Top 8 Best Markets in Vietnam: Where Shopping Meets Culture

If you visit Vietnam and only explore beaches or historical landmarks, your journey isn’t truly complete.To feel the country’s heartbeat, you must visit its local markets — vibrant places where daily life unfolds. Here, you can watch locals bargain, taste authentic street food, and discover unique handmade souvenirs.

From bustling urban markets to colorful ethnic fairs in the mountains, each one reveals a distinct flavor of Vietnamese life — rich, lively, and unforgettable.

🛍️ 1. Ben Thanh Market (Ho Chi Minh City)

No trip to Saigon is complete without visiting Ben Thanh Market, an enduring symbol of the city.

I arrived early in the morning, when shopkeepers were just opening their stalls filled with vibrant fabrics, handicrafts, and souvenirs. The air was full of energy — and delicious aromas.

Inside, the food court was a culinary heaven: I savored pho, grilled pork vermicelli, and fresh spring rolls, all bursting with Southern flavor. By evening, the surrounding streets transformed into a night market, glowing with lights and laughter.

Special Experience: Try bargaining — it’s fun and part of the adventure!

Travel Tip: Visit early to avoid crowds and the midday heat

🧺 2. Dong Xuan Market (Hanoi)

Located in the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Dong Xuan Market captures the spirit of traditional northern trade.

I wandered through narrow aisles packed with clothes, shoes, spices, and dried foods. Upstairs, vendors sold colorful fabrics; downstairs, the aroma of street snacks filled the air.

I couldn’t resist a bowl of bun cha and a cup of lotus sweet soup in the small food section — simple yet deeply flavorful.

Special Experience: Enjoy a cup of egg coffee nearby after shopping

Travel Tip: Bargain politely — it’s a friendly cultural exchange, not a battle

🎨 3. Hoi An Market (Quang Nam)

Early morning at Hoi An Market felt like stepping into a painting. Vibrant fruits, fragrant herbs, and freshly caught fish glistened under the morning sun, while vendors called out cheerfully in the local dialect.

By noon, the market turned into a street food paradise. I savored cao lau, mi Quang, and white rose dumplings while watching locals go about their day.

Special Experience: Visit the market in the morning, then explore Hoi An’s lantern-lit streets at night

Travel Tip: Arrive before 8 a.m. to experience the authentic local vibe before tourists arrive

🥔 4. Da Lat Market (Lam Dong)

Nestled in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, Da Lat Market offers a completely different vibe — cool mountain air, the scent of strawberries, and rows of fresh produce.

I visited in the evening when Da Lat Night Market came alive. The atmosphere was cozy and festive — locals selling grilled sweet potatoes, hot soy milk, and the famous Vietnamese pizza (banh trang nuong).

Special Experience: Eating grilled sweet potatoes in the chilly night air — the essence of Da Lat!

Travel Tip: Try fresh strawberries and dried fruit — perfect gifts to take home

🚤 5. Cai Rang Floating Market (Can Tho)

Unlike any other, Cai Rang Market floats on the mighty Mekong River.

I woke up before dawn, boarded a small wooden boat, and drifted into a scene of hundreds of trading boats selling tropical fruits, noodles, and even hot coffee.

Each seller hung their goods on long poles — a floating billboard of sorts — so buyers could spot them from afar.

As the sun rose, I slurped a steaming bowl of hu tieu noodles right on the boat. It was magical.

Special Experience: Have breakfast on the river as the morning light spreads

Travel Tip: Arrive by 5–6 a.m. to see the market at its liveliest

🍜 6. Dong Ba Market (Hue)

Dong Ba Market perfectly reflects the charm of Central Vietnam. Inside, I found everything from Hue conical hats and ao dai to fermented shrimp paste and sesame candy.

But the best part? The food stalls. I tried bun bo Hue, spicy and rich, just as locals love it.

Special Experience: Sampling Hue specialties like banh beo, banh bot loc, and che Hue inside the market

Travel Tip: A great spot to buy traditional souvenirs and taste authentic Hue cuisine

🦞 7. Phu Quoc Night Market (Kien Giang)

Different from traditional markets, Phu Quoc Night Market is all about energy, seafood, and fun.

Rows of stalls displayed freshly caught fish, crabs, and squid. I picked a steamed Ham Ninh crab and had it cooked on the spot — simple, fresh, and delicious.

There were also coconut ice cream, cotton candy, and endless snacks. The lively, relaxed vibe made it easy to spend the whole evening wandering and eating.

Special Experience: Enjoy fresh seafood grilled to order — delicious and affordable

Travel Tip: Go early to get the best seafood selection

🎡 8. Bac Ha Fair Market (Lao Cai)

In the northern highlands, Bac Ha Market is a cultural mosaic unlike any other.

Every Sunday morning, ethnic groups like the H’Mong, Dao, and Tay gather here in colorful traditional attire to trade goods — from handmade textiles and horses to corn wine and local produce.

It’s more than a market — it’s a weekly festival of community, color, and connection. I tried thang co, a traditional mountain stew — intense but unforgettable.

Special Experience: Marvel at the vibrant traditional costumes and handwoven textiles

Travel Tip: Go early in the morning to witness the full energy and colors of the fair