Dong Xuan Market
Hanoi’s largest covered market: three floors of wholesale goods behind a French-era façade, a busy food alley and a weekend night market.
- Hanoi
- Included in 2 tours
- Tours from $25
- Updated October 2026
About Dong Xuan Market
Dong Xuan Market is the biggest covered market in Hanoi and the commercial anchor of the Old Quarter. It sits at the northern end of the quarter, a 10-minute walk from Hoan Kiem Lake, and it is still mostly a wholesale market: shopkeepers from all over northern Vietnam come here to buy stock, so the aisles are packed with fabric bolts, shoes, toys, kitchenware, dried foods and everything in between.
The French built the first market here in 1889, replacing two older riverside markets, and gave it a grand façade with five arches. In 1947 the market was the scene of fierce fighting during the first Indochina War, and in 1994 a fire destroyed much of the building. It was rebuilt as a three-storey hall but kept the old front, which is why the façade looks older than the market behind it.
What you will find inside
Think of Dong Xuan Market as a working market rather than a souvenir bazaar. The ground floor is busy with fabrics, clothes, household goods and dried produce; upper floors are mostly clothing, textiles and accessories sold by the bundle. Prices are low but many stalls prefer to sell in quantity, so do not be surprised if a trader is not interested in selling a single T-shirt. Around the back and along the side alleys, fresh produce, flowers and a lively food alley take over.
The night market and the streets around
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings the street from Hang Dao up to the market closes to traffic and becomes the Old Quarter night market, with hundreds of stalls selling clothes, souvenirs and snacks. The streets around the market are worth exploring too: Hang Chieu leads to O Quan Chuong, the last old city gate, and the Long Bien wholesale market and Long Bien Bridge are only a few minutes away.
Our 2-hour jeep and electric scooter city tours pass Dong Xuan Market on the way through the Old Quarter — a good way to see the market streets from above the traffic before you come back on foot.
Is Dong Xuan Market worth visiting?
It is worth it if you want to see a real, working wholesale market rather than a souvenir bazaar, and to eat at the lively food alley behind it. Many stalls prefer to sell in bulk, so it is less about one-off shopping than about the atmosphere and the surrounding streets, including O Quan Chuong gate and the weekend Old Quarter night market that runs up to the market from Hang Dao.
Worth it?
Why visit Dong Xuan Market?
- Hanoi’s biggest covered marketThree floors of wholesale trade — a real working market, not a tourist show.
- French-era façadeThe five-arched front from 1889 survived the 1994 fire and is the market’s best-known image.
- Food alleyCheap local dishes at shared tables just beside the market halls.
- Weekend night marketFriday to Sunday evening, stalls fill the street from Hang Dao to the market.
- Gateway to the northern Old QuarterO Quan Chuong gate, Long Bien Bridge and Bach Ma Temple are all a short walk away.
Make the most of it
Things to do at Dong Xuan Market
Explore the ground floor
Fabrics, dried mushrooms, tea, coffee, candied fruit and spices. Allow 30–45 minutes and walk slowly — the aisles are narrow.
Buy coffee and tea to take home
Vietnamese ground coffee, lotus tea and green tea are sold by weight. Ask to taste and compare a few stalls before buying.
Eat in the food alley
Stalls beside the market serve dishes like bun oc (snail noodle soup), banh cuon and sweet che. Most dishes cost about 30,000–60,000 VND.
Browse the upper floors
Clothing, textiles and accessories, mostly sold wholesale. Quieter than the ground floor and good for a look at how the trade works.
Shop the weekend night market
Friday to Sunday from about 19:00 to 23:00, along Hang Dao, Hang Ngang and Hang Duong up to the market. Souvenirs, T-shirts, bags and snacks; bargain politely.
Walk to O Quan Chuong gate
Five minutes east along Hang Chieu to the last surviving gate of the old city wall.
See Long Bien Bridge
Continue ten minutes north-east to the historic iron bridge over the Red River. Early mornings are best.
Take an electric shuttle car
Open-sided electric cars start near the market and loop around the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake in about 35–45 minutes. Check the current price at the ticket desk.
See the market streets on a city tour
Our 2-hour vintage jeep and electric scooter tours ride past Dong Xuan Market as part of the Old Quarter loop.
Good to know
Market guide: what to buy at Dong Xuan Market
| Coffee and tea | Ground Vietnamese coffee, lotus and jasmine tea — sold by weight |
|---|---|
| Dried goods | Mushrooms, candied fruit, nuts, dried squid and spices |
| Fabrics | Silk, cotton and lace by the metre, mostly on the ground floor |
| Clothes and accessories | Mostly upper floors; often sold in bundles |
| Household goods | Kitchenware, chopsticks, ceramics and plastic baskets |
| Souvenirs | Better choice at the weekend night market and on nearby streets |
| Fresh food and flowers | Around the back of the market and along the side alleys |
Many stalls are wholesale. A smile, a calculator and a clear “how much for one?” go a long way.
