Thuoc Bac - a colorful street of old Hanoi

The small street in 36 Thang Long wards is called Thuoc Bac Street because of the trading of traditional medicines here for many centuries. It is named after the traditional Chinese medicine trade, which is different from the Southern medicine, a medicine made from indigenous herbs. In the past, most of the drug sellers here were from Da Nguu village, in the north of Hung Yen province, where they specialized in trading Chinese medicines.

Drug stores at that time were also simple. Baskets and trays of medicine are placed on the ground at the door steps and inside the store. The herbs are left intact branches, roots, seeds, ... bring a pleasant herbal smell to the whole street

Thuoc Bac Street with its former drug stores is just a section of today's Thuoc Bac street. During the French colonial period, it was divided into 5 smaller towns namely La rue des Médicaments (Street of Medicines), Hang Pen, Hang Cloth, Hang Ao and Hang Lock. After 1945 when the country gained independence, all 5 streets were merged into one, Thuoc Bac street.

During the national resistance war against the French invaders from 1946-1947, the street was a resilient and heroic front of the capital's army and people. Along with Hang Vai Street, Hang But formed the Dong Thanh self-defense front, the first layer to protect the citadel. On January 16, 1947, the people of the Dong Thanh front fought bravely and shot down the first enemy plane here.

Today, Thuoc Bac is still a busy commercial street with interesting architecture that is a mixture of old and new styles, including a number of Western-style houses built in the first half of the century. 20th century.

The street medicine trade almost disappeared when it was moved to nearby Lan Ong Street. Typical products offered on Thuoc Bac Street are metal products such as locks, mechanical tools, safes, stainless steel for household use.

On Thuoc Bac Street, there are no ancient temples like some other tourist streets, but there is a famous house - the house of painter Bui Xuan Phai at 87. Painter Bui Xuan Phai (1920-1988 ) is one of Vietnam's most famous painters, who had a great influence on the development of contemporary Vietnamese fine art. He is famous for his works on Hanoi's Old Quarter. His own line of paintings called Pho Phai depicting the soul of Hanoi's old town in the 1950s-1970s has long been loved by the public at home and abroad, especially those who are passionate about the ancient beauty of Hanoi.

The house on Thuoc Bac Street is also his studio, where he lives and stores his works. This place has become a familiar rendezvous for painters and art lovers as well as Hanoi.