Night markets, a unique and vibrant cultural feature of Vietnam, are not just places for shopping but also fascinating destinations to experience street food and explore local life at night. From bustling big cities to small towns, night markets are always ideal rendezvous points for both locals and tourists. Join “Du lịch khắp thế gian” to discover the most famous night markets in Vietnam, where you can immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere, enjoy countless delicious dishes, and shop for unique souvenirs.
Hanoi Old Quarter Night Market
Located right in the heart of the capital, Hanoi Old Quarter Night Market is a must-visit when you come to Hanoi. The market usually starts operating from 6 PM on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings, stretching from Hang Dao Street to Dong Xuan Market. Here, you will be overwhelmed by the diversity of goods, from clothes, shoes, fashion accessories, handicrafts to souvenirs imbued with Vietnamese culture.
A special highlight of Hanoi Old Quarter Night Market is its rich street food scene. You can easily find famous snacks such as “tao pho” (tofu pudding), fried donuts, “nem chua ran” (fried fermented pork roll), “trung vit lon” (balut), various kinds of sweet soups, and especially pho, “bun oc” (snail noodle soup), “mien ngan” (glass noodles with duck)… Take time to enjoy street food here, and you will feel the distinctive flavors of Hanoi.
Tips for exploring Hanoi Old Quarter Night Market:
- Ideal time: Weekend evenings from 7 PM to 10 PM are the busiest times for the night market.
- Transportation: You can easily walk to the night market if you are in the Old Quarter area. If you are further away, taxis or motorbike taxis are suitable options.
- Shopping: Don’t forget to bargain when shopping, especially for clothes and accessories.
- Food: Try many different street foods, but pay attention to choosing stalls that look hygienic and crowded.
- Personal belongings: Night markets are very crowded, so be careful with your wallet and phone.
Hanoi Old Quarter Night Market sparkling with colorful lights at night
Hoi An Night Market
Hoi An is not only famous for its ancient town shimmering with lanterns during the day but also captivates visitors with its sparkling night market at night. Hoi An Night Market is located on Nguyen Hoang Street, opposite the ancient town, starting from about 5 PM to 11 PM daily. Coming to Hoi An Night Market, you will be attracted by the brilliant space of hundreds of colorful lanterns of all shapes and sizes.
Hoi An Night Market sells a variety of souvenirs such as lanterns, leather goods, handicrafts, clothes, jewelry… In particular, you can find items imbued with Hoi An cultural imprints such as silk, ceramics, and paintings. Hoi An night market cuisine is also very attractive with local specialties such as “cao lau” (Hoi An noodles), “mi quang” (Quang noodles), “banh dap” (crispy pancake), “nem lui” (lemongrass skewers), various kinds of sweet soups, and drinks.
Tips for exploring Hoi An Night Market:
- Ideal time: Evenings from 7 PM to 9 PM are the most bustling and lively times for the night market.
- Transportation: You can easily walk to the night market from Hoi An ancient town.
- Shopping: Lanterns are a typical souvenir of Hoi An, you can buy them as gifts or to decorate your home.
- Food: Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy “cao lau” and “mi quang”, two famous specialties of Hoi An.
- Photography: Hoi An Night Market is an ideal place to take sparkling photos with lanterns.
Brilliant lantern scene at Hoi An Night Market
Ben Thanh Night Market (Ho Chi Minh City)
Ben Thanh Market is not only a symbol of Saigon during the day but also an attractive destination at night with its bustling night market area. Ben Thanh Night Market usually starts operating from 7 PM until late at night, stretching along both sides of the market and in front of the market. Coming here, you will feel the bustling, bustling atmosphere typical of Saigon at night.
Ben Thanh Night Market sells a variety of items from clothes, shoes, bags, souvenirs to handicraft products. In particular, Ben Thanh Night Market is famous for its rich and diverse street food. You can find countless attractive dishes such as “banh trang tron” (mixed rice paper), “goi cuon” (fresh spring rolls), “pha lau” (braised offal), “hu tieu” (pork noodle soup), “bun rieu” (crab noodle soup), grilled dishes, fresh seafood, and various kinds of refreshing drinks.
