Dong Xuan Market - A Busy Trade Center in Hanoi

Dong Xuan Market has long been a tourist attraction in Hanoi, thanks to its prime location in the heart of this city. Coming to Dong Xuan, you can find a wide range of commodities from fabric, clothing, local handicrafts, souvenirs and street foods. Read on to explore all the specific things about Dong Xuan Market.

I. History of Dong Xuan Market

Built in 1889 by the French colonial administration, Dong Xuan Market has witnessed Hanoi’s transformation through various historical periods. Originally constructed with five distinct dome-shaped roofs supported by steel frames, the market covered an impressive 6,500 square meters. The structure’s unique architectural style reflects the French colonial influence that shaped Hanoi’s urban landscape.

The market has survived significant historical events, including:

• In 1946, Dong Xuan Market witnessed the fierce battles of Vietnamese resistance fighters against the French soldiers
• In 1990, rebuilt, two blocks were broken down, and three others were renovated with three floors. 
• In 1994, completely destroyed by fire
• In 1995, rebuilt with a total area of three floors of nearly 14,000 square meters with about 2000 stores.

II. What to Buy in Dong Xuan

1. Dong Xuan Day Market

Like other traditional markets in Vietnam, Dong Xuan has an abundance of kiosks selling essential goods spread over three storeys. Each floor of Dong Xuan Day Market has extinct types of goods. Let’s discover what is sold on each floor!

• Ground floor

On the ground floor of Dong Xuan Market, there are many kinds of foodstuffs such as meat, seafood, vegetables and processed foods. The back parts of this floor sells pets like dogs, cats, goldfish and also fresh flowers. They also sell household appliances and electric equipment there.

• 2nd floor

Continuing to go up to the second floor, you will get to the area where fashion products are sold with T-shirts, hats, dresses, skirts, fabrics in many colors and styles. Besides, second floor have accessories with handbags, shoes, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, watches and so on. The price of most commodities here is quite reasonable.

• 3rd floor

The third floor is exactly the place for parents, especially mothers with kids. On the highest floor of Dong Xuan, there are various clothes for newborn babies, pregnant women and children. In addition, there are other types of products for children such as toys, stuffed animals, lego blocks and puzzle games. Most of the toys originate from China, so the prices are quite cheap. It is a good idea for you to bring your children some souvenirs from Vietnam, they must be extremely excited!

2. Dong Xuan Night Market

Dong Xuan Night Market takes place from 6pm until midnight on the last three days of the week. The location of this night market is not within Dong Xuan Market but from Hang Dao Street to the gate of the day market, so it is also called Hanoi Weekend Night Market.

Held from 6pm till midnight on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Dong Xuan Night Market is not only a place for purchasing goods in general but also an integral destination for cultural exchanges. Dong Xuan Night Market provides you with numerous products in nearly 4000 kiosks, ranging from fabric, clothes, souvenirs, handicrafts to foods and beverages.

The most popular products sold at Dong Xuan are clothes, shoes and up-to-date fashion commodities that serve the demand of the young locals and tourists. Wandering around the crowded streets, you can freely choose a variety of souvenirs of Hanoi such as ceramics, pottery, wooden toys, ivory combs, T-shirt…

Not only that, you can have a chance to enjoy mouth-watering Vietnamese specialties such as Pho, banh mi, rib porridge and sweet soup.

Shopping Tips to Note

Here are some shopping tips for your best experiences in Dong Xuan:

• Unlike at Dong Xuan Day Market, at the night market, you need not to bargain because the prices there are quite reasonable and pocket-friendly.
• If you get to Dong Xuan Night Market by motorbike, besides finding a parking area, you should not take in alcohol drinks or you will be fined by the police.
• In addition to trading at this market, you can experience the cultural traits in the nearby areas, especially in Hanoi Old Quarter.
• Don’t forget to keep an eye on your wallet and mobile phone, since there might be some pickpockets there.

III. What to Eat in Dong Xuan Market?

In Dong Xuan, you would love the diversity of street foods there. In this market, you can choose plenty of delicious dishes, from Vietnamese style to famous street foods of other countries in the world. The reasonable prices and the diversity of food there make Dong Xuan a food paradise in the Old Quarter of Hanoi.

Listing all the must-to-eat dishes in Dong Xuan Market is such a difficult task for you, so why don’t you try these following suggestions?

1. Noodle with grilled bamboo-stuck meat (Bún chả que tre)

Noodles with grilled bamboo-stuck meat is the first dish that is worth a try. People cut pork into slices, add onion, lemongrass, black pepper and some other spices, stuck in a bamboo stick and grilled on charcoal fire. You can eat it with rice noodles, pickled vegetables such as lettuce, cucumber as well as sweet and sour fish sauce. Having a plate of noodles with grilled bamboo-stuck meat will cost you about 25,000 VND, absolutely cheap for a delicious meal.

2. Rib and cartilage gruel (Cháo sườn sụn)

In other places, rib and cartilage gruel is made from whole rice grain, but in Dong Xuan, it is made from grinded rice, which helps the texture to be more smooth and flavorful. You will eat rib porridge with finger-shaped dried bread. This dish will immediately leave a long-lasting impression on you from the first try. Only with 30,000 VND, you can enjoy a full bowl of rib and cartilage gruel in Dong Xuan Market.

3. Beef jerky and green papaya salad (Gỏi xoài khô bò)

Beef jerky and green papaya salad is a kind of snack popular in Dong Xuan Market. People make it from dried and spicy beef, mix with fine-cut green papaya, roast gizzard, peanuts, coriander and mint leaves. The most important ingredient of this dish is the unique sauce, which is made from fish sauce, sugar, lemon juice and chili, adding an unforgettable taste in every visitor. A plate of beef jerky and green papaya salad is around 35,000 VND, which is quite suitable for an evening wandering around the Old Quarter.

IV. How to Get to Dong Xuan Night Market?

From the north bank of the Hoan Kiem lake, take Hang Dao Street. Along the way, it changes name to Hang Ngang Street and then Hang Duong Street. Eventually it becomes Dong Xuan Street. You will see the market on the right side of the road.

The location of Dong Xuan is right in the city center, so it is convenient for you to get there by car, bus, motorbike and even on walk.

• By taxi: It is the easiest and most convenient to get to Dong Xuan Night Market, especially if you plan to stay at Dong Xuan Market late until midnight.
• By motorbike: Riding a motorbike to admire the busy streets of Hanoi for sure is an intriguing experience. Besides, you will have to find a parking lot in the nearby area because the Old Quarter of Hanoi on weekends is blocked off to vehicles.   
• By bus: Buses No. 03, 14, 15, 18 and 40 will take you to the nearby areas of Dong Xuan Market, then you will have to walk to get there.

In the Old Quarter, the surrounding area of the market is also an ideal destination for you to explore. In a walking distance, you can get to Ta Hien Street to drink a cup of beer, enjoy the cultural shows at Thang Long Water Puppet Theater or wander around Hoan Kiem Lake and Long Bien Bridge to feel the bustling life of Hanoians.

It is such a flaw if you come to Hanoi without shopping and experiencing the local culture in Dong Xuan Market. Not only a well-known trading center in Hanoi, Dong Xuan also holds the sentimental values for the capital with more than 1000 years of history. And what are you waiting for? Let’s visit Dong Xuan Market and don’t forget to share with us your wonderful experiences.