10 Markets in Vietnam: The Best Vietnamese Markets and Tips for Visiting

There is an insane number of markets in Vietnam that you may visit while travelling the country, however, I’ve nailed down the top 10 that you must visit. Most of the markets have their own unique flair to them and tend to offer something distinct.

From food vendors to flower stalls, there is a vast array of things to see while snapping up a bargain. And, I highly recommend that you check out at least a handful of these markets during your time in Vietnam.

For the most part, you’ll notice that the markets in Vietnam are held during the night. Moreover, this is usually anytime just after sunset. The reason being is that this is the coolest part of the day, and tends to be the busiest time of day.

Don’t worry about strolling the streets at night, even when you’re alone. It’s extremely safe, even for solo female travellers. However, I advise you to visit the night markets with another person if you feel a little uncomfortable wandering the streets at night.

Continue down to the list of the best markets in Vietnam and take note of my insider travel tips!

Shopping Tips

There are a number of things you need to consider before heading into any Vietnamese market. From safety and scams to communicating with the locals, I’ll go into a little bit of depth to give you some of my top insider tips after 6 weeks of experience.

It’s best to half the initial asking price and then work your way up from there. Don’t go under 50% of the original price as that is seen as disrespectful. If you think a vendor is overcharging, try to find the same item elsewhere.
Take a small amount of cash with you to avoid pickpockets and keep your phone out of your back pocket. Never place your phone or valuables down!
Smile a lot and take your time exploring the items in the store.
You get a better deal when you purchase more items. So, try to find a few things you like and purchase a bunch of things from the one stall holder.
Consider buying lightweight and small items. I love buying unique jewellery overseas as it takes up minimal space in my luggage and tells a unique handmade story.
Don’t try to take too much money off the price. A lot of these locals are struggling to get by and could really use the extra dollar or two to support their families.
Learn a few words of Vietnamese and increase your shopping vocabulary. You’d be surprised just how much this can impact your buying experience!

Vietnamese Shopping Vocabulary

In regard to my list of tips, you will notice that I talked about vocabulary. And, this is something that the Vietnamese take very seriously. If you have the time to learn just a few words, this can really help your shopping experience and you’ll be surprised to watch the dollars (dong) fall off of the asking price.

So, take note of a few of these words and use them kindly with a friendly face to score yourself the best deal.

Xin Chào — Hello
Cam Òn — Thank You
Cái này bao nhiêu ạ? — How much is this?
Đắt quá! — Too expensive!
Hãy giảm giá! — Discount Please
Tôi muốn mua — I want to buy
Tôi lấy cái này — I will get this

The 10 Best Markets in Vietnam

Hoi An Night Market

The Hoi An Night Market is easily one of the best markets in Vietnam. At night, the streets fill with light from beautiful lanterns floating along the river and hanging in the streets.

The best time to wander this market is just before dinner time. Check out the beautiful stalls selling handmade goods and walk alongside the river. Besides, you might even want to jump into one of the boats for a calm float before dinner.

Finally, try some street food from one of the vendors, or settle down to dinner at a restaurant with gorgeous views overlooking the scenery.

Address: Hoi An Night Market, Nguyễn Hoàng, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam

Hanoi Weekend Night Market

The weekend night market in Hanoi is a fantastic way to get yourself out at night and watch the streets become transformed into a shopping haven.

Multiple streets fill with portable tables, gazebos, and racks of clothing for you to find the latest bargain. And, this is easily one of the best markets in Hanoi to pick up a fantastic deal. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw multiple streets lined with hundreds of stalls that went for at least 3 blocks.

So, I highly recommend hanging out in Hanoi until the weekend arrives as it’s easily one of the biggest markets in Vietnam. And, it’s a must-visit Hanoi location!

Address: Weekend Nightmarket Hanoi, 8 P. Hàng Đào, Hàng Đào, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Ben Thanh Market

Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) is a major city in Vietnam with a number of fantastic markets. However, I highly recommend that you pay a visit to the Ben Thanh Market found in District One.

For the most part, district one is the most popular area for tourists to visit, therefore, this market becomes an absolute hotspot for tourists.

Firstly, this market is set indoors inside a massive shed. And, when I tell you that it will be overwhelming, believe me! There are thousands of trinkets, accessories, decorations, clothes, shoes, and food stalls to explore.

Not to mention, I think you could easily get away with spending a few hours exploring all the stores. However, I highly recommend stopping when you find something unique and handmade. Tonnes of these vendors sell incredibly crafty goods and it’s fascinating to hear about their stories from them.

