Stretching 740 meters from Tran Hung Dao Street to Mai Thuc Loan Road, Phan Dang Luu Street is one of the busiest commercial streets in Phu Hoa Ward, Hue City. With over 100 shops and 25 private households, this vibrant street offers a rich shopping experience, featuring a diverse range of goods, from electronic items to traditional herbs and embroidered artwork.
1. A Street Steeped in History
Established in the late 19th century, the street has undergone various name changes—Cửa Đông, Gia Long, and Phan Bội Châu—before receiving its current name, Phan Dang Luu, in 1977. Its strategic location near Dong Ba Market and the Imperial Citadel has long made it a hub for trade and craftsmanship.
Historically, the area flourished with leatherwork, porcelain, carpentry, and traditional Chinese medicine—industries shaped by Chinese families who settled here. While most trades have evolved, some traditional medicine shops still preserve the street’s heritage today.
2. Notable Historical Landmarks
Phan Dang Luu Street is home to several significant cultural sites:
French-Vietnamese institution where Nguyen Sinh Cung (later known as Ho Chi Minh) studied from 1906 to 1908. Classes were conducted in French, Chinese, and Vietnamese. In 1923, the school relocated to its current location in Gia Hoi. The old location is now a flower garden on Phan Dang Luu Street, at the two branches of Phan Dang Luu Street that lead towards Mai Thuc Loan Street.
141 Phan Dang Luu Bookstore: Formerly a secret meeting site used by Le Duan, General Secretary of Vietnam. Today, it remains a preserved historical relic. However, it is not a famous destination in Hue City, but rather for those who like to delve deeper into modern Vietnamese history. Thus, this place is hard to recognize if you don’t pay attention.
3. A Modern Commercial Hub with Traditional Touches
Today, Phan Dang Luu Street is alive with commerce. Modern stores offer phones, speakers, household electronics, and tailor tools. At the same time, a few traditional medicine shops and vendors of worship items still maintain a nostalgic feel. For more places to shop in the city, check out this guide to shopping in Hue.
What makes the street visually distinct are its vertical shop signs, multi-story buildings, and Chinese characters still visible on older storefronts—testaments to the long-standing Chinese and Vietnamese presence in the area.
One beloved local spot is Suu Café, which opens as early as 4:30 a.m. Locals gather under a large tree for coffee and morning chats, creating a warm, communal atmosphere that sets the tone for the day.
4. Where Old Meets New
Throughout the day, the street buzzes with activity as residents and visitors come and go. At night, the glow of colorful signage adds a modern flair, merging seamlessly with the street’s historic charm.
Phan Dang Luu is not just a place of business—it’s a street where Hue’s cultural layers unfold. With its blend of relics, trade, and transformation, this street embodies the soul of a city that embraces both its past and its future.
