hoi an night market guide
Hoi An

The Best Of Hoi An Night Market | A Comprehensive Overview

Nestled in the heart of the charming Hoi An Ancient Town, the Hoi An Night Market is a place where you can slow down and truly connect with Vietnamese culture and cuisine. It’s open every day, but it truly comes alive in the evening when the lantern-lit streets create a warm and bustling atmosphere.

In this guide, we invite you to explore the magic of the Hoi An Night Market, where you can shop for unique crafts and souvenirs and savor the delicious flavors of Vietnam’s culinary heritage. As you wander through its lively lanes, you’ll discover more than just a market; it’s a vibrant celebration of tradition and modernity.

Hoi An is a great place to experience Vietnamese culture. There are a number of museums and cultural attractions in the town, as well as a variety of traditional Vietnamese restaurants and shops. The town is also known for its tailor shops, where many tourists can have custom-made clothing made.

A Vibrant Experience Of Vietnamese Culture And Cuisine

Hoi An Night Market is a popular tourist attraction in Hoi An Ancient Town. Open daily, it truly comes to life in the evening, when the streets are illuminated by lanterns, creating an enchanting atmosphere. The market offers an authentic shopping experience with stalls showcasing local crafts, clothing, and souvenirs, but the real highlight is the diverse and delectable Vietnamese cuisine.

Explore the unique and charming Hoi An Lantern Festival in this ancient town with our comprehensive guide!

Why Tourists Love Hoi An Night Market?

Hoi An Night Market is popular among tourists for a number of reasons. First, it is a great place to try Vietnamese food. The market has a wide variety of food stalls, so there is something for everyone to enjoy. Second, the Hoi An Night Market is a great place to shop for souvenirs. There are a number of small stalls selling handicrafts, and other items at reasonable prices. Third, the market has a lively and festive atmosphere. It is a great place to people-watch and experience the night market hours!

hoi an night market
Hoi An Night Market is popular among tourists for a number of reasons.

Best Night Markets To Visit In Hoi An

Visitors can walk around and spend time exploring the Hoi An night market. Overall, the Nguyen Hoang Night Market and Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Food Night Market are fun and affordable ways to experience Hoi An’s culture and cuisine. It is a must-visit for anyone visiting Hoi An.

Nguyen Hoang Night Market

Overall, the Nguyen Hoang Night Market is a fun and affordable way to experience Hoi An’s culture and cuisine. It is a must-visit for anyone to visit Hoi An night markets.

  • Address: Nguyen Hoang Street, Hoi An City
  • Operating hours: 4 pm to 10 pm, every day.

Overview

This Hoi An Night Market has a variety of night stalls selling things from delicious street food to Hoi An’s dishes. Some of the popular dishes that you can try at the market are Banh mi and Banh Xeo. There are also a number of souvenir shops selling handicrafts, clothing, and other items, such as lanterns, paintings, and other artwork. This Night Market is a place to people-watch and experience the lively atmosphere of Hoi An at night. There are often traditional Vietnamese music and dance performances at the market.

nguyen hoang night marrket
This market overlooks Thu Bon River and is illuminated by hundreds of colorful lanterns creating an amazing atmosphere and worth a photography spot! // Photo by Mia

Tips For Visiting This Night Market

The best time to visit Hoi An Night Markets is in the evening when the weather is cooler and the markets are more lively with many stalls of Vietnamese cuisine, and the food stall owners trading with foreign tourists.

If you guys are food lovers, please be sure to try street food such as a Vietnamese pancake with bean sprouts, and enjoy the amazing atmosphere of the food markets.

Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Food Night Market

Please note that the market may be closed on certain special occasions or due to bad weather. It is always best to check with your hotel or tour guide before heading out.

  • Address: Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Street, Hoi An City
  • Operating hours: 5 pm to 11 pm every day.

