Hang Dong - Street of Bronze

Hang Dong Street is associated with the trading of copper and a few families on this small street still retain their grandparents’ traditional craft of carving copper. In other words, Hang Dong is a rare street in town that helps the Capital keeps its thousand-year characteristic alive.

In the past days, Hang Dong (Hang Bo Ward, Hoan Kiem district) was settled by people coming from Dai Bai village, Gia Binh district, Bac Ninh province, people selling bronze stuff from Cau Nom village of Hung Yen, and people from other regions. In the French colonial times, Hang Dong street and Bat Su Street was merged into one, whose name was Rue des Tasses (Street of Grail). 

Later, they were separated with most of the bronze stores concentrating at the end of the street. According to the elderly in the neighborhood, Hang Dong street was always in its busy mode as the only place in town to provide trays, pans, pots, pans and everything else made of copper. At first, crafters produced items for daily living and then they developed more sophisticated items like decorative objects, flower vase, incense holder, antique things. The products of crafters was not only sold to people of Thang Long and other provinces but also exported beyond the country’s border.

To go a bit off topic, Hang Dong street is also famous for having a stall of delicious beef noodle- a favorite destination for gourmet at house numbered 48. Drop by the small old street and feel the essence of the Old Quarter.