The Night Market in Hoi An and Nighttime Tourism Activities

Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers more than just a glimpse of its historic houses, peaceful streets, and colorful lanterns. When visiting Hoi An, you also get to experience its vibrant nightlife with many exciting activities. Let’s explore the Hoi An Night Market and some common nighttime activities here.

Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Night Market

If you’re a food enthusiast eager to explore the culinary delights of Hoi An’s night markets, don’t miss the market on Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Street—regarded as the food paradise of Hoi An Ancient Town. Here, you can indulge in delicious, rustic dishes at reasonable prices.

The street vendors primarily sell specialties of Hoi An and Quang Nam, such as Mi Quang, hen xuc banh da (rice crackers with baby clams), cao lau, grilled corn, and many other local delicacies. This is truly a must-visit destination for anyone who loves Hoi An cuisine.

• Address: Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Street, Hoi An City, Quang Nam
• Hours: 4:30 PM – 11:00 PM
• Average Price: 20,000 VND – 100,000 VND per item

If you want to learn more about traveling to Ha Long Bay, see: Halong Bay: Information and Must-Do Activities

Nguyen Hoang Night Market

Hoi An’s Nguyen Hoang Night Market, located across from the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge along the scenic Hoai River, is one of the most popular attractions in the ancient town. Spanning approximately 300 meters with 50 diverse stalls, this market offers a rich and engaging shopping experience. One of the highlights of Nguyen Hoang Night Market is the vibrant lantern stalls, creating a picturesque and captivating scene.

Visitors can explore, shop, and enjoy the night views of Hoi An. Each unique stall will surely delight you. You can find prominent souvenirs such as brocade bags, tò he (traditional toy figurines), bracelets, clothing, handbags, and more. Most of these items are handcrafted and feature distinct Vietnamese motifs.

• Address: Nguyen Hoang Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam
• Hours: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
• Average Price: From 40,000 VND – 100,000 VND per item

Other Night Markets on Major Streets

The night markets in Hoi An Ancient Town, located along Hoang Van Thu, Tran Quy Cap, Tieu La, and Bach Dang streets, are must-visit destinations for shopping and entertainment enthusiasts. Recently, Quang Nam has officially inaugurated several prominent markets on these streets to meet the shopping and entertainment needs of both locals and tourists.

• Address: On Bach Dang, Hoang Van Thu, Tieu La, Tran Quy Cap Streets
• Hours: 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM

If you’re looking to learn more about the main attractions in Ho Chi Minh City, take a look at: Top 15 Must-Visit Attractions in Ho Chi Minh City

Tips for Visiting Hoi An Night Markets

Hoi An night markets offer a wide variety of products, such as local specialties (mung bean cakes, thuan cakes, gai cakes, Hong Dao wine), souvenirs (lanterns, pop-up cards, silk, wooden carvings), and much more, making shopping here a vibrant activity. To get your favorite items at the best prices, consider the following tips:

1. Bargaining: You can negotiate the price of the items you intend to buy. Most handmade items, paintings, and silk products have reference prices available online, so you can research beforehand.
2. Be Cautious of Pickpockets: Night markets can be crowded, and there are occasional instances of pickpocketing. Ensure you keep your belongings secure while exploring the market.
3. Handling Handicrafts: If you choose handcrafted items as souvenirs, be careful as these products are easily bent or scratched.

By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll have a more enjoyable and hassle-free shopping experience at Hoi An’s night markets.

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Nighttime Activities in Hoi An

Strolling and Checking In at the Lantern Streets

The night markets and streets of Hoi An are not only prime spots for shopping and dining but also popular locations for photography. The vibrant scenery, illuminated by hundreds of glowing lanterns, creates a magical atmosphere. The floating lanterns and the warm yellow lights from the shops transform the area into a picturesque setting, perfect for capturing beautiful photos.

Enjoying Hoi An’s Specialties

Hoi An’s night market is a culinary paradise that takes you on a journey to discover the diverse flavors of Central Vietnam. At the night market, you’ll be captivated by the distinctive tastes of delicious Mi Quang bowls and colorful, sweet che (Vietnamese dessert soup). These are highlights you can’t miss.

Moreover, exploring the culinary scene at Hoi An’s night market gives you the chance to savor other local specialties, such as cao lau, tofu pudding, rice crackers with baby clams, Hoi An baguettes, noodles with pork, banh xeo (Vietnamese pancakes), and chicken rice.

Listening to Bai Choi Folk Singing

Bai Choi singing is a unique traditional cultural activity and a distinctive cultural highlight of Hoi An. It is also considered a bridge between humans and nature.

Bai Choi has a long history, originating from a call-and-response game often seen during special occasions like full moon nights, early spring, or festivals at village communal houses.

For the people of Hoi An, Bai Choi is not just a form of folk music; it carries profound spiritual values from the past and is closely tied to the spiritual life of the central Vietnamese people. When you pack your bags and travel to Hoi An, especially at night in the bustling markets, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy and participate in Bai Choi performances, gaining a deeper understanding of the local traditional culture.

The melodious and gentle songs will transport you into a captivating world where stories are told through this unique musical form.

Boat Rides on the Hoai River

A delightful experience you should try when visiting Hoi An is taking a boat ride to enjoy the romantic night scenery on the Hoai River. The riverbanks are lined with stalls illuminated by sparkling lanterns, making the Hoai River even more enchanting and mysterious. The ticket price for a boat ride on the Hoai River is around 120,000 VND per person. During the ride, you will also receive two floating lanterns to release onto the river.

Playing Traditional Folk Games

At the folk game area in Hoi An’s night market, you’ll be transported back to your childhood with colorful and fun traditional games like blindfolded clay pot breaking, bamboo swings, and the game of squares. This area not only allows visitors to experience Vietnam’s traditional games but also provides an opportunity to connect with the local culture and community.

Conclusion

Exploring Hoi An Ancient Town through the stalls at its night markets is considered an extremely enjoyable experience. The peaceful and gentle atmosphere of the town at night will help you relax during your trip. At these markets, you can not only discover the local lifestyle and culture but also find many meaningful gifts for your loved ones and friends. If you need advice on traveling to Hoi An, don’t hesitate to contact our professional consultation team.