Hoi An Central Market (or simply Hoi An Market) is the oldest and the largest market in present-day Hoi An city. It lies in the heart of the Hoi An Ancient Town world heritage site area. This market has a food court where visitors can find local dishes to try and lots of stalls selling anything people need. At night, there is a small night market opened on its nearby streets. So now, HoiAn Day Trip Company provides all information about Hoi An Central Market.
You may also like: Hoi An Night Market, Hoi An Fabric/Cloth Market
• Content by Tam Le, founder of HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD
• Designed by Giang Cong Minh, co-founder of LS E&C LTD and his team
• Photo by Dang Cong Loi, Dao Xuan Son, Tam Le & others
Must Knows about Hoi An Central Market
– Location/address: main entrance at 19 Tran Phu Street, Minh An ward, Hoi An, Vietnam
– Other name(s): Hoi An Old Market, Hoi An Day Market, Hoi An Wet Market, Hoi An River Market, Hoi An Fresh Market, Hoi An Food Market, Hoi An Old Town Market
– Opening hours: 5 AM to 6 PM daily
– Year of construction: 1848
– Reason(s) to visit: the biggest market in Hoi An, many local foods to try, many local products and souvenirs to buy, an Instagrammable place.
– Time to spend: 30-60 mins
– Travel blog: https://hoiandaytrip.com/hoi-an-central-market
– Tour guide:
– Food & drink: yes available
– Shopping: yes available
– Fact: Hoi An Market is the original name of Hoi An Central Market
Hoi An Central Market on Map
History of Hoi An Central Market
Hoi An Central Market was established at the same time as Hoi An trading port. Its original location is on present-day Le Loi street, near the Hoi An Communal House. In 1840, a new road was built (today Nguyen Thai Hoc street), and then in 1848, it’s moved to the current place. This new place is ideal for buying and selling activities because it’s the meeting point between many roads, and Thu Bon River is just in its back. Therefore, it’s accessible by both road vehicles and boats.
In the early 20th century (French colonial time), Hoi An Central Market was rebuilt and retains its look up to date. Like other buildings in town, it had yellow walls and a tile roof. In the front, near Quan Cong Temple, there is a well, still producing fresh water. During past centuries, merchants and seafarers come here to take the water to use until stopping at another port. It has a cover, so local people have called it ‘the covered well’. They still use its water to wash, cook and boil to drink.
Today, Hoi An Central Market is a heritage market and the biggest market in Hoi An city. It’s hundreds of stalls and vendors who sell everything people need. Tourists often come here to try local dishes and buy souvenirs, fruits, etc or photograph.
Things to See & Buy in Hoi An Central Market
Today, the Hoi An Central Market is still the largest marketplace in Hoi An. Therefore, both locals and visitors have lots of things to see and buy here.
Hoi An Central Market has a market hall surrounded by 4 roads: Tran Phu Street (north), Bach Dang Street (south), Tran Quy Cap Street (west), and Tieu La Street (east). Its main entrance is on Tran Phu Street, the most important road of Hoi An. Inside this market hall, local people sell cooked food, and then spices, cooking utensils, and fresh cooking ingredients. About food options, please read details in the below section.
Outside the Hoi An Central Market, visitors can see most stalls and vendors along Bach Dang street (the street along the river). The reason is that it’s one of the main roads in town. In the early morning, many local vendors from villages in Hoi An’s countryside come here to sell what they grow (vegetables, herbs, roots, fruits,…) or raise or catch (chicken, eggs, fishes, shrimps, prawns,…). Please see the full list below. From this time to noon, the atmosphere is always busy because local people believe that the food is freshest in the morning. Besides locals, it’s possible to see tourists who want to see authentic slices of local daily life or local products (much of them are strange to them) or from ‘cooking class’ tours.
Stalls near Bach Dang – Tieu La crossroad, people sell fresh rice noodles to make Cao Lau or Mi Quang or Banh Canh or Bun Bo or Bun Cha Ca as well as toppings & sauces to eat with them.
Motorbikes always go on Bach Dang street (‘street market’). It’s needed to be careful while walking along it, especially if travel with kids.
