Ranked in the top “most interesting streets in the world” by Time Out, Quang An is a place where visitors can find peace mixed with excitement and youthfulness.
Quang An is 1.2 km long, starting at the intersection with Xuan Dieu street and ending at the intersection with Quang Khanh street, in Tay Ho district, about 5 km north of Hanoi Old Quarter.
At the end of March, the famous British travel magazine, Time Outhonored Quang An as one of the 30 most interesting streets in the world, at number 25. The list includes famous streets such as High Street (Melbourne, Australia), Hollywood Road (Hong Kong, China) , Fifth Avenue, Park Slope, (New York, USA), Camden Street, (Dublin, Ireland)… In Southeast Asia, Quang An ranked third, after Jalan Petaling (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) and Ban Tad Thong (Bangkok, Thailand).
Quang An Street is described: “A beautiful street located along West Lake, the new and youthful international center of Hanoi. Quang An has more and more cafes, restaurants, fashion stores, near the flower market unique and vibrant nights. But this place is still really peaceful to walk around every day.”
Ms. Thuy Anh, the owner of a French restaurant on Quang An Street, said “the street contains many interesting things that you have to explore for yourself to see them all.”
What makes this street so interesting?
Public destinations
As one of the streets around West Lake, Quang An is a place where Hanoians choose to exercise and relax every day, especially in the morning and evening, with cycling and jogging activities. Sidewalks and lake entrances are often places to sit, relax, and chat between exercises.
At the end of the street, the intersection with Quang Khanh is Quang An flower garden park, with sports equipment, benches, and games for children.
Better World is a destination selling handmade souvenirs from around the world, where a portion of proceeds are donated to local charities.
The once famous Sao Mai swimming pool area has now been transformed into a hotel and restaurant complex.
Restaurants
Quang An is a street where every house overlooks the lake, so wherever you sit, you will have a beautiful view. This place is full of European and Asian food restaurants, beer bars, bars, and vegetarian food. We can mention names like Cork and Bottle, Le Jardin, Mr Beer, Ben Thuy restaurant, Fat Heo restaurant, VOU fast food restaurant, Dao An vegetarian restaurant, Olé – Tapas, Wine & Cocktails…
Long Lee, manager of Cork and Bottle, said the best thing is that this street is not crowded and bustling like many other places in Hanoi.
“The best time to sit here and watch West Lake is at the change of seasons like this, around 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., sip a glass of wine and ‘enjoy’ the atmosphere that is hard to find anywhere else in Hanoi,” Mr. Long said. added that about 70% of visitors coming here are foreigners.
Coffee and tea shops
A corner of Quang An street viewed from Eastern & Oriental Tea House and Coffee Parlour. Image: Thu Trang
Nagocha Teahouse, Eastern & Oriental Tea House and Coffee Parlor and a row of about 10 coffee shops at the end of the street such as Kali and Bao Nhi are places that are always crowded in the evenings, weekends and holidays. Drinks here are mostly popular or mid-range dishes, suitable for all types of diners.
Ms. Ha Thu, Dong Da district, said that when cycling around West Lake every weekend, she stops for coffee at the end of the street. If she thinks about cakes and tea, she will go to Eastern & Oriental Tea House. “Whoever asks where to go on the weekend, I recommend it here,” Ms. Thu said.
Homestays and hotels
Elegant 88 hotel, restaurant and swimming pool complex. Photo: Booking
Exactly as described Time Out, Quang An is truly a “new international center”, where many foreigners live. On this street, there are also homestays, hotels or houses for rent such as Hanoi Sunflower Westlake, Jin’s Chill Spot 2, West Lake villa, Elegant Mansion 88 and some other small homestays. Foreigners often rent long-term by month or year, apartments range in price from 15 million to about 30 million VND per month.
Surrounding areas
Besides Quang An, surrounding areas also create a typical space for the “new international center along West Lake” such as Quang Ba night flower market, Phu Tay Ho, culinary areas around Xuan Dieu streets and Ho Chi Minh City streets. Dang Thai Mai.
Currently, because the surrounding streets are being repaired and re-channeled, tourists and people from other places coming to the Quang An area should pay attention to signs to avoid going on prohibited roads, or getting stuck in traffic jams.