The Hoan Kiem Lake and the Hanoi's Old Quarter Management Board is organizing a series of cultural events at heritage sites and public spaces in the Old Quarter from April 19 to May 31.

Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi Old Quarter Management Board's Deputy Director Tran Thi Thuy Lan speaks at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Old Quarter Cultural Activities. Photo: Giao duc & Thoi dai

The events are to celebrate the 49th anniversary of Reunification (April 30, 1975 - 2024), the 138th anniversary of International Workers’ Day (May 1, 1886 - 2024), the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954 - 2024), and the event eminent physician Le Huu Trac listed on the UNESCO’s Cultural Figures and Historical Events, 2023-2024 Period.

In particular, the events include an exhibition booth modeled after the working space of Vietnamese herbalist families: medicinal plants, medicinal products, areas for medicine preparation, pulse checking, and consultation, among others.

In her opening speech, Tran Thi Thuy Lan, Deputy Director of the Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi Old Quarter Management Board, said that Thang Long - Hanoi was a convergence of hundreds of trades that configured the famous 36 streets of the capital. Hoan Kiem District is where the trade streets are concentrated, with communal houses dedicated to trade godfathers as the characteristics of today's Old Quarter.

The activities of an ancient pharmacy on Lan Ong Street re-enacted at the event.

Its goal is to preserve the customs and antique cultural beauty of the city.

With its unique architecture and distinct cultural identity, the Old Quarter is mainly a district of traditional trades. Among them, Lan Ong Street is known as the center of Oriental medicine, specializing in Vietnamese herbs. It is recognizable by the medieval wooden and bronze signs bearing the names of pharmacies that have survived for centuries.

Despite the passage of time, many households in Lan Ong Street still have the traditional craft of medicinal herb selling.

Oriental medicine here is known for its diverse treatment techniques and methods as well as the medical teachings handed down by its predecessors. One of them was Hai Thuong Lan Ong (Le Huu Trac's alias), who had the humane motto of "life for all", the spirit of "lifelong learning", and the medical teachings of eight values that a good doctor should have: "Humanity - Virtue - Generosity - Humility - Clarity - Wisdom - Sincerity - Diligence". Another was Zen Master Tue Tinh and his influential view: "Vietnamese medicine to cure Vietnamese people".

In 2014 and 2015, Hoan Kiem District carried out the renovation of Lan Ong Street. 

Medicinal herbs are on display at the event.

A series of activities will be held for doctors to exchange experiences and discuss how to preserve and develop the profession. Among them, a meeting entitled "Hoan Kiem Oriental Medicine Associated With the Development of Lan Ong Craft Street", organized by the Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi Old Quarter Management Board in cooperation with the Hoan Kiem District Oriental Medicine Association, is to take place on April 20 of the Hanoi Old Quarter Cultural Exchange Center.