It is also known as “culinary paradise in the heart of Hanoi”, where you can enjoy all the delicious specialties of Hanoi people. Let’s explore this ancient and historical market with Origin Vietnam.
1. Where is Dong Xuan Market?
Dong Xuan Market is located right in the center of Hanoi\’s Old Quarter. It is located in Dong Xuan ward, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi city, Vietnam. Only about 1km from Hoan Kiem Lake, very close to Long Bien station and Hang Ma street. With geographical location:
- The west of the market is Dong Xuan street.
- To the East is Dong Xuan Alley.
- Hang Khoai Street to the North.
- To the South is Cau Dong Street.
2. How is Dong Xuan Market unique?
Not only is it a bustling trading place, Dong Xuan Market is also a cultural and historical symbol of Hanoi, which has existed since the Nguyen Dynasty. When visiting Dong Xuan Market, you can freely shop for cute and unique items. And enjoy extremely attractive Hanoi snacks, along with memorable experiences.
Dong Xuan Market, also known as Cho Lon, is a vivid symbol of Hanoi. A place where the past and the present, tradition and modernity intersect. Having gone through hundreds of years of ups and downs, Dong Xuan Market is not only a bustling commercial center. But also a historical witness to the land of thousands of years of civilization.
Right behind the market is Bac Qua Market – a market that has existed since the 60s. People often call it Bac Qua – Dong Xuan Market. Compared to the surrounding neighborhoods, Dong Xuan is still a relatively young market. However, this is one of the largest wholesale markets in Hanoi, mainly serving wholesale. In addition, the market also has retail stalls with quite affordable prices. This is considered a sightseeing and shopping destination not to be missed when traveling to Hanoi.
3. How to get to Dong Xuan market?
There are many ways to get to Dong Xuan market. You can go by bicycle, motorbike, taxi, technology car or bus.
3.1 By bus:
- Route 1: Gia Lam bus station – Yen Nghia.
- Route 4: Long Bien bus station – Nuoc Ngam bus station.
- Anh route 8: Long Bien bus station – Dong My.
- In addition, bus routes 3, 11, 18, 22, 23, 31, 34, 40 all have suitable routes to Dong Xuan Market.
3.2 By motorbike:
Starting from Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, you follow Dinh Tien Hoang Street towards Hang Dao. Continue straight through Hang Ngang, Hang Duong, and Dong Xuan, until you reach the intersection with Cau Dong, then turn right. Go another 55m to reach the East gate of Dong Xuan Market.
4. Opening hours of Dong Xuan Market
Like many other markets, Dong Xuan Market is open
- The market is open every day of the week, from 6am to 6pm every day. The food court in the market alley is open until dawn the next day.
- In particular, on weekends, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, Dong Xuan Market opens until 10:30 p.m. to serve the sightseeing and shopping needs of tourists.
This is one of the bustling and crowded shopping places that tourists cannot miss when traveling to Hanoi.
5. History of Dong Xuan Market
Dong Xuan Market is a large-scale market that has been around for hundreds of years. This place has witnessed many changes in Hanoi over time and is known by another name, Cho Lon. According to historical records:
- In 1804, the Nguyen Dynasty built a market on the south side of To Lich River to facilitate the trading of ships and boats.
- After To Lich River and Thai Cuc Lake were filled in 1889, the French government planned and gathered shops and stalls into an empty lot in Dong Xuan Ward.
- In 1890, the French built the market with a total area of 6,500 m2 in French architecture. With 5 toilets, 5 triangular sections with honeycomb holes and 5 arches.
- By 1990, the market was repaired with only 3 middle rows and built 3 floors. In 1995, Dong Xuan market was rebuilt with a full fire protection, ventilation and escape system.
At that time, the market had an area of up to 14,000 m2 with about 2,000 stalls. This place became the most modern and bustling market in Hanoi.
6. How to arrange stalls in Dong Xuan Market
Dong Xuan Market is the largest wholesale market for all small traders in all provinces of Northern Vietnam. The market is extremely spacious with 3 floors and sells a variety of different items. Customers coming here can easily find all kinds of goods, whether buying wholesale or retail, the prices are very reasonable and affordable.
How to arrange stalls in the market:
- 1st floor: clothing stores, fashion accessories, shoes, electronic products from China.
- 2nd floor: wholesale and retail area for fabrics and clothes for adults.
- 3rd floor: area selling clothes and items for babies.
- Bac Qua market area: selling food, food stalls open until midnight.
- Behind the market: stalls selling ornamental birds, fish, and pets.
Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Dong Xuan night market will operate from 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The night market stretches to the beginning of Hang Ngang and Hang Dao streets with more than 4,000 different stalls. The atmosphere of the night market is extremely bustling, always bustling with buyers and sellers. A special program every Saturday night is the Xam singing activity – a typical cultural form of the Kinh Ky land.
7. Specialties when visiting Dong Xuan market
7.1 Delicious dishes:
Not only is it the busiest and most bustling place to buy and sell goods in Hanoi. Dong Xuan market is also the “culinary paradise” of the capital. When visiting Dong Xuan market, you will have the opportunity to enjoy countless delicious dishes, from savory to sweet dishes, all with their own unique flavors.
When you set foot in Dong Xuan market, you cannot miss the opportunity to explore Dong Xuan market alley. This is a “super food alley” hidden right in the heart of the old town. Only 200m long, but this small alley is home to hundreds of shops. It offers a culinary paradise with unique Hanoi delicacies.
