During your stay in Ha Long city, the bustling Ha Long Night Market (chợ đêm Hạ Long) is sure to be at the top of your activity list. This travel guide aims to provide essential insights into this lively market, ensuring you make the most of your time by enjoying local dishes, hunting for unique souvenirs for your loved ones, and soaking in the energetic atmosphere that colors the bay’s nights. If you’re looking for the heartbeat of Ha Long’s nightlife, this article is your gateway to an unforgettable experience at HaLong Night Market.
Where is Ha Long Night Market?
- Location: Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Hung Thang Ward, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province
- Opening Hours: Starts at 5 PM
Ha Long Night Market, also known as Bai Chay Night Market (Chợ đêm Bãi Cháy), covers an area of 5,000 square meters and is divided into 335 stalls selling souvenirs, exhibition spaces, food, coffee shops, and more. This extensive setup plays a significant role in promoting the overall tourism development of Ha Long city.
The market opens in the early evening but reaches its peak hustle and bustle from 9:00 PM to midnight, drawing hundreds of tourists into a vibrant scene. This is the prime time when food stalls and souvenir shops are the busiest. Originally a makeshift market by the seaside, Ha Long Night Market has undergone significant development planning since 2015.
Best Local Foods to Try at Ha Long Night Market
When you’re in this coastal city, why not indulge in a variety of fresh seafood at the local stalls? Here are some must-try specialties when exploring Ha Long Night Market:
- Squid Cake Rolls: A unique dish exclusive to Ha Long, squid cake rolls offer a distinct touch. Unlike other northern provinces where steamed cakes are paired with spring rolls, Ha Long serves them with chewy squid cakes. These golden-brown squid cakes are delicious and a must-try.
- Fresh Local Seafood: Enjoy enticing seafood dishes at Ha Long Night Market, prepared in various cooking methods such as deep-frying, pan-frying, grilling, boiling, and steaming. Served with special sauces, the flavors and aromas of seafood here are sure to leave a lasting impression. Despite being reasonably priced, the quality is rich, making each bite a delight.
- Authentic Local Street Food: Ha Long Night Market introduces a plethora of street snacks, including Vietnamese sticky rice cakes, clam porridge, Ha Long yogurt with pearls, and fried dumplings. Affordable prices make this night market a food lover’s paradise.
What to Buy at Ha Long Night Market?
If you visit Ha Long Night Market, consider purchasing some souvenirs to take back for friends and family. Here are some items worth considering:
- Local Ha Long Specialties: Explore the specialty area to find unique items like dried squid, tamarind squid, dried golden thread fish, bird’s nest, and dried seahorses. These special local products make memorable gifts, priced from 50,000 VND to 1,000,000 VND.
- Handicrafts: Immerse yourself in the vibrant colors of beautiful handicraft clothing and bags available at Ha Long Night Market. Priced around 200,000 VND per item, these stalls offer a variety of options, attracting the attention of many tourists, especially those interested in foreign cultures.
- Souvenirs: On the first floor of Ha Long Night Market, you’ll find many types of souvenirs. Here, you can easily buy items like lacquer paintings, pearl bracelets, shell wind chimes, keychains, etc.—all intricately crafted and eye-catching.
Nearby Tourist Attractions around Halong Night Market
Expand your exploration beyond the night market by visiting nearby attractions to complement the charm of Ha Long Bay:
- Bai Chay Old Quarter: Like Hanoi’s Old Quarter and Hoi An, Bai Chay Old Quarter boasts unique architecture, elegant design, and charming pedestrian streets. A perfect spot for those seeking a blend of history and modernity.
- Ha Long Bazaar Night Market: Located at Sun Carnaval Square, Ha Long Bazaar Night Market spans 10,014 square meters with 333 stalls. Immerse yourself in a range of products from street food and handicrafts to souvenirs. The market even hosts impressive water music performances.
- My Gia Ha Long Western Street: Located in the Hon Gai area, My Gia Ha Long Western Street captures the essence of various cultures. Designed in the “Colors of the Five Continents” style, this street perfectly blends the nostalgic charm of Hanoi’s Old Quarter with the lively atmosphere of Bui Vien Street in Ho Chi Minh City.
- Quang Ninh Museum: A unique attraction in your Ha Long travel itinerary, Quang Ninh Museum..