Quan Chưởng Gate - Hanoi Old Quarter

In Việt Nam, citadels and fortresses may be found in many localities, but city gates only exist in Hà Nội and even in Hà Nội today, there is only one gate left: Quan Chưởng Gate in Hàng Chiếu Street, close to the Red River dyke. The gate is similar to that of a citadel but smaller in size. This is one of the many gates built on the eastern side of the earth citadel enclosing the former Thăng Long Royal Capital. That citadel was built in 1749, but the appearance of this gate is due to the major repairs in 1817.

Quan Chuong Gate - Hanoi French Quarter

At present, the gate has a main entrance and two smaller entrances on both sides. Above the main entrance is a watch-tower which was formerly occupied by security guards throughout the day and night. On the left-side wall there is a stele on which was sculpted the order of the Mayor Hoàng Diệu in 1882 prohibiting soldiers from embarrassing funeral processions passing through the gate. Thus, there used to be a door at this gate, which was closed at night.

Quan Chuong Gate - It should be noted that Quan Chưởng is a popular name

It should be noted that Quan Chưởng is a popular name, not the formal one which is engraved on the mam entrance: Đông Hà Gate. Đông Hà is the name of a ward under the Lê Dynasty, consisting of the present Hàng Chiếu, Thanh Hà and Đào Duy Từ Streets.

Hà Nội Past and Present Nguyen Vinh Phuc - The Gioi Publishers