Hoi An Market: The latest and most detailed guide for your upcoming trip

Contents

Hoi An Market attracts hundreds of tourists every day (Source: Collected)

1. Where is Hoi An Market?

• Address: No. 19, Tran Phu Street, Cam Chau Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province

Located at the intersection of three main streets including Tran Phu, Bach Dang and Nguyen Thai Hoc, Hoi An Market has been one of the most important trading points of Hoi An for a long time. Its prime location near attractions like the Sa Huynh Culture Museum, Cau Pagoda, Tan Ky Old House, and Cantonese Assembly Hall makes it a must-visit on any Hoi An itinerary. Easily accessible from all parts of the Ancient Town, the market offers a vibrant cultural experience.

Hoi An Market – a well-known Hoi Han tourist attraction (Source: Collected)

Hoi An Market, like other Hoi An Ancient Town‘s architectural works built during the French colonial period in Vietnam, features spectacular characteristics of French architecture with mustard yellow painted walls, arched doors and windows, and decorative columns. The market is organized into separate sections for fresh seafood, vegetables and fruits, and souvenirs so that tourists can easily find what they want at the market.

The attractive appearance of Hoi An Market (Source: Collected)

2. The long-standing history of Hoi An Market

Between the 16th and 19th centuries, Hoi An was one of the most thriving trading centers for Chinese, Japanese, and Western merchants in Southeast Asia. In the early 18th century, Hoi An Market was founded to serve as a distribution hub for foreign items. The market was originally erected near Ong Voi communal house before being relocated to the area near Bach Dang River.

Hoi An Market used to be a vibrant trading center thousands of years ago (Source: Collected)

3. Top 4 interesting experiences at Hoi An market

Here are the three most fascinating experiences waiting for you at Hoi An Market:

3.1. Enjoy the bustling traditional market atmosphere

The vibrant and bustling atmosphere of Hoi An Market is in stark contrast to the peaceful, quiet, and contemplative Hoi An Ancient Town that people often see. Walking around the market while immersing yourself in the hustle and bustle is a very interesting experience that tourists should not miss out on.

Tourists wandering around Hoi An Market (Source: Collected)

3.2. Explore the rich cuisine of Hoi An

Being widely regarded as a culinary paradise in Hoi An, tourists can enjoy delectable Hoi An street food at this destination. Here are 5 must-try dishes that you should enjoy at the market:

Cao Lau: The main ingredients of cao lau are yellow noodles, thinly sliced pork, dried shrimp, pork broth, and bean sprouts. The signature yellow noodles are painstakingly made with freshly harvested local sticky rice and then cooked three times over wood. Before being stir-fried, the pork is marinated with star anise and cassia bark. It is highly recommended that you eat cao lau with lots of herbs and vegetables to enhance its flavor.

There are several stalls serving cao lau at Hoi An Market (Source: Collected)

Quang noodles: Quang noodles is an exquisite Vietnamese dish comprised of flat yellow noodles, pork belly, chicken, shrimp, fish, boiled eggs, roasted peanuts, and fish crackers. The dish is typically prepared with a savory broth made from pork or beef bones, together with some spices such as cinnamon, anise, and cardamom. Crispy fresh vegetables and herbs such as banana blossoms, lettuce, cilantro, scallions, and Vietnamese coriander are available for diners to add.

Tourists should try Quang noodles at Hoi An Market (Source: Collected)

White rose dumplings: Thanks to their beautiful and rose-like shape, Hoi An dumplings are affectionately referred to as “white rose dumplings” by diners. This dish could be enjoyed as a quick snack, a light meal, or a full-fledged main course. While enjoying white rose dumplings, you can feel the sweetness of stir-fried shrimp, the amazing flavor of white rice powder, and the typical taste of roasted onions.

It is highly recommended that tourists try white rose dumplings at Hoi An Market (Source: Collected)

Steamed rice rolls with grilled pork: Steamed rice rolls with grilled pork or “banh trang cuon thit heo” in Vietnamese is a specialty that can satisfy even the most demanding customer. The pork must have an ideal ratio of lean meat to fat in order to make this dish. It is often served with cucumbers, perillas, lettuce, green bananas, and a small bowl of salty dipping sauce.

Tourists can easily find steamed rice rolls with pork at Hoi An Market (Source: Collected)

Sweet soup: Sweet soup is a special kind of dessert that tourists should not miss out on in Hoi An. The main ingredient of this dish is corn, which is planted along the riverbank in the Cam Nam region. It is exceptionally sweet and aromatic thanks to the fertile alluvium. Sweet soup is traditionally served in a small bowl, filled with ice, coconut cream, pearl tapioca, and topped with shredded coconut or sweet roasted coconut.

There are several stalls serving sweet soup at Hoi An Market (Source: Collected)

3.3. Take stunning photos in front of the market

Having idyllic architecture, Hoi An Market wins tourists’ hearts with its mossy tiled roofs and time-stained yellow walls. Each area of the market can be a beautiful background for your pictures, so don’t forget to bring your camera and take tons of appealing photos.

