Hang Bong – The tiny street in the crowded city

Located on a small area in Hanoi, Hang Bong Street is always crowded, responding to the general atmosphere of a bustling Hanoi. Being one of 36 typical streets of Hanoi, Hang Bong Street is also known as one of the most attractive destinations in Hanoi that the visitor cannot miss!

Hang Bong has a long history with the administrative boundaries in Tho Xuong district since Le-Nguyen dynasty. In 1914 the French merged it into Deuxième quartier. Today more than half of the street is in Hang Bong Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.

Back to the historical line further, Hang Bong Street passes through the former castle of Trinh Tung Lord, was built in 1595. According to the documentaries, there were three entrances which were the Chinh Nam gate (Ba Trieu street now), Tuyen Vu gate (near Hanoi Post Office), and Dieu Duc Gate (Cua Nam Street). In 1780s, the famous physician Hai Thuong Lan Ong came to heal Trinh Sam Lord and Trinh Can, Trinh Sam lord’s son. He passed through Hang Bong Street. In the book "Thuong kinh ky su" he wrote: "From Khanh Thuy Gate through Quang Minh Temple, then through Dai Hung Gate on the right, go straight ahead more than half a mile to the Chinh Duong Palace"

 During the French colonial period, on Hang Bong Street, there were some tea rooms, printers, bookstores, and newspapers. A tram line was built along the street in 1901 and was replaced by a bus in 1991. From the beginning of the 21st century, there were many eateries, fashion shops, and hotels which made Hang Bong Street one of the most crowded streets in Hanoi.

Hang Bong street is just 932m long bordered with 14 streets which are Hang Gai, Hang Ho, Hang Trong, Hang Manh, Ly Quoc Su, Duong Thanh, Phu Doan, Hang Da, Quan Su, Phung Hung, Tho Nhuom, Cua Nam, Dien Bien Phu, Nguyen Thai Hoc and 3 alleys including Tram Thuong, Hoi Vu, Cam To. The street is also bordered with some bus stops nearby such as Quan Su, Duong Thanh (line 01), Dien Bien Phu (02, 09, 32, 34, 45) and Phung Hung (18, 23).
 

With a length of about 1 km, Hang Bong Street is one of the most beautiful streets of Hanoi which connects with Hang Gai Street and Cua Nam Street. Although Hang Bong is quite small, it is very busy. There are many trading activities with popularly fashion items such as jewelry, gemstone, gold, silver, clothes of all kinds, etc.

Previously, Hang Bong Street was also a bustling business street of Hanoi, but the main products produced and traded here were shoes and bedclothes. In the past, Hang Bong Street include some short street, the most famous streets were Hang Hai and Hang Bong Dem. These two streets were famous for unique footwear and bedclothes products. Not only because of the quality, but also their street attracted so many people because of extremely elegant designs, eye-catching color.

Hang Bong Street is also famous for its streets. In spite of being less than 1km long, Hang Bong has some famous temples consisting of Phuc Hau temple on 2 Hang Bong st (worshiping the master of mirror making); Yen Thai Temple in the alley Tam Thuong (worshiping Nguyen Phi Y Lan - imperial concubine of Lý Thánh Tông); Luong Ngoc Temple at 68 Hang Bong, Kim Hoi Temple (Quy Long Temple) at the corner of Quan Su Street (built by cotton traders at 95 Hang Bong Lane for worshiping Tran Hung Dao). And last but not least it is Thien Tien Temple at address 120, worshiping Ly Thuong Kiet, one of the greatest general of our nation.
 

Associated with fried “nem chua” (fermented pork roll) in Hanoi, Hang Bong is also the gathering place of the students every afternoon and late night. The corner of the street perfumes the smell of fried “nem chua”. From there you can hear the laughter making up the bustling atmosphere of this street. Previously, Hang Bong was also a cultural and artistic exchange place of famous artisans.

Although Hang Bong Street has existed for many years, it still saves the mark of the Hanoi in the old day with the small houses, the busy weekends, the old chess players, drinking tea and telling the old stories about Hanoi in the 60 - 70s.

It is a tiny street in Hanoi, but the sale or the value stored on Hang Bong Street is not small at all and travelers love walking a long this street during their excursion in Hanoi !