Back in time with invaluable photos of Hanoi in 1990s

Under the lens of Hans-Peter Grumpe, the German photography who had dedicated his time to captures the most vivid and true-to-life photos across Vietnam decades ago, the photos of Hanoi in 1991-1993 have given grown-ups a return ticket to the good old days.
September 19, 2020 | 16:46
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Back in time with invaluable photos of Hanoi in 1990s
(Photo courtesy of Hans-Peter Grumpe/ via Thoi Xua)

From an aerial view, Hanoi in the early 1990s wasn't lined with highrise, complex transportation infrastructure and heavy traffic as it is in 2020. In the photo, vast fields are farmed along the Red River. Greenfields are rarely spotted in the middle of Hanoi in modern times.

Back in time with invaluable photos of Hanoi in 1990s
(Photo courtesy of Hans-Peter Grumpe/ via Thoi Xua)

Trang Tien Street in the 1990s. Bicycles and cyclos were the two main vehicles back then. Small displacement motorbikes were for the well-to-do only.

Back in time with invaluable photos of Hanoi in 1990s
(Photo courtesy of Hans-Peter Grumpe/ via Thoi Xua)

People stopping by Hoan Kiem lake to take a short rest.

Back in time with invaluable photos of Hanoi in 1990s
(Photo courtesy of Hans-Peter Grumpe/ via Thoi Xua)

Dong Xuan Market, the largest of its kind in Hanoi was already vibrant and boasted a wide selection of goods some 30 years ago.

Back in time with invaluable photos of Hanoi in 1990s
(Photo courtesy of Hans-Peter Grumpe/ via Thoi Xua)

Two retailers doing the financial recount at the end of the day. VND 100 and VND 200 notes were still in circulation those days.

Back in time with invaluable photos of Hanoi in 1990s
(Photo courtesy of Hans-Peter Grumpe/ via Thoi Xua)

Small displacement motorbikes were at the height of fashion at that time. Only affluent families at that time owned could afford such a motorbike.

Back in time with invaluable photos of Hanoi in 1990s
(Photo courtesy of Hans-Peter Grumpe/ via Thoi Xua)

A couple of cake sellers put on a big smile as they saw the photographer.

Back in time with invaluable photos of Hanoi in 1990s
(Photo courtesy of Hans-Peter Grumpe/ via Thoi Xua)

A man making pith helmet. Pith helmets were ubiquitous at that time.

Back in time with invaluable photos of Hanoi in 1990s
(Photo courtesy of Hans-Peter Grumpe/ via Thoi Xua)

A grocery store selling a wide range of daily necessities.

Back in time with invaluable photos of Hanoi in 1990s
(Photo courtesy of Hans-Peter Grumpe/ via Thoi Xua)

A Chinese traditional medicine store in Hai Thuong Lan Ong street

5933 chao
(Photo courtesy of Hans-Peter Grumpe/ via Thoi Xua)

Pig's stripe soup was the favorite choice for breaking fast or lunch of many Vietnamese. Even today, many foodies still crave for the bowl.

Back in time with invaluable photos of Hanoi in 1990s
(Photo courtesy of Hans-Peter Grumpe/ via Thoi Xua)

A roadside repairing shop. Footwear and leather belongings could get fixed at those stores.

Back in time with invaluable photos of Hanoi in 1990s
(Photo courtesy of Hans-Peter Grumpe/ via Thoi Xua)

Back in the time when computers and the Internet were kind of a luxury, many people went to the so-called typing-shop to have their documents typed out. Documents typing was a high-paid job back then.

Back in time with invaluable photos of Hanoi in 1990s
(Photo courtesy of Hans-Peter Grumpe/ via Thoi Xua)

A bicycle repair shop. Bikers mostly stopped to have their tires filled. Given the fact that bicycles "roamed" the street, bicycle repairer was also a lucrative job in the 1900s.

Back in time with invaluable photos of Hanoi in 1990s
(Photo courtesy of Hans-Peter Grumpe/ via Thoi Xua)

Cyclos were the main means of transporting goods and cumbersome belongings, equipment.

1047 cho

A wet market where locals could find everything they need.

Back in time with invaluable photos of Hanoi in 1990s
(Photo courtesy of Hans-Peter Grumpe/ via Thoi Xua)

Beer stores were crowded with patrons every afternoon. In the "post-subsidy" period, Vietnamese had savings and could afford entertainment and dine out every once in a while.

Back in time with invaluable photos of Hanoi in 1990s
(Photo courtesy of Hans-Peter Grumpe/ via Thoi Xua)

A car was the dream of many people.

Back in time with invaluable photos of Hanoi in 1990s
(Photo courtesy of Hans-Peter Grumpe/ via Thoi Xua)

A couple traveling on a bicycle.

Back in time with invaluable photos of Hanoi in 1990s
(Photo courtesy of Hans-Peter Grumpe/ via Thoi Xua)

"High-class" goods were on shelves during the "post-subsidy" period, with items like Chinese thermos, Soviet electric cookers, etc.

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