What to Expect in Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Food Night Market?

Note: Currently, Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Food Night Market is closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Instead, you can go to Hoi An Night Market (or Nguyen Hoang Night Market) that is not far away. To get there, walk across An Hoi Bridge and then turn right.

Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Food Night Market is one of night markets in the Hoi An Old Town, the most happening area in Hoi An at night. It has many food and beverage stalls arranged along the waterside of Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Road, between Song Hoai Square and the wooden bridge in the front of the Japanese Covered Bridge. In each stall, visitors can find wooden tables and chairs. If going with a group, no reservation in advance is needed. The opening hours are 6:00 to 9:00 pm every night (close later during the weekend).

Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Food Night Market is named after Ngoc Hoa princess, one of the daughters of the lord. She might be an adopted daughter. In 1620, they returned to Nagasaki by red seal ship after the closed door policy of the Japanese ruler. In Japan, the Japanese name of the princess was wawaku or Anio San because she often called her husband ‘anh oi’ (a sweet way Vietnamese women call their husband). They had one child (a girl) named Yaso. In 1636, Araki Sotaro died and then in 1645, she passed away. According to history, when the ship carrying them arrived in Japan, Nagasaki citizens were warmly welcomed. Later, after their death, in the annual Okunchi festival, people will carry a red seal ship with two kids. One boy and one girl are chosen to represent them. Because Ngoc Hoa was a Buddhist, a pagoda in Japan was named after her.

Eating in Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Food Night Market is a nice experience. In which, visitors will see different local food options to choose for dinner, sit on outdoor seating by the Hoai River where lantern boats and shimmering candles are floating. The atmosphere of the area is vibrant as well.

In Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Food Night Market, visitors can see Hoi An’s local specialty dishes and Quang Nam’s provincial dishes. There are Cao Lau noodles (brown noodles with char siu pork, rice crackers, raw vegetables & herbs), Mi Quang noodles (white or yellow thick rice noodles with pork or chicken, broth, rice cracker, raw vegetables & herbs), Banh Mi sandwich, Hoi An style chicken rice (shredded chicken, turmeric rice, shredded green papaya, sliced onion & pepper mint), Hoi An style Pho noodle soup (beef, pork broth, soft rice noodles, green papaya slices in vinegar, blanching bean sprouts, herbs), white rose dumplings, fried wontons, nem lui (grilled pork skewers), banh xoai (mango cake), banh uot thit nuong (grilled pork skewers with rice papers, raw vegetables & dipping sauce), banh bot loc (clear tapioca dumplings with shrimp or mung bean filling). The price of a bowl/plate of something starts from 30,000-40,000 VND.

Alcohol drinks are not available in Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Food Night Market because of safety reason (the market is by the river). Near the Song Hoai Square, there are a few street stalls selling fresh tropical fruits (such as durian, jackfruit, mango, coconut, rambutan, mangosteen, longan, dragon fruit, banana,…).

Because this is a food night market, visitors can not find souvenirs and gifts to buy. However, shops along Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Road are still opening at night to have a look.

HOIAN DAY TRIP company organizes tours to Hoi An Ancient Town everyday. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo), hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours & make a reservation. Thank you very much!