Address: Ben Thanh Market, Lê Lợi, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

Dong Xuan Market

The Dong Xuan Market in Hanoi is definitely one of the best. Scour the narrow aisles and discover tiny stalls packed with bags, shoes, accessories, and snacks. For the most part, all accessory items are on the ground level, and then you can head up the lifts if you would like to check out the clothing section.

There are tonnes of clothes and fabrics on the upper level, so you can be sure to stock up on some nice items.

However, keep in mind, that you may need to buy multiple items as this market typically sells at wholesale value. So, try to pick up a few things from the one stall if you can!

Address: Cho Rong Ninh Binh, 7X4G+9WX, Vân Gia, Ninh Bình, Vietnam

Nha Trang Night Market

The Nha Trang night market is not one to miss! This venue is one-of-a-kind with permanent stalls featuring glass cabinets and well-laid-out stores.

There are loads of handmade items on offer like straw bags and tonnes of unique grocery items used in traditional Vietnamese cooking.

Finally, this is definitely one of the nicer markets in Vietnam and it definitely shows considering Nha Trang is a tourist hotspot.

Address: Nha Trang Night Market, Trần Phú, Lộc Thọ, Nha Trang

Ho Thi Ky Flower Market

This market in Vietnam is a little different from the rest. Though, it’s quite a refreshing twist on the jampacked chaos of many of the other Vietnamese markets.

Be sure to wander around the Ho Thi Ky Flower Market and discover beautiful handmade ceramics, stunning bouquets of flowers, and bath and body products.

Or, simply wander around the stalls to enjoy the gorgeous aromas from the stunning displays of flowers. Even if you don’t walk away with your own bunch, it’s still a wonderful experience.

Address: Ho Thi Ky Flower Market, Hẻm 52 Hồ Thị Kỷ, Phường 1, Quận 10, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam

Da Lat Night Market

The Da Lat Night Market is easily one of the wildest Vietnamese markets I came across during my time in Vietnam. The street by the name of Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai is closed off between the two roundabouts for shoppers to wander along safely.

Not to mention, the street absolutely explodes with lights and decorations set up around the stalls. Moreover, this is the perfect time to try some local dishes, one of the most popular for tourists is the banana pancake. And, check out some of the trinkets on offer.

However, this isn’t all there is to this Da Lat Market. Moreover, this market is a little bit more unique as there are loads of live performances on offer. You’ll get the chance to watch dancers and performers while munching on some freshly-made street food!

Address: Da Lat Night Market, 6b Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, Phường 1, Thành phố Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng 690000, Vietnam

Cai Rang Floating Market

The Cai Rang Floating Market is a truly authentic Vietnamese experience. Hundreds of boats float along the Song Can Tho in the South of Vietnam selling wholesale goods.

For the most part, this is a fresh food market, with stallholders selling fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, and hot food. However, you might find some delicious tropical fruit to try and score yourself a lovely lunch.

Even if you don’t plan to purchase anything, this is still an incredible thing to witness and part of the ultimate Vietnam experience.

Address: Cai Rang Floating Market, 46 Đường Hai Bà Trưng, Tân An, Ninh Kiều, Cần Thơ

Meo Vac Market

Yet another unique market and an absolute must-do if you’re in far north Vietnam is the Meo Vac Market. Firstly, this market is in Ha Giang and operates on a Sunday. Besides, this is an excellent addition to completing the Ha Giang motorbike loop.

You will discover a tonne of beautiful and brightly coloured clothing worn by the many female monks of Ha Giang. I would highly recommend picking up a piece of this gorgeous culture, even if it’s in the form of a bag or accessory. It will support the locals of this small and rural community.

Address: Meo Vac Market, 5C75+X98, TT. Mèo Vạc, Mèo Vạc, Hà Giang

Ninh Binh Rong Market

The Ninh Binh Rong Market is a true cultural experience that makes up a significant part of Vietnam’s history. Firstly, this small town market was used widely for trades of livestock, food, household items, and more.

There are three zones in the market, each with its own purpose. And, this is a great place to see locals stock up on necessary goods for whatever tasks they need to take on.

I would highly recommend visiting this market with a tour guide for a deep dive into the history and importance of this market.

Address: Cho Rong Ninh Binh, 7X4G+9WX, Vân Gia, Ninh Bình

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, this is just a minor look into the world of markets in Vietnam. However, these are some of the best as they each offer a unique experience and have different products for sale.

Keep in mind, you don’t need to visit these markets with the intent to purchase something. You can simply go just for the experience. And, I highly recommend at least going for a wander to all of these spots.

Nonetheless, these are some of my favourite markets I came upon and I couldn’t recommend them enough to each and every traveller. Happy shopping!

Which market is calling out to you the most? Is there something in particular you’re looking for? Feel free to check out this website for more Vietnamese markets.