Despite being selected as Hanoi Food Street in 2002 and being slated as a future cultural destination, Tong Duy Tan Street has failed to become a major attraction.

Tong Duy Tan or "Food Street" remains relatively deserted

After being chosen as the Hanoi Food Street on March 15, 2002, Tong Duy Tan Street and Cam Chi Alley (now known as Hang Bong Alley, running from Tong Duy Tan Street to Hang Bong Street) got a new face lift with the tiled path and a welcoming gate announcing it as “Food Street”.

However, the disorder of local shop owners has adversely affected the cultural integrity of the street. At the beginning of Tong Duy Tan Street, which is linked to Hang Bong Alley, there are numerous restaurants and pubs with messy-looking signs and pushy waitstaff.

Around 200 households on either side of the street have registered to provide food services. Most of them remain closed in the morning, except for a few shops such as Ky Dong rolled rice pancakes, and others that sell chicken soup or sticky rice.

Nguyen Manh Hung, owner of Ky Dong said, “We have maintained our way of making rolled rice pancakes for 65 years. Our customers are diverse and sometimes demanding. I go to the market myself to select vegetables and meat and don't have to hire staff."

There are few households on Tong Duy Tan Street that have maintained their businesses for generations. Around 70% of the businesses are run by households that are from other localities. They have come to lease kiosks in order to run their businesses. Although rent on the street is relatively low, around VD7-8 million (USD333.3-380.9) per month for a 20-30 square metre kiosk, with a 40% land use tax discount, many owners still find it hard to stay in business because of slow sales. Many are looking to transfer their operating rights.

At noon, the food street only attracts a small number of customers, mostly passers and office staffs. Gastronomers in Hanoi almost do not choose the street as a dating place to receive their friends or partners.Tour guides also do not take visitors to there. Thu Huong, a tour guide, said the street is famous for some foods such as simmered chicken and hotpot, but these two dishes are not generally recognised among locals as traditionally Hanoian.

Empty in the evenings

Most pubs and restaurants on the street lack space for parking and enough area for food preparation. A number of households prepare the food on the street in front of the restaurants. Many customers are also turned off at the way staff members try to harangue passers by to get them to sit down.

Despite being allowed to open until 23:00, the number of customers has remained fairly modest.