Senior British official visits Hanoi's Old Quarter, Imperial Citadel

By Hoang Phong August 15, 2022 | 11:15 pm PT

UK Home Office Permanent Under-Secretary Matthew Rycroft (C) and his entourage drink at a street-side cafe inside Hanoi's Old Quarter, August 15 2022. Photo courtesy of UK Embassy in Hanoi

U.K. Home Office Permanent Under-Secretary Matthew Rycroft on Monday visited Hanoi's Old Quarter and Thang Long Imperial Citadel during his two-day visit to Vietnam.

The U.K. Embassy in Hanoi posted some photos on its Facebook page, showing Rycroft and his entourage enjoying drinks at a street-side café in Cau Go Alley near Hang Be Market.

The shop is designed with many imprints of old Hanoi. There is a row of Vietnamese flags outside while the yellow wall inside is decorated with Dong Ho paintings. It serves drinks such as egg coffee, tea, juice, and beer.

The Old Quarter used to be a residential, manufacturing and commercial center consisting of guild streets, each specializing in a particular trade and is now a nightlife symbol in the capital dotted with an array of cafes, restaurants, street food stalls and bars.

Rycroft also visited UNESCO heritage site Thang Long Imperial Citadel where he admired artifacts of Vietnamese history. Constructed in the 11th century under the Ly Dynasty, the citadel was the center of political power for many feudal dynasties.

"Quite an experience to visit the Imperial Citadel today in Hanoi, also known as the Forbidden City. Steeped in over 1,000 years of Vietnamese history," Rycroft wrote on Twitter. "A wonderful visit."

He is in Vietnam to strengthen U.K.-Vietnam migration cooperation. On Monday, the first U.K. – Vietnam migration dialogue was held in Hanoi to improve cooperation and prevent human smuggling.