Hang Gai Street in Hanoi: where to buy silk and have an ao dai tailor-made
Hang Gai ("Silk Street") is the silk artery of the Old Quarter, a few minutes' walk from Hoan Kiem Lake. It has silk, embroidery and clothing shops and tailors who make a custom ao dai or shirt in one to two days according to guides. Budget about $40 to $150 for a made-to-measure ao dai in real silk (an unofficial range from tailoring guides); a scarf costs far less. Prices are negotiable in small shops, not in fixed-price houses. To buy with confidence: ask for "100% silk", touch the fabric (real silk warms quickly against the skin, synthetic stays cool) and compare two or three shops before ordering. See also: the Old Quarter, Van Phuc silk village and souvenirs to bring home.
Highlights
The silk street
A busy street of narrow tube houses whose ground floors hold silk, clothing and embroidery shops. Walk it in the morning, when traffic is lighter.
Old Quarter houses
Shop signs follow one another over a few hundred metres; this is the place to compare fabrics and prices before choosing a tailor.
Addresses named by guides
Khaisilk (113 Hang Gai, a fixed-price house), Tan My Design (61), Indochina Silk (65) and Le Minh Silk (79-111). These addresses come from guides and were not re-checked on site: make sure they are still open.
Made-to-measure
A tailor takes your measurements, you pick the fabric and come back for one or two fittings. Allow at least 24 to 48 hours, more for an embroidered ao dai.
Practical info
Tips
- Give your departure date at the first visit to fix the deadline. Ask for the total price (fabric and labour) in writing before paying a deposit, and keep your receipt. A ready-to-wear ao dai in a big house can cost far more than a custom one from a small tailor. Beware of "bargain" silk: many cheap scarves are synthetic. If you want to see weaving, Van Phuc village, about 10 km from the centre, makes a half-day trip.
How to get there
Hang Gai Street, Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi. About 5 to 10 minutes on foot from the north shore of Hoan Kiem Lake (the street starts at Hang Bong Street). No metro: walk or take a Grab.
Opening hours
Our guides that feature it
Nearby
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