Top 10 Most Popular Local Markets for Shopping in Vietnam

The local market is a unique culture of not only the Vietnamese but also Asian people. There are thousands of local markets now all over Vietnam. So which names are most popular among them?

It is hard to know exactly how many markets in Vietnam. The market was born very early in human history. When people have produced more goods than their needs, they want to bring it to exchange with others to get some other products. For Vietnamese people, from the past generations, the market is not only a place to exchange goods but also a place to show the characteristics of national culture. If you arrive in Vietnam, visit these 10 famous local markets below to discover the unique culture of Vietnam.

1. Dong Xuan Market (Hanoi)

Dong Xuan Market

According to the records, the Dong Xuan market was originally formed before the 1888s. The old position is south of the To Lich River. By about 1889, when the To Lich River and Thai Cuc Lake were filled, the French re-planned and cornered all shops in the vacant area in Dong Xuan ward. There, the famous Dong Xuan market is formed.

For more than 100 years, the market still exists and is associated with many important milestones of the country. Not only is the hustle and bustle of wholesalers, but the market also contains many cultural and spiritual values of Ha Thanh people.

Dong Xuan Market is a place to trade everything. All of the rare products of all localities are here. The product list has outstanding items like cloth, silk, velvet, fresh food. And like all other Vietnamese markets, the Dong Xuan market sells gifts. Dong Xuan Market has its culinary area which sells from snacks to specialty dishes like pho, snail rice noodles, kebab rice noodles, Vietnam spring rolls, traditional salads, Vietnamese pancakes, and so on. At present, the Dong Xuan market is one of the largest markets in the capital which attracts many domestic and foreign tourists.

2. Hanoi walking street night market

Hanoi night market

Hanoi Night Market is located on 3km streets from Hang Dao Street to Dong Xuan Market Gate. From 6 pm to 11 pm every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening, the streets of Hang Ngang, Hang Dao, and Hang Duong are more bustling than ever.

Located among the old streets of Hanoi, this unique market brings together nearly 4,000 booths with a variety of different categories and items. The list of goods includes clothes, toys, souvenirs, handicrafts, food, and so on. The prices of the products here are relatively cheap.

Entering the market, you will be immersed in the space of colors and a lively and bustling atmosphere. In the bright light, the items on sale became more brilliant, which attracted visitors. Especially on the occasion of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Christmas, or Lunar New Year, colorful lanterns will be on display. That beauty at that time made anyone who passed by stop to look.

Visiting the old town night market, you will feel overwhelmed by a prosperous and attractive dining paradise. Walking along the streets, you can freely choose a variety of classic Vietnamese dishes, famous Hanoi snacks, or even Korean cuisine and Asian - European style dishes.

3. Ben Thanh market (Ho Chi Minh city)

Ben Thanh market

Ben Thanh Market is one of the typical locations of Ho Chi Minh City. This place is not only a regular trading market like other markets but also a historical witness to witness all ups and downs. It goes through every war, so it is considered the symbol of the city. If traveling to Saigon without visiting Ben Thanh Market, it is not called a full trip.

When the French arrived in this land, the original market was located along the Ben Nghe river, named Ben Thanh. It’s the meeting place of small businesses selling goods on the street near the Saigon River. By 1911, the French colonial government decided to move the market to its present location. The old Ben Thanh Market, which was started construction in 1912 until the end of March 1914, was completed and operated continuously until now.

Ben Thanh Market is considered the largest retail market. You can find all kinds of goods here (from affordable to high-end), especially food items of selected types. The market has nearly 1450 stalls and 6000 small traders, retailing all kinds of goods (from daily food products to luxury goods). On average, the market receives about 10,000 visitors every day. They crept through the welding booths and saw all kinds of Vietnamese products.

4. Bac Ha market (Lao Cai)

Bac Ha market

Bac Ha fair is one of the largest markets in the North West in general and in Lao Cao in particular. The market is located in the high mountains of Bac Ha district, Lao Cai province, and about 76 km from Lao Cai city. The road to Bac Ha is quite tricky with the meandering bends.

One thing, in particular, is that the Bac Ha market is only held once every Sunday from morning to 2 pm. So there will be a lot of people gathering. The market is famous because it retains its pristine appearance and bears the characteristics of the highland ethnic groups in Vietnam. In the fair sessions in Lao Cai, Bac Ha market was once voted one of the ten most unique fair markets in Southeast Asia.

Bac Ha Market is mainly a gathering place to sell horses and buffaloes on an enormous scale. In addition, there is also a famous dog market with highland precious dog breeds. Another corner of the market is the semi-residential area with many rare bird varieties. Guests coming here will have the opportunity to see many exciting trading activities in this locality.

Join our Bac Ha Market tour here

5. Dong Ba market (Hue)

Dong Ba market

Under Gia Long's time, there was a big market called "Quy Gia Thi" (Market for returnees). The name of the market marked the return of Phu Xuan to the Nguyen army. In 1885, the capital was invaded, Quy Gia market was burned clean. In 1887, King Dong Khanh rebuilt the market and changed its name to Dong Ba.

