In Vietnam, tourists mostly seek common experiences, such as visiting its dramatic islands, experiencing city life, exploring the old quarter, neon reflections, and more. But there’s a separate category of travelers who love Vietnam solely for its incredible shopping and food experiences. Yes, the night markets here are as captivating as its famous sights, revealing everyday rhythms, local flavors, and the social pulse of each city. Just visit, soak in the energy, eat the bold flavors, shop till your heart’s content, and voilà, the real Vietnam begins to reveal itself in the simplest ways.
So, without any further wait, here’s your list of the best and most popular night markets in Vietnam, where culture, cuisine, and daily life come together after sunset.
Discover the Best Night Markets in Vietnam: Excellent Food & Shopping Experiences Await
Read the list of the best Vietnam night markets and save it for your upcoming trip with JustWravel.
Ben Thanh Night Market
Ben Thanh Night Market feels a little like the Ho Chi Minh City daily routine, just keeping on going rather than being some sort of evening spectacle. As the sun sets and traffic begins to clear out of the central district, the area around the old market building kind of transforms. The whole vibe of the place is all about the food. There are grills lining the sidewalks, spewing the smells of seafood, garlic, and chili. Lobster, scallops, prawns, and skewers of meat are laid out in the open, slapped on a grill, turned to order, and served up in double quick time.
The cooking is straightforward, all about churning out a meal as quickly as it can, rather than putting on a show. What sets Ben Thanh night market apart is the way it walks the tightrope between being a big deal and feeling totally normal. It’s much more structured than your average small-town market, but it still feels rooted in everyday life. Office workers stop by for dinner on the way home, families stroll through after popping out for some last-minute shopping, and the vendors all just follow a routine they’ve been following for years.
- Location: Ho Chi Minh City
- What to Shop: Handmade Crafts, Traditional Ao Dai Outfits, and Local Snacks
Hanoi Night Market
Stretching across the Old Quarter, the Hanoi Night Market is a great spot for shopping in Vietnam. As the evening sets in, the market comes alive with colorful ambiance, with slow-moving crowds, families, and small groups of friends drifting between food and clothing stands. Everywhere in the market, you will smell the compelling aromas of grilled pork, fried dough, herbs, and the constant presence of charcoal smoke.
Bowls of bún chả, plates of nem rán, and cups of iced tea circulate through the crowd, often seen eating either while standing or while sitting on the sidewalk stools. The focus is on speed and familiarity rather than presentation. The market’s rush is extremely dense, with conversations often overlapping, music playing in the background, and vendors constantly calling for prices. Even amid this routine chaos in the market, locals know where to eat, where to shop, and how to navigate the space without much hesitation.
- Location: Hanoi
- What to Shop: Fashion Items, Local Handicrafts, and Antiques
Can Tho Night Market
This market is one of those Vietnam night markets, deeply connected to nature and away from flashy urban shows! As the sun sets, the heat eases a bit, the boats pull up along the banks, and the market fills with families, students, and workers unwinding after a long day. The markets boast excellent shopping and food scenes for the visitors, where cooking is often done in an open space with little decoration and no attempt to impress. Food stalls focus on simple, local dishes such as skewers of freshwater seafood, bánh xèo cooked on flat pans, bowls of noodle soup topped with greens and lime.
Well, one thing you must know is that the Can Tho Night Market is not particularly built for tourists’ entertainment, but rather cherishes the local way of life. The market atmosphere feels welcoming and warm, with little to no bluster or pressure.
- Location: Mekong Delta
- What to Shop: Local Textiles, Handmade Bamboo Crafts, and Fresh Produce
Nha Trang Night Market
The Nha Trang Night Market is an excellent spot for shopping in Vietnam, where there is a sea breeze and drama. This market feels shaped by the sea rather than the city, often attracting those with a deeper love of shoreline views. Nha Trang market stretches loosely and sprawls horizontally, mirroring the coastline it runs alongside. More than shopping, this market is cherished for its phenomenal culinary scenes. Seafood is the main highlight, laid across ice, scallops sizzling in butter, and clams tossed with chili and lemongrass. And the best part? You can see what’s been cooking and the entire process. Everything is visible, immediate, and unapologetically fresh, which adds to this place’s fame.
During the evening, the conversations drift between tables, between languages, between strangers who seem momentarily united by the shared logic of hunger and humidity.
- Location: Nha Trang
- What to Shop: Seashell Souvenirs, Beach Wear, and Local Art
Hoi An Night Market
Hoi An Night Market is another on our list of Vietnam street food markets, where shopping takes place amidst a panoramic natural setting. The pace of shopping here is slow, and people, both locals and tourists, move at a comfortable pace. Talking about these food scenes, the air in the market carries a mix of incense, grilled meat, and street food. Stalls prepare local dishes like white rose dumplings, cao lầu noodles, and bánh mì with quiet efficiency.
The unique aspect of this market is the adorned lanterns that hang from street lamps in a variety of colors. You will see Artisans and shopkeepers gracefully working beneath them, selling silk, pottery, and handmade items. As the evening continues, the market grows quieter. Boats drift along the river with candle lights, conversations soften, and the town settles into a calm rhythm. This night market is unlike those that demand attention and noise; it exists simply to promote a slower, more peaceful evening pace.
- Location: Hoi An
- What to Shop: Handcrafted Jewelry, Silk Lanterns, and Customized Clothing
Confused about which Vietnam region to visit? Read North vs Central vs South Vietnam to know more.
