Night markets in Vietnam are the ideal places for those who want to explore the daily life of local residents. While day markets are more commercially oriented, night markets are objectively organized to serve tourism purposes, such as leisure walks, street food tasting, and local souvenir shopping. Joining any night market in Vietnam, visitors can expect exotic, vibrant and lively scenery.
Now it’s time to take a look at our list of best night markets in Vietnam from North to South to discover the living and unique culture of the Vietnamese.
1. Sapa Night Market
Every weekend, tourists coming to the Sapa Night Market will be impressed by the bright colors of numerous sales stalls set up by the H’Mong and Red Dao – two of Sapa’s many ethnic groups.
The main products found in the Sapa night market are handicrafts representing different ethnic cultures. These are brocade fabrics, goatskin drums, pan flutes, flutes and meticulously crafted silver-plated copper products.
“Barbeque Street”, located next to the night market, offers a variety of exotic local dishes grilled over hot charcoal. Barbecue heaven offers grilled pork skewers, grilled bacon, quail eggs, chicken wings and feet, grilled beef wrapped in kale, sliced beef with mushrooms and salmon sausage. It’s an amazing experience to taste these delicious hot barbecue grills in the cold nights of Sapa.
Location : N1 Street, near Sapa Cultural Market, easily accessible from Sapa Stone Church.
Schedules : 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. on weekends (Friday, Saturday, Sunday).
2. Hanoi Old Quarter Weekend Night Market
Every weekend evening, the space between Hang Dao Street (opposite Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square) and the Dong Xuan market is blocked to vehicles, which creates a long pedestrian route of almost 3 km.
In the center of these pedestrian streets, local vendors set up a line of tents to display their sales products. There are nearly 4,000 stalls with a variety of categories and items ranging from clothing, toys, souvenirs to crafts, fine arts, food and more.
These objects are displayed under bright lights, which makes them more sparkling and attracts more attention from visitors.
It would be a waste if we didn’t mention the local cuisine in Hanoi. Being in the night market in Hanoi Old Quarter, tourists can choose many dishes ranging from pure Vietnamese to popular Korean or Asian dishes. Due to limited spaces in this densely populated residential area, almost street food stalls offer takeaway services so that tourists can easily purchase these snacks to take away.
Often, on Saturday evenings, shows or demonstrations of different works of art are organized, which makes the atmosphere around the night market more relaxing and lively. These may include traditional folk arts such as Cheo, Ca Tru, Hat Xam, Quan Ho; or modern music shows attract thousands of visitors to the old quarter of Hanoi.
Location : from Hang Dao Street to Dong Xuan Market, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.
Schedules : from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends (Friday, Saturday, Sunday).
3. Halong Night Market
Located near Bai Chay Beach, close to the old ferry terminal; Halong Night Market is a must-visit place to buy souvenirs in Halong City.
It opens from 6 p.m. until late at night. The market area with more than a hundred stalls is divided into two floors. The first floor is the space for gifts, postcards, souvenirs. On the second floor, tourists can find many Halong specialties such as coffee, cashew nuts, cakes and dried seafood.
Sellers in this market may overprice products, so tourists should try to haggle for better prices. It is also a fun experience to bargain and get good deals on the product. Additionally, many vendors sell food, providing the opportunity to sample local cuisine while shopping alongside Halong locals.
Location : near Bai Chay beach, near the old ferry terminal.
Hours of operation : Every day from 6 p.m. to 12 p.m.
4. Hoi An Night Market
Hoi An Night Market is located along Nguyen Hoang Street, stretching about 300m wide with around 50 stalls. By visiting this night market, tourists can see a variety of local delicacies such as clay pots and pottery products from the Thanh Ha pottery village, beautiful clothing and silk products, jewelry and accessories and colorful lanterns.
Sparkling lanterns and elaborate craft galleries create a stunning atmosphere only found in Hoi An Night Market.
If tourists feel tired of wandering around the market, they can stop at small street food stalls to taste tasty local dishes, such as fried pancakes (banh xeo), Vietnamese baguette (banh mi) , central style noddles (mi Quang).
If you’re looking for a good meal, there are restaurants nearby with upstairs terraces, which offer stunning views of the Hoi An night market and the Thu Bon River.
Place : Nguyen Hoang Street, Hoian Ancient Town.
Hours of operation : Every day from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
5. Dalat Night Market
The Dalat night market has the local name “Chợ Âm Phủ” (Hell’s Market in French). This special name comes from the times when there was no lighting system in this area. Therefore, late night street vendors who gathered along the stairs from Hoa Binh area to Dalat Market had to do their work in the dark night.
