Hang Bac Street: Explore the long-standing jewelry making craft of Hanoi

Hang Bac street, situated in the center of Hanoi, Vietnam, is a charming and historic destination known for its traditional silver crafts and vibrant market ambience. Tourists from all corners of the world flock to this famous street, making it one of the most popular places to visit in Hanoi Vietnam.

The historic silver-making street in the Hanoi Old Quarter (Source: Collected)

Hang Bac street is one of the most prominent streets among the 36 traditional streets of the Old Quarter area. Whether you are looking for unique souvenirs or simply want to immerse in the lively atmosphere, a visit to this historic silver-making street is definitely worth adding to your Hanoi travel.

1. Where is Hang Bac Street Hanoi? How to get there?

In the middle of bustling Hanoi, Hang Bac Street is a rare place that has preserved traditional silver crafting for many centuries. This 500-meter Hanoi Street is located in the heart of the Old Quarter in Hang Bac Ward, Hoan Kiem District, between Hang Ma street and Hang Bo street. 

The main highlight of Hang Bac street is the variety of silver jewelry shops that offer a glimpse into the traditional crafts passed down through generations. Visitors can browse through a wide selection of intricate and beautifully crafted silver items, from rings and bracelets to necklaces and earrings.

Hang Bac street is lined with diverse silver jewelry stores (Source: Collected)

To get to Hang Bac street Hanoi, there are various options available. If you are staying nearby, you can either enjoy a leisurely stroll or drive a motorbike through the ancient Old Quarter to get to Hang Bac Street. 

Since there are no bus routes on Hang Bac street, you can reach it by taking a bus to Hoan Kiem lake and walking for about 10 minutes. There are several bus routes available with stops located nearby, which are 04, 08, 14, 18, 23, 31, 34, 36 and 40. 

2. Explore the history of Hang Bac Street in Hanoi

Hang Bac street is one of the most historically significant and fascinating streets in the capital of Vietnam. Its name, which literally translates into ‘’Silver Street’’, reflects its long history as a hub for silver artisans and merchants.

During the period of French colonialism, the street was also known as ‘’Rue de Changeurs’’, which translates to “Street of Silver Exchangers”, as it served as a hub for exchanging silver ingots and currency. 

Hang Bac street is a popular trading spot in the Old Quarter area (Source: Collected)

In the past, Hang Bac street had three different professions: silver casting, jewelry making and money exchange. All these three professions originated from three famous gold and silver craft villages in Northern Vietnam: Chau Khe Village (Hung Yen province), Dong Xam village (Thai Binh province) and Dinh Cong village.

In the 15th century, Luu Xuan Tin, a Vietnamese imperial official from Chau Khe village, along with many talented craftsmen opened a silver foundry in the imperial capital of Thang Long, which is Hanoi nowadays. 

The silver foundry, however, was relocated to Hue, Central Vietnam to serve the court under the Nguyen Dynasty. But most of the Chau Khe craftsmen stayed in Thang Long to pursue the jewelry-making profession and established a silver craft street which is now known as Hang Bac street. 

Over time, Hang Bac street has continued to thrive and evolve, with many of the original buildings still standing today. Visitors can explore the historic architecture and unique features of the street, offering deeper insights into the city’s rich and vibrant past. 

3. Typical features of jewelry sold in Hang Bac Street

In addition to its unique architecture and historical significance,Hang Bac street is home to various shops that sell a diverse range of jewelry. Here are some of the most popular types of jewelry that visitors can find in Hang Bac street:

• Plain jewelry without engravings: This type of jewelry includes rings, women’s earrings and bracelets for both women and children. The simple and elegant design is perfect for those who prefer a minimalistic and classic style. 
• Engraved jewelry: Skilled craftsmen often use specific decorative patterns to create intricate designs on the surface of the jewelry. The most popular pattern is the Four Holy Beasts of Vietnam, which are Dragon, Vietnamese Qilin, Turtle and Male Fenghuang.

