(Part 1) Culture Map: Rethink, Empower, and Co-create

Thu Quỳnh Ngô
Jun 15
2 min read

Updated: Jul 11

Hanoi City Map - An angle of thoughtful tourism, cultural resonance, and co-created futures

Why a culture map of Hanoi?

Born in a city where ancient temples stand alongside dazzling skyscrapers, the Hanoi City Map (HNCM) was created not merely to help travelers navigate its winding streets—but to invite them into a deeper journey: one of cultural listening and mindful exploration.

More than a travel tool, HNCM is a cultural compass. It weaves together the tangible—nighttime streets, traditional craft villages, iconic local treats—with multisensory impressions: the scent of herbal medicine in a quiet market, the silent hands of an artisan in the Old Quarter, or the enduring memories held in moss-covered walls.

'Shark Jaw' building under demolishing in Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square — **Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square** is the intersection point between the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, and the French Quarter. Photo: Thơ

“What if a map didn’t just guide your steps—but also your senses, memories, and values?”

Carving wooden stamp at Hang Quat Street. Photo: Thơ

XAVAN’s Intention: Empowering Through Design

At the heart of this project lies XAVAN Inc.’s belief in design as a vehicle for ethical encounters. Every decision is made not only for aesthetics, but with care: for the city, for its people, for its stories.

Hiếu from the XAVAN team (left) and artisan Phan Thị Thuận (right). Photo: Mi

HNCM does not encourage hurried visits. It is a slow, intentional dialogue. We seek a two-way exchange—where both host and guest can feel joy, openness, and growth. Local knowledge—especially that of indigenous communities and artisans—is not merely acknowledged, but deeply respected. We work with them, the very people who shape the spirit of this land.

A Hầu đồng (spirit mediumship) ritual at Tien Ha Temple, Hang Buom Street. Photo: Quynh

“Rather than ticking off attractions, we want guests to pause, to listen, to learn—with humility.”

Experiencing Culture Beyond Sightseeing

The development team curates tours and angles that turn sightseeing into sense-making. Whether through stories told by elders, a moment spent learning natural dyeing from an artisan in Phung Xa, or the gentle hush before a flag lowering at Ba Đình, we invite emotional connection.

Artisan Phan Thị Thuận at Phung Xa Silk Village, My Duc District. — Artisan Phan Thị Thuận at Phung Xa Silk Village, My Duc. Photo: Mi

Each experience is rooted in ecotourism values—interpretation, conservation, and community benefit. Participants leave not just with photos, but with insight. Not just memories, but meaning.