The name Hanoi Old Quarter is given to a historical civic urban core area of Hanoi, Vietnam. It is lies outside the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long. The quarter was being used as a manufacturing, commercial and residential center where every street was special in its own kind of product. Another place of the similar name of the approximately same area is the 36 street in Vietnam that is also actually comprised of the urban area.

Official area of Hanoi Old Quarter was demarcated in 1995 after thorough deliberation in a decision taken by the Vietnamese Ministry of Construction. Hang Dau Street is in the north, Phung Hung street has enclosed it from the west and it is encircled by the Hang Bong street from the south while Tran Khai street from the east. Most of the streets are now excluded from this region which was once part of the Hanoi historic urban area. These streets have always maintained their historical importance. Hanoi Old Quarter is basically part of District Hoan Kiem having a total area of 100 ha. Around 76 streets are part of it spanned over 10 wards.

The area which is regarded today as the Old Quarter was once the commercial and residential part of the city during the Tran Dynasties. Some scholars from those times mentioned the areas having a specialty in a particular field. Several wetlands and lakes were included in the Hanoi Old Quarter during the regime of Le dynasty. The largest lake among all was Thai Cuc Lake. Most of the lakes were connected with the red river. However, by the end of the 19th century, all these lakes get isolated from each other.

Many people migrated from surrounding areas to the main city what is now called the old quarter to create the densest part of urban area during the rule of Ly and Tran dynasty. An influx of Chinese immigrants came for trade to this place which finally engendered the Chinese neighborhoods. This area gets destroyed by the vandalizes or natural calamities but it was during the French rule over Vietnam when this area was built quite partially. Many French & Indians resided at this place here to conduct their business. Smaller markets were demolished to construct the Dong Xuan Market. Later on, a small tramway was also constructed via quarter. Despite many other markets, this area is still considered the commercial heart of Hanoi.

Majority of areas of the Hanoi Old Quarter were devoted to one specific trade or skill. Craftsman from around the city used to gather at one location to sell their products. Most of the streets acquired their name from the crafts sold over there like Hang Tre Street and Hang Dong Street. Many streets are still specialized in the trade of specific manufacturing products and regarded as famous among the locals as well as foreigners. Many historic sites include pagodas, temples and assembly halls. Some crafting streets are associated with the mythical founders of the crafts. From many, some temples of Hanoi Old Quarter have survived to this day like Ma May and Kim Co temples.