Quang Ba Flower Market in Hanoi

When roughly everyone in Hanoi falls asleep, Quang Ba flower market “wakes up”. Visiting this special flower market, visitors can not only enjoy the colorful and fresh beauty of numerous flowers but also discover Hanoi at night.

I. History of Quang Ba Flower Market

The market originated spontaneously from local flower-growing villages in Tay Ho and Tu Liem areas, initially located at the junction of Xuan Dieu and Au Co Streets. After Tay Ho District’s establishment in 1996, it relocated to its current location and grew into one of Northern Vietnam’s largest night flower markets.

The market now offers both local and imported flowers from various sources including Vinh Phuc, Da Lat, China, Thailand, Netherlands, and South Africa. The selection changes with the seasons, ensuring variety year-round.

II. Highlights of Quang Ba Flower Market

1. Chances For Strange Experiences

Visitors discover a different side of Hanoi in route to the market – a quieter city with distinct cultural beauty. The market offers two unusual experiences: a bustling marketplace while the city sleeps, and nighttime flower shopping when most prefer morning purchases.

First, while the whole city is falling asleep after a long and hard-working day, when everyone assumes that, apart from some entertaining night activities, nearly all working activities are stopped, a bustling market is still open.

Secondly, when the majority of consumers choose shopping for flowers in the early morning so that they can totally observe their beauty, this market sells tons of flowers each night.

2. Friendly Atmosphere

Located on Nghi Tam dike, the market features numerous stalls selling various flowers at wholesale prices. Sellers handle their delicate merchandise with care, creating a gentle atmosphere despite the busy environment. The market serves both wholesalers and individual buyers, attracting locals, students, and tourists alike.

3. Better View Into The Nightlife

In addition to the beauty of the flowers, going to this market provides travelers priceless opportunity to understand the lives of Hanoi manual laborers at night better.

Regrettably, opposed to the prosperous bustling life which is often seen in the morning, there are a plethora of marginalized people who are waiting for the night to make their living.

These people spend their lives making living on flowers, working even when others are falling asleep or even on the holidays. In spite of their hard lives, sellers at this market still bring Hanoi a fantastic scene at night, a scene that is covered with colorful flowers and fragrance. 

4. Enjoy Another Aspect of Hanoi’s Night

In Quang Ba flower market, there are a large number of buses carrying flowers going in and out. The laughter, the offers of the sellers, the bargain of the buyers create an energetic scene, which makes it hard for people to believe that this is the living night scene of a capital, of a city that has one-thousand-year history and culture.

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5. Familiar Customers and Visitors

Even though this market is specialized for selling wholesales, it is still possible for consumers to buy a small number of flowers for daily activities. Therefore, familiar customers of this flower market are not only the small vendors but also normal buyers, who come to search for flowers at such an appropriate price.

6. Beautiful Shimmering Scenes

Lastly, for first-time visitors, who worry that the dark of the night will prevent them from totally enjoying the flower market, there is no point in worrying about that. Each stall will have a small light so that the sellers, as well as the customers, can conveniently purchase the flowers.

In fact, the shimmering light of a tremendous variety of flower stalls offers viewers a surprisingly awesome scene, the scene in which Quang Ba night flower market is immersed in splendid, colorful colors and light.

III. Choosing Flowers and Bargaining at Quang Ba Night Flower Market

1. How To Get The Fresh Blooms

Going shopping in Hanoi, especially shopping for flowers in the wee hours is undeniably a relaxing and interesting experience; however, it is not easy to choose the freshest as well as the most beautiful flowers. In fact, for first-time buyers or foreigners, it can even turn out to be a hard challenge. Here are some tips for you.

Choosing Quality Flowers:

• Bring a flashlight for proper inspection
• Check the calyx and leaves for freshness
• Test small bouquets by holding them upside down
• Compare prices between stalls (those at market’s end often offer better deals)
• Bargain respectfully – it’s expected

2. How to Bargain at Quang Ba Flower Market (Tips)

Do not forget to bargain. Please do not be shy as it is one part of the purchasing process here. If you are lucky, you may get a little off for the flowers. However, if you want to get the lowest price possible (which, surprisingly, is really cheap), you had better purchase flowers in large numbers. For wholesale, the price can be merely VND 50,000 for a bunch of 50 blooms.

Lastly, another tip to get the best price for you: The flowers’ costs of stalls located at the end of the market are usually lower than those of stalls situated near the market gate.

IV. What to Eat After Visiting the Market

Flower Market does not sell food, of course. But if you want a wealthy breakfast to get your energy back after a busy night wandering around Quang Ba market, then you can find a plethora of restaurants near there.

If you are willing to try traditional Vietnamese food, you are suggested to go along the outer surrounding areas of the market. On the left-hand side, tourists would find several food stalls, which offer you a quick and simple breakfast for an energetic day.

However, you want to have a wider range of choice (and, ideally, if you end up your small journey through Quang Ba market in Dong Xuan Market), have another small walk toward the Old Quarter, you will find numerous amazing food spots here, both local and international. Absolutely, the food, as well as cuisine at Hanoi Old Quarter, will make your mouth ever watering.

V. How to Get to The Market

As the market will take place at night when there is (of course) no bus running, tourists may only have two ways to get to the market at that time:

• Motorbike: Hire a motorbike in advance and use google map to find the way leading to the market.
• Car or taxi: For a safer choice, book a Grab taxi or Grab car in advance and simply use them to get to the market.

Travelers are highly recommended to choose the later option as finding ways yourselves a night to a strange place would definitely a daunting challenge!

VI. Tips and Tricks for Wandering Quang Ba

• Arrive during peak hours for the best selection
• Be respectful when taking photographs
• Keep belongings secure
• During Tet holidays, expect special seasonal flowers and expanded market area
• Consider visiting during holidays for a traditional Vietnamese experience

Quang Ba Flower Night Market is considered a paradise for flower-lovers, where roughly every kind of flower can be found. Visiting this place, tourists would have a priceless chance of learning and discovering new things. So, why not give this spot a try?