Hanoi Night Market, something you shouldn’t miss in your tours to Hanoi

Every tourists who madetours around Hanoihave to admit that one of the most wonderful spots of their trips is journey around the night market ofHanoi.

Hanoi night market spreads from Hang Dao street to Dong Xuan market; this creates the walking street where all kinds of vehicles are not permitted.

Every weekend, Friday to Sunday, 6pm to late, it is time for the Hanoi Night Market. A Night Market which attracts crowds of epic proportions. This takes place on the central Hang Dao Street one of the busiest cities which splits through the center of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. The market starts from Hoan Kiem Lakeside and runs the length of Hang Dao Street to the Dong Xuan Market. Spilling further with a run off of crowds on smaller side streets. It feels like everyone in Hanoi descends on this weekly event. If in the Old Quarter area of Hanoi – the Hanoi Night Market is hard to miss.

Hoan Kiem lakeside at night

There are a various kinds of products in Hanoi night market. People can find clothes, sweets, salted dry fruit (ô mai), decorations, toys, stationeries, sundry goods on the streets: Hang Ngang, Hang Duong, Luong Van Can, Hang Ma, Ngo Gach and Hang Ca, while goods and facilities are mostly sold from Dong Xuan Market to Hang Giay Street.

Children excitedly play with sand pictures or paint statues. There are a lot of couples hand in hand walking together with smiles on their faces. Many foreign tourists join in the streams of people taking picture; sometimes they stop to select some products. Many of Hanoi or Vietnamese style souvenirs which always cost less than the ones in the shops are sold in the market.

1. Eating at Hanoi Night Market

The shopping at Hanoi is no different from elsewhere in Asia. Clothes, trinkets, tourist bits and the occasional Asian cute. You can find them all spanning the length of the market. Finding the food is the more important part and while food is found dotted throughout the night market there are better places to track them down. Much of the street food is found at street corners specifically the three intersections where the roads and traffic cut through the market. Expect roadside grills, meat filled baguettes and all sorts of Vietnamese treats. For a more relaxing feed food stalls and seating are erected next to the market area near the top end of the sprawl. Favorites here are the menus of Vietnamese dishes, Chinese Hot Pots and of course local beers. Plenty of eating to be done at Hanoi Night Market.

The street-food in Hanoi’s night market

It’s definitely a good idea coming to the night market to enjoy food. There is a plenty of food here. People can find bloating fern-shaped cake (bánh bèo), bacon, grilled (nem chua), grilled sausages, Hai Phong bread, etc … at two sides of the market. At the end of the market street, there are more kinds of tasty dishes such as hot pot, grilled food, khuc (khúc) cake, steamed glutinous rice (xôi).

2. Cultural Show

Occasionally you will find cultural shows taking place at the top end of Hanoi Night Market, again next to the Dong Xuan Market (Hanoi Mua Dong memorial). Pictured below was a celebration for the Vietnamese Women’s Day. Crowded with kids and families.

A cultural show in the night market

3. Nearby Boozing (Bia Hoi)

And one of the most preferred escape from Hanoi Night Market crowds follows Hang Bac Street; taking the 1st left onto Ta Hien Street (less than 150m). Here you find Hanoi’s famous Bia Hoi street an institute in Hanoi’s boozy youth culture. A street lined with super cheap beer and loitering teens. Hard to miss. Roadside Bia Hoi shops span in all directions from the central Bia Hoi Corner (where Ta Hien meets Luong Ngoc Quyen). This area is also popular with passing tourists and backpackers so feel free to join. Hunker down on the tiny plastic chairs and make the most of 5,000 Dong beers ($0.24). By far the cheapest beer that you can find in Asia.

A cup of this kind of drink can light up your night whenever you take a snip

Conclusion

Not only tourists, but also for many Hanoians, coming to the night market becomes a habit even when they don’t want to shop, just stroll to feel the atmosphere, chat with family or friends and enjoy some snack. That’s why if taking a journey around the night market of Hanoi in yourVietnam tours, you can discover the interesting cultural features of this amazing land.

So what are you still waiting for but not booking a tour with this travel agency immediately to enjoy a joyful trip to Vietnam!