Dong Ba Market and things you should know before your visiting

Dong Ba Market in Hue is well known for its distinctive architecture, deep historical roots and hospitality of local people. Most Dong Ba Market reviews praise its lively atmosphere and diverse local products, making it a must-visit destination for tourists. In this article, we will provide essential information to help you plan your visit to one of Hue’s most iconic traditional markets.

Overview about Dong Ba Market 

Dong Ba Market  was founded in 1899 during the reign of King Thanh Thai. Over a century, it has grown into one of the largest markets in central Vietnam, covering an area of more than 22,700 square meters and housing over 2,700 stalls. Another factor contributing to its appeal is its prime location. Situated along the banks of the Perfume River, Hue Dong Ba Market enjoys a picturesque natural setting provided by one of Vietnam’s most beautiful rivers.

Zones in Dong Ba Market

Despite the large number of stalls, visitors do not need to worry about getting lost in Dong Ba Market. It is divided into 3 separate zones according to floors. Each zone focuses on selling different products: 

First floor: Food “heaven”

The first floor of Dong Ba Market is mainly dedicated to food stalls. Visitors can choose from a wide variety of local dishes. Dong Ba Market foods are prepared using fresh, natural ingredients, creating an authentic and memorable culinary experience.

Local foods at Dong Ba Market (Source: Can Tho newspaper)

In addition, the market also offers a range of local specialties that are perfect as gifts for family and friends. Those are packaged carefully so that you won’t need to worry about breaking or smell during the transportation.

Second floor: Handicrafts and souvenirs

The second floor of Dong Ba Market are mainly shops selling handicrafts and souvenirs. This is an ideal place for visitors to purchase gifts for family members and friends. The souvenirs sold here reflect the beauty of Vietnamese culture and the charm of the country. Most of these items are handmade, showcasing the skill, craftsmanship, and finesse of Vietnamese artisans.

Third floor: Clothings and fabrics

The third floor of Dong Ba Market is dedicated to clothing and fabrics, featuring a wide range of vibrant and colorful materials that create a lively, eye-catching scene. This area is a great spot for visitors to take photos. Posing next to the ao dai displayed by vendors at tailor shops, surrounded by rows of brightly colored fabrics, can become a vivid and long-lasting memory for visitors. 

A fabric stall at Dong Ba Market (Source: Dong Ba Market)

If you don’t know which stall to get in at each zone in Dong Ba Market, just book a tour from Sinhcafe and we will help you. With our Central Tours (5 days) Hue - Myson - Hoi an - Danang,  Besides many destinations in nearby provinces, we will take you to some famous tourism destinations in Hue, which includes Dong Ba Market. With Sinhcafe’s local tour guides, they will take you to the most well-known and reputable stalls in the market, ensuring that you can purchase the best products at Dong Ba Market. 

Read more: Ben Tre Night Market: The fascinating location for touring and shopping

Local foods at Dong Ba Market

Coming to Dong Ba Market without having some Hue foods would be a big miss. At Dong Ba Market, there are plenty of food choices for visitors. And these are some suggested dishes:

Hue beef noodle (Bun bo Hue)

Bun bo Hue is one of the most famous dishes in Viet Nam. It is made with rice noodles, tender slices of beef, and a rich broth simmered with lemongrass and chili. The soup has a bold yet balanced flavor, combining spiciness, savory notes, and a fragrant aroma. 

Hue beef noodle (Source: Bach hoa XANH)

Grilled pork skewers (Nem lui)

Another dish that tourists must try when visiting Dong Ba Market is grilled pork skewers. The pork is carefully seasoned and grilled over charcoal, creating a smoky aroma and a slightly crispy outer layer. When eaten, it offers a rich, savory taste and is often served with a special sauce, making it both flavorful and enjoyable.

Grilled pork skewers (Source: Dan Tri newspaper)

Clear shrimp dumplings (Banh bot loc)

One famous street food at Dong Ba Market is clear shrimp dumplings. It is made by simple ingredients like shirmp, tapioca flour, which gives the dumplings a chewy and translucent texture. This dish is served with a small bowl of sauce, combining with the sweetness of shrimp and sauce, this will be a flavor “explosion” to visitors.

Clear shrimp dumplings (Source: VnExpress)

Hue sweet soup (Che Hue)

After trying those dishes above, it would be very suitable to have a dessert, and Hue sweet soup is a famous sweet dish that we suggest you

. The sweetness of this dish is from natural ingredients like beans, lotus seeds, and fruits. To have the best taste of this dish, it is recommended to have it with some ice

Hue sweet soup (source: VnExpress)

What to buy at Dong Ba Market?

Trading and shopping at Dong Ba Market is an experience that should not be missed. With thousands of stalls, the market offers a wide variety of products for visitors to explore. It is an ideal place to purchase souvenirs and local specialties as gifts for family members and friends. Below is a list of items we recommend:

Vietnamese poem conical hat (Non bai tho)

This is a well-known souvenir in Hue City. Visually, it looks like a normal conical hat; however, when held up to the light, hidden images and a poem appear inside. The conical hat represents the natural and simple beauty of Vietnamese people. A hat often costs about 120.000 VND which is a very affordable price for a local tour.