Dalat Night Market
Dalat Night Market is one of the most amazing Vietnam street food markets, which is located in the Central Highlands, stretching along several streets. Both casual wanderers and focused shoppers enjoy this spot as its scenic views and food scenes are beyond incredible. The food reflects the climate. Instead of seafood and fried snacks, you’ll find grilled sweet potatoes, hot soy milk, fresh strawberries, and bánh tráng nướng cooked over small charcoal grills.
The warm and comforting aromas in this market create a one-of-a-kind experience. The local feel of the Dalat Night Market is worth noting, with younger local crowds and street musicians often playing softer versions of popular songs. Shopping follows the same pattern. Most items are simple, including scarves, dried fruit, handmade crafts, and local tea. Vendors are friendly but not pushy, and conversations often last longer than the transactions.
- Location: Dalat
- What to Shop: Warm Clothes, Street Food, and Fresh Produce
Sapa Night Market
Another excellent spot for a Vietnam local shopping experience is the Sapa Night Market. Unlike Vietnam’s big-city markets, this market offers visitors a quieter, more visually intense shopping experience. The market builds slowly, with lanterns turning on one by one and people arriving gradually from nearby streets and villages. The moment you step in here, you will experience the aromas of damp mountain air, grilled pork, and wood smoke all around you.
With its strong presence of local communities, the Sapa Night Market feels more like a social gathering than a busy trading space. The vibes are so unique and slow; shopping here feels pressure-free and super comfortable, and selling happens without any urgency. At Sapa Night Market, there’s a calm, everyday view of mountain life, where the evening unfolds slowly and without spectacle.
- Location: Sapa
- What to Shop: Embroidered textiles, Ethnic Minority Crafts, and Herbal Medicines
Da Nang Night Market
The Da Nang Night Market is a great place for shopping in Vietnam. This market feels like a continuation of the city’s evening routines. As the heat lets up and the Han River starts to shine with the glow of those street lamps, locals start trickling in, where families with the kids, couples stopping for some street-grilled seafood, and vendors are seen strolling in like they’ve been doing it for years. The entrance to this market is pretty simple, with no bells and whistles or a grand opening. The market just kinda fades into the night, a low-key and practical ambience. It is a perfect spot for subtle market experiences!
- Location: Da Nang
- What to Shop: Souvenirs, Trendy Fashion, Variety of International & Local Cuisine
Some Useful Tips for Visiting Night Markets in Vietnam
From experts’ Point of View, here’s a curated list of useful tips for visiting Vietnam’s night markets, where there’s endless exciting shopping and unmatched food scenes. Give it a quick read and save it for your upcoming travel!
- For a seamless Vietnam local shopping experience, it’s best to carry cash and avoid digital payments. Cash is king in these markets, and keeping small denominations on hand is advised.
- For the best food experience, experts suggest sitting where locals eat, not at places that shout their menus and focus largely on “aesthetic” displays.
- Night markets are meant to be wandered, not conquered. We suggest you walk the entire stretch once before ordering or buying anything. The best stalls are often the busiest, and the most memorable meals usually happen when you slow down and follow the crowd.
- Negotiation is mostly expected at these night markets. It’s advised that you do that ritual politely and in a friendly manner. And please keep in mind that this should be treated as a conversation, not a competition.
- The most reliable Vietnam street food stalls rarely advertise in English. Look for plastic stools packed with locals and a short, handwritten menu. Trust us, you are going to have the best street-style culinary experience at these shops.
- The best way to have a culinary experience at the Vietnam night markets is not to order everything at once. Focus more on sampling rather than settling. This lets you explore more flavors without burning out on your first stop.
- Shopping at these night markets requires double-checking the time before paying. Be very vigilant, closely inspect stitching, test zippers, and feel the fabrics. This is essential because many items look identical at first glance, but quality varies from stall to stall.
- For drinks, try fresh sugarcane juice, coconut water, and Vietnamese iced coffee.
- Lastly, some of the best experiences aren’t famous on any social media platform. Let sound, smell, and atmosphere guide you through Vietnam’s night markets, where curiosity is more rewarded than planning.
Ready for a memorable shopping spree? Book your perfectly crafted Vietnam Tour Package today and start planning for a far-from-ordinary escape.
No More Waiting. Book Our Exclusive Vietnam Tour Package Today!
Frequently Asked Questions
The main element that makes Vietnam night markets special is that these areas do not feel like commercial spaces; they feel like lively street festivals. Be it food, shopping, or social life, everything here seamlessly blends, creating a deeply local and energetic environment. It’s one of the easiest ways to experience everyday Vietnam after dark.
Vietnam night markets are considered different from other Asian markets for two reasons. First, these are not structured spaces with fixed retail systems. These markets encourage personal and conversational shopping experiences, where the transactions feel like cultural exchanges shaped by interaction.
Ben Thanh Night Market in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi Night Market in Hanoi are the two best Vietnam street food markets. Tourists will have an amazing street-style culinary experience here.
Yes, most night markets in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh are family-friendly and lively without being overwhelming. There’s a ton of street performances, colorful stalls, and tasty snacks for children, while adults can freely browse through the markets and eat comfortably.
Vietnam local shopping is usually more affordable than tourist-focused markets and malls. The most notable aspect is that the prices reflect everyday demand rather than visitor convenience, especially in residential neighborhoods. You also get better quality for the same cost, particularly for food, clothing, and handmade items. The real value lies in authenticity as much as savings.