Dong Ba Market consists of a 3-story building in the center, called "Lau Chuong" and surrounded by rows of houses that make a U-shaped belt. There is a hint that seems a bit strange but very realistic is starting the roadmap to buying Hue specialties by going straight to the 3rd floor and start from there.

You will discover the stalls of clothing first, so you can choose the fabric you like to wear a Hue long dress for yourself or as a gift for your family.

Many people believe that, just by visiting the Dong Ba market in Hue, you can fully experience Hue culture and bring home unique souvenirs in only one afternoon. So, don't skip this exciting destination even if you have little or more time in Hue.

6. Hoi An night market

Hoi An night market

Hoi An night market is about 300m wide with about 50 stalls stretching throughout the Nguyen Hoang route. Goods here are very diverse with a variety of categories: souvenirs, food, decorations, clothes, bags, and so on. Notably, this market is characterized by local characteristics with unique beauty only in this area.

The price at Hoi An night market is quite affordable and suitable for many classes. Shopping here, of course, you also need to bargain. However, people will require a very high price, and you only need to negotiate a few times to be able to buy the item with the most correct or approximate value.

Walk in the night market and stop to enjoy delicious food, chat, and learn more about the culture of the people here are what you should not miss. According to many visitors, when visiting the night market in Hoi An, they are most impressed with the scenery of sparkling lanterns and sophisticated handicraft galleries. Lights are also the most particular handicraft products of Hoi An and are often bought by tourists as souvenirs.

7. Dam market (Nha Trang)

Dam market

Dam Market is also the first market in Nha Trang. Located in the golden position of Nha Trang city center, surrounded by main roads, this place is considered the busiest trading center of this coastal city. The market is designed with a different architectural style, built according to the lotus model with a diameter of 66.5m, consisting of 2 floors of the ground floor and the floor up to 5,270 m2. Its capacity is up to 3,000 people.

Dam Market in Nha Trang has long been famous not only for the locals but also for tourists when visiting here. It has not only beautiful architecture but also various goods. If you are wondering where to buy gifts, the Dam market is the best answer for you.

At the time of the tourist season, the Dam market welcomes more than 1,000 visitors to visit every day. The market is vast and divided into three main areas to help visitors visit and shop more conveniently. These areas include the central square, the left, and the right regions.

The center is a place to sell essential items in daily life, clothes, and toys. Besides, there are hundreds of stalls selling souvenirs, handicraft products with pictures of Nha Trang serving tourists who want to buy gifts for their relatives.

8. Da Lat Market

Da Lat market

Da Lat is a city full of flowers all year round, blooming with a fresh and cold climate, a simple and peaceful life. Therefore, the annual number of tourists to Da Lat is enormous. One of many attractions is the Da Lat market with a variety of items to serve all the needs of tourists.

The area for eating and drinking is the place that always attracts many visitors to enjoy. Market stalls are arranged harmoniously. The food here is diverse and affordable. Also, you can be assured of cleanliness when eating and drinking here. Even when the annual flower festival attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to visit, the price does not fluctuate much.

The unique attraction that makes you want to go to Dalat market is the flower selling area. When walking around the flower stalls here, visitors will be held back by the colorful beauty and fragrance emanating from the flowers. The colors that can be mentioned are yellow sunshine of chrysanthemum; white of lilies, gladiolus, lily, iris; the purple of violets, etc. Stall owners enthusiastically advise on which flowers will be suitable for climates and also guide how to store and transport flowers.

9. Cai Rang Floating Market (Can Tho)

Cai Rang floating market

Cai Rang floating market is one of the three largest floating markets in Can Tho. The unique feature of this famous market is the trading of fruits and specialties of the Mekong Delta region.

Cai Rang floating market starts at about 4 am. A very early time! So you need to go a little early, calculate to be able to arrive at the time when the market is most crowded. It will be still a bit dark at the moment, the sun won’t be yet visible, and the wind on the river will be blowing, so it will make you quite sleepy.

The attraction of the Cai Rang floating market for tourists is to preserve and promote the characteristics of the river and the freshness of the goods here. When you come here, you will find your soul open and more open and at the same time feel the difference of life here. Moreover, you will see the sincerity, simplicity, and hospitality of the people in the South West in general.

10. Duong Dong Night Market (Phu Quoc)

Phu Quoc night market

Phu Quoc Night Market is located in the center of Duong Dong town and is also the center of Phu Quoc island. Phu Quoc Night Market is located along Bach Dang Street and a part of Ly Tu Trong, Nguyen Trai, and Le Loi streets.

The night market spreads along the river with an ample space decorated with sparkling electric lights. Small businesses sell from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Visitors who come here can take a walk around the market and shop as well as enjoy delicious dishes in Phu Quoc cuisine.

Walking a few rounds to visit Phu Quoc night market, visitors will immediately see souvenir shops with a variety of colorful items. Mainly these are handicrafts such as bracelets, combs, and snail shells.

Vietnam is one of the favorite destinations in Southeast Asia. If you plan to come here, don't forget to visit at least one of the famous markets above. It is not only a crowded trading place but also a unique culture of this nation.

(Images source: Internet)