Ha Dong District in Hanoi

Van Phuc Silk Village, Ha Dong, Hanoi

Ha Dong District in Hanoi, whose name literally means “East of the river”, lies between Day River and Nhue River - a land of rich cultural traditions. It’s famous for many handicraft villages, including the famed Van Phuc Silk Village, yet it’s also one of Hanoi’s districts with the fastest socio-economic development rate. Scroll down below for your ultimate guide to Ha Dong District in Hanoi!

What’s in this blog

• Ha Dong District in Hanoi
• Introduction
• How to Get to Here?
• Things to Do
• What to Eat?
• Where to Stay?
• Conclusion

Introduction to Ha Dong District in Hanoi

• Location: Southwest Hanoi; adjacent to Thanh Tri District (East), Thanh Xuan District (Northeast), Nam Tu Liem District (North), Hoai Duc District and Quoc Oai District (West), Chuong My District (Southwest), and Thanh Oai District (South)
• Total area: 49.64 square kilometers
• Established on May 8th, 2009
• Has 17 wards: Bien Giang, Duong Noi, Dong Mai, Ha Cau, Kien Hung, Mo Lao, Nguyen Trai, Phu La, Phu Lam, Phu Luong, Phuc La, Quang Trung, Tran Phu, Van Phuc, Van Quan, Yen Nghia, and Yet Kieu
• It is the gateway of Hanoi to Hoa Binh Province, Son La Province, and Dien Bien Province.
• It is the second-most populous district in Hanoi, after Hoang Mai District.

Map of Ha Dong District in Hanoi

How to Get to Ha Dong District in Hanoi

Start from the Old Quarter, the two most convenient way to get to Ha Dong District are:

• Bus: The easiest route is to hop on bus number 1 or number 2 and get off at Yen Nghia Bus Station in Ha Dong District. Check out our blog on Taking a Bus in Hanoi for detailed instructions.
• Motorbike taxi/Taxi: This option allows you to experience the spiderwebbing traffic of Vietnam without the stress of handling an actual vehicle in this foreign environment. All you need is a ride-hailing app and some tips on taking motorbike taxis in Vietnam.

Things to Do in Ha Dong District in Hanoi

Ha Dong District is rich in culture so there are plenty of things to explore, especially for history buffs. There are over 200 historical-cultural relics and 47 traditional festivals, making Ha Dong District a good destination for a weekend outing. Here are our recommendations:

Visit Van Phuc Silk Village

Google Maps location

The craftsmanship of silk-making has been passed down through generations for over a thousand years at Van Phuc Silk Village. Van Phuc’s silk is so fine and durable that in 1931 on its first international appearance at the Marseille fair, it was praised by the French as the most intricate product of the Indochina region. 

Fast forward till now, Van Phuc villagers still pride themselves in producing some of Vietnam’s highest-quality silk. Some activities that you should experience here are: learning the traditional way of weaving, shopping for souvenirs from silk, and taking pictures.

You don’t have to go to Portugal to see the umbrella street. Just go to Ha Dong instead!

Silk's a great souvenir to buy from Vietnam

Pray at Bia Ba Shrine for Good Luck

Google Maps location

Bia Ba Shrine (or La Khe Shrine) in Ha Dong District in Hanoi is a place of worship that’s famed for its holiness. People who wish for help from deities in their businesses often come here to pray and pay their respects. So even though the architecture isn’t so spectacular, you can always come here to witness the spiritual life of Vietnamese people.

People visit Bia Ba Shrine every New Year to pray for good fortune and money

Practice Bargaining at Ha Dong Market

Google Maps location

Ha Dong Market is a fairly new market that has a good stock of everything, mostly daily necessities. You can easily find a wide range of Vietnamese products here to bring home, but don't forget to bargain. However, if you’re reluctant to hassle then the newly constructed AEON Mall Ha Dong is going to be your better choice. 

Ha Dong Market is the biggest market in Western Hanoi

What to Eat in Ha Dong District in Hanoi

Trau Ngon Quan - Buffalo Meat

Address: 102 To Huu Street, An Hung Urban Area, Ha Dong District, Hanoi
Opening hours: 9 AM - 10 PM
Price: VND 30,000 - VND 300,000

Buffalo meat's beef with a chewier texture

Yes, this sounds bizarre but in Vietnam, buffalo's used to make many delicious kinds of food. Come to Trau Ngon Quan and taste it for yourself! The restaurant prides itself on naturally raised buffalos which are the secret behind their fame.

Giang Beo - Bun Dau Mam Tom

Address: 18A Alley 3, Ao Sen Street, Ha Dong District, Hanoi
Opening hours: 9 AM - 9 PM
Price: VND 25,000 - VND 40,000

Bun Dau Mam Tom is Hanoi’s all-time favorite

Get your brave face on as you’ll get to taste one of the smelliest eats in Vietnam - Mam Tom or fermented shrimp paste. It’s a key ingredient in Bun Dau Mam Tom, rice vermicelli served with fried tofu, Mam Tom, and sometimes boiled pork or fried patties. Once you’ve overcome the pungent scent, the combination of soft and crunchy ingredients will make you eat nonstop.

Nem Nuong Mo Lao - Grilled Ground Pork

Address: 54 Alley 140, Tran Phu Street, Ha Dong District, Hanoi
Opening hours: 6 PM - 11 PM
Price: VND 45,000 - VND 50,000

Besides Nem Nuong, the restaurant also serves various drinking snacks

If you’re craving for something BBQ then here’s the most crowded Nem Nuong restaurant in Ha Dong District in Hanoi. Nem Nuong is grilled spiced ground pork. It’s served with various fresh herbs and a sweet and spicy sauce that’ll guarantee a fun drinking party!

Khanh Van - Bun Cha

Address: 8 Tran Phu Street, Ha Dong District, Hanoi
Opening hours: 10 AM - 9 PM
Price: VND 20,000 - VND 45,000

Bun Cha is a simple, cheap, yet sensational creation of Vietnam

Khanh Van is one of the go-to places for an affordable yet flavorful bowl of Bun Cha in Hanoi. A serving includes rice vermicelli, aromatic herbs, and a broth of fish sauce, pickled papaya slices, and grilled pork. Though simple, ingredients work well together to create an explosion of savor and sweetness.

Where to Stay in Ha Dong District in Hanoi

Muong Thanh Grand Xa La

Address: 66 Phuc La Street, Ha Dong District, Hanoi

Muong Thanh’s a brand known for its impeccable service and hospitality (Check price and availability)

You can never go wrong with such a trustworthy hotel brand. Muong Thanh Grand Xa La has all the amenities that one needs for a comfortable stay: convenient location, full room service, fitness facilities, and an outdoor pool.

Green Hadong Hotel

Address: 1 Lane 36, Le Trong Tan Street, Ha Dong District, Hanoi

Green Hadong locates right in the heart of the district (Check price and availability)

Amiable staff, spotlessly clean rooms, and a delicious free breakfast are what you’ll certainly get at Green Hadong Hotel. Furthermore, the hotel’s 24-hour room service and recreational offerings will surely entertain you during your days here.

Conclusion on Ha Dong District in Hanoi

Ha Dong District in Hanoi has more to offer than just Van Phuc Silk Village. So when you have spare time on hand, we hope that this guide will be helpful to you in exploring this lesser-known part of the city. Don’t forget to rate this blog to let us know what you think!
If you’re interested in getting to know Hanoi more, see our comprehensive guides on districts in Hanoi and Vietnam Travel!

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