Travel Guide & Information on Dong Xuan Market

Dong Xuan market, Hanoi's oldest, is situated on the northern edge of the Old Quarter. Its three stories of crammed aisles are primarily used to sell food items, clothes, and accessories to locals. The wholesale traders in Dong Xuan market would bring you a variety of items like fresh produce, accessories, clothing, electronics, home appliances, and an abundance of souvenirs. It is similar to the "stomach" of Hanoi. One of the busiest traditional markets in the old capital is Dong Xuan Market, which is not only a large shopping mall but also a cultural icon of the old town that is deeply ingrained in Hanoi's past. Follow us to delve into this bustling market just in a few minutes!

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Dong Xuan Market Introduction

Dong Xuan market is situated in the Old Quarter, its history of the market closely associated with the commercial formation and prosperity of Thang Long Citadel. Dong Xuan market was first constructed in 1889 by the French government. Over the years, it has experienced several setbacks, the most notable of which was the fire that nearly destroyed the market in 1994. Following that, the government of Hanoi made repairs, upgrades, and added many more retail stores. Every weekend evening since 2004, Dong Xuan Street (in front of Dong Xuan market) has been designated as a pedestrian street. This has made the entire market a very appealing destination for tourists from both Hanoi and other countries. The market in Dong Xuan appears to be a labyrinth, offering thousands of tiny goods at competitive prices.
Due to its size—roughly ten thousand square meters—Dong Xuan Market never gets boring for visitors as they explore every area of the marketplace. There is a busy wet section on the ground floor with seafood, meat, and fresh vegetables, just like in many other Southeast Asian markets. Pets from all over Vietnam, including dogs, cats, fish, and an abundance of flowers, are sold in the back of Dong Xuan Market. Let us go to the upper floors if you are looking for a souvenir store. There, you will find a lot of stalls selling handcrafted items, school uniforms, fabrics, shirts, and handbags at wholesale prices.

What To Buy In Dong Xuan Market

Visit this historic market in Hanoi, and visitors from Hanoi tours will have the opportunity to see Dong Xuan Market's surroundings and a typical Southeast Asian wet market on the ground floor. There are many vibrant fresh produce options available in the market, along with sacks filled with dried mushrooms and other dried goods for buyers to select from. Go upstairs to find a food hall in addition to mostly clothing.
In relation to food, Dong Xuan Market seems to have a sizable dining area. Travelers can enjoy a wide variety of local dishes and Vietnamese coffee from dozens of food vendors for as little as 15,000 VND. We heartily suggest the following foods to visitors: fried frog, bun cha (marinated grilled pork served with noodles), and banh cuon (rolled cake).

Things to Do Near Dong Xuan Market

There are numerous stores around Dong Xuan market where visitors can view and buy traditional drawings by Dong Ho, ceramics by Bat Trang, sand paintings, embroidery by Binh Da, and laces. Additionally, you can walk from Dong Xuan Market to a number of interesting locations in Hanoi, including St. Joseph's Cathedral, Hoan Kiem Lake, the Ly Thai To statue, the Hanoi Opera House, and the Old Quarter. In particular, there is a walking street every weekend night close to Hoan Kiem Lake where visitors can experience a return to ancient Hanoi through a variety of folk games and other engaging activities that foster interpersonal relationships.

How To Get Dong Xuan Market - Opening Times

Opening hours: Daily from 6:00 Am to 19:00 PM
How to get to Dong Xuan Market: From the Hang Bo/Hang Bac intersection, head up Hang Ngang Street and continue straight. The market is bordered by Nguyen Thien Thuat, Cao Thang, Hang Khoai, and Tran Nhat Duat. Alternatively, visitors can see the large building that is Dong Xuan Market on the right side of the street. It is about 400 meters and 20 minutes walking from Hoan Kiem lake.