From traditional dishes to new variations, Dong Xuan market alley satisfies all tastes of diners. Crispy shrimp cakes, fragrant bamboo skewer vermicelli, rich pho tiu, hot snail noodles, rib cartilage porridge. In addition, there are fragrant sticky rice cakes, soft and smooth rice cakes, sweet mango cakes, cool desserts,… All are available at Dong Xuan market alley, ready to awaken your taste buds.
7.2 Some delicious restaurant addresses in Dong Xuan market:
You are looking for an address to enjoy delicious, famous cuisine in Dong Xuan market. Check out the list of famous restaurants below:
7.2.1 Co Am Shrimp Cake
- Address: Dong Xuan Alley, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
- Opening hours: 10:30 am – 1 pm; 3:00 pm – 5:30 pm.
- Reference price: 10,000 – 50,000 VND.
7.2.2 Huyen Anh – Rib Porridge
- Address: 14 Dong Xuan, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
- Opening hours: 11:30 am – 4 pm.
- Reference price: 20,000 – 55,000 VND.
7.2.3 Thuy – Snail Noodles
- Address: 11 Dong Xuan, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
- Opening hours: 7:30 am – 5:30 pm.
- Reference price: 40,000 – 50,000 VND.
7.2.4 Mrs Nga – Grill meat and rice noodles
- Address: Dong Xuan Alley, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
- Opening hours: 7am – 6pm.
- Reference price: 30,000 – 50,000 VND.
8. Accommodation when visiting Dong Xuan Market
When traveling here, you can refer to some of the following accommodations:
- Golden Rooster Hotel. Address: 17 Hang Ga, Hang Bo Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi City.
- Carillon Boutique Hotel. Address: 35 Hang Dong, Hang Bo Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi City.
- Maya Boutique Hotel & Spa. Address: 20 Dao Duy Tu, Hang Buom Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi City.
- Hanoi Boutique Hotel & Spa. Address: 7 Ngo Gach, Hang Buom Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi City.
- Nha Ngo Gach. Address: 9 Ngo Gach, Hang Buom, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi City.
- Hanoi Tirant Hotel. Address: 38 Gia Ngu Ward, Hang Bac, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi City.
- Hanoi Pearl Hotel. Address: 2VJ2+648, No. 6 Ng. Bao Khanh, Hang Trong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi City.
- May De Ville Premier Hotel & Spa. Address: 43 Gia Ngu Street, Hang Bac Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
- Imperial Hotel & Spa Hanoi. Address: 44 Ng. Hang Hanh Street, Hang Trong Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
9. Some other famous tourist attractions near Dong Xuan Market
Dong Xuan Market is located in Hoan Kiem District. Therefore, it should be very close to other famous tourist attractions in Hanoi. You can completely arrange your time to combine visiting many places in the same day. After exploring and shopping at Dong Xuan Market, you can visit the following tourist attractions:
9.1 Hanoi Old Quarter:
This place is famous for its 36 streets, each street has its own cultural beauty, selling a typical item. When coming here, you will be lost in an extremely impressive space with old houses, ancient streets, communal houses, temples, assembly halls, etc.
9.2 Hanoi Opera House:
Located at 1A Trang Tien, on the August Revolution Square, this is a building with an extremely unique architecture, with its own European beauty. Besides, this is also a check-in location sought after by many virtual life enthusiasts.
9.3 Hoan Kiem Lake:
This place is known as a famous symbol of the thousand-year-old capital. Hoan Kiem Lake is a place associated with the legendary story of King Le Thai To returning the precious sword to the Divine Turtle.
9.4 Hanoi Book Street:
Located on 19/12 Street, on Tran Hung Dao Street, not only is it a place with rare books, this book street is also a super hot virtual life location that young people love to visit recently.
9.5 Hanoi Cathedral:
This is the largest Catholic church in Hanoi, built in the Gothic architectural style. This is a unique architectural work and a destination that attracts many tourists.
9.6 Tran Quoc Pagoda:
This is the oldest pagoda in Hanoi, built in the 6th century. This is one of the important spiritual destinations for Hanoi people and a destination that attracts many tourists.
9.7 National Museum of History:
The National Museum of History is a place that displays historical artifacts of Vietnam from prehistoric times to the present. This is an ideal destination for those who want to learn about Vietnamese history.
10. Some important notes when visiting Dong Xuan market
To make your visit to Dong Xuan market meaningful and complete. You should refer to some necessary notes below:
- Dong Xuan market is always crowded and bustling, so there is often a situation of pickpocketing. Take good care of your belongings, money and phone.
- The market mainly sells wholesale, so when buying in large quantities, you will get a much more favorable price.
- When buying at Dong Xuan market, shop owners often quote very high prices, so remember to bargain when buying here. Therefore, you should not go shopping early in the morning to avoid asking for prices and bargaining without buying.
- Choosing comfortable clothes for easy movement and shopping. However, you still need to dress nicely because behind Dong Xuan market there are stairs and a very vintage check-in space.
Dong Xuan market is not only a familiar sightseeing and shopping address for people. But it has also become a historical and cultural symbol of the capital Hanoi. If you have the opportunity to travel to Hanoi, please contact Origin Vietnam – a professional tour operator. We will take you on a journey to explore Hanoi tour at Dong Xuan market. So that you have the opportunity to visit, shop and explore the cuisine at this special market.
Images Source: Internet
