Keepsake of time through sketches

This project is not only a combination of art and cuisine but also a proud declaration of Hanoi's cultural heritage. Each sketch is a delicate slice of Hanoi life, recreating the beauty of Old Quarter cuisine through simple yet deeply emotional strokes. From street-side eateries and bustling hawker stalls to traditional pho, bún (noodle soup), and bánh cuốn (steamed rolled rice pancake) shops – all are captured with the sophistication, sensitivity, and pride of talented artists. “Sketching the Flavors of Hanoi’s Old Quarter” serves as a reminder of irreplaceable cultural values and an effort to preserve a part of Hanoi’s soul for future generations.

 

 

In this context, the Urban Sketchers Hanoi group conceived the idea of creating an illustrated sketchbook to capture the final glimpses of Old Quarter cuisine before they might disappear forever. To mark a significant milestone in this journey, the group is organizing a project announcement event when two-thirds of the book’s content is completed, with the first drafts displayed at the event. This event is an opportunity to showcase initial achievements while gathering feedback from scientists, cultural and historical researchers, experts, and Hanoi lovers. Notably, the group hopes that the remaining one-third of the content will come from those who truly love Hanoi – those connected to each street and familiar flavor, eager to preserve these traditional values. The group calls on the community – artists, writers, and enthusiasts of Hanoi's culture and sketching – to contribute drawings and writings to complete this vibrant depiction of Old Quarter cuisine.

 

 

The book is expected to officially launch on October 10, and Urban Sketchers Hanoi looks forward to the support and collaboration of individuals and organizations interested in cultural heritage preservation. To bring this project to life, the members of Urban Sketchers Hanoi have spent over four years roaming every alley of the Old Quarter, sitting for hours at street-side eateries to observe and capture the finest details. They do not just sketch the dishes but also document the street atmosphere, the hustle of vendors, the joy of diners, and the fascinating stories of life and craft. These sketches are not just images of food but also fragments of memory, the very essence of Hanoi, recreated through every shade and line.


 

Sketches retaining the Old Quarter spirit

No one can deny that Hanoi cuisine is an inseparable part of the capital’s cultural identity. However, in a rapidly modernizing world, the fast-paced lifestyle and waves of urbanization are putting traditional values at risk of fading away. Hanoi’s Old Quarter – home to the finest culinary and lifestyle traditions of the city – is no exception. Many family-run eateries have closed, street vendors have disappeared, and flavors that once captivated hearts have now become distant memories.

In this book, you will find images of a familiar yet mesmerizing Hanoi. The smoky aroma rising from bún chả (grilled pork sausage noodle soup) grills, the delicate broth of beef pho perfected through time and meticulous craftsmanship, the steaming hot bánh cuốn sheets as thin as silk paired with a dipping sauce infused with cà cuống (a water insect commonly seen in Southeast Asian countries) essence, or the elegant sweetness of chè hoa cau (mung bean sweet soup) scented with grapefruit blossoms. Each dish is a work of art, and each sketch tells a story of the skill and ingenuity behind Old Quarter cuisine.


 

It is often said that to understand a culture, one should start with its cuisine. And in “Sketching the Flavors of Hanoi’s Old Quarter”, you will not only see the dishes but also feel the essence of Hanoi’s Old Quarter – the way its people eat, converse, and cherish each traditional flavor. This is an identity that cannot be borrowed or replicated – it is the crystallization of centuries of history, a blend of East and West, aristocratic refinement and rustic charm, and a source of deep pride for the people of the capital

 

 

Honoring the keepers of culinary heritage

Hanoi’s cuisine would not have endured without the dedicated individuals who have spent their lives preserving its essence. They are the elderly women carrying baskets of bún riêu (crab paste rice noodle soup) at dawn, the bún chả grill masters with sleeves rolled up, tending to glowing charcoal for hours, and the bánh cuốn vendors who mastered the art of steaming delicate rice sheets before they were even ten years old.

In this book, the authors have devoted many pages to honoring these unsung heroes – not just as keepers of family recipes but as storytellers who share their love for Hanoi’s culinary heritage. They have witnessed the city’s transformations, endured the hardships of wartime rationing, and yet remain steadfast by their stoves, serving the familiar flavors of childhood to generations of Hanoians.

 

 

Their stories – the wrinkles on their faces, the calloused hands, the eyes filled with warmth – are captured through the language of art, with warm hues and honest brushstrokes. They may work in silence, but they are the true guardians of Hanoi’s Old Quarter soul, ensuring that its essence does not fade with time.

 

Eternal values and the journey of spreading the Vietnamese culture

“Sketching the Flavors of Hanoi’s Old Quarter” is more than just a book – it is a cultural project with lasting significance. It serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and promoting traditional values, affirming that cuisine is not merely a part of material life but the very soul of a culture.


 

Through its sketches and heartfelt stories, the book allows readers to grasp the depth and refinement of Hanoi’s culinary heritage – an irreplaceable treasure untouched by fleeting modern trends. It is a source of pride for the people of Hanoi and an invaluable legacy of Vietnamese culture.

With this project, the Urban Sketchers Hanoi group has revived a piece of the city’s memory, ensuring that future generations can continue to write the story of Hanoi – a land of nostalgia, love, and flavors that stand the test of time.