Hang Bac (Silver Street)

Hang Bac, or Silver Street, is the traditional silversmithing street of the Old Quarter in Hanoi, Vietnam, located two blocks north of Hoan Kiem Lake in Hoan Kiem District. Silver casters from Chau Khe village were summoned to the capital in the 15th century to run the royal mint, and the craft has continued on the street since. Workshops still cut, solder and polish at street-front benches, and shops sell rings, bracelets, pendants, earrings and traditional bridal jewellery. Jade and gemstone dealers share the street with gold shops, some of which double as informal currency exchanges. The specialism separates it from general souvenir shopping: buyers are choosing metalwork made or finished locally, often to order, rather than imported trinkets. Vendor quality varies, and authenticity is the main concern. Genuine sterling silver is typically stamped 925, but plated or alloy pieces are common, and buyers should ask for the silver content and test with a magnet or a small silver-testing kit. Jade and gemstones are frequently treated or imitated, so expensive stones warrant a certificate or a second opinion. Bargaining is customary for silver sold by weight and for gemstones, and a discount of 10 to 30 percent from the first quote is realistic. Cash in dong is preferred, though larger shops accept cards. Tax refunds apply only at registered retailers that issue VAT invoices, which are uncommon at small workshops. The atmosphere is quieter than the market streets, with shopkeepers at benches and a steady stream of local buyers for gold and wedding jewellery. Food and drink are available at cafes and street stalls on the neighbouring lanes. The most interesting corners are the small workshops where craftsmen can be seen working, and shops that will resize or engrave a piece while the buyer waits. Silver jewellery typically costs 300,000 to 3,000,000 VND.