Hang Bac street offers visitors a wide range of high-quality jewelry (Source: Collected)

So, whether you are looking for plain or engraved jewelry, Hang Bac street is the perfect place to find high-quality and unique items that reflect the beauty and elegance of Vietnamese craftsmanship.

4. Other 3 famous tourist attractions near Hang Bac Street

In addition to Hang Bac street, the Hanoi Old Quarter is home to several other Hanoi tourist attractions that travelers should consider visiting. By combining these nearby attractions into a Hanoi street tour, visitors can enhance their experience and make the most of their visit. 

4.1. Ta Hien Street

As it takes only 3 minutes to walk from Hang Bac street to this bustling pedestrian street in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, visiting Ta Hien street after Hang Bac street will offer a more complete travel experience in your Hanoi trip.

Ta Hien street has earned the nickname ‘Beer street’ due to its wide selection of beer and lively atmosphere. While immersing yourselves in the vibrant nightlife scene, visitors can enjoy a cold beer and people-watch from one of the many bars that line the street.

Ta Hien street is also an ideal place to experience traditional Vietnamese food. This street is lined with street food vendors serving up traditional Vietnamese cuisines such as fresh spring rolls or banh mi as well as international dishes to cater to a diverse range of tastes.

Ta Hien street - The bustling pedestrian street in Hanoi (Source: Collected)

4.2. Thang Long Water Puppet Theater

The Thang Long Water Puppet Theater is located in the center of the Old Quarter, only 200 meters away from Hang Bac street. This place offers a unique cultural experience with water puppet shows based on traditional Vietnamese folklore, providing tourists with an opportunity to learn more about the history and culture of Vietnamese puppetry.

Here, visitors can enjoy interesting performances where puppets dance and glide gracefully over the water, accompanied by traditional music and singing. The shows are in Vietnamese but the visual aspect of the performance makes it accessible to people of all languages and ages.

There are multiple performances throughout the day, with each show lasting approximately 50 minutes. The ticket prices are also affordable for any budget, making it easier for travelers to enjoy this experience without breaking the bank. 

The Thang Long Water Puppet Theater impresses many tourists with many interesting water puppet shows (Source: Collected)

4.3. Night Market Hanoi Old Quarter

Hanoi night markets are renowned for showcasing the best of Vietnamese and Hanoian culture, bringing together a wide range of traditional foods, crafts, and other cultural experiences. 

The Night Market Hanoi Old Quarter is only about 500 meters from the silver street Hanoi, so your Hanoi street tour is incomplete if this vibrant market is excluded. The Market includes Hang Dao street, Hang Ngang street and Hang Duong street with a total length of about 3 kilometers.

This night market is known as a shopper’s paradise with countless Vietnamese souvenirs and other cheap items. There are innumerable vendors selling a wide range of products, from handicrafts, artworks to clothes, where you can find meaningful gifts for your relatives and friends.

The Night Market Hanoi Old Quarter opens from 6 PM to 11 PM every Friday, Saturday and Sunday but it is recommended that visitors head to the market earlier to avoid crowds.

The lively atmosphere of the Night Market Hanoi Old Quarter (Source: Collected)

If you want to immerse yourselves in the rich culture, history and traditions of Vietnam, do not miss out on other landmarks and monuments in Hanoi such as Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hanoi Opera House, Ba Dinh Square, Bach Ma Temple, West Lake, Hoan Kiem Lake, Turtle Tower, Ngoc Son Temple, Dong Xuan Market, and so on. 

It is recommended to visit other tourist attractions in Hanoi after exploring Hang Bac street (Source: Collected)

Exploring Hang Bac street offers visitors deeper insights into the Vietnamese traditional craftsmanship that have been passed down through generations. The bustling silver street Hanoi is also an ideal place to find unique souvenirs or gifts to bring home, with a wide range of options that cater to every budget. Do not hesitate to explore this Hanoi street now!

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Add: 40 Bat Dan Street, Cua Dong Ward, Hoan Kiem Dist, Ha noi, Viet nam

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