Among the must-see destinations when visiting the capital Hanoi, Dong Xuan Market stands out as a long-standing commercial and cultural symbol in the heart of the Old Quarter. With a history of more than a century, Dong Xuan Market Hanoi is a bustling trading place and a place to preserve the unique features of Hanoi culture. For those who come to the capital for the first time, this is the ideal stop to feel the vibrant pace of life, enjoy rich cuisine and learn about the daily life of Hanoi people.
Where is Dong Xuan Market?
Dong Xuan market Hanoi
Dong Xuan Market is located in Hanoi's Old Quarter, one of the largest and oldest markets in the capital. The market is located in Dong Xuan Ward, Hoan Kiem District, only about 800 meters from the famous Hoan Kiem Lake, making it convenient for visitors to travel from the center. At the same time, the market is also close to Long Bien Station, making it easier for locals and tourists to travel.
Dong Xuan Market Hanoi is not only a bustling trading place but also a cultural symbol of Hanoi, which clearly reflects the life and activities of the capital's people. Visitors coming here can easily find a variety of items, from clothes, fabrics, fashion accessories, to foods and souvenirs typical of Hanoi. In particular, Dong Xuan Market is open free of charge to all visitors, without charging any fees for visiting and shopping.
Learn the history of Dong Xuan market Hanoi
Learn the history of Dong Xuan market Hanoi
Dong Xuan Market Hanoi has existed since the Nguyen Dynasty and covers an area of about 6,500 m², becoming a bustling commercial center and indispensable in the lives of the capital's people.
The history of Dong Xuan Market began in the year of Giap Ty 1804, when Governor Nguyen Van Thanh decided to build a large market at the main gate of the East of Hanoi. This was the predecessor of today's Dong Xuan Market. In 1889, when the To Lich River was buried, the French colonial government chose this land to develop into a new commercial market. In 1890, Dong Xuan Market was officially started with a facade architecture in the French style, creating a prominent building in the heart of Hanoi.
One of the memorable events in the history of the market was the major fire in 1994, when the fire broke out and burned down most of the stalls here, causing serious damage. Then, in 1995, Dong Xuan Market Hanoi was rebuilt and restored on a larger scale, continuing to maintain its role as an important commercial center.
To this day, Dong Xuan Market is still bustling with thousands of stalls selling all kinds of products, from clothes, household items to specialty foods. Besides being a place of trade, the market is also a historical and cultural symbol of Hanoi, attracting many domestic and foreign tourists to visit.
How to get to Dong Xuan market Hanoi
Dong Xuan Market Hanoi is located right in the heart of the Old Quarter, very convenient for traveling from locations in the city. To get to the market, you can choose from many different means of transportation depending on your preferences and personal conditions.
- Motorbike taxi: Motorbike taxi is a fast and convenient means of transportation. You can easily find motorbike taxis anywhere in the city, just go to the main road or use technology-based ride-hailing apps such as Grab, Xanh SM. Motorbike taxis are suitable for those who want to avoid traffic jams and need to move flexibly in the old quarter.
Xanh SM
- Taxi: Taxis are a comfortable option, especially if you are traveling with your family or carrying a lot of luggage. There are many reputable taxi companies in Hanoi such as Mai Linh, Vinasun, Group, with clear fares. If you are not familiar with the road, you can ask the driver to choose the most suitable route to avoid traffic jams.
- Coach: For those who want to save money or travel from further areas in the city, coaches or limousines can be a good choice. Many coach routes from major bus stations such as My Dinh, Gia Lam have stops near Dong Xuan market area.
- Self-driving: If you are familiar with Hanoi streets and want freedom in moving around, self-driving is a good option. However, it should be noted that Hanoi's Old Quarter has many narrow streets, which can make it difficult to find parking.
- Bus: Buses are a popular and affordable means of public transport. There are many bus routes passing near Dong Xuan market such as routes 1, 3, 4, 11, 14, 22, 23, 31, 34,... You can get on the bus at the main bus stations in the city such as My Dinh, Giap Bat bus stations or bus stations along the road and get off at the stop near Dong Xuan market.