Timing
Best time to visit Dong Xuan Market
Traders loading and unloading, fresh produce arriving — busy and authentic, but some stalls are not yet open.
All stalls open and it is still fairly cool. The best time for a first visit.
Hot inside the halls, especially from May to September. Some traders close early.
The night market runs from about 19:00 to 23:00 on the street in front of the market.
Extremely busy and colourful in the weeks before Lunar New Year; the market closes for several days over Tet.
Map & directions
How to get to Dong Xuan Market
- From Hoan Kiem LakeAbout 10–15 minutes on foot straight north along Hang Dao, Hang Ngang and Hang Duong.
- From Old Quarter hotelsMost are within a 5–15 minute walk. A Grab motorbike costs about 15,000–25,000 VND.
- From elsewhere in HanoiGrab or taxi to Cho Dong Xuan. Several city buses stop nearby on Tran Nhat Duat and Phung Hung.
- With a local guideOur 2-hour jeep and electric scooter tours pass the market, with free pickup from Old Quarter hotels.
Eat like a local
Where to eat near Dong Xuan Market
- Dong Xuan food alleyBeside the market: snail noodle soup, rice rolls, sticky rice and sweet soups at shared tables.
- Banh Mi 25, 25 Hang CaPopular banh mi a few minutes south of the market, with an easy menu.
- Che Bon Mua, 4 Hang CanA long-running sweet soup shop; try the che with sticky rice or the seasonal flavours.
- Pho Gia Truyen, 49 Bat DanClassic beef pho, about ten minutes’ walk west. Mornings only and often a queue.
- Bun Bo Nam Bo, 67 Hang DieuDry beef noodle salad with herbs and peanuts — a filling lunch.
For your camera
Best photo spots at Dong Xuan Market
- The main façadeStand across Dong Xuan street to fit all five arches into the frame.
- Fabric aislesBolts of colourful cloth stacked to the ceiling. Ask before photographing traders.
- O Quan Chuong gateThe old city gate is five minutes away and best before traffic builds up.
- Night market lightsStalls and lanterns along Hang Dao on weekend evenings.
Local advice
Tips for visiting Dong Xuan Market
Do
- Go mid-morning when all stalls are open
- Bargain with a smile and walk away politely if the price is not right
- Carry small notes — many traders cannot break big ones
- Keep your bag in front of you in the crowded aisles
- Watch for motorbikes carrying goods in the side alleys
Don’t
- Expect fixed prices or souvenir shop service
- Block narrow aisles while taking photos
- Photograph traders up close without asking
- Leave your phone in a back pocket
- Plan your visit for the days around Tet, when most stalls are closed
Visit with a local
Tours that visit Dong Xuan Market
Hanoi · Electric Scooter
Hanoi Electric Scooter City Highlights Tour
234+ booked
From $45
$38
per adult
Good to know
Dong Xuan Market: questions & answers
What are Dong Xuan Market opening hours?
The market is open about 6:00–18:00 every day, though some stalls open later or close earlier. The weekend night market runs Friday to Sunday from about 19:00 to 23:00.
Is Dong Xuan Market worth visiting?
Yes, if you want to see a real working market. It is less about souvenirs and more about everyday trade, food and atmosphere.
What can I buy at Dong Xuan Market?
Coffee, tea, dried fruit, spices, fabrics, clothes and household goods. For souvenirs, the weekend night market and nearby streets have more choice.
When is the Dong Xuan night market?
Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, from about 19:00 until 23:00, along the walking streets from Hang Dao to the market.
Is there food at Dong Xuan Market?
Yes. A food alley beside the market serves snail noodle soup, rice rolls, sticky rice and sweet soups, and there are many famous food stalls nearby.
How old is Dong Xuan Market?
The first market was built by the French in 1889. Much of it was rebuilt after a fire in 1994, but the original façade survives.
Do I need to bargain at Dong Xuan Market?
Yes, at most stalls. Ask the price, offer a little less and settle with a smile. Many stalls sell wholesale and may prefer larger quantities.
How far is Dong Xuan Market from Hoan Kiem Lake?
About 600 m, a 10–15 minute walk north through the Old Quarter.
What time is best to visit Dong Xuan Market?
Come in the morning, around 8:00 to 11:00, to see the working market at its busiest, or on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday evening (about 19:00 to 23:00) for the Old Quarter night market along the street leading up to it.
Is Dong Xuan Market good for souvenirs?
Not especially. It is mainly a wholesale market and many stalls sell in quantity rather than single items. For souvenirs you will do better in the surrounding Old Quarter streets and at the weekend night market, while the market itself is best for atmosphere and the food alley.
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