Overview

The market is a culinary paradise to try Vietnamese street food. Some of the popular dishes that you can try at the market include Mi Quang and Cao Lau. The food market is also a great place to people-watch and experience the lively atmosphere of Hoi An at night. There are often traditional music and dance performances at the market.

Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Food Night Market
Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Food Night Market // Photo by Hidden Hoi An

Tips For Visiting The Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Food Night Market

Don’t forget to bargain when shopping for souvenirs to get a better price. The prices at the night markets are generally negotiable, even with foreign travelers. Kindly be aware of your surroundings and keep your belongings close to you. The shimmering Hoi An night markets can be crowded, and there have been reports of pickpocketing.

Top 5 Things To Do In Hoi An Night Market

The market is a lively and bustling market that is a must-visit for any visitor to Hoi An. With its colorful lanterns, delicious food, and vibrant atmosphere, the night market offers a feast for the senses. Here are the top five things to do at the Hoi An Night Market!

1. Go Shopping At Traditional Stores

Here are some notes on where to go shopping and what to buy at the Hoi An Night Market.

Where To Go Shopping

The Nguyen Hoang Night Market is the largest and most popular night market in Hoi An. It is located on Nguyen Hoang Street, one of the bustling streets in the heart of the ancient town. While Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Food Night Market is a smaller night market that is located on Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Street. This market is focused on food, but there are also a few lantern stalls of souvenirs.

hoi an night market
There are a lot of popular souvenirs that you can buy at the Hoi An Night Market.

What To Buy

There are a lot of popular souvenirs that you can buy at the Hoi An Night Market.

  • Lanterns: Hoi An is known for its beautiful lanterns, which are made from silk and bamboo. You can find lanterns of all shapes and sizes at the night markets.
  • Silk clothing: Hoi An old town is also known for its silk, which is used to make a variety of clothing items, such as dresses, shirts, and scarves.
  • Handicrafts: There are a number of stalls at the night markets selling handicrafts made from bamboo, wood, and stone.
hoi an night market souvenir
Souvenirs of all shapes and sizes available at the Hoi An Night Market.

Additional Tips

Don’t forget to bring cash to Hoi An Night Market. Most of the vendors at the Hoi An night market do not accept credit cards.

Be aware of your surroundings and keep your belongings close to you. The markets can be crowded, and there have been reports of pickpocketing.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. The vendors at the Hoi An night market are generally friendly and helpful. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, or if you need help bargaining, just ask one of the vendors for help.

2. Take A Boat Trip On The Hoai River

Taking a boat trip on the Hoai River is one of the most popular things to do in Hoi An, Vietnam. The river runs through the ancient town and is lined with traditional Vietnamese houses and temples.

There are a number of different boat tours available, ranging from short 30-minute tours to longer tours that include dinner and entertainment. The most popular type of boat tour is the sunset tour, which takes you down the river as the sun is setting.

Sightseeing by Boat and Lantern Release on Hoai River Tickets
Sightseeing by Boat and Lantern Release on Hoai River

How To Do

To book a boat tour, you can simply approach one of the tour operators on the riverbank. They will be able to tell you about the different tours available and help you choose one that is right for you. Once you have booked your tour, you will be taken to a nearby boat pier. You will then board the boat and start your journey down the river.

The boat tour will take you past some of the most popular tourist attractions in Hoi An, such as the Japanese Bridge, and the ancient houses. If you are taking a sunset tour, you will have the opportunity to watch the sunset over the Hoai River. This is a truly magical experience, and it is one of the most popular photo opportunities in Hoi An. After the sunset, the boat will return to the pier where you started.

Tips For Taking A Boat Trip On The Hoai River

The best time to take a boat trip is in the evening when the weather is cooler and the river is more beautiful.

Please remember to wear comfortable shoes and clothing, as you will be doing a bit of walking.

Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun. You can consider bringing a camera to capture the beautiful scenery.