Vietnamese poem conical hat (Source: Dong Ba Market)

Sour shrimp sauce (mam tom chua) 

One specialty that visitors should buy when coming to Hue is sour shrimp sauce. This is a traditional side-dish of local residents. The price of sour shrimp sauce is about 90,000 VND for a 500 g jar. It has a sour and spicy flavor combined with the sweetness of shrimp. There is one small thing that we want to remind you : remember to ask the seller to package the jar carefully to prevent it from breaking during your trip.

A stall selling sour shrimp sauce (Source: Thanh Nien newspaper)

Dried seafood (hai san kho) 

Hue is a coastal province in Vietnam, and seafood is one of the specialties that make the region well known. The seafood is traditionally sun-dried, which helps preserve its flavor and quality. Depending on the kinds of seafood, the price fluctuates from 120000 to 400000 VND. When purchasing dried seafood, visitors are advised to ask sellers to package the products with many layers to prevent any odor from escaping during transportation.

Tips for tourists at Dong Ba Market

Spending time shopping and exploring one of the largest markets in Vietnam is an experience that leaves a lasting impression on visitors. To make this experience even more enjoyable, here are some tips we recommend:

Bargain politely

Bargaining is a common practice at markets in Vietnam. Sellers are generally hospitable and friendly, so visitors do not need to feel shy when negotiating prices. Although the discount may not be significant, engaging in a small negotiation with local vendors can be an enjoyable and memorable cultural experience.

Using Vietnamese cash

To ensure the best shopping experience, visitors are advised to use Vietnamese dong (VND) instead of U.S. dollars or cashless payment methods. As most vendors are local Vietnamese sellers, they may not accept foreign currency, and some may not support international payment apps. Therefore, exchanging some cash in advance will make your visit more convenient. An amount of around 700,000 VND (approximately 28 USD) is generally sufficient for a full experience at Dong Ba Market.

Currency exchange at airport (Source: Gurutto Vietnam)

Keep personal belongings secure

As the market can be very crowded, visitors should be careful to keep their personal belongings secure. It is recommended to carry valuable items such as wallets and phones in front-facing bags or pockets. In addition, visitors should only take out their wallets or phones when making a purchase or taking photos, rather than holding them in their hand.

Best time to visit Dong Ba Market

The market is open year-round and welcomes customers from around the world. Dong Ba Market’s opening hours are from 3 AM to midnight, however it is recommended to visit Dong Ba Market in the early morning or in the late afternoon, as the weather can be quite hot during the day.  In addition, during the year, there are certain times that are very suitable to pay a visit to this market.

Before Tet holidays

Tet is the biggest and most important festival for Vietnamese people. It often takes place at the end of December to the Lunar Calendar (which is from mid January to mid February to the Gregorian calendar). Before Tet, the demand for shopping increases significantly.Visiting Dong Ba Market at this time, you will have the opportunity to witness the festive beauty of the Lunar New Year through colorful decorations and blooming flowers.

Dong Ba Market at Tet holiday (Source: Thua Thien Hue newspaper)

Taking Dong Ba Market photos in this lively atmosphere can be a memorable experience. In addition, visitors can enjoy traditional dishes that are only available during the Tet holiday, such as chung cake and candied dried fruits.

Summer months

The summer months are also a popular time for tourists to visit Hue. During this period, Dong Ba Market becomes especially lively, with a wide variety of fresh fruits, local snacks, and refreshing drinks. Visitors can enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the market, take photos under the bright summer light, and explore colorful stalls filled with local products. In addition, many light and cooling dishes  are widely available. 

One small note for you is that autumn and winter are not the suitable times for you to travel to Dong Ba Market. This is when the Central of Vietnam has to suffer from many storms, so that your experience may not be so good.

Read more: Japanese Covered Bridge: The Timeless Icon of Hoi An

Nearby tourism destinations to Dong Ba Market

Besides Dong Ba Market, there are other destinations nearby that tourists should take into consideration when travelling to Hue city:

Imperial City of Hue

Situated about 1.5 km from Dong Ba Market, you can catch a taxi to arrive at the Imperial City-a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It allows visitors to explore the royal history, architecture, and culture of the Nguyen Dynasty. Moreover, there is a service of hiring the king’s clothes to take a picture at the throne. This will cost you about 100,000- 200,000 VND. That would be a very memorable experience to every visitor.

The Imperial City (Source: Labour newspaper)

Trang Tien Bridge

Just a short walk from Dong Ba Market, Trang Tien Bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks in Hue. Built in 1899 during the reign of King Thanh Thai with French engineering influence, the bridge is among the oldest in the city and has witnessed many historical changes. Today, Trang Tien Bridge remains a popular tourist attraction, and taking photos here is an experience that should not be missed. The best time to visit is in the evening, when the bridge is beautifully illuminated with colorful lights.

Perfume River (Huong River)

Right beside the  Dong Ba Market is the Perfume River. It offers a peaceful atmosphere and beautiful views. Visitors can take a walk along the riverbank, enjoy a boat ride, or watch the sunset after exploring the market.

Perfume River (Source:VnExpress)

If you are ready to make a trip to Dong Ba Market, don't hesitate to contact Sinh Cafe through hotline (+84) 24 37568868 or by our website Sinh Cafe. At Sinh Cafe, with many years of experience, we can commit to providing you with the best travel experience at an affordable price.

And that is all the relevant information about Dong Ba Market that we want to show you. We hope that you have had a clear overview about this place before making a trip to it. Paying a visit to Dong Ba Market is not only about the buying experience, it is also a good opportunity to discover about the beauty of Vietnam and the hospitality of local residents.