The Old Quarter began to acquire its reputation as a crafts area when the Vietnamese attained independence in the 11th century and King Ly Thai To built his palace there. In the early 13th century, the collection of tiny workshop villages which clustered around the palace walls evolved into craft cooperatives, or guilds. Skilled craftsmen migrated to the Quarter, and artisan guilds were formed by craftsmen originating from the same village and performing similar services. Members of the guilds worked and lived together, creating a cooperative system for transporting merchandise to the designated streets in the business quarter.

Because inhabitants of each street came from the same village, streets developed a homogeneous look. Commoners’ homes evolved out of market stalls, before streets were formed. Because storekeepers were taxed according to the width of their storefront, storage and living space moved to the rear of the buildings. Consequently, the long and narrow buildings were called "tube houses." Typical measurements for such houses are 3 meters wide by 60 meters long.

The Old Quarter has a rich religious heritage. When the craftsmen moved from outlying villages into the capital, they brought with them their religious practices. They transferred their temples, pagodas and communal houses to their new location. Each guild has one or two religious structures and honors its own patron saint or founder. Therefore, on each street in the Old Quarter there is at least one temple. Now, many of the old temples in the Old Quarter have been transformed into shops and living quarters, but some of the old buildings’ religious roots can still be recognized by the architecture of their roofs.

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 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. Others attribute the 36 to a more abstract concept. The number nine in Asia represents the concept of "plenty." Nine times the four directions makes 36, which simply means "many." There are now more than 70 streets in the area.

Some streets have achieved fame by their inclusion in popular guidebooks. Hang Gai Street offers silk clothing ready-made and tailored, embroidery, and silver products. Hang Quat, the street that formerly sold silk and feather fans, now stuns the visitor by its brilliantly colored funeral and festival flags and religious objects and clothing. To Thinh Street connects the above two and is still the wood turner’s street. Hang Ma glimmers with shiny paper products, such as gift wrappings, wedding decorations and miniature paper objects to burn for the dead. Lan Ong Street is a sensual delight of textures and smells emanating from the sacks of herbal medicinal products: leaves, roots, barks, and powders.

Meaning of the 36 streets:
A majority of the street names here start with Hang, which means merchandise or shop. The guild streets were named for their product or location. For example, skilled silversmiths from Hai Hung province now occupy Hang Bac Street one of the most ancient streets in all Vietnam.

Although the area is often called the 36 old streets, there may have actually been more. Some believe that the number 36 came from the Fifteenth century when there might have been 36 guilds. Others attribute the name "36" to a more abstract concept. The number 9 in Asia represents "plenty." Nine times 4 (the four directions) would make 36 which means simply: many.

Street names        Meanings
1 - Bat Dan         Wooden Bowls
2 - Bat Su          China Bowls
3 - Cha Ca          Roasted Fish
4 - Chan Cam        String Instruments
5 - Cho Gao         Rice Market
6 - Gia Ngu         Fishermen
7 - Hai Tuong       Sandals
8 - Hang Bac        Silversmiths
9 - Hang Be         Rafts
10 -Hang Bo         Basket
11 -Hang Bong       Cotton
12 -Hang Buom       Sails
13 -Hang But        Brushes
14 -Hang Ca         Fish
15 -Hang Can        Scales
16 -Hang Chai       Bottles
17 -Hang Chi        Threads
18 -Hang Chieu      Mats
19 -Hang Chinh      Jars
20 -Hang Cot        Bamboo Latices
21 -Hang Da         Leather
22 -Hang Dao        (Silk) Dyer
23 -Hang Dau        Beans
24 -Hang Dau        Oils
25 -Hang Dieu       Pipes
26 -Hang Dong       Copper
27 -Hang Duong      Sugar
28 -Hang Ga         Chicken
29 -Hang Gai        Hemp
30 -Hang Giay       Paper
31 -Hang Giay       Shoes
32 -Hang Hanh       Onions
33 -Hang Hom        Cases
34 -Hang Huong      Incense
35 -Hang Khay       Trays
36 -Hang Khoai      Sweet Potatoe
37 -Hang Luoc       Comb
38 -Hang Ma         Votive papers
39 -Hang Mam        Pickled Fish
40 -Hang Manh       Bamboo-screens
41 -Hang Muoi       Salt
42 -Hang Ngang      Transversal Street
43 -Hang Non        Hats
44 -Hang Phen       Alum
45 -Hang Quat       Fans
46 -Hang Ruoi       Clam Worms
47 -Hang Than       Charcoal
48 -Hang Thiec      Tin
49 -Hang Thung      Barrel
50 -Hang Tre        Bamboo
51 -Hang Trong      Drum
52 -Hang Vai        Cloth
53 -Lo Ren          Blacksmiths
54 -Lo Su           Coffins
55 -Ma May          Rattan
56 -Ngo Gach        Bricks
57 -Thuoc Bac       Herbal Medicine