City: Hanoi
Top Things to do in Hanoi
Things to do in Hanoi, Vietnam: The Best Flea & Street Markets
The charming Vietnamese capital has aged well, preserving the Old Quarter, monuments and colonial architecture, while making room for modern developments alongside. Hanoi may have shrugged off several former names, including Thang Long, or "ascending dragon," but it hasn't forgotten its past, as sites such as Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and Hoa Lo Prison attest. Lakes, parks, shady boulevards and more than 600 temples and pagodas add to the appeal of this city, which is easily explored by taxi.
Restaurants in Hanoi
1. Quang Ba Flower Market
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 56 reviews
This night market on the edge of West Lake starts up around 2 a.m., when wholesalers arrive to claim their spots with piles of roses and chrysanthemums, and lasts until sunrise. Quang Ba is especially worth a visit during Tet, when flowers are needed for the many new year's celebrations.
Reviewed By DRGilbert - Naples, United States
The second thoughts we had about leaving our hotel at 6 a.m. to visit a flower market were quickly dispelled when we arrived at the largest display of blooming plants we'd ever seen in one place. Quang Ba is a buzz of early-morning activity as hundreds of people are buying flowers and loading them on motorbikes, trucks, cars or carrying them on shoulder-baskets for hotels, restaurants, businesses and who knows what else. The aroma is magnificent and the people-watching equals the overwhelming floral display that seems unending. When in Hanoi, you've got to stop and smell the roses in Quang Ba.
2. Hom Market
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 41 reviews
Reviewed By 995Linda - Johor Bahru, Malaysia
This is where I go to buy all my dress fabric. I love this place, so much to choose from. Prices anywhere from 60k per metre up. Linen, cotton, rayon, lace, silk, it is all there. Sellers are friendly and helpful. I have my favourite sellers so I don't have to haggle anymore. If you love fabrics you will love upstairs at this market.
3. Night Market
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 761 reviews
Reviewed By Nunngo
We loved these markets. The only expectation we had was that we would have a good time looking around and enjoying the people and culture and the market night life. We were not after any specific bargains so no disappointments there, but nonetheless enjoyed the options for buying locally made goods and souvenirs. The night market stretch is about 2 kilometres in distance and goes from Hang Dao street to Dong Xuan market. It aims to promote Vietnamese culture for international tourists and also encourages the younger generations of Vietnamese to remain connected with Vietnamese tradition. The markets are only open from around 6pm to midnight Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There are 100's of stalls with traders selling traditional local food, clothing, fashion items, jewellery, household goods, souvenirs and handicrafts. Items are pretty cheap but bargaining is still acceptable and part of the Vietnamese market culture. The markets are an opportunity to enjoy traditional Vietnamese folk music and local artists display their artistic talent also. The food available at the market is worth trying also.
4. Long Bien Market
5. Dong Xuan Market
Overall Ratings
3.0 based on 730 reviews
Though not quite the same since a devastating fire in 1994, this famous market is nevertheless a landmark trading post.
Reviewed By eamesescape - Melbourne, Australia
Dong Xuan Market is housed within a four-storey Soviet-style building on the northern edge of Hanoi Old Quarter. The market has a bustling wet market section on the ground floor, where locals shop for seafood, meat, and vegetables while the back section sells an array of pets (cats, dogs, and fish) and fresh flowers from all across Vietnam. If you’re looking to shop for souvenirs, head to the upper levels, where you can find numerous stalls selling tee shirts, fabrics, school uniforms, handbags, handicrafts, all of which are sold at wholesale prices. There’s also a massive dining area within Dong Xuan Market, with food vendors selling Vietnamese coffee and exotic local dishes for as low as VND 15,000. Highly recommended dishes include tiet canh (duck blood soup), fried frog, bun cha (marinated grilled pork served with noodles), and banh cuon (rolled cake). Dong Xuan Market is Hanoi’s largest indoor market, offering a wide range of goods such as fresh produce, souvenirs, accessories and clothing, as well as electronic and household appliances. This is an exciting day trip , go early in the morning have brunch and spend at least 4 hours exploring.
