Ly Quoc Su Street is located in Hoan Kiem District, near the Church. Hanoi Ly Quoc Su Street starts from the intersection of Hang Bong and Hang Manh Streets and runs south to Nha Tho Street. This street is just about one minute walk from Hoan Kiem lake or ANZ bank.
Previously, it was part of Tien Thi Village in Thuan My Commune, Tho Xuong District and was called Rue Lamblo during the time of French colonialism.
For centuries, the 250m long Ly Quoc Su Street has always been one of the most bustling and animated streets in the capital of Hanoi. Anyone strolling on the street shares a common feeling towards it: the past and the present, the old and the new harmonize to create the unique features.
According to historical records, Ly Quoc Su means “The teacher of the court under the Ly Dynasty”. This title went to Nguyen Chi Thanh (1066-1141) who lived in Diem Xa Village of Gia Vien District (present-day Ninh Binh Province). He followed Buddhism and was known as Buddhist Monk Minh Khong. In 1136, he cured King Ly Than Tong of a disease that many famous doctors failed to do. For his unyielding virtue and talent, he was given the title “Ly Quoc Su”. King Ly Than Tong also provided him with a serene residential quarter near Bao Thien Pagoda, now Ly Quoc Su Pagoda on Ly Quoc Su Street, where he led a religious life. Ly Quoc Su died in August in Tan Dau Year (the Year of the Rooster – 1141).
Ly Quoc Su Pagoda now preserves a stele with inscriptions made by famous Doctor Le Dinh Duyen in the 8th Tu Duc Year that tells about the pagoda’s great restoration. In addition, the Pagoda has many statues of the sculptural style of the Le Dynasty and a bell named “Bao Thap tu chung” (bell of Bao Thap Temple) which was cast in the Year of the Pig (1815) in the Gia Long Dynasty.
The Street also boasts the ancient temple of Phu Ung at No.25 which was built by Phu Ung villagers in the 19th century to worship famous general Pham Ngu Lao.Together with the development of other streets in Hanoi , Ly Quoc Su Street has seen great changes as well. Shops have mushroomed on the Street, selling various products, from European jewellery, costume, perfumes and decorative lamps to traditional Vietnamese items, such as brocades, embroideries, statues, etc. All attract much attention from foreign tourists.
The Street is also known as a “must-to-visit” cuisine address of both locals and foreigners with prestigious restaurants where delicious dishes are always available, such as Quangdong roasted duck, pizzas, ribs, Ly Quoc Su pho (rice noodle soup), Mrs. My porridge, cakes, fruits mixed with salt, sugar and fresh chilli, etc.
According to a legend, famous poetess Ho Xuan Huong (in the 18th century) owned a tea stall on the street where men of letters of the land of Ha Thanh (present-day Hanoi ) socialized.
Located in the middle of Ly Quoc Su Street is Sao Viet Vistar Company Ltd., the sole representative in Vietnam of many sound, light and musical instrument companies from Japan, the US and Germany, which was established 20 years ago.
With its historical and cultural values, Ly Quoc Su Street has become an indispensable part of Hanoi and an interesting destination for foreign tourists.