Hang But Pho street in Hanoi used to have a rather strange name, Hang Mun Street. The name comes from a typical career of the poor living on the street.

Hang But Street is a 68-meter-long street stretching from Thuoc Bac Street to Bat Su Street, west of Hanoi Old Quarter. This is the former part of Dong Thanh hamlet, old Tho Xuong district.

This street specializes in selling notebooks, pens, and markers for students. The French call Hang But street (Thuoc Bac) as “rue Cambanère”, Hang Mun street is “rue des Chiffons”.

Despite being a street of the poor, during the colonial period, at the four corners of Hang Mun street were four superficial palaces of the Japanese and colonial government officials..

Since 1945, Cambanère Street has changed the name of Hang But street, while Chiffons Street has been Hang But alley. From 1949, Hang But street (old) became a part of Thuoc Bac street, while Hang But alley was “upgraded” in Hang But street.

Hang But street is the second shortest street in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, just behind Hoan Kiem Street.

On this street no longer sells items made from fabric as the street also called Hang Mun anymore. Compared to neighboring streets, this is a fairly quiet street.

Nowaday, the main business on Hang But street is hotels and restaurants.

A notable historical site on this street is Dong Thanh Temple in No.4. The front gate of this temple is on Hang Vai street.

Source: kienthuc.com.vn