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18
Sep
2018

Get lost in Hanoi night market

Posted By : Threeland Travel / Hanoi-Travel Tips

Admittedly, Hanoi is a city with unique things to do at night, and is unlike any other city in Southeast Asia and even in the whole world. If you’re currently planning a Hanoi tour, you may want to have your travel dates overlap the weekend so you can check out the popular Hanoi Night Market that only opens 3 days a week.

On every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the whole stretch of road from Hang Dao Street to Dong Xuan Market in the Old Quarter (approximately 3 km in length, see map below) is pedestrianized and transformed into a night market from 6.00pm to 11.00pm. A large number of vendors/traders will set up shop to display their goods for sale. The night market in the Old Quarter becomes the most-popular night market in heart of Hanoi, which can’t be missed in any Hanoi tour package.

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Hanoi night market map


SHOPPING IN HANOI NIGHT MARKET

Meandering around the Hanoi night market, you can find a plethora of stuffs from clothing, toys, souvenirs, homewares to fashion accessories, gadgets, crafts and more to bring back home after your traveling time in Hanoi.
Those who are looking for souvenirs in Vietnam should look no further than the Hanoi night market, as it is equipped with everything one needs to impress their friends and family back home. For many of foreign visitors, the handicrafts sold here are the most sought after products found at the weekend market. Visitors will find vendors selling bamboo dolls and pictures, handmade postcards, and even leather handbags. Necklaces, bracelets, keychains, and more are sold in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. (Warning: Be cautious of low quality wares made in China)

hanoi-old-quarter-night-market-traditional-goodsLacquerware in Hanoi night market

 

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Handcrafted figures, a gift or toy to Vietnamese children that was popular in 1990s. Looks like by clay, but it's not, made from glutinous rice powder

 

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A creative 3D postcard is a great souvenir, sold for about 20,000 – 30,000vnd

 

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Really a feast for your eyes

Backpackers and travelers should not bypass stalls selling traveling items, like backpacks, waterproof coats, and more. Hanoi night market is one of the cheapest places to find items for your traveling endeavors and at a discounted price. Remember to barter. Vendors may even sell an item half price! There is a strong haggling tradition in the northern provinces of Vietnam, so as long as the sellers do not inform customers that the items they are selling have a fixed price, feel free to negotiate with them.

 

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North Face is everywhere 

 

WHAT TO EAT TO REFUEL YOUR TUMMY IN HANOI TOURS

Feel hungry and thirsty a bit as meandering, right? Even if not, I bet you couldn’t resist the street foods attracting you along your way in this Hanoi night market. Food stalls pepper the market with cuisine from around the country, so there is surely a food vendor for everyone here. Many of stalls serve up traditional Hanoi food, including sweet soups, porridge with dough, sticky rice, and pho. Visitors will also be able to find snacks that are popular amongst Vietnamese children, most of which are sold at a reasonable price. Some of the best sweets include sticky candy, boiled sweet potatoes, and boiled sweet corn.

 

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(Photo: Grilled and barbecue food items at the night market, prices are about 10,000 – 20,000vnd/stick)

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A huge bouquet of fresh fruits

 

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Rolling ice cream
Still confused where the best places for best traditional Vietnam food, then you’d better find help from some Hanoi food tour packages. “Eat like local” experience being offered in these Hanoi tour package is extremely amazing.


ENTERTAINING WITH LIVE STREET MUSIC IN HANOI

Hanoi night market offers you a full tour package of eating, shopping, drinking, and music-ing.
The Old Quarter is especially thriving on Saturday nights. The streets come alive with live performances and works of art. FREE OPEN SHOW FOR EVERYONE! Some of the things visitors can expect to see include Vietnamese opera, reformed theater, contemporary and musical performances, and more. International artists oftentimes come to the Old Quarter to perform, as well. These performances are always crowded with both locals and tourists, so be sure to get there early to avoid the crowds and to get the best view of the shows.

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Vietnamese folk music performance in street of Hanoi nigh market

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Feel free to show your talent to Hanoian


BOOZING NEARBY THE HANOI NIGHT MARKET

Wrapping up your night by boozing, why not?
After spending ample time at the crowded Hanoi night market, it is time to escape the herds of people and head to a place that is a bit more relaxing. Haha, actually it’s another herd of people. Walk along Hang Bac Street to Ta Hien Street to treat yourself to a fresh beer. You are welcome to join locals at any of the bars, where visitors will find the city’s youth around plastic stools lining the roads with a beer in tow. This area is also filled with passing travelers, so feel free to join in on the fun. A mug of local or fresh beer is around US$.5, some of the cheapest beer you will find in all of Asia.

 

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Fresh beer and snack at Ta Hien Street in Hanoi night market

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Or get crazy with 1900 bar


Some tips for you when visiting the Hanoi night market:
•    Park outside the market if you have a motorbike, as no vehicle is allowed to enter the market after 7 p.m.
•    As the market is crowded, be sure to keep your belongings close to you and watch out for pick-pockets.
•    If you do not know what to eat, just look the most ordered dishes by locals and follow their lead. Locals know best! Or even better, just book a Hanoi half-day/full day food tour package.
•    Haggle as much as you can.

Contact us at [email protected] for free advice on best city tours in Hanoi as well as travel itineraries in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. 

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