A Hanoi Old Quarter street that has stayed true to its name

By Ha Thanh   November 12, 2018 | 02:41 am PT
Few of the Old Quarter guild streets have held on their traditional craft. Hang Thiec is one of them.
A tinned street in Hanois Old Quarter

While wandering around in the bustling Old Quarter, noise is a given.

But when you hear the sounds of people going hammer and tongs, literally, you are most likely on Hang Thiec Street, or Tin Street. Tinsmithing is the profession/craft that the street is named after and tinsmiths are hard at work here to this day.

A tinned street in Hanois Old Quarter - 1

Hang Thiec is only 136 meters long, starting from the intersection of Bat Dan and Thuoc Bac to Hang Non Street.

A tinned street in Hanois Old Quarter - 2

In the past, this was the place for all things made out of tin and steel, from furniture to household appliances like teapots and cookie trays. The demand of tin goods decreased in the 20th century, so many tinsmiths switched to make appliances for foreigners. The French named this street Rue des Ferblanties, or Tinsmith Street, but they referred to it as Tin Goods for Foreigners Street.

A tinned street in Hanois Old Quarter - 3

While the tinsmiths make many items, most in demand are votive paper burners, water cans, steel boxes and watering cans. 

A tinned street in Hanois Old Quarter - 4

Watering cans and buckets of various sizes are piled up outside a shop on Hang Thiec Street. The street and its profession enjoyed their heydays from the 1930s to 1940s, some people say. Later some households switched to making glass goods. When the plastic wave hit Hanoi, it affected the business here, but for the most part, residents have stuck to the traditional craft.

A tinned street in Hanois Old Quarter - 5

Most buildings on the street have lost their original structure and façade, but at No.20, there is a rare, original house.

A tinned street in Hanois Old Quarter - 6

Most stores here have lasted for generations, and the tinsmith’s skills have also been passed on.

A tinned street in Hanois Old Quarter - 7

A tinsmith welds a part as he makes a mobile stand ordered by a customer.

A tinned street in Hanois Old Quarter - 8

A store is also a manufacturer, men do the crafting and women do the selling.

A tinned street in Hanois Old Quarter - 9

In many stores, the manufacturing space is small and narrow, but the tinsmiths have learnt to make do.

A tinned street in Hanois Old Quarter - 10

The tinsmiths of Hang Thiec also make appliances to order and install them at the customers’ places.

A tinned street in Hanois Old Quarter - 11

A foreign couple consider buying a tin pepper grinder encased in plastic.

 
 
go to top