The Silk Road of Hanoi: Hang Gai Street Tour

Renowned as Silk Street, Hang Gai Street is a vibrant and busy part of Hanoi offering a unique blend of rich history, cultural legacy, and modern retail experiences. This tour guide will show you highlights of Hang Gai Street’s location, history, prominent attractions, and must-see sights by means of its enchanting paths.

Location: Hang Gai Street, Hanoi Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Operating hours: Daily 9:00 am – 9:00 pm

Hanoi Silk Street, tucked away in the middle of Hanoi Old Quarter, is among the most vibrant and active areas of the city. Comprising 36 streets in Hanoi, each named for a product typically marketed there, this historic street makes part of a larger network.

Providing a window into Vietnam’s rich cultural past, Hanoi Silk Street as its name suggests is dedicated to the silk weaving industry. As you meander through the tiny alleyways and busy boutiques, you will discover a wonderful choice of beautiful silk products ranging from elegant scarves and traditional ao dai skirts to skillfully woven tapestries and elaborate pillow covers.

Where is Hang Gai Street?

Hanoi street

Centrally in the middle of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Hang Gai Street runs near the famous Hoan Kiem Lake. There are several ways to reach the street: taxis, motorbikes, and bicycles among other things. Its prominent location makes it a handy stop for visitors as well as residents discovering the old areas of the city.

Location : On the brink of Hanoi Old Quarter, close to the northwest side of Hoan Kiem Lake, Hang Gai Street is Comprising just 253 meters, this roadway links Hang Dao roadway in the south with Hang Bong Street in the west. It is among other well-known Old Quarter alleys including Hang Hom and Hang Quat, the site of the well-liked Hanoi Night Market.

Directions: From Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, stroll Hang Trong, Hang Hom, or Hang Bong Street to Luong Van Can Street to reach Hang Gai Street. Alternatively from any point in Hanoi, you can pay a cab to this well-known street. You can alternatively catch buses number 01, 02, 08, 09, 14, 31, or 36, get off at Hoan Kiem Lake, then stroll to Hang Gai Street.

History of Hang Gai Street

Street Vendor

Hang Gai Street has a rich past going back to the early years of Hanoi. Originally a busy market, over centuries it developed into a famous hub for silk trading. Though it still has historical value, the street has seen many changes from a conventional trading center to a modern shopping strip.

Hang Gai used to mostly trade rope hammocks and hemp. Serving as a location for trade hemp, the street was also known as “Rue de Chanvre’," which translated to “Street of Hemp Exchangers," during the French colonial era.

The manufacture of hemp and rope hammocks gave place to the silk business and the printing sector around the end of the 19th century.

The Vietnamese printing sector embraced new technology in the 20th century. Many newspapers consider Hang Gai Street Hanoi as the cradle of their field.

Mostly dealing with silk, Hang Gai was acknowledged as one of the biggest business districts in Hanoi in the early twenty-century. As such, it is also known as “Hanoi Silk Street".

Nowadays, this street boasts more than a hundred stores, most of which focus on silk or silk-related goods and services.

What is Hang Gai Street Known For?

Hang Gai Street in Ha Noi

The finest silk goods on Hang Gai Street are what define it. Many stores and boutiques lining the street provide a large selection of silk fabrics, apparel, accessories, and house décor pieces. Celebrated for its brilliant colors and fine workmanship, Hang Gai Street draws customers seeking for real Vietnamese silk goods. Along the route are notable stores and artists who offer guests a distinctive and individual shopping experience.

One of the special qualities of Hang Gai Street is the harmonic mixing of religious structures, stores, and homes among other architectural forms. Together, they produce a classic beauty with traditional and modern aspects.

Another point of interest is practically every house here deals in silk. Though just 253 metres, stores flood both sides of the roadway. After 48 hours, visitors can purchase custom-made goods.

Apart from custom stores, Hang Gai Street boasts other gift stores offering lamps, notebooks, and postcards as well as reputable art galleries including Thang Long Art Gallery and the Green Palm Gallery.

Hang Gai Street is thus considered as one of the busiest retail areas in Hanoi.  