Contrary to its horror name, Am Phu Night Market today brings an extremely lively atmosphere and becomes a must-visit place in the city. Coming here from 6 p.m., visitors can see plenty of items ranging from clothes, fabrics, souvenirs to countless delicious late-night dishes to relish.
At the Dalat night market, tourists can find many local specialties to take home, such as: dried and candied fruits, strawberry jams, coffee, green tea and artichoke, local wine, orchids, strawberries, avocados.
Known as a central highland town with cool weather all year round, nighttime is the perfect time for sweater-clad tourists looking for hot foodies.
Local food stalls offer a wide choice on the menu: hot tea with soy milk and artichoke, sweet tofu with ginger sauce, boiled corn, grilled sweet potatoes, grilled squid, skewers, chicken wings, drumsticks grilled chicken and grilled rice paper – locally known as “Vietnamese style pizza”.
Simply mingle in the crowd by pulling out any available plastic chair to enjoy simple but delicious delights, regardless of the strangers around you.
Location : The main axis of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Dalat.
Hours of operation : Every day from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. to midnight.
6. Ben Thanh Night Market, Ho Chi Minh City
Ben Thanh Market has long been a symbol of Ho Chi Minh City as it stands parallel to the city’s history. If tourists do not have enough time to visit the Ben Thanh market during the day, just try to stroll along this market at night. Ben Thanh Night Market can be described as the miniature Saigon, where tourists can fully experience the local life and culinary culture.
From 6 p.m., two streets at the west and east gates of Ben Thanh Market are closed to transportation. Night vendors set up their tents and display the sales items in the most attractive way to attract as much attention from tourists as possible. While strolling through the market, visitors can see a wide range of items for purchase, such as clothing, handbags and handmade souvenirs.
For some people, they come not to Ben Thanh Night Market to buy and sell but sometimes to immerse themselves in the bustling, crowded ambience on the bustling streets of this modern metropolis.
In addition, tourists come to Ben Thanh Night Market because they want to taste mouth-watering local dishes at the night food courts around the perimeter of the market. These food courts create a lively street scene filling the air with the scent of wok-fried noodles, grilled fish and meat. The most attractive thing about eating at Ben Thanh Night Market is that tourists can watch the chef cooking in front of them, which can awaken all their senses when enjoying the food.
Location: East Gate (Phan Boi Chau Street) and West Gate (Phan Chu Trinh Street) of Ben Thanh Market, Ho Chi Minh City.
Opening Hours: Daily from 18:00 to 00:00.
7. Tay Do Night Market, Can Tho
Tay Do Night Market is organized on the basis of Can Tho Market. Visiting Tay Do Night Market, tourists will feel the harmonious combination of southern-style architecture and the surrounding landscapes.
The market is divided into well-organized sales booths and spacious aisles to allow visitors to travel and easily access their favorite products. The typical products sold in this market are extremely diverse, from fresh fruits to dried seafood, clothing and handicrafts.
This market is truly a paradise for snack food lovers in Can Tho. On site, tourists can find a wide variety of fresh fruits such as jackfruit, durian, mango and coconut. In addition to tropical fruits, visitors can try other local specialties and other Asian delicacies.
If tourists do not have much time in the Mekong Delta, it is highly recommended for them to stroll through the Tay Do night market as it is considered the miniature Mekong Delta with the rustic and simple living conditions of the inhabitants downstream of the famous Mekong River.
Place: Can Tho Market – Phan Boi Chau Street – Phan Chu Trinh Street, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho.
Hours of operation : Every day from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
8. Phu Quoc Night Market
Located right next to the romantic Duong Dong River and close to Dinh Cau Temple, the Phu Quoc night market is currently a popular nightlife spot for locals and foreign tourists.
From 4 p.m., Bach Dang Street and parts of Ly Tu Trong – Nguyen Trai – Le Loi Streets are closed to provide a pedestrian atmosphere for all travelers. There are many handicrafts, chains, bracelets, rings… made from pearls or natural stones found on this island.
Besides picking out local souvenirs for friends and family back home, tourists hang around this night market to look for fresh seafood at reasonable rates. Tourists will find hundreds of seafood stalls here. Sea creatures are kept alive in separate glass banks with eye-catching display styles. The chosen seafood will be prepared and cooked in front of culinary clients.
Tourists are welcome to stay in accommodation near Bach Dang Night Market to enjoy the nightlife of Phu Quoc Island at their convenience.
Location : Bach Dang Street and parts of Ly Tu Trong – Nguyen Trai – Le Loi Streets.
Hours of operation : Every day from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
