Hanoi's largest covered market, opened by the French administration in 1889 and rebuilt after a catastrophic 1994 fire, with hundreds of stalls across three floors selling fabric by the roll, wholesale clothing, shoes, kitchenware, dried goods and souvenirs. The ground floor is dense with food and household items, the upper floors with textiles and ready-to-wear. A food alley of bun cha and banh ran stalls runs along the northern side.
Dong Xuan Market is the largest covered market in Hanoi, Vietnam, standing on Dong Xuan Street at the northern edge of the Old Quarter in Hoan Kiem District. The French colonial administration opened the original hall in 1889, and the structure was rebuilt after a catastrophic fire in 1994. Today it holds hundreds of stalls across three floors, and it functions mainly as a wholesale hub that also welcomes retail buyers. The goods differ sharply from generic souvenir shopping: fabric sold by the roll, wholesale clothing, shoes, kitchenware, dried goods, sweets and household items dominate, and most of the trade is aimed at Hanoi shopkeepers and traders from across northern Vietnam rather than tourists. The ground floor is the busiest, dense with food, dried mushrooms, tea, snacks and household products. The upper floors turn to textiles and ready-to-wear clothing, where stalls stack garments and bolt fabric to the ceiling. Vendor quality is mixed. Much clothing is factory surplus, unbranded or lookalike stock, so branded items should be treated as replicas, and authentic handmade craft is limited compared with the specialist streets nearby. Bargaining is normal for clothing, bags and souvenirs, and buyers of multiple items can expect a discount. Prices are usually quoted in thousands of dong, and cash is the standard payment method, with card acceptance rare. Vietnam's VAT refund scheme for foreign visitors applies only at registered retailers, so market stalls issue no refund paperwork. The atmosphere is loud, crowded and hot, with porters pushing loaded carts and motorbikes threading past the entrances. Food options are on site: a food alley along the northern side serves bun cha, banh ran and other quick dishes at local prices. Layout is simple enough to navigate by floor. Visitors interested in fabric head upstairs, food shoppers stay at ground level, and the adjoining streets hold further stalls. On Friday to Sunday evenings the Hanoi Weekend Night Market extends outward from the building, turning the surrounding lanes into a pedestrian bazaar.
| Hours | Daily 06:00-18:00; adjoining weekend night market Fri-Sun 18:00-24:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | Free entry; goods 10,000-500,000 VND / USD 0.38-19.23 |
| Address | Dong Xuan Street, Dong Xuan Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam |
Location
Dong Xuan Street, Dong Xuan Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam
21.0383, 105.8496 View on map
Highlights
- Colonial-era covered market rebuilt after the 1994 fire
- Three floors of fabric, clothing, dried goods and kitchenware
- Food alley with bun cha and banh ran stalls on the northern side
- Starting point of the Friday-Sunday night market
Tips for visiting
- Arrive by 08:00 for cooler air and the widest choice of stock before crowds build.
- Carry small notes in cash; card payment is rare at stalls.
- Start bargaining at roughly half the first quoted price on clothing and souvenirs.
- Treat branded clothing as replicas and check seams before paying.
- Keep phones and wallets in front pockets in the crowded aisles.
When to visit
Mornings from 07:00 to 10:00 are cooler and less crowded. Friday to Sunday evenings add the adjoining night market.
Accessibility
Aisles are narrow and crowded, and upper floors are reached by stairs and some escalators; wheelchair access is limited.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dong Xuan Market good for souvenirs?
It is mainly a wholesale market, so souvenirs are secondary. Fabric, dried foods and small accessories are the most useful buys, and specialist Old Quarter streets offer better handicrafts.
Can prices be bargained at Dong Xuan Market?
Yes, bargaining is expected for clothing, bags and souvenirs. Food and packaged goods generally carry fixed prices.
Does Dong Xuan Market accept credit cards?
Cash in Vietnamese dong is the norm. Card payment is uncommon at stalls, and no tax-refund paperwork is issued.
Is there food inside Dong Xuan Market?
A food alley on the northern side sells bun cha, banh ran and other local dishes at low prices.