Hoi An Central Market is also great to have photographs about ‘real’ life. Elsewhere, we may see photos in which Vietnamese women sit in her store and wear a conical hat. That is something special for Vietnam. If lucky, visitors will see vendors who carry a shoulder pole with fresh fruits & flowers, and have a couple of fun pictures with them. The Market’s entrance is popular for Instagrammers.
On Tran Quy Cap street or Tieu La street, there are fewer stalls and vendors which sell fresh things.
Food Court of Hoi An Central Market
The food court is in the first building of the Hoi An Central Market. Here, food stalls are arranged along a walkway that starts from the market’s main entrance (or the well). From morning to late afternoon every single day, these stalls sell many Vietnamese and local dishes. What they serve are shown on the menu on the wall or on the table, with a photo & a clear price (in VND), therefore tourists don’t have to worry about overpriced later. Ingredients, such as meats and vegetables, are carefully set in the glass cabinet, will be used to make food. It’s easy to take some pictures at food stalls because it’s always lightful inside the cabinet.
Things to eat in Hoi An Central Market’s food court are kind of diverse and safe to try. Local dishes that can be seen, are cao lau (brown noodles), mi quang (white or yellow noodles), banh bong hong trang (white rose dumplings), hoanh thanh chien (fried wonton), com ga (chicken rice), banh mi sandwich, banh beo (steamed rice cake), banh bot loc (clear tapioca dumplings), goi cuon (fresh spring roll), fried spring rolls, banh uot (fresh rice papers), bun thit nuong (grilled pork noodle), che (sweet soup)… Vegetarian options are available at some stalls. At lunch time, a few stalls serve steamed rice with a variety of savoury food, for those who don’t cook or don’t go home to eat.
Prices at Hoi An Central Market’s food court are not expensive. For a bowl of cao lau noodles (noodles, char siu pork slices, rice crackers, vegetables & herbs), visitors will pay from 30,000 to 50,000 VND. Nearly all other dishes are sold within this price range.
Visitors will sit on long metal chairs and face inwards. Behind the cabinet, there is where the seller prepares food or wash dishes.
See also: Best Places to Eat & Drink in Hoi An Old Town
List of Vegetables & Fruits in Hoi An Central Market
Vegetables: rau cai cay (mustard leaf), cai ngot (choi sum spinach), xa lac (lettuce), rau khoai lang (sweet potato leaf), rau muong (water spinach or morning glory), gia do (bean sprouts), bap cai (cabbage), rau den (amaranth), cai thia (bok choy or spoon cabbage), rau ngot (star gooseberry leaves), sup lo (cauliflower), rau mong toi (wine spinach), cai thao (napa cabbage), rau cai cuc (green daisy), (pennyworth), hoa bi do (pumpkin flower), hoa thien ly (tonkin jasmine, seasonal), rau cai non (baby mustards)…
Herbs: rau hung que (basil leaf), rau bac ha (mint), la hung chanh (lemon basil), diep ca (hear leaf or fish leaf), hanh la (spring onion), la he (shallot leaf), rau dang (knotgrass), mui tau or ngo gai (cilantro), la tia to (perilla), rau ram (peppermint), rau ngo (rice paddy herb), rau ngo (corriander), rau kinh gioi (vietnamese balm)…
Fruits: qua du du (papaya), qua chom chom (rambutan), qua tao (apple), qua chuoi (banana), qua xoai (mango), qua mang cut (mango steen), qua nhan (longan), qua thanh long (dragon fruit), qua cam (orange), qua quyt (small orange), qua buoi (pomelo or grape fruit), qua na (custard apple), qua man (water apple), dua hau (water melon), qua me (tamarind), qua sau rieng (durian), qua chanh (lemon), qua quat (kumquat), qua mit (jackfruit), qua chanh day (passion fruit), qua nho (grape), qua vai (lychee, seasonal), qua hong xiem (sapodilla), trai lon bon (langsat, seasonal), trai vu sua (milk apple, seasonal), qua mang cau (soursop), qua hong (Japanese persimmon, seasonal), qua dau tay (strawberry, seasonal), qua luu (pomegrande), qua oi (guava), qua dua (coconut), qua bap (sweet corn), qua va (Vietnamese fig), qua bau (gourd), qua bi dao (winer melon), qua muop dang (bitter melon), qua muop (Vietnamese loofah), qua ca chua (tomato), qua thom (pineapple), qua gac (native to Vietnam), qua bi do (pumpkin), cu den (beetroot), khoai tay (potato), khoai lang (sweet potato), cu cai (daikon), ca rot (carrot), dau bap (lady finger), qua ca tim (aubergin), qua dua leo (cucumber), qua ca bat (egg plant), su hao (German turnip), cu hanh tay (white onion), cu hanh tim (purple onion), qua ca phao (minin egg plant), dau dua (long bean), ot chuong (bell pepper), beans, seeds, mushrooms, khoai so (tarro), qua su su (chayote)…
