The ancient house at 87 Ma May str, a must visit place in Hanoi Old Quarter

The ancient house at 87 Ma May str is one of the few houses in Hanoi preserved and kept as an attraction, exhibition and provide information about the history of Hanoi. This is one of the cultural sites that tourists should visit once stay Hanoi.

The house at 87 Ma May is one of 14 ancient houses in Hanoi built around the late nineteenth century. Total area of the house is 157,6m2, land length is 28 meters, width 5 meters frontage and width of the rear surface is 6m.

The house used to change owners several times. In 1945, a merchant selling herbs bought the house. From 1954 to 1999, there were 5 families living there.
The house was restored for the first time in late 1998, completed on 27-10-1999 in the cooperation between Hanoi and Toulouse city (France). All the structures of architecture, building materials (wood) to the living objects are intact. On 16-2-2004, the Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) decided to recognize the ancient house 87 Ma May as a national heritage.

Currently, the house becomes a tourist destination to introduce to people and foreign visitors about Vietnamese houses dating back 19th century.  Guests visiting the house, will be understood more about the lifestyle and activities of Hanoian. This is also the place to introduce Hanoi ancient architecture and remind Hanoians to conserve, restore old houses. And specially, this house is the familiar for those who join hanoi street food walking tour around Hanoi Old Quarter.
The house is characterized by the Hanoi ancient houses, which is in the form of tubular, multifunctional use. Houses are narrow but very deep, the layers are separated by layers courtyard. The outer layer is the shop, do not open the walls that line the streets to express. Removable inner courtyard. Next to the house logistics space, warehouse and kitchen.
The second storey is the ancestor altar space. Between the golf courses bowls scene presents environmental landscaping, feel close to nature.

Hanoi formally established the Department of Tourism

On July 8, with a majority of deputies agreed, the City Council decided to establishe the Department of Tourism based on the Department of Culture - Sports and Tourism.

Mr. Le Hong Son - Deputy Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee, said the purpose of establishing the Department of Tourism from the position and potential advantages of natural resources, cultural and tourism development of the Capital. Specifically Hanoi 5175 historical cultural monuments, including 1,050 relics rated countries. Many famous monuments by UNESCO as Thang Long Citadel, Loa, Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam, Hanoi Old Quarter ...


Although Hanoi has a lot of potential, the strength of the natural landscape, cultural and historical sites, the facilities to cater for tourism development, but in the recent period, tourism development does not value. 2014, total tourism product in the area of ​​the city reached 11 930 billion.

"In order to exploit the advantages, service strategy, planning and tourism development, enhance the effectiveness of state management, cities need to establish the Department of Tourism to develop tourism into a spearhead economic in the future. The main work is to introduce the specific tourism product in Hanoi. And in the last few years, the authorities have found the street food tour in Old Quarter is the best way to introduce Hanoi to foreign tourists.", Hanoi People's Committee leaders said.

Mr. Son said the Hanoi Tourism Department will be headquartered at 17 Dien Bien Phu (Ba Dinh). Immediate Hanoi Tourism Department will have 69 administrative staff, of whom 60 officers staffing, contract targets 9 people.

Hanoi is expected to allocate, director of Hanoi Tourism Department will have three assistant deputy director, 10 people belonging office of the Department, 10 inspectors, Travel Management Office 12, Division Manager 12 accommodation establishments people, Room plan - research and development 12.

Representative of Hanoi People's Committee, said the establishment of the Department of Tourism will not increase payroll in the administrative system of the city. The majority of personnel in the Department of Tourism will be transferred in the specialized departments of the Department of Culture - Sports and Tourism to. In addition, the city will transfer personnel from the unit suitable for the Department of Tourism.

After the establishment of the Department of Tourism, Hanoi will also consolidate the Department of Culture and Sports. In particular, the department leaders including directors and four deputy directors. This facility also 10 rooms and 21 professional public service units. Specific staffing of the Department of Culture and Sports was 142 people, including 121 officers and 21 contracted employees.