Tips for exploring Ben Thanh Night Market:
- Ideal time: Evenings from 8 PM to 10 PM are the busiest and most crowded times for the night market.
- Transportation: Taxis, motorbike taxis, or buses are common means of transportation to Ben Thanh Market.
- Shopping: Ben Thanh Night Market is an ideal place to shop for souvenirs, especially handicrafts and local specialties.
- Food: Try Saigon’s specialties such as “banh trang tron”, “goi cuon”, “pha lau”, and grilled seafood.
- Beware of pickpockets: Ben Thanh Night Market is very crowded with tourists, so be careful with your personal belongings.
Ben Thanh Night Market bustling and lively at night
Da Lat Night Market
Da Lat is not only famous for its cool climate and poetic scenery but also attracts tourists with its unique Da Lat Night Market (Hell Market). Da Lat Night Market is located right in the city center, on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, operating from about 6 PM until late at night. Da Lat Night Market brings the typical cool atmosphere of Da Lat, along with countless hot and attractive dishes.
Da Lat Night Market sells woolen items, handicrafts, warm clothes, souvenirs, and Da Lat specialties such as jams, tea, and coffee. Da Lat night market cuisine is a special highlight with famous snacks such as grilled rice paper, grilled spring rolls, hot soy milk, grilled sweet potatoes, grilled corn, grilled skewers, and “lau bo ba toa” (beef hot pot).
Tips for exploring Da Lat Night Market:
- Ideal time: Evenings from 7 PM to 9 PM are the most crowded and warmest times for the night market.
- Transportation: You can easily walk to the night market if you are in the center of Da Lat.
- Shopping: Woolen items and woolen products are typical souvenirs of Da Lat, you can buy them as gifts.
- Food: Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy grilled rice paper and hot soy milk, two must-try snacks when coming to Da Lat night market.
- Keep warm: Da Lat weather at night is quite cold, so dress warmly when going to the night market.
Cool and cozy atmosphere at Da Lat Night Market
Phu Quoc Night Market (Dinh Cau Night Market)
Phu Quoc is not only famous for its blue sea and white sand but also attracts tourists with its bustling Phu Quoc Night Market (Dinh Cau Night Market). Phu Quoc Night Market is located on Vo Thi Sau Street, near Dinh Cau, operating from about 5 PM to 11 PM daily. Coming to Phu Quoc Night Market, you will immerse yourself in the sea atmosphere, enjoy fresh seafood, and shop for seafood specialties.
Phu Quoc Night Market sells fresh and processed seafood, pearls, handicrafts, souvenirs, and Phu Quoc specialties such as fish sauce, pepper, and sim wine. Phu Quoc night market cuisine is famous for grilled seafood, “goi ca trich” (herring salad), “bun quay” (vermicelli noodle soup), “banh canh cha ca” (fish cake soup), and various kinds of refreshing drinks.
Tips for exploring Phu Quoc Night Market:
- Ideal time: Evenings from 7 PM to 9 PM are the busiest times for the night market and when seafood is freshest.
- Transportation: Taxis, motorbike taxis, or motorbikes are common means of transportation to Phu Quoc Night Market.
- Shopping: Pearls and dried seafood are typical souvenirs of Phu Quoc, you can buy them as gifts.
- Food: Enjoy grilled seafood and “goi ca trich”, two must-try specialties when coming to Phu Quoc.
- Bargain: Don’t hesitate to bargain when buying seafood and souvenirs.
Fresh seafood at Phu Quoc Night Market
Conclusion
Vietnamese night markets are not only places for shopping and eating but also places for cultural exchange, clearly reflecting the life and people of Vietnam. Each night market has its own color and flavor, promising to bring visitors unforgettable experiences. Take time to explore and feel the uniqueness of night markets across Vietnam to make your trip more complete and meaningful.