Spices: cu toi (garlic), cu hanh tim (purple shallot), cu gung (ginger), cay xa (lemongrass), cu nghe (turmeric), cu gieng (shell ginger), ot xanh (green chilli), que (cinamon), hoi (star anise),…
Other local eatable products: qua cau (areca palm), la trau (betel leaf), la lot leaf,…
Hoi An Central Market at Night
In the evening, outside of the Hoi An Central Market, on Bach Dang street and Tran Quy Cap street, visitors can see a night market. It’s smaller and less busy than Hoi An Night Market (on Nguyen Hoang street), but the variety of stuff here is similar. Keep in mind that this night market closes before around 9 PM.
Things to eat and drink include thit nuong banh uot (grilled pork skewers roll with rice papers, raw vegetables & herbs), bo la lot (grilled beef in lolot leaf), seafood barbecues, banh trang nuong (grilled rice paper with toppings), banana pancakes, fried spring rolls, fresh sugarcane juice, tau hu (tofu pudding), che (sweet soup with beans, corns, jelly, coconut milk, etc), fried cakes, fruits, fresh fruit juices, ice cream sticks,…
Things to buy include ready-to-wear clothes, tourist shirts, leather items, shoes, postcards, magnets, rings, conical hats, lanterns, paintings, chopsticks, stone sculptures from Non Nuoc Village, wooden sculptures from Kim Bong Village, pottery and ceramic objects from Thanh Ha Village, dried spices,…
About the price, it might be cheaper than the night market on Nguyen Hoang street, because there are less tourists here.
Tips to Visit Hoi An Central Market
– It’s free to visit Hoi An Central Market although it’s a historical site.
– Hoi An Central Market is within the Hoi An Old Town, so it’s needed to buy the ticket to enter the town (world heritage site) before visit the market. The nearest ticket counters are on Nguyen Hue St (near the crossroad with Phan Chu Trinh St).
– In the dry season, from February to the end of August, visitors should bring sun cream, sun glasses, hat/cap or umbrella, and some bottles of water.
– In the rainy season, from September to January, visitors should bring rain poncho/jacket or umbrella, hat/cap or umbrella, sandals or waterproof shoes, etc.
– Between October and January, streets around Hoi An Central Market may be flooded if typhoons hit the area.
– Bargaining in Hoi An Central Market is possible, but visitors can not do it in the food hall because prices of all dishes are fixed and already reasonable.
– Visit Hoi An Central Market early in the morning if want to see a variety of fishes.
How to Get to Hoi An Central Market
The Hoi An Central Market lies within the Hoi An Old Town world heritage area. To get there, visitors can walk or use the bicycle, car, taxi, E-taxi, hotel shuttle bus, motorcycle, or minivan.
From hotels or places in Minh An/Cam Pho/Son Phong areas, Hoi An Central Market is within a walking distance. We advise going along main roads because of wide pavements (can avoid the traffic, esp if traveling with kids). To get around and sightsee other attractions in the Old quarters, walking is needed and the best way as well.
If like to use the bicycle, visitors can cycle to Hoi An Central Market anytime during the day. From Minh An, Cam Pho, Cam Chau, Son Phong, and a part of Cam Nam, the distance is less than 3km. From An Bang beach area, it will be 5 km. At many hotels in Hoi An, the bicycle is free to use for the guests.
If can’t walk or ride the bicycle, getting a taxi or E-taxi is the most convenient way to reach Hoi An Central Market. Visitors will pay 15,000-20,000 VND for each kilometer. E-taxi charges the passenger by both distance and number of people.