Tourists taking pictures at Hoi An Market (Source: Collected)

Save the list of things to do in Hoi An to be well-prepared for your trip!

3.4. Buy Hoi An specialties and souvenirs home

In addition to being a culinary paradise with colorful and delicious food stalls, Hoi An Market offers a wide variety of gifts for friends and family. This famous market is filled with handcrafted items, local specialties, and unique souvenirs for visitors to choose from.

• Hoi An chili sauce: Hoi An’s chili sauce offers a mild spiciness, a rich garlic aroma, and a hint of roasted peanuts. It pairs well with local dishes like cao lau, chicken rice, and Quang noodles.
• Green bean cakes: These cakes are distinctively baked instead of steamed, giving them a fragrant, nutty flavor, perfect for enjoying with tea.
• “Mam thinh”: Made from fermented fish and roasted rice powder, this paste has a rich aroma and can be used in various dishes like pork belly, fried rice, or cucumber salads.
• Handcrafted souvenirs: The market offers colorful handmade items like bags, clothes, and seashell crafts, showcasing the skill and creativity of Hoi An’s artisans.

Chili sauce is a key ingredient in many famous Hoi An dishes (Source: Collected)

4. Useful tips for your visit to Hoi An Market

Visiting Hoi An Market can be an unforgettable experience if you keep a few helpful tips in mind:

• Go early for freshness: The market is open from 6 AM to 10 PM, but visiting in the early morning lets you experience its bustling atmosphere and buy fresh seafood just brought in from the sea.
• Make a list of must-try Foods: With so many tempting stalls, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Prepare a list of dishes you want to try so you don’t miss out on the must-eats.
• Engage with friendly vendors: Most of the vendors are older locals who are warm and welcoming, so feel free to chat and enjoy your shopping experience.
• Enjoy affordable eats: Food in the market is reasonably priced with clear menus, so you can indulge without worrying about overpaying.
• Mix and match dishes: You can sit at one food stall and order from others around you. For example, enjoy a bowl of Quang noodles while ordering a smoothie from a nearby vendor—no need to feel shy!
• Ask for local tips: If you’re unsure about other places to visit in Hoi An, ask the vendors—they’re often happy to share their knowledge.
• Choose packable souvenirs: When buying gifts, prioritize items that travel well. Ask for advice on storage to keep your purchases fresh, especially for baked goods and seafood.

Tourists choosing souvenirs at Hoi An Market (Source: Collected)

5. Other renowned markets in Hoi An to visit once

5.1. Hoi An market for women only

• Address: The intersection of Phan Boi Chau Street and Hoang Dieu Street
• Opening hours: 1.00 am – 4.00 am

This market was given such an intriguing name because the majority of the traders here are women. Vegetables, corn, mussels, fish, and shrimp can be easily purchased at this market at reasonable prices. 

Hoi An Market for women only (Source: Collected)

5.2. Thanh Ha Fish Market

• Address: Duy Tan Street, Thanh Ha Ward
• Opening hours: 3.00 am – 8.00 pm

Thanh Ha Fish Market is an excellent place in Hoi An to buy fresh seafood, such as fish, crab, shrimp, and squid. The best time to visit is between 4.00 – 6.00 am, when the sellers have just finished laying out their items.

Thanh Ha Fish Market (Source: Collected)

5.3. Nguyen Hoang Night Market

• Address: Nguyen Hoang Street, Minh An Ward
• Opening hours: 4.30 pm – 1.00 am

As the most prominent night market in Hoi An, Nguyen Hoang Night Market attracts a considerable number of tourists. Coming here, tourists should buy high-quality Thanh Ha Village’s ceramics. This Hoi An night market also offers colorful traditional lanterns, silk, clothing, and specialties.

Nguyen Hoang Night Market (Source: Collected)

Hoi An Market, one of the oldest markets in Hoi An Ancient Town, is a paradise for food lovers and shopaholics thanks to the wide range of exquisite dishes and appealing products. If you are visiting Hoi An on the next holiday, don’t forget to include this destination into your itinerary!

When you are in Hoi An, it is highly recommended that you visit VinWonders Nam Hoi An. This amusement park is built to show the impressive East-West cultural interference. It offers all sorts of exciting activities in its 5 subdivisions:

• Adventure Land: A place where thrill-seeking tourists can put their bravery to the test by playing heart-pounding games
• Island of Folk Culture: A place that shows the architectural features from every region of Vietnam and vividly recreates Vietnamese traditional craft villages
• Water World: A water paradise with slides and pools for kids, families, and friends, as well as 11 exciting games to cool down in summer
• Harbor Corner: A place where cultures collide, where you can immerse yourself in a space of contrasting cultural colors from the past to present, from the East to West
• River Safari: Vietnam’s first and largest river safari, with over 50 species and 550 individuals of rare animals

Children playing at VinWonders Nam Hoi An

Book VinWonders Nam Hoi An ticket now

*The information provided in this article is intended for general reference and may be subject to change based on evolving circumstances and updates. It is recommended to verify details independently to ensure accuracy and relevance at the time of your visit.