9 Night Markets in Vietnam for the Best Local Shopping Experience

Not only do the night markets in Vietnam display a diverse range of products and food but let the visitors experience Vietnamese culture as well. In cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City travellers can shop handicrafts, souvenirs, flowers or something to eat at affordable to cheap prices with their skill of bargaining. Apart from shopaholics, these night markets are an excellent place for strolling and clicking photographs of the vibrant and exotic atmosphere.

Here are the most well-known night markets in Vietnam -

1. Night market in Hanoi Old Quarter

Opening Hours: Friday to Sunday from 18:00 - 24:00
Address: Hang Dao Street, Old Quarter, Hanoi Kiem, Hanoi

Hanoi Weekend Night Market widely known as Old Quarter Night Market, is one of the spectacular markets to visit when travelling in Vietnam city, Hanoi. The market reflects the beautiful culture of Vietnam. After enjoying the evening view of Hoan Kiem Lake, one can visit here by foot for a stroll of 3 km stretched market, starting from Hang Dao Street towards the edge of Dong Xuan Market. Automobiles are restricted in the area during the opening hours, allowing pedestrians a hassle-free walk.

What to Buy: Old Quarter Night Market is famous for souvenirs (3D pop-up cards) and food. Pho (Special Vermicelli Soup), Banh Mi (Special Sandwich) and Bun Cha (rice noodles and grilled pork) are the must-try Vietnamese dishes. Vendors sell handicrafts, accessories, clothes etc. at low prices, so you can expect around to get around 70% of reduction on the prices with some bargaining.

Speciality: The market is not just for shopping but is visited by a crowd to enjoy the musical nights on Saturdays. Tourists get to delve into Folk art and traditional music of Vietnam and can enjoy the Water Puppet Show along with their kids. 

2. Quang Ba Flower Market

Opening Hours: Daily from 23:00 - 5:00
Address: Au Co Street, Tay Ho, Hanoi

Quang Ba Flower Market is a 24 hour market in district Tay Ho, Hanoi. The market is near Hanoi Weekend Night Market and is at its best from 2 am to 5 am as wholesalers arrive here to pick up freshly delivered flowers. The flowers are the products of horticulture practised by local villages- Da Lat, Tay Tuu, Dong Anh and others.

What to Buy: Flowers. The market is full of flowers, arrays displaying various species of decorative flowers. French Rose, Da Lat Rose, Purple statice, Dendrobium orchid are some of the species sold here that can make your tour joyful. One can buy seasonal flowers (Petunia, hydrangeas, apricot blossom in Spring to chrysanthemum fall, begonia flower in Autumn) from Quang Ba Market at low prices.

Speciality: The market is lively on occasions like Annual Tet Festival, February 14, March 18. The market is a perfect go-to place for an energetic morning or rejuvenating dawn with a camera in hand.

3. Bai Chay Market, Halong Bay

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 16:00 - 24:00
Address: Bai Chay Market, Halong Bay, Vietnam

Halong Night Market or Bai Chay Market located near Bai Chay Beach is a place to go after a swim or stroll at the beach. After enjoying the sunset and grabbing some seafood, travellers can head for shopping souvenirs for their family and friends.

What to Buy: The market is full of accessories, jewellery and handicrafts, buy something for the memory of the beach. Bags, souvenirs, swimsuits, jewellery made from seashells, decorative stationery, toys are the best buys.

4. Hoi An Night Market

Opening Hours: 17:00 to 22:00 
Address: Nguyen Hoang Street, Hoi An

The most attractive market of Vietnam at nights is Hoi An market, Hoi An meaning ‘peaceful meeting place’. This is a must-visit spot not just for shopaholics but every traveller to appreciate the spellbinding beauty of Thu Ban River. Best time for Hoi An market is evening, for lantern lighting while boating under the shade of stars. The busiest hours are from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.

What to Buy: The market’s must-buy product is the paper lantern. While walking down this 300m long market one can easily get fresh packed food, snacks, spices. Silk products, traditional apparel and souvenirs like hand fans, keychains are sold at reasonably low prices by most vendors.

Speciality: Hoi An Lantern Full Moon Festival is a major celebration here taking place after every full moon cycle. Riverfront is crowded and cheerful with people exchanging flowers and lighting lanterns for good fortune.