The nearest car parking lot to Quan Cong Temple/Quan Am Pagoda/Minh Huong Communal House/Hainan Assembly Hall/Teochew Assembly Hall is at the crossroad Phan Chu Trinh street vs Hoang Dieu street (aka Hoang Dieu parking lot). From there, a very short walk is needed to see the ticket office, and then go to temples.
Because Hoi An Central Market isn’t in the pedestrian area, therefore visitors can go to it by motorbike anytime during the day. It’s possible to park around its entrance (sure, free). However, we still recommend parking in a place with a service. The reason is that you will need to see/do something in the town as well (for example, picking up custom suits, eating,…).
Some beachside resorts organize free shuttle bus to the Hoi An Old Town everyday, so please remember to check its timetable, pick up and drop off points. After coming to town, just walk to the communal house.
From Da Nang city, the distance to the Hoi An Old Town is some 30km. It will be longer if stay in Son Tra Peninsula and shorter if stay in Non Nuoc Beach area. Motorcycle, car, taxi, van, and bus are all available to get to the town and then Hoi An Central Market.
HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD daily organizes transfers to Hoi An and Da Nang. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
Itinerary to Visit Hoi An Old Town for First Timer
First of all, to enter and visit the Hoi An Old Town (the part inscribed by Unesco), visitors need to buy an entry ticket. Its price is 120,000 VND per adult and children above 15 years old and free of charge for smaller kids. Entry to 5 attractions is also included for free. See more information & details
If possible, first time visitors should go with a local guide, to know better about history and culture. Contact us by +84968009827 (call/whatsapp) to book a private English-speaking guide.
We suggest this itinerary for first timers:
Total distance: 1,65 kilometers
– Starting point: the Japanese style gate (the west end of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street). A model of the Red Seal Ship (Japanese merchant’s ship) and a ticket office are in a close distance.
– Walk along Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street. On this road, visitors will have the chance to sightsee Cam Pho Communal House (ticket required), Japanese Culture Gallery (ticket required), Phung Hung Old House (one of the best heritage houses, ticket required), Nguyen Tuong Family Chapel (in the alleyway, ticket required).
– Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, the symbol of Hoi An. This place definitely is a must see attraction.
– Walk along Tran Phu Street, the most beautiful road in Hoi An, until Hoi An Central Market. On this road, visitors will have the chance to sightsee so many historical attractions. From the bridge to the market, there are Cantonese Assembly Hall (ticket required), Museum of Sa Huynh Culture (ticket required), Duc An Old House (ticket required), Kazik Park (free), Quan Thang Old House (ticket required), Museum of Trade Ceramics (ticket required), Trung Hoa Assembly Hall (ticket required), Fujian Assembly Hall (ticket required), Quan Cong Temple (ticket required), Quan Am Pagoda (ticket required), Hoi An Central Market (free to enter), a couple of rooftop coffee shops, Instagrammable spots, shophouses selling lanterns, food, souvenirs and fashion items.
– Walk southwards and along Tieu La Street (east side of Hoi An Central Market). On this road, there are many vendors and stalls selling a diversity of local products, giving a good chance to know about local life and photograph.
– Walk westwards and along Bach Dang Street (the riverside street). On this road, visitors will see Hoi An Traditional Performance House (ticket required if want to watch shows) and Museum of Folklore (ticket required).
– Turn into Le Loi Street and then turn left, walking along Nguyen Thai Hoc Street. On this road, visitors will see Tan Ky Old House (one of the best heritage houses, ticket required) and Diep Dong Nguyen Old House (not yet opened to visitors, see from outside).
– The ending point: the crossroad near the north end of An Hoi Bridge or the west end of Nguyen Thai Hoc Street. In the evening, from here, visitors can walk cross the bridge and then turn right to see the entrance of the Hoi An Night Market, the biggest night market in Hoi An.
