Dong Xuan Market is the largest covered market in Hanoi's Old Quarter, at the northern end of the district. Its arched-roof hall dates from the French colonial period (1889); it was destroyed by fire in 1994 and then rebuilt. It is not a tourist market: clothing, fabrics, shoes, household goods and haberdashery are sold wholesale and retail, in a dense, noisy atmosphere. Allow 45 minutes to 1 hour to go through the aisles. Prices are not displayed everywhere, and bargaining is part of the game. See also: the Old Quarter, the weekend night market and Hoan Kiem Lake.
Highlights
The 1889 hall
The white arched façade is recognisable from afar. Inside, the stalls are spread over several floors; the ground floor is the liveliest, with everyday goods.
Fabrics and haberdashery
Rolls of cloth, buttons, ribbons and sewing supplies attract tailors and craft enthusiasts. It is the place to compare fabrics or to have a garment made to measure elsewhere in the district.
The streets around the market
The surroundings (Dong Xuan and Hang Khoai streets) are full of small shops and street vendors. On weekend evenings they are part of the night market route: see our page on the weekend night market.
Street food specialities
There is food to be found around the market, from skewers to soups. For a guided tasting, see our article on street food in Hanoi.
Practical info
Tips
- Entry is free. Prices are not always displayed: have the price written down or typed on a calculator, compare with another stall and bargain calmly. Some sellers work mainly wholesale: do not count on a retail price everywhere. Keep your bag and phone in front of you, as the aisles are tight. For souvenirs, compare with the shops on Hang Gai Street.
How to get there
Dong Xuan Street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi. On foot from Hoan Kiem Lake, about 15 to 20 minutes north via Hang Dao Street. By Grab, ask for "Cho Dong Xuan". The airport's bus 86 passes nearby (Long Bien or Hoan Kiem Lake stop, then walk).
Opening hours
Our guides that feature it
Nearby
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