Dong Xuan Market opening hours
Dong Xuan Market Hanoi opens from 6am to 6pm every day, creating conditions for locals and tourists to comfortably visit and shop during this time frame. You can come to the market early in the morning to enjoy the fresh air, encounter bustling traders preparing for a new day, or visit stalls selling a variety of items from fresh food, clothes, household items to souvenirs.
Especially, on weekends, Dong Xuan Market in Hanoi becomes even more bustling with night market activities. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays every week, the night market starts at 6pm and lasts until 10:30pm. This is the ideal time for visitors to experience the vibrant atmosphere, enjoy delicious street food, and participate in cultural and artistic activities taking place along the walking street around the market.
Zoning at Dong Xuan Market Hanoi
Dong Xuan Market is divided into many different areas, each floor has separate stalls to serve the diverse needs of customers.
Inside Dong Xuan Market Hanoi
- 1st Floor: The 1st floor of Dong Xuan Market Hanoi is an ideal destination for those interested in fashion and electronics. Here, you will easily find stalls selling a variety of clothes, shoes, bags, and fashion accessories, most of which are from China. In addition, this area also has stalls selling electronics with a variety of products such as mobile devices, headphones, power banks, small household appliances, etc.
- 2nd Floor: This is the area for those who are passionate about sewing or want to find quality fabrics. You can find many types of fabrics, from cotton, silk, linen to brocade, traditional Vietnamese fabrics. In addition, this floor also has stalls selling ready-made clothes with many different designs and styles, suitable for all ages and preferences.
- 3rd Floor: The third floor of the market specializes in selling children's clothes and other essential items. Here, you will find many stalls selling children's clothes in all styles, colors, and materials, from newborn clothes to older children's clothes.
- The North area of the market: This is where many food and drink stalls are concentrated, serving from early morning until late at night. You can enjoy typical Hanoi dishes such as pho, bun cha, nem ran, banh cuon, and many other delicious dishes.
Read more: Hanoi Street Food: Top extremely attractive dishes
Things to do when visiting Dong Xuan market
Dong Xuan Market is an attractive destination with many interesting activities that you should not miss when visiting. Below are great experiences that you should do when coming to Dong Xuan Market.
Daytime shopping
Shopping in the market
Dong Xuan Market in Hanoi is known as the largest wholesale market in the North, where you can find almost everything. Items such as clothes, shoes, fashion accessories, electronics, fresh food, household items, and many other products are sold here. This is an ideal place for those who want to shop for items with reasonable prices and a wide range of choices.
Explore the night market
Explore the night market
If you come to Dong Xuan market on the weekend, don't forget to experience the vibrant night market that takes place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The night market here has more than 4,000 stalls, selling a variety of items such as food, souvenirs, jewelry, clothes, and necessities. This is an opportunity for you to shop and find souvenirs for your trip. Not only shopping, the night market is also a place for folk cultural performances such as Cheo, Quan Ho, Ca Tru, giving you a unique cultural experience, imbued with Vietnamese tradition.
Enjoy delicious food
Dong Xuan Market is also known as a culinary paradise with countless famous delicacies of Hanoi. When coming here, you should not miss the opportunity to enjoy attractive dishes such as spring rolls, shrimp cakes, salty fried cakes, vermicelli, vermicelli with grilled pork, wontons, rib porridge, etc. The restaurants here are always crowded with customers, showing the appeal of traditional Vietnamese dishes. Don't forget to try typical street foods to fully experience the flavors of Hanoi.
Take souvenir photos
Dong Xuan Market is a great place to capture memorable moments. From the bustling street corners, colorful stalls, to the bustling trading activities, all bring beautiful photos of Hanoi life and people.
