Bai Chay Market & Night Market: A Traveler's Guide To Ha Long Shopping

In the heart of the Bai Chay tourist hub, two distinct market experiences await. Whether you are seeking a rustic local seafood adventure at the Cai Dam Market during the day or the neon-lit excitement of the Ha Long Night Market in the evening, these spots are essential for experiencing the coastal soul of Quang Ninh. Vietnam Story recommends these markets as the perfect cultural excursion for Indian travelers to pick up authentic souvenirs and taste the “King of Ha Long” seafood – Squid Cakes (Chả Mực).

Halong Bay’s Bai Chay Night Market is a popular market among tourists and locals due to the wide array of products and the lively atmosphere.

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Overview of Ha Long Night Market (Ha Long Bazaar)

What are the opening hours of the Bai Chay Night Market, and where is it located? This modern and well-organized market is the star of the evening, offering a comfortable and exciting shopping environment for everyone. The Ha Long Night Market is a beautiful, modern, 2-story complex that spans a massive 5,000 square meters and is home to over 335 different stalls. It is specifically designed to provide a wonderful and easy shopping experience for international visitors.

Category	Details
Location	The market is located on Hoang Quoc Viet Street, in the Hung Thang Ward. It is part of the larger Ha Long Marine Plaza complex, making it very easy to find.
Opening hours	The market officially opens from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM, with the busiest and most vibrant hours being from Friday to Sunday. However, you will find that many of the stalls are open every day of the week.
The first floor	This floor is a paradise for souvenirs and handicrafts. This is where you will find beautiful lacquerware, elegant silk scarves, lovely pearl jewelry, the iconic conical hats (, and a wide variety of intricate bamboo crafts.
The second floor	Head upstairs for the Food Court & Specialties. Here you can enjoy delicious, freshly grilled seafood, a variety of local snacks, and find beautifully packaged dried seafood to take home as a gift.
Peak hours	The market is at its most vibrant and crowded between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM. This is when the atmosphere is buzzing with energy and all the lights are at their most brilliant.

Overview of Bai Chay Market (Cai Dam Market)

Does the Bai Chay Market sell fresh seafood, and what are its opening hours? Yes! For a truly “local” and authentic experience, the Cai Dam Market is the traditional commercial hub of the entire area. It is a massive, 6-story building that is home to over 750 different vendors. This is where the locals go to shop. It is a bustling, energetic, and fascinating place to see daily life in action.

This is primarily a daytime market. It opens as early as 4:30 AM and begins to wind down by 6:00 PM in the evening. For the most exciting and authentic “morning catch” experience, I highly recommend you visit between 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM.

Shopping highlights:

Fresh seafood: This is the main attraction. You can buy the freshest shrimp, crabs, oysters, and fish by weight. A wonderful tip is that you can have one of the nearby stalls steam your fresh purchase for you for a very small fee (usually around 50,000 VND). It doesn’t get any fresher than this!
Quang Ninh honey and tea: This region is known for its high-quality local honey and fragrant lotus tea, which you can find here.
A rare local delicacy: For the adventurous foodie, look for the vacuum-sealed packets of Peanut Worms (Sá Sùng). This is a luxury local delicacy that is often used to give the broth of our famous phở its unique, sweet flavor.

The best street food in the markets

What are the best things to eat at the Ha Long Night Market and the local markets? Ha Long’s markets are a true “culinary paradise,” where the fresh flavors of the coast meet our beloved Vietnamese street food staples. Whether you are at the Night Market or the Cai Dam Market, be sure to seek out these delicious local specialties.

Chả Mực (The Famous Squid Cakes): This is the undisputed King of Ha Long cuisine. It is made from fresh squid that is hand-pounded into a paste and then deep-fried until it is golden and wonderfully chewy. You must try the version that is served with Bánh Cuốn (delicate, steamed rice rolls) and a sweet and sour dipping sauce.
Bánh Gật Gù (The “Nodding Cake”): This is a fun and unique local dish from the nearby town of Tien Yen. It is a long, soft, and slightly chewy rice cake that is so flimsy it “nods” when you pick it up. It is typically served with a delicious minced pork sauce.
Grilled Oysters & Scallops: This is a market favorite. Fresh oysters and scallops are grilled over hot charcoal and then topped with a fragrant mixture of scallion oil and crunchy crushed peanuts.
Ha Long Pearl Yogurt: A wonderfully refreshing and unique local dessert. It features warm, chewy tapioca pearls that are served in a bowl of cool, tangy yogurt.
Sam Biển (Horseshoe Crab): For the adventurous seafood lover, you can try the local horseshoe crab, which is often prepared in several different ways, such as grilled, stir-fried, or in a sweet and sour sauce.

Practical tips for a perfect market experience

Go to Bai Chay Market for fresh produce and cheap clothes.

Is bargaining common? And how do you get to the markets from the Tuan Chau Port? A little bit of local knowledge will make your market adventure smooth and fun. Here is our essential advice for our Indian travelers.

The bargaining strategy

Bargaining is expected and part of the fun, especially for souvenirs and clothing at the Night Market. The quoted prices are often 30–50% higher than what the vendor is willing to accept. A polite and effective tactic is the “walk-away.” If you make an offer and the vendor doesn’t accept, you can politely say thank you and start to walk away. If the price is flexible, they will likely call you back with a better offer!

Transportation

From Tuan Chau Port: The markets are a 15 – 20 minute taxi ride away, which will cost approximately 200,000 – 250,000 VND.
From Bai Chay Beach: If you are staying in the main tourist area, the Night Market is just a short 5-minute walk or a 2-minute taxi ride away.

Payment and safety

Payment: Small denomination cash (VND) is absolutely essential for all street food purchases and for most stalls in the market. While some of the larger handicraft stalls might accept USD or digital apps, they will often apply a less favorable exchange rate.
Safety & comfort:
- Wear your most comfortable walking shoes, as the markets are large and involve a significant amount of walking.
- The Night Market can get very crowded during the “9:00 PM crush” when the large tour groups arrive. During this time, it is a good idea to keep your valuables in a secure, front-facing bag.

READ MORE: Vietnam Money & Currency Guide for Indian Tourists: VND, Payments & Tips

A great combination idea

The Ha Long Night Market is located inside the Ha Long Marine Plaza, which also houses a modern CGV Cinema and the popular T-Club. This makes it very easy to combine your evening shopping with other modern entertainment options for a full night out.

Conclusion

For any Indian traveler who loves food and shopping, a visit to the Bai Chay markets is an absolute must-do. It is, without a doubt, the best place in the region to sample the true, authentic flavors of our coastal cuisine, especially the legendary Squid Cakes. It is also a treasure trove for finding beautiful, unique, and affordable souvenirs that you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you are a dedicated foodie on a mission to taste everything or a keen shopper looking for the perfect gift, these markets are guaranteed to be a highlight of your trip. Let VietnamStory be your expert shopping and dining guide. We can arrange a personalized market tour for you, ensuring you find the best stalls and get the best prices. Get in touch with us to plan your trip, and get ready for a fantastic shopping and culinary adventure in the heart of Ha Long.