Hanoi is not only Vietnam’s capital city, it’s also one of the best cities in the country. There are endless of things to do here and you will never be bored in Hanoi. If you love to go to markets, you have ended up in the right place. There is everything from outdoor to indoor markets which can be easily accessible on foot, taxis or if you are brave, motorbike. Get lost in the different stalls where the locals sell everything from fresh produce,shoes, household supplies, textiles, clothes, jewelry… Literally everything!

If you are not a big fan of shopping, the markets are still worth visiting. It is quite a fascinating place to be at, watching the thousands of people going about their lives, selling, buying and chatting with each other. Bear in mind that some bigger markets can get a bit intense, especially during night when everyone’s off work. Nevertheless, visiting a market in Hanoi is a fun activity, whether you are looking to buy something or just want to stroll around.

Here are the best local markets in Hanoi:

1. Cho Hom Market

This market is opened daily from 06:00-17:00 and offers a wide collection of fabrics in Hanoi. For those who are looking to purchase materials for custom-made clothes, this is the perfect market to go to. It is full of colors and beautiful fabrics, so do not forget to bring your camera to capture this. On the ground floor you can also find stalls selling food such as vegetables, fish, meat and exotic fruits. So after shopping for some fabrics, you can head down for food.

2. Dong Xuan Market

Perhaps the most famous market in Hanoi, Dong Xuan is in an old Soviet-style building and has four floors. You can find the market on the edge of the Old Quarter. It is also known as Hanoi’s largest indoor market where you can find, well, almost everything. You can spend hours in Dong Xuan Market looking at goods such as souvenirs, accessories, jewelries, clothings, household appliances, electronics and fresh produce. You also have a food section on the ground floor, selling seafood, vegetables, fruits and meat. You can also buy flowers here.

3. Quang Ba Flower Market

But if you are only on the hunt for flowers, this is the market to go to. And if you are not looking for anything, you should still come and see this fascinating market. You can find all sorts of flowers here, such as sunflower,roses, daisies and much more. During Tet, the Vietnamese New Year, you will see hundreds and hundreds of people coming here to purchase their flowers. This is a beautiful market to visit where you will be surrounded by thousands of colorful flowers.

4. Hang Da Market

This market is located in the heart of Hanoi’s business district. In this market you can find imported wine, fabrics, clothes, accessories, exotic snacks and candy. You can also find some very stylish second-hand clothes here.Do not forget to admire the outside of the market as well, with its beautiful white facade. Always remember that in a market, you need to haggle. The shop vendors usually asks for at least 50% more of the price, so be smart with your money when you buy something inside the markets.

5. Hanoi Weekend Market

If you are lucky to be in Hanoi during the weekend, you have to visit the night market which takes place in the Old Quarter. Although most of the stalls will sell similar items such as jewelry, phone cases, postcards,souvenirs, etc, you will also have a chance of trying some local Vietnamese street food here.

Before you travel to Vietnam, remember to apply for a Vietnam visa,either online or through the Vietnam Embassy or Consulate. The most preferred option is to attain a visa online because it is both easy, fast and affordable.You can do it from wherever you are in the world. You can either apply for a Visa on Arrival or an E-Visa. The latter is only available for certain countries though, so if you are not sure, contact your embassy. Important to note is that the E-Visa is a single-entry, 30 days visa. So if you want a multi-entry, the Visa on Arrival is the better option for you.