Đồng Xuân Market: The Ultimate Hanoi Old Quarter Food & Shopping Guide | Vietnam Purple Travel Guide

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Opening Hours: Daily, 6am – 7pm (indoor market); Night Market opens Friday–Sunday from around 6pm to midnight

Admission: Free

Overview of Dong Xuan Market

In the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Đồng Xuân Market is the largest indoor market in the city, and arguably its most iconic. This shopping center, is also a local gathering place, and a maze-like emporium where the rhythms of daily life unfold. From bolts of silk to fresh flowers, from electronic goods to dried seafood, this is where Hanoians come to buy, sell, haggle, and connect.

Historical Background of Dong Xuan Market

• Built in 1889 by the French colonial administration, Đồng Xuân Market was part of a larger effort to modernize and regulate trade in Hanoi.

• The building was designed in a French industrial style with iron framework and high vaulted ceilings — rare at the time in Asia.

• Over the years, the market has witnessed:

  • Colonial rule and uprisings

  • Wars and bombing during the Vietnam War

  • Major fires and reconstructions (notably in 1994)

Today, it retains its French-style facade with five large arched doorways, modernized inside to house thousands of stalls.

What to See and Do at Dong Xuan Market

Inside the Market (Day Market – 6am to 7pm)

Spread across three floors, the indoor section is a wholesale paradise, mainly geared toward locals and regional traders, but definitely fascinating for travelers.

Ground Floor

• Clothing in bulk: school uniforms, t-shirts, coats, shoes, underwear.

• Textiles and fabrics: rolls of Vietnamese silk, synthetic cloth, linen, lace — perfect for tailors or DIY shoppers.

• Accessories and fashion items: scarves, bags, hats, belts, and jewelry.

Second Floor

• Household goods and kitchenware: plastic wares, utensils, fans, cookware.

• Traditional medicine: dried herbs, roots, balms, and tonics.

• Souvenirs and handicrafts (limited but available): lacquerware, wooden figurines, conical hats.

Third Floor and Surroundings

• Dried foods and specialty goods: shrimp, squid, mushrooms, lotus seeds, candied fruits.

• Fresh produce and flowers (especially in the adjacent streets).

• Local snacks: grilled meat skewers, fried spring rolls, sweet sticky rice cakes.

Night Market at Dong Xuan Market (Fridays to Sundays, ~6pm to midnight)

At night, Đồng Xuân Market spills into the surrounding streets with a popular night market along Hàng Đào and Hàng Ngang Streets.

• Street performances: traditional music, water puppetry, dance shows.

• Street food: pho, banh mi, grilled seafood, chè (sweet soups), sugarcane juice.

• Souvenirs and clothes: affordable, often bargain-priced clothing, trinkets, T-shirts, keychains, etc.

• Ideal for families, backpackers, and night owls.

Architecture Notes of Dong Xuan Market

• The market’s iconic facade with five large brick-arched entrances is a signature of French colonial architecture, inspired by European train stations.

• Inside, it is more functional and industrial: high ceilings, fluorescent lighting, and metal stall dividers.

• Despite modernization, some original iron beams from the 19th century remain intact.

Travel Tips for Dong Xuan Market

• Bargaining is expected, especially in the indoor day market. Start low and smile.

• Cash only for most stalls. Bring small bills (VND 10,000–100,000 denominations).

• Be cautious with valuables as it is a crowded place and petty theft can occur.

• Language barrier: Many vendors speak limited English, but gestures and calculators help bridge the gap.

Here at Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides, we promote self-guided walking tours.
But we realize that not everybody likes to walk by themselves in a foreign city. So, just in case that you rather go with ab guide: NO PROBLEM! Please see the GuruWalk and Viator tours below.

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Author: Rudy at Backpack and Snorkel

Bio: Owner of Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides. We create in-depth guides to help you plan unforgettable vacations around the world.

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