For more information and details, please browse https://hoiandaytrip.com/hoi-an-self-guided-walking-tour
Guided Tours to Hoi An Ancient Town Vietnam
From Hoi An
– Hoi An Old Town Walking Tour – 2 Hour Express Tour with Local
– Hoi An Half Day Walking Tour: Heritage Sites, Crafts & Show
– Hoi An Early Morning Walking Tour with Local Pho & Coffee
– Hoi An Afternoon Walking Tour + Thu Bon River Sunset Cruise
– Hoi An Night Tour from Hoi An: Lantern Boat, Markets & Food
– Hoi An Walking Tour with Sightseeing & Cooking Class
– Hoi An Late Afternoon Walking Tour with Local Food Tastings
– Hoi An Walking Tour with Thanh Ha Pottery Village by Boat
– Hoi An Instagram Tour: Best Photo Spots & Rooftop Café
– Hoi An Old Town Food Tour with Night Boat Ride
– Hoi An Old Town Private Walking Tour with Local Expert (4 hours duration from departure time)
HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD daily organizes tours in Hoi An and Da Nang. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
From Da Nang
– Hoi An Half Day Tour from Da Nang
– Hoi An Night Tour from Da Nang
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Day Tour from Da Nang
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Night Tour from Da Nang
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Highlights Tour
– Marble Mountain, Lady Buddha & Hoi An Day Tour from Da Nang
– Hoi An Day Tour from Da Nang with Chinese Speaking Guide
– My Son Sanctuary & Hoi An Tour from Da Nang
– Golden Bridge/Ba Na Hills Tour & Hoi An Tour from Da Nang
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Tour from Da Nang Cruise Port
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Tour from Chan May Cruise Port
HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD daily organizes tours in Hoi An and Da Nang. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
Places to Visit near Hoi An Central Market
– Bridges: Japanese Covered Bridge (Pagoda Bridge), Moonlight Bridge, An Hoi Bridge (Bridge of Lights), Cam Nam Bridge, Cam Kim Metal Bridge
– Museums: Museum of Sa Huynh Culture, Museum of Sa Folklore, Museum of Trade Ceramics, Museum of Traditional Medicine, Hoi An Museum of History & Culture, Japanese Culture Gallery, Black Sesame Soup Demonstration
– Chinese assembly halls: Cantonese Assembly Hall, Fujian Assembly Hall, Trung Hoa Assembly Hall, Hainan Assembly Hall, Teochew Assembly Hall
– Heritage houses: Tan Ky Old House, Phung Hung Old House, Duc An Old House, Quan Thang Ancient House, Diep Dong Nguyen House, Thai Phien Ancient House
– Temples & pagodas: Quan Cong Temple (Ong Pagoda), Ba Mu Temple, Phap Bao Pagoda, Quan Am Pagoda, Hoi An Confucius Temple, Cao Dai Temple of Hoi An, Hoi An Ancestral Temple, Cam Pho Confucius Temple, Minh Huong Confucius Temple, Vien Giac Pagoda, Hy Hoa Temple
– Family chapels: Tran Family Chapel, Nguyen Tuong Family Chapel
– Communal houses: Cam Pho Communal House, Hoi An Communal House, Minh Huong Communal House, Tu Le Communal House, Xuan Lam Communal House, Son Phong Communal House
– Markets: Hoi An Central Market, Hoi An Cloth/Fabric Market, Hoi An Night Market (Nguyen Hoang Night Market), Cam Pho Market
– Theatres: Hoi An Traditional Art Performance House, Hoi An Lune Center for Performing Arts (now where Teh Dar Show takes place), Hoi An Memories Land Theme Park (now where Hoi An Memories Show takes place)
– Famous streets: Tran Phu Street, Phan Chu Trinh Street, Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Bach Dang Street/Wharf, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Street, Phan Boi Chau Street (Hoi An French Quarter), Hoi An Lantern Streets
– Other points of interest: Red Seal Ship Model, Hoi An Evanlegical Church, Thong Dang Prison & Park, Kazik Park (Memory Statue of Kazimierz Kwiatkowski), Hoai River (Hoi An River), Song Hoai Square, An Hoi Sculpture Park, Hoi An Catholic Church, Hoi An Prison, Hoi An Central Park, Ba Le Well, Hoi An Book Street, Hoi An Lantern Park, An Hoi Island, Cam Nam Island, Thu Bon River, Da Ken Tree
Photos, Videos about Hoi An Central Market
Here are beautiful photos and videos about Hoi An Central Market:
