Han Market (Chợ Hàn) is Da Nang‘s largest and most significant central market, serving as a vital hub for both local commerce and tourism. This multi-story indoor market is a one-stop destination for a vast array of goods, from fresh local produce and famous Da Nang food specialties to clothing, textiles, and souvenirs. For visitors, it offers an authentic, bustling market experience and is renowned as one of the best places in the city for souvenir shopping and bargain hunting. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of what to buy, what to eat, and how to navigate this iconic marketplace.
What is Han Market? A quick tour
- Address: 119 Tran Phu Street, Hai Chau 1 Ward, Hai Chau District, Da Nang
- Opening hours: From 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily
Han market is one of the oldest and most beloved markets in all of Da Nang. Can you believe it has been here since the 1940s? For generations, it was the main trading hub for our entire city, where everyone would come to buy and sell their goods right by the beautiful Han River.
Over the years, it has grown into the wonderful, bustling two-story market you see today, with hundreds of lively stalls. But it has never lost its soul. Because of its perfect location, right in the city center and just a few steps from the river, it remains one of the most popular and cherished spots for both locals and visitors. When you step inside, you are stepping into a piece of our city’s living history.
Han Market is a large, two-story building located right in the city center, very close to the famous Han River Bridge. It’s an organized maze of hundreds of small stalls, each one packed with interesting things. Here’s a simple way to understand its layout:
- Downstairs (The foodie’s paradise): The ground floor is all about food! The front section is a “wet market” where locals buy fresh vegetables, seafood, and meat. But the most exciting part for you is the back section, which is a huge area filled with stalls selling dried seafood, local snacks, and a fantastic food court.
- Upstairs (The shopper’s dream): Head up the stairs, and you will find a world of shopping. This is where you will find clothing, shoes, bags, luggage, textiles, and souvenirs.
READ MORE: The ultimate guide to Da Nang’s Han river bridge for Indian tourists
What to buy at Han Market?
This is the best place in Da Nang to buy gifts and souvenirs to take home. The market is a treasure chest, with delicious treats on the ground floor and beautiful crafts and clothing upstairs.
Downstairs: The Edible Treasures for Your Kitchen
- Dried seafood: This is the most famous thing to buy on the ground floor. You will see a huge variety of dried squid, fish, and shrimp. The smell is very strong, but it is a very authentic local product. My tip: Ask the friendly ladies at the stalls to vacuum-seal it for you to contain the smell in your luggage!
- Vietnamese fermented sauces: For my adventurous foodie friends! You will see many stalls selling jars of colourful, pungent pastes and sauces. These are our famous fermented sauces, like mắm tôm (fermented shrimp paste). They are the secret ingredients that give many of our central Vietnamese dishes their unique, powerful flavour. A small, well-sealed jar is the ultimate foodie souvenir.
- Local snacks and treats: You can find all sorts of delicious local specialties here, like crispy sesame rice crackers (Bánh khô mè), beef jerky (Bò khô), and all kinds of jams and preserved fruits. These make for wonderful, authentic gifts.
Upstairs: Crafts, Clothing, and Wearable Souvenirs
Head up the stairs, and you will find a world of shopping. This is where you find the perfect gifts and holiday essentials.
- Fabrics and the traditional Ao Dai: For my friends who love textiles, the second floor is a paradise. You will see stalls overflowing with beautiful fabrics, especially silk and linen. But even more special, you can find our elegant national dress, the Ao Dai. While getting one custom-tailored is a special experience, Han Market is a great place to find beautiful, ready-to-wear versions. It is the most elegant souvenir you could possibly bring home.
- Woven bags and straw sandals: Han Market is the perfect place to find your holiday accessories! You will see hundreds of beautiful, hand-woven straw and rattan bags, from small purses to large beach totes. Paired with a simple pair of straw sandals, which are also widely available and very cheap, you have the perfect, breezy look for your entire Vietnam trip.
- Natural home decor: Rattan and Bamboo Products: You will find many stalls selling beautiful, handcrafted items made from rattan and bamboo. These natural materials are a huge part of our traditional craftsmanship. You can find everything from beautifully woven baskets and serving trays to coasters and bowls. They are light, easy to pack, and bring a wonderful, rustic charm into your home.
- Clothing, shoes and souvenir T-shirts: The second floor is also full of stalls selling fun holiday clothes, from summer dresses to sandals and handbags. And of course, this is the best place to buy fun, cheap souvenir t-shirts with pictures of Da Nang or Vietnam on them.
READ MORE: Vietnam night markets: A vibrant guide to culture, food & shopping
What to eat at Han Market?
The food court at the back of the ground floor is a must-visit. It’s where you can taste real, authentic, local Da Nang food for incredibly cheap prices.
- Mì Quảng: This is the signature noodle dish of our region. It’s a delicious bowl of wide, flat rice noodles with a small amount of a very flavourful broth, served with pork, shrimp, and fresh herbs, and topped with a crispy rice cracker.
- Bún Thịt Nướng: Another local favorite! It’s a bowl of thin rice noodles with delicious grilled pork, fresh herbs and vegetables, and a sweet and savory dipping sauce.
- Fresh fruit smoothies:You will see stalls with mountains of fresh tropical fruits. Just point to the fruits you want—mango, avocado, dragon fruit—and they will blend it into a delicious, refreshing smoothie for you.
- Sweet soups: For a local dessert, you must try chè. It’s a sweet “soup” that can be served hot or cold, with all sorts of delicious ingredients like beans, jellies, and coconut milk.
Essential tips for shopping at Han Market
- Bargaining is a must! (But be nice!) This is the number one rule of shopping at Han Market. The first price they give you is the “tourist price.” It is expected that you will bargain.
- The golden rule: A good strategy is to start by offering about 50% of the asking price and then meet somewhere in the middle.
- Always do it with a smile! Bargaining is a friendly game, not a fight.
- Walk away power: If you don’t like the price, it’s okay to politely say “thank you” and walk away. Sometimes, they will call you back with a better offer.
- Cash is king: While some stalls might have a card machine, most of the smaller vendors and all of the food stalls will only accept cash (Vietnamese Dong).
- Go with a plan (But be prepared for surprises): It’s a good idea to know what you are looking for, but also be open to discovering something new and wonderful!
- Check the quality: Before you buy clothes or bags, take a moment to check the zippers and the stitching.
- Try before you buy: For the dried snacks, the friendly vendors will often let you try a small sample before you decide to buy.
Conclusion
A visit to Han Market is more than just a shopping trip; it is an essential Da Nang cultural experience. It is a place where you can dive headfirst into the vibrant, chaotic, and wonderfully authentic rhythm of local life. From the thrill of bargaining for a souvenir to the simple joy of slurping a delicious bowl of local noodles, Han Market offers a rich and unforgettable feast for all your senses.