3. Play Bai Choi

Bai Choi is a traditional Vietnamese game that is popular at the Hoi An Night Market. The game is played with a board and cards, and the goal is to match the cards to the corresponding images on the board.

bai choi hoi an
Bai Choi is a diverse art form

How To Play

The board is divided into squares, each of which contains an image of a person, animal, or object. The cards are also decorated with images of people, animals, and objects.

To play the game, players sit around the board and take turns drawing cards. If a player draws a card that matches an image on the board, they can place the card on the board and claim that square. The first player to claim all nine squares on the board wins the game.

Bai Choi is a fun and easy game to learn, and it is a great way to experience the culture. It is also a great way to meet many people and make friends.

Tips For Playing Bai Choi

Be sure to learn the names of the images on the board and cards. This will help you to play the game more quickly and easily. Please pay attention to what cards other players are drawing. This will help you to predict which cards they are likely to play next. If you are drawing a card that you don’t need, consider trading it with another player.

4. Try Local Food In Hoi An Night Market

Hoi An is a city in Vietnam that is known for its delicious and unique food. There are a number of different local dishes that you can try at the Hoi An Night Market, but here are a few of the most popular:

Banh Mi

Banh mi is a Vietnamese sandwich that is made with a baguette, meat, vegetables, and a variety of sauces. The banh mi at the Hoi An Night Market are some of the best in the country.

banh mi
The banh mi at the Hoi An Night Market are some of the best in the country.

Cao Lau

Cao lau is a noodle dish that is made with rice noodles, pork, vegetables, and a special sauce. The sauce is made with pork broth, turmeric, and garlic.

cao lau
Cao lau is an unique noodle dish in Hoi An

Mi Quang

Mi Quang is a noodle dish that is made with rice noodles, shrimp, pork, and vegetables. The broth is made with turmeric, shrimp paste, and peanuts.

Banh Xeo

Banh Xeo is a savory pancake that is made with rice flour, turmeric, and water. The pancake is filled with shrimp, pork, and vegetables.

banh xeo
Banh Xeo is a savory pancake

Tips For Trying Local Food In Hoi An

Be sure to go to reputable restaurants or night market food stalls. There are a number of scammers at the night market, so it is important to be careful. Don’t hesitate to ask the locals for their recommendations. They will be able to tell you where to find the best food. Finally, always try to bargain with the vendors because the prices at the night market are generally negotiable.

5. Make A Wish With Flower Garlands

Making a wish with flower garlands in Hoi An is a popular tradition that is said to bring good luck. The garlands are made from fresh flowers and leaves, and they are often decorated with ribbons and beads.

How To Do

To make a wish with a flower garland, simply purchase one from one of the vendors at the Hoi An Night Market. Then, close your eyes and make a wish. Once done, open your eyes and float the garland down the Hoai River.

It is said that if your garland floats away, your wish will come true. However, even if your garland doesn’t float away, it is still a beautiful and meaningful experience.

lotus lantern in hoai river
Lotus lantern in Hoai river

Tips For Making A Wish With Flower Garlands

Remember to choose a vendor who sells fresh and well-made garlands. And make sure to close your eyes and make a wish before floating the garland down the river.

Just be patient as it may take a few minutes for your garland to float away. If your garland doesn’t float away, don’t be discouraged. It is still a beautiful and meaningful experience.

Ready To Explore Hoi An Night Market?

As you reluctantly say goodbye to the Hoi An Night Market, it’s like bidding farewell to a newfound friend. This place, with its simple yet enchanting charm, has a way of tugging at your heartstrings. The warm smiles of the local vendors, the tantalizing scents of Vietnamese cuisine, and the handcrafted treasures on display leave an indelible mark. The market isn’t just a stop on your travel itinerary; it’s a place where you’ve shared moments, stories, and laughter with people from another corner of the world.

The magic of this place isn’t in its lanterns or trinkets; it’s in the genuine connection you’ve made with the people and their way of life. So, as you take your leave from this down-to-earth gem, you carry a piece of Hoi An with you, a reminder that in this corner of the world, you’ve found not just a market, but a beautiful slice of humanity to cherish.

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