Important notes when visiting Dong Xuan market in Hanoi
Dong Xuan Market is an interesting and attractive destination for tourists when visiting Hanoi, but there are some important things to note to have a safe and comfortable shopping and sightseeing experience. Below are some suggestions to help you best prepare for your trip:
- Bargaining and negotiating prices: When shopping at Dong Xuan market, you should be mentally prepared to negotiate prices, especially for foreign tourists. The vendors here often offer quite high initial prices, so do not hesitate to bargain to buy products at a better price.
- Protecting personal belongings: Dong Xuan market is one of the busiest markets in Hanoi, with numerous visitors and shoppers. This can lead to jostling and is an ideal environment for thieves to take advantage of to steal. Therefore, you need to pay attention to protecting your personal property, such as keeping your wallet, phone, and valuables in a safe place, and avoid wearing loose bags.
- Bring cash: At Dong Xuan market, most transactions are made in cash. Therefore, you should bring enough cash to facilitate shopping, eating, and other expenses. Wear comfortable clothes: Dong Xuan Market is quite large and you will need to walk a lot to explore all the areas in the market. Therefore, wear comfortable clothes, wear sneakers or flat shoes to move easily.
- Buy parking tickets: If you travel by personal vehicle such as motorbike or car, pay attention to parking at places with signs for safe parking. Parking fees in these areas are usually around 10,000 VND.
Read more: Hanoi Attractions: 30+ must places to visit in Hanoi
Famous tourist attractions near Dong Xuan market Hanoi
With its prime location, Dong Xuan Market is located near many famous tourist attractions in Hanoi.
Here are some destinations not to be missed when you visit this area:
Hanoi Old Quarter
Hanoi Old Quarter
Dong Xuan Market is located in the middle of Hanoi's Old Quarter, famous for its long history and unique culture of the capital. Hanoi's Old Quarter with 36 streets is associated with ancient stories, streets such as Hang Ngang, Hang Dao, Hang Ma, … still retain their ancient beauty with red-tiled roof houses, ancient French architecture and pagodas, temples imbued with Vietnamese culture. Exploring the Old Quarter is an opportunity for you to learn about the culture, history, and unique features of Hanoi people through each small street.
Hanoi Opera House
Located about 2km from Dong Xuan Market, Hanoi Opera House is located at 1A Trang Tien, on August Revolution Square. This is one of the most typical architectural works of Hanoi, bearing bold French architectural style. The Opera House is the venue for important art performances and is a cultural and historical symbol of the capital. Visitors can visit to admire the architectural beauty or participate in performances here.
Hanoi Book Street
Hanoi Book Street is an interesting place for those who love books and want to learn about the reading culture of Hanoians. This is a street dedicated to books with many diverse display booths, from literature books, history books, to rare books. Visitors can immerse themselves in a quiet, relaxing space, explore rare books and enjoy the unique cultural atmosphere here.
Hoan Kiem Lake
Hoan Kiem Lake
Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as Sword Lake, is one of the historical and cultural symbols of Hanoi. Associated with the legend of King Le Loi returning the sacred sword to the divine turtle, Hoan Kiem Lake is rich in historical value and is a peaceful destination in the heart of the bustling city. Visitors can stroll around the lake, admire the Turtle Tower, the bright red The Huc Bridge and visit Ngoc Son Temple.
Ngoc Son Temple
Located on a small island in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple was built in the 19th century to worship the Saint Van Xuong De Quan and Tran Hung Dao. With its unique architecture, Ngoc Son Temple attracts many tourists to worship and learn about the history and culture of Hanoi. You can cross the bright red The Huc Bridge leading to the temple, enjoying the quiet, peaceful atmosphere in the heart of the capital.
Thus, we have sent readers detailed information about Dong Xuan market in Hanoi, helping you gain more understanding about the market to start planning your exploration. Sinhcafe accompanies international tourists on tours to explore Hanoi, visit Dong Xuan market and many other places in Hanoi. Readers do not forget to refer to Vietnam tours at Sinhcafe.