Strolling around Hanoi Old Quarter Night Market and Walking Streets
Hanoi Old Quarter Night Market is a favorite destination for international tourists when visiting Hanoi. It is located in the heart of Hanoi and is a wonderful place to enjoy and explore the culture of Hanoi.
Overview of Hanoi Old Quarter Night Market
Walking around Hoan Kiem lake – the heart of Hanoi – on weekend nights, it is easy to notice a crowded night market, known as Dong Xuan Night Market. It is one of the most famous night markets in Vietnam.
With its recent expansion, Hanoi’s Old Quarter Walking street (formerly Hang Dao – Dong Xuan walking street) is the biggest walking street in Hanoi and a wonderful place for both locals and foreigners to explore and enjoy Vietnamese culture.
Hanoi Old Quarter Night Market
It has been over a decade since its opening, Dong Xuan Night Market is a 3 kilometers long pedestrian street from Hang Dao street to Dong Xuan market. With the aim of promoting Vietnamese culture in foreigners’ eyes and the Vietnamese new generation, the night market represents Hanoi’s cultural life and activities in the past.
This walking street opens from 7 pm until 11 pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night and consists of over 3000 stalls from numerous small traders selling foods, clothes, accessories, daily goods, souvenirs, and handicrafts. All the items are pretty cheap here, however, a bargain is still an interesting aspect in Vietnamese market culture so make sure to do it when you are about to buy something. Along the street, you can easily find many artists who are able to sketch a portrait.
Just wait for a few minutes, with a reasonable price; you will receive a perfect picture of yourself drawn by a street artist. Moreover, visitors can also have chances to taste several types of Vietnamese street food along the street and enjoy cultural activities while having fun in the market.
It is no surprise to meet foreigners and locals from all ages in this crowded market as they all come there to experience real Hanoi’s sense with the images of antique architecture, the sounds of Vietnamese folk music, the subtle taste of delicious food and the atmosphere of Hanoi’s old market.
Recently, Dong Xuan pedestrian street has been expanded to Level 1 reservation area in Hanoi’s old quarter street, namely Hang Buom, Hang Giay, Ta Hien, Luong Ngoc Quyen, and Ma May. Especially, Hang Buom food street includes about 40 food stalls selling many kinds of traditional food from Hanoi and other provinces.
Fresh juices, sweet soup (che), sweet rice cake, spring rolls (nem cuon) and Vietnamese salad (nom) are the popular ones. With food tour Hanoi Vietnam, you will have a chance to enjoy all street foods only in Hanoi.
There are also foods from other countries, which are popular in Vietnam, such as Korean food, kebab, Taiwanese bubble tea, and French cakes. In September 2017, Hanoi has piloted walking streets around Sword Lake including Le Thai To, Dinh Tien Hoang, Hang Khay streets, which helps to make Sword lake become a favorite destination of every tourist.
Dong Xuan night market
Vietnamese traditional music concerts can also be seen at walking street. ‘Ca tru’, which is on the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, ‘Cheo’, ‘Hat xam’, ‘Chau van’ are performed along the street and in front of small temples by professional artists. For both locals, especially youngsters, and foreigners who like to discover the country’s traditional folk music, it is a great opportunity to experience various types of Vietnamese traditional art when you are having Vietnam combo tours and these concerts are all free.
Other places near Hanoi Old Quarter Night Market
Hoan Kiem Lake
Hoan Kiem lake, also known as Sword Lake, is a beautiful lake in the heart of Hanoi. This lake is a must-visit destination for tourists when visiting Hanoi due to its beauty and cultural meaning. According to history, Hoan Kiem lake is associated with the victory of King Le Loi against the Chinese army in the 15th century. Through the ups and downs of history, this beautiful lake has become the soul of Hanoi and the symbol that anyone defines to Hanoi that is not able to forget this lake.
Hoan Kiem Lake
Ta Hien street
Moving to Ta Hien street, which is also known as a Western street, it is time to enjoy the modern world. Live performances from music band play instrumental, from the popular US – UK songs, European classical music to Vietnamese latest songs in the central square of this street.
Ta Hien street is crowded, but it is not like the atmosphere in the market but it is covered by groups of youngsters sitting around a small table, drinking tea/ lemon tea, eating street/ junk foods, chatting around and enjoy the music. In other corners, somewhere, you can see foreigners sitting next to a plastic table, holding beer bottles, smiling and saying ‘Cheers’. It might seem to be a modern place but you can still feel the sense of an old Hanoi there. Probably, it is something that only Hanoi owns!
Hanoi Old Quarter Night Market is where tourists can go shopping and explore the culture as well as the lifestyle of Hanoi people. It is a must-see spot that you cannot ignore when visiting Hanoi. If you have any questions, don’t forget to contact us via the website Vietnam group tour. Thank you!
