Hang Bac Street Hanoi

Hanoi’s bustling streets showcase Vietnam’s vibrant shopping culture. From traditional markets to modern malls, the city offers diverse retail experiences. The Old Quarter, particularly Hang Bac Street, stands out for its exceptional silver craftsmanship and cultural heritage.

I. Silver Craft at Hang Bac Street

Hanoi has the Old Quarter area with 36 streets, each street often connects closely to a handicraft. Therefore, though it’s the first time, people come there, they are easy to recognize that handicrafts, even they only hear the sound in that street, they also guess it. 

According to the literal meaning, “Hang” means a shop or store and “Bac” is silver (a kind of metal used to coin money and product jewelry).

In the past, Hang Bac street is a silver foundry. It is considered as the richest street in Thang Long citadel. Today, when you go for a walk on the street, you feel as back to trade village history and hear the repercussion of many foundries because this street remains the beauty of ancient craft village.

Nowadays, silver craft not only focuses on Hang Bac street but also in other places. Almost all stores are equipped with new technology and machines from foreign countries. However, there are still some households that keep the traditional craft and make it by hand.

Editor’s Note: Hang Bac still ranks first on the list of the best sites in Hanoi manipulating silver and gold with the most qualified silversmiths.

II. History of Hang Bac Street

During Le Dynasty (1460-1497), Le Xuan Tien established the first foundry here. The French colonial period saw the street dubbed “rue de Changeurs” (Street of Silver Exchangers). The historic Kim Ngan temple, dating to the Hau Le Dynasty (1428-1527), still stands as testament to the area’s rich heritage.

Today, Hang Bac street has many hundreds of small and large shops that make silver and gold items and sell them. It becomes one of the busiest shopping areas in Hanoi and attracts thousands of visitors every year.

III. Highlights of Hang Bac Street

Hang Bac is located in the center of the Old Quarter area in Hoan Kiem district in Hanoi. Many centuries went by with time changes, Hang Bac street remains architecture and lifestyle of an old village.

On both sides of the street, there are many traditional age-old houses whose roofs are covered by red tiles near the west architecture design houses. Sometimes, people also see old pagodas, temples that imprint Vietnamese culture and religion.

Hang Bac street has Kim Ngan temple which is an ancient architectural heritage in Hau Le’s dynasty (1428-1527). 

This temple both worships Hien Vien- the founder of silver craft and remains vestiges of silver and gold jewelry village in old Thang Long, which proves the people here are descendent of the first best craftsmen, who go to Thang Long citadel and set up the silver craft. 

Especially, today, the offspring still maintain the relationship with the clan and relatives in the original villages.

Hang Bac people not only conserve valuable craft of predecessors but also maintain a specific traditional lifestyle of the Old Quarter area.

Many families do business well and become rich but live modestly, attach much importance to prestige, be willing to help each other in life as well as in trade relations. 

At night, Hang Bac street becomes more sparkling and bright under the light of jewelry window shops. Next to these shops, there are also fashion boutiques, bars, souvenir shops, etc. which are always lively with locals and tourists alike. 

IV. What to Do at Hang Bac Street?

1. Buying Silver Products

Hang Bac street is reputed for high-quality gold and silver products. The jewelry and accessory are diversified in kinds, design, color, decoration,… Thus, you can choose and buy rings, bracelets, earrings,… at any shops on the street to meet your own demands and hobbies. 

Some stores even make silver products following your request with the help of the best craft man’s sophisticated hands. Besides, you can also buy some souvenirs as gifts for relatives and friends.

2. Walk Around and Take Photos

Hang Bac street is one of the most ancient streets in Hanoi with historical depth. Therefore, it’s suitable for you to go for a walk and explore special cultural characteristics and its value here.

Simple and unique scenes in Hang Bac are the harmonious combination between traditional and modern beauty, which are performed by house architecture and daily activities of the locals.

Nothing is greater than bringing a camera and taking the most beautiful photos here to have nice memories.

V. How to Get Hang Bac Street

To get Hang Bac street, you can begin from Hang Mam street, pass the crossroads Ta Hien-Dinh Liet and go to the crossroads point of Hang Dao and Hang Ngang street. Hang Bac street next to them.

• You can choose various and suitable transports to get there such as bus, motorbike, taxi, pedicab… or even on foot depending on your financial condition and hobby. 
• You can choose various and suitable transports to get there such as bus, motorbike, taxi, pedicab… or even on foot depending on your financial condition and hobby. 

If you want to walk to explore this street, the advice for you is to bring a map or smartphone installed Google Map because it’s not easy for anyone who is not familiar with the road here due to narrow and complicated roads.

VI. Tips on Visiting Hang Bac Street

• Best time to visit: You can get there during the shops open. However, you had better go and buy merchandise in the afternoon to bargain and have a better price.
• Always bargain for a good price. You avoid asking price so much if you don’t intend to buy it. You should bargain 3 times and smile as well as say “thank you” to shoppers, talk to them that you want to see more in other items before you decide whether you buy or not.
• When purchasing buying silver, you ought to go to the prestige stores. At the same time, you need to observe the surface of products and choose carefully to avoid buying shoddy items. You shouldn’t buy silver jewelry made from original silver because it’s easy to be distorted.

Hang Bac is always impressive and attractive to tourists in all its aspects, from famous historical sites to the simple daily life of locals and especially the best silver handicrafts. 

If you have an opportunity to come to Hanoi, don’t miss Hang Bac street, let’s go and explore its unique culture and history in the nice corner as well as experience interesting shopping activities in one of the most lively and bustling streets in Hanoi.