scene, Ba Dinh District has emerged as a popular travel destination, offering a series of unique and cutting-edge tourism experiences.

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Visitors recall their momories of the Subsidy Era at the "Truc Bach Night" program. Photo: Thuy Duong/The Hanoi Times

In 2024, Ba Dinh District launched numerous appealing tourism initiatives, with local authorities, businesses, and residents making every effort to incorporate cultural and historical values to the fullest extent possible.

The most recent highlight was the “Truc Bach Night” program, held from November 29 to December 1 at the Dao Ngoc-Ngu Xa night street. About 40,000 people came to this event for sightseeing and hands-on experiences.

The program has been praised as a new and distinctive addition to Hanoi’s night tourism offerings, bringing both local and foreign tourists lively, captivating, and innovative experiences that evoke a sense of nostalgia.

The outstanding feature of “Truc Bach Night” was its recreation of the Subsidy Era (post-war Vietnam in the 1970s and 80s). The entire event venue was designed to reflect the aesthetics of this historical period.

For the first time in Hanoi, an event venue was transformed into a film set with authentic neighborhood settings, complete with vintage tramcars, general stores, and more. This allowed visitors to immerse themselves in memories of one of Vietnam’s most distinct historical periods.

The visuals, spaces, and cultural atmosphere of the Subsidy Era have never been replicated on Hanoi’s streets before. Visitors were able to explore and experience the daily street life of old Hanoi, encountering familiar artifacts like over-100-year-old utility poles, public water taps, community bulletin boards, traditional modes of transportation, and iconic street occupations.

In addition, the program featured a variety of artistic performances, a diverse array of culinary delights, and vibrant stories steeped in Hanoi’s charm. Visitors also enjoyed the lively atmosphere of interactive live performances.

Bringing history alive through Hanoi’s street tramcars

At the heart of the program were the vintage tramcars, reimagined as part of the No.6 Tram Line project. During the event, Truc Bach Ward unveiled four tramcars, which quickly became a focal point of the experience.

A ritual takes place at Quan Thanh Temple on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month. Photo: Duy Minh/The Hanoi Times

Dubbed “Hanoi’s Street Museum”, each tramcar features a specific culinary theme representative of Hanoi and Vietnam. Designed to resemble cultural time capsules, these tramcars enable visitors to experience Vietnam’s rich culinary and historical heritage.

The event also featured a series of community-based interactive experiences under the theme "Cultural Harmony". Highlights included demonstration shows such as “The Flow of Pho”, “The Scent of Com”, “Memories of Subsidy-Era Cuisine”, “Vietnamese Phin Coffee”, and live performances. Visitors also enjoyed music and food festivals centered around Hanoi’s subsidy era beer culture.

These activities provided a memorable journey, connecting visitors with the rich history and cultural traditions of Hanoi. The event created an engaging space where people could relax, enjoy cuisine, and participate in unique artistic endeavors.

The “Truc Bach Night” event attracted a wide range of visitors, from older generations reliving their memories of the Subsidy Era to younger people eager to learn about the lives of Hanoians in the past.

Nguyen Thuy Lien, a resident of Hoan Kiem District, dressed in vintage-style clothes, enthusiastically expressed her thoughts: “The displays and activities here have truly brought me joy and satisfaction.”

“This is also an opportunity for young people like us to understand more about the lives of our grandparents and parents and to appreciate the privileges our generation enjoys today,” she told The Hanoi Times.

Tran Hong Phuc, a 19-year-old visitor from Nam Dinh Province, expressed his excitement while dressed in a retro outfit reminiscent of 40 years ago.

“The space and objects displayed here evoke such vivid impressions. It allows young people like us to visualize the lives of our parents and grandparents before 1986, when the country began its Doi Moi economic reforms,” he said.

Hanoi-born rocker Tran Van Toan, known by his stage name Tran Toan K300, also shared his thoughts. Having moved to southern Vietnam two decades ago, he still holds Hanoi very dear to his heart.

“I love this Subsidy Era concept. If you’ve lived in Hanoi long enough, you’ll see how beautiful the city truly is,” he said.

Toan suggested making the event weekly, allowing the younger generation to learn more about the city’s culture and history while giving international visitors a memorable experience.

“When we initiated this project, we wanted to tell the stories of Hanoi’s culture, cuisine, professions, lifestyle, and etiquette,” said Nguyen Dan Huy, Chairman of the Truc Bach Ward People’s Committee.

“We will continue to innovate and improve so that visitors can not only observe but also actively participate in the activities, gaining a deeper understanding of Hanoi’s culture and people.”

Other known sites in Ba Dinh District

In addition to the Dao Ngoc-Ngu Xa night street, Ba Dinh District launched the Ngoc Khanh Lake walking zone in early October to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Hanoi’s Liberation Day (October 10, 1954 – October 10, 2024).

A decoration at Ngoc Khanh Lake pedestrian zone inspired by the Giang Vo military training compound. Photo: Duy Khanh/The Hanoi Times

The pedestrian street was designed to evoke the historic Giang Vo Training Complex. In ancient Thang Long (Hanoi), the area was a significant place where martial arts were practiced, military strategies were taught, and advanced drills were conducted during the feudal era.

To preserve the historical value of this area, Ba Dinh District has prioritized infrastructure renovation and urban beautification around Ngoc Khanh Lake, incorporating elements reminiscent of Giang Vo’s historic martial arts school.

This area is identified as the site of the Giang Vo School during the Later Le Dynasty and spans Giang Vo, Kim Ma, and Ngoc Khanh wards in Ba Dinh District. Unique designs depicting soldiers practicing martial arts are displayed along the pedestrian street.

Ngoc Khanh Lake Pedestrian Street is the second such street in Ba Dinh District and the seventh in Hanoi.

As the political center of Vietnam, Ba Dinh District is famous for landmarks like Ba Dinh Square, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and the Presidential Palace, where President Ho Chi Minh lived and worked from 1954 to 1969.

Ba Dinh Square, where President Ho Chi Minh declared the founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam on September 2, 1945, remains a popular destination for both locals and tourists. Every evening, visitors can experience the solemn and proud atmosphere of the flag-lowering ceremony.

The district is also home to the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and other historic landmarks, including the One Pillar Pagoda, Quan Thanh Temple, Voi Phuc Temple, and the Hanoi Flag Tower.

Notably, Quan Thanh Temple and Voi Phuc Temple were declared National Special Relics in August 2024.