5. Ky Lua night market in Lang Son

Ky Lua Market in Lang Son, a city in North of Vietnam, is special because of its operating time which is six times in a lunar month (on 2nd, 7th, 12th, 17th, 22nd, 27th of the lunar month). 

What to Buy: Tourists get to enjoy the food of the mountainous region of Lang Son. This local market sells daily needs products, bonsai, seedlings, fabrics.

Speciality: Ta Phu, Chinh Cai House are the places travellers must not ignore.

6. Nha Trang Night Market

Opening Hours: 18:00 to 24:00
Address: 78 Tue Tinh, Loc Tho, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province

The central market is divided into 4 sub-parts:

i) Walking street and night market – 46 Tran Phu Street
ii) Nha Trang market – Tue Tinh street, Tran Quang Khai Street
iii) Yasaka 9 market – Tran Phu Street
iv) Tropicana shopping – Hai Yen hotel

When locales talk about Nha Trang Night Market they refer to the largest one- Walking Street and Night Market at 46 Tran Phu Street. The busiest hours begin from 7 pm. The market is tidy and well maintained.

What to Buy: Nha Trang Market offers a wide range of handicrafts, garments and jewellery however ceramics and pottery, embroidered items are sold at comparatively cheap prices. Foods like salangane nests, aloeswood, dried seafood are a must-try.

Speciality: As Nha Trang is a coastal region, tourists can enjoy a walk on the beach and stop at various bars and cafes. The traditional food of Vietnam- Banh Can is served here which is a mini pancake made with herbs, rice flour, eggs and shrimp.

7. Ben Thanh Night Market

Opening Hours: Daily from 6:00 to 22:00
Address: Le Loi street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Ben Thanh is one of the oldest markets of Vietnam developed in Ho Chi Minh City back in the 17th century near Saigon River, now at the centre of the city. Although the market sets up in morning yet the vibrant nightlife is a must-see. Street stalls are decorated on two sides of Phan Boi Chau Street and Pham Chu Trinh street.

What to Buy: Ben Thanh is famous for food at the night market. Food explorers should visit the stalls to experience live-kitchen. Apart from eating kinds of seafood, one can buy many versions of coffee beans. 

8. Ho Thi Ky Flower Market

Opening Hours: All Day
Address: Alley 52, Ho Thi Ky, Ward 1, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city of Vietnam where Ho Thi Ky serves as the largest flower market. When visiting Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, one must not miss the chance of assimilating the mornings being amongst the flowers. Ho Thi Ky is a wholesale flower market opened 24x7 but is busiest after 2 am. Since it is a flower market, the ground is often wet so try to visit the market on foot.

What to Buy: There is a wide range of flowers (brought from DaLat, Mekong Delta and other parts of Vietnam) available in Ho Thi Ky Flower Market. The common to uncommon species of flowers are sold at low prices here.

Speciality: Apart from flowers, the market also offers Cambodian special food in Cambodian Market. ‘Che CoCo’ is a stall which runs for over 40 years by a woman whose must-try dish is ‘Che thap cam’ (all the things in one bowl). Visitors can enjoy other foods like dry fish, red beans, sticky rice.

9. Am Phu Night Market in Da Lat

Opening Hours: 12 hours from 6 – 7 pm to 6 – 7 am 
Address: Am Phu Night Market, Da Lat

The history behind Am Phu (meaning Hades) market’s name is its dark nights back in time when electricity was unavailable in the region. This market in Da Lat (South city of Vietnam) holds a bustling atmosphere. The vendors sell products across the street.

What to Buy: Souvenirs, clothes, food are some common products here. Since there is not much to buy from this night market, travellers should not miss tasting ‘Banh Trang Nuong’, a grilled rice paper cake also known as Vietnamese Pizza.  In the list of warm foods served here, Artichoke Tea with homemade cookies or cakes makes a delicious combo.

Speciality: This is the market to go if you want to purchase garments, outfits as they are sold at reasonable prices here.

Tips While Visiting the Night Markets in Vietnam

• Take care of your possessions well.
• When purchasing, do not forget to bargain the maximum you can.
• If you know a local person, go to these markets along with them as they will help you with communication.