If you are planning to visit Hanoi, Vietnam, you should not miss the opportunity to explore Dong Xuan Market, the largest and oldest market in the city. Here is a guide to help you as an Indian tourist to make the most experience of your visit:
History of Dong Xuan Market
Dong Xuan Market is a famous historic market in Hanoi, Vietnam. It was originally built by the French in 1889. The market has gone through several renovations and expansions in 1990 and 1995. Today the market area has reached 14,000 m2 with about 2,000 stalls and has become one of the largest indoor markets in Hanoi.
Location
Dong Xuan Market is a market located in Hanoi’s Old Quarter area, Dong Xuan Ward, Hoan Kiem District. The market is only about 800 meters from Hoan Kiem Lake, quite close to Hang Ma Street and Long Bien Station.
Opening Time
Day market: Dong Xuan Market is open every day of the week from 06:00 AM to 06:00 PM. The day market is where you can find fresh produce, seafood, meat, spices, flowers and more. You can also see how the locals bargain and trade with each other.
Night market: Dong Xuan night market is open from Friday to Sunday, from 06:00 to 10:30 PM. It is a pedestrian-only street that stretches from Dong Xuan Market to Hang Dao Street. The night market sells clothes, accessories, souvenirs, handicrafts and street food. You can also enjoy live music, cultural performances and games at the night market.
How to Get There
There are many ways to get to Dong Xuan Market, depending on your budget and preference.
- Walking: If you stay right in the heart of Hanoi Old Quarter, walking would be the best option. You can travel to Dong Xuan Market on foot in just about 10 minutes.
- By Bike: You can rent a bike from many shops in the Old Quarter for about 2 USD per day. Biking is a fun way to explore the city and avoid traffic jams.
- By Taxi: You can take a taxi from anywhere in Hanoi to Dong Xuan Market. The taxi fare depends on the distance and traffic, but it should be around 2.5-4 USD from the city center.
- By Grab: You can use the Grab app to book a car or motorbike ride to Dong Xuan Market. The Grab fare is similar to the taxi fare, but you can pay by cash or card.
- By Bus: You can catch bus routes with stops near the market, such as route No. 01, 04, 08. In addition, trips No. 03, No. 11, No. 18, No. 22, No. 23, No. 31, No. 34 and No. 40 all have suitable routes. The bus fare is 0.3 USD per person.
>> Read more: 9 Best Markets in Hanoi For Indian Visitors
What to Buy
Dong Xuan Market is a wholesale market mainly for traders from all northern provinces. However, walking around the market, you can still buy goods at retail stalls. The market is divided into 3 floors with a full range of essential items, including:
- The ground floor: goods ranging from clothes, shoes, and accessories, to electronics.
- The 2nd floor: a wholesale and retail area for adult clothing and fabrics.
- The 3rd floor: mainly for babies’ stuff
- Behind the market: Shops selling pet birds and pets
If you are still wondering what thing to buy at Dong Xuan Market, here are some of the items that you can buy as gifts for your Indian friends:
- Silk scarves: These are beautiful and colourful scarves made of silk. They come in various patterns and sizes. You can buy them for about 5 USD each.
- Coffee: Vietnam is famous for its coffee culture and quality. You can buy some ground coffee or beans from Dong Xuan Market for about 8 USD per kilogram.
- Lacquerware: These are traditional Vietnamese handicrafts made of wood and lacquer. They include bowls, plates, trays, boxes and more. They come in various colours and designs. You can buy them for about 3 USD each.
What to Eat
Not only is it the busiest trading area in Hanoi, Dong Xuan market food is also known as the capital’s culinary paradise. Coming to this famous market, you will have the opportunity to enjoy many delicious dishes in various food stalls, from sweet to salty dishes, each with a very unique flavour.
Co Am Banh Tom (Shrimp Cake) – Dong Xuan Alley
- Opening hours: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM
- Price: About $0.4 – $2
Huyen Anh Chao Suon (Pork Rib Rice Porridge) – Dong Xuan Alley
- Opening hours: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM
- Price: About $1 – $2
Bun Oc Thuy (Snail noodle soup) – Dong Xuan Alley
- Opening hours: 08:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Price: About $1.5 – $2.2
There are many other delicious foods such as pho (noodle soup), bun cha (grilled pork with noodles), banh mi (sandwich), banh cuon (steamed rice rolls), and che (sweet soup) at reasonable prices.
Travel Tips
Here are some tips to make your experience in Dong Xuan market more memorable:
- Go early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the crowds and the heat.
- Be respectful of the culture and customs of the market.
- Be careful of your belongings and watch out for pickpockets.
- Bargain hard but politely for the best prices.
- Learn some basic Vietnamese phrases to communicate with the vendors and locals. For example, “xin chao” (hello), “cam on” (thank you), “bao nhieu” (how much), and “qua dat” (too expensive).
- The market is located in the Old Quarter, so you can easily combine your visit with other attractions nearby, such as Hoan Kiem Lake, Hoa Lo Prison, and the Temple of Literature.
- Pack a Vietnam tour package at Vietnamtour.in to have a chance to know more about the market or Hanoi without any worry.
Conclusion
Dong Xuan Market is a must-see destination for anyone who wants to explore Hanoi’s rich history and culture. It is a great place where you can taste some of the most delicious dishes in Vietnam and mingle with the friendly locals. Let’s pack a Vietnam tour package to experience one of the most vibrant and colourful markets in Vietnam.
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