TOP 10 UNIQUE MARKETS IN VIETNAM

Traditional market is a typical aspect reflecting Vietnamese spiritual life. Being an agricultural country, Vietnam has diverse unique markets having its own characteristic. Let’s discover top 10 unique markets in Vietnam!

1. VIENG MARKET

Being the most sacred Hades market in Vietnam, Vieng market is famous for an ancient notion, which is to sale “RISK”, and buy “LUCK” in this unique market. They take their mind off what they gain and lose. Going to the Vieng market is time to get good luck and push bad luck away in the coming year.

Overview of Vieng Market

Location: Vu Ban district, Nam Dinh province, Vietnam

Time: from annually 7th January to 8th

2. YING – YANG MARKET

Ying – Yang market is anther Hades Market. This special market is a solemn place to commemorate those who died in the Hai Ba Trung uprising in 40s AD. They feel fortunate whenever they get “fake money or goods”. This notion is to express their gratitude towards the deceased and get a happier life.

Ying - Yang market (Cho Am Duong)

Location: Ó village, Vo Cuong commune, Bac Ninh province, Vietnam – the home of “Love Duel”, one of eight Masterpieces of the Oral and intangible Heritage of Humanity in Vietnam.

Time: from 4th to 5th of January once a year

3. LOVE MARKET IN SAPA

Going to the love market in Sapa is to find out the other half to get married. It will be your ideal choice whenever you take a visit to Sapa, if you stay alone! Sapa is also known with diverse attractions such Ham Rong Mountain, Cat Cat Village and so on. Love Market is honestly an experience about Love of ethnic minority groups in Vietnam.

Love Market in Sapa

Location: Sapa town, Lao Cai province, Vietnam

Time: every Saturday night

4. KHAU VAI LOVE MARKET

Dated back to 1919, this love market is a cultural activity of ethnic minority groups in Dong Van plateau. Here and there, you can hear about a local myth that tells a young couple from different tribes. Though they loved each other so much, they were bound by their tribes’ rule. After a lot of effort, they finally went to two separated ways.

Love Market in Khau Vai

Nowadays, Khau Vai market is a romantic place going to seek their ex-love. They confide to the other all night so that they do not worry about their wife or husband’s jealousy. This love market is honestly a faithful feeling exchange.

Location: Khau Vai commune, Ha Giang province, Vietnam

Time: on every lunar March 27th

5. LOVE MARKET IN MOC CHAU

The market is not a trading place but a romantic one to meet, to date and to express their feelings towards their love. Being an opportunity for strangers to meet and fall in love someone, it is Love market in Moc Chau.

Love Market in Moc Chau

To take your time to discover some flirting methods of Ethnic minority groups is very interesting and memorable when you visit Moc Chau attraction. You will feel excited in some boys taking a radio to get girls’ attention and performing traditional instruments heartily.

Location: Moc Chau, Hoa Binh province, Vietnam

Time: every solar September 1st - the independent day of ethnic groups there

6. CALLIGRAPHY MARKET

Taking part in a meaningful market in Ho chi Minh city, it is the best way to discover a special customs of Vietnamese people in Tet holiday – Calligraphy Art!

In Vietnam, it is customary to own a lucky letter on Tet holiday. They hope that calligraphy will become true in the next year. Importantly, each word has a special significance that will direct the living style of those choosing it. Therefore, being a Vietnamese person, they always try their best to have an orientated word in the biggest holiday.

Calligraphy Market (Cho Chu Sai Gon)

Location: many streets in Ho Chi Minh city, typically, Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street, Tran Hung Dao Street and Pham Ngoc Thach Street

Time: annually from 15th to 30th of December

7. FLOATING MARKET – SPECIALTY OF VIETNAMESE SOUTHERNERS

To adapt to difficult living condition, Floating Market was born which is the main method to exchange products in watered area with numerous rivers. Floating market clearly reflects southerners’ cultural identity in Vietnam.

Phung Hiep Floating Market. Source: Andrew Ferrier

At this floating market, you are attracted by a simple method to display products. Moreover, you can easily have a drink and meal in floating bars and restaurants there, even any daily products.

Cai Be Floating Market. Source: Ralph Grizzle

Location: Phung Hiep, Can Tho province, Southern Vietnam

Cai Be, Tien Giang province, Southern Vietnam

Time: daily opened from 4am until 11am

8. CHILDREN MARKET

It is worth mentioning is that children account for 90% in this market. Perhaps, children market is the unique market only existing in Thai Binh province- the land of huge rice fields.

Children Market, Thai Binh province

Children market is located in a communal house’s yard and shown traditional toys. The market is a meaning place showing parents, sisters and brothers’ consideration to their children. Children are taken there and select some their favorite toys in Tet holiday. I clearly feel affection covering up in this poor village whenever I visit children market.

Children Market, Thai Binh province

Location: Goi Communal house, Phong Loi village, Dong Hung district, Thai Binh province

Time: 2nd of January, Lunar New Year

9. ANTIQUE MARKET

“Seeking antique to decorate on Tet holiday is to both keep the antiquity of Vietnamese house and wish luck in the coming year”. These are few words to share by a shopkeeper there. The Antique Market has won many hearts of customers, even foreign tourists.

Antique Market in Hanoi

Location: Votive Street, Scale Street, Comb Street and Bronze Street, Hanoi

Time: from 20th to 30th of lunar December

10. FOREIGN MARKET

Ranking in top 10 unique markets in Vietnam, Foreign Market is very exciting and significant with cultural Hanoi. It is a typical example about foreign people’s love with Hanoi, Vietnam.

Cho Tay in Hanoi

Location: To Ngoc Van street, Hanoi

Time: on Saturday weekly from 9am to noon

If you like the article (and even if you don't), or have ideas for topics you'd like enjoyed in the next time, let me know what you think about Vietnam Here And There. And rest assured I have been trying to improve the coming articles’ quality.