What to Discover on Hang Gai Street

Hang Gai Street

 Visiting this famous street, you should not miss out on several signature Hanoi foods below:

• Hoa qua dam To Tich

•  

Location: No. 17, To Tich Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.

The operating hours: From 9:30 am until 10:30 pm.

Hoa qua dam is a refreshing dessert made by combining several fresh fruits with crushed ice. It comes in a variety of options including strawberry, avocado, grape, longan, lychee, mango, jackfruit, dragon fruit, papaya, guava, and watermelon. Every serving of the mixed fruit beverage at Hoa qua dam To Tich offers a delightful combination of vibrant flavors and visually appealing hues.

• Xoi che Ba Thin

Location: 1 Bat Dan Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Operating hours: 9:30 am – 10:30 pm

Xoi che Ba Thin is a renowned and enduring food stall located in the Old Quarter of Hanoi. During the summer season, it is common for them to offer black bean tea, iced green bean tea, and tofu for sale. In addition, they provide well-liked options such as hot black bean tea, Luc Tao Xa tea, and Chinese soup ball during the winter season.

• Pho ga tron Khanh Beo

Location:  No. 17, Hang Hom Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.

Operating hours: 1:00 PM – 11:30 PM

Pho ga tron Khanh Beo is an essential destination for nocturnal food enthusiasts. A bowl of Pho, brimming with succulent chicken, aromatic broth, and the scent of cinnamon, is sure to gratify connoisseurs.

• Nem chua ran Tam Thuong

Location: No. 36, Tam Thuong Alley, Hang Gai Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Operating hours: 9:00 AM to 11:30 PM

Nem chua run, a deep-fried pork roll that has been fermented, is a delectable delicacy found in Hanoi that is highly recommended for you to sample at least once. Nem chua run Tam Thuong is renowned for its exterior crispness and inside chewiness, resulting in a lingering sensation on the taste buds that lasts throughout the day.

Advice for individuals who are visiting Hang Gai Street for the first time

Hanoi street

• Everybody wants to find a good deal; always negotiate for one. It is so advised that you try negotiating for 50% less than what the store owners have to give.
• Guard against false silk goods: There could be fake Vietnamese traditional silk articles of poor quality. To buy silk, then, you need to choose a famous store.

Along with touring Hang Gai Street, you should also visit many well-known sites in the capital city of Vietnam, including Ta Hien Street, Hang Da Market, Dong Xuan Market, Ba Dinh Square, Bach Ma Temple, Temple of Literature, and particularly VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium for a whole experience in the city.

Among the best and most beautiful aquarium systems available in Vietnam is Vinpearl Aquarium Covering around 4,000 square meters, it is home to more than 30,000 sea life, allowing guests to explore a stunning underwater environment.

VinKE, a contemporary entertainment complex, presents kids with chances to have fun and learn. Your children can play several job simulation games here to learn more about their preferred sectors.Along with several silk products, Hang Gai Street has become more and more popular for visitors—especially those who enjoy shopping—when they tour Hanoi Old Quarter because of the mix of traditional and modern attractiveness. It also reflects the traits of Hanoi, a busy and growing metropolis. If you could visit Hanoi, do not hesitate to explore this beautiful city!

Apart from that, you might think about Hoi An, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and Ha Long on your travel plans. Booking lodging in advance for any location you want to visit can help you to have the finest experience.

It is advised that you reserve a room at the Vinpearl hotel and resort system, a top-rated brand of accomodations with first-class facilities like bars, swimming pools and leisure areas. Found in several of Vietnam’s most popular tourist spots, Vinpearl will most definitely make your trip fun. 

Conclusion

Hang Gai Street presents a special fusion of modern retail with history and culture. Hang Gai Street guarantees a fascinating and fun experience regardless of your interests—history, culture, or smart shopping. Don’t miss the opportunity to discover this famous site and carry a bit of Hanoi’s rich silk legacy home.

Don’t forget to regularly follow our Facebook page and Website for more interesting information about traveling to Hanoi and to book Hanoi tours at the best prices.

All the latest breaking news & travel information on Hanoi travel. Browse The Independent’s complete collection of articles and commentary on Hanoi travel: Hanoi attractions, travel news, gallery, culture, history and tips.