After a beautiful day exploring the ancient, golden-walled streets of Hoi An, a new kind of magic comes to life as the sun goes down. The tranquil town transforms into a dazzling wonderland of light, sound, and incredible aromas, and the vibrant heart of this transformation is the magnificent Hoi An Night Market.
The night market is the cultural and culinary centerpiece of Hoi An’s evening activity. It’s a mesmerizing spectacle of thousands of glowing lanterns, a paradise of delicious local street food, and a treasure trove of unique, handcrafted souvenirs. For every traveler, a visit to the night market is not just recommended, it is an essential and unforgettable part of the Hoi An experience. Let VietnamStory.in be your guide as we wander through this vibrant wonderland together.
Overview of Hoi An night market
First, let’s get you there. Navigating the market is very simple.
| Feature | Details |
| Main location | The main and most famous part of the market is on Nguyen Hoang Street, located on An Hoi Islet. The market has now grown and spills over onto the nearby Nguyen Phuc Chu Street, which runs along the river. |
| Access | Getting there is incredibly easy. From the Hoi An Ancient Town, you simply take a leisurely walk across the beautiful An Hoi Bridge (often called the “Lantern Bridge”). The market is accessible for everyone, including families with children. |
| Opening hours | The market is open daily, with vendors setting up around 5:00 PM and the market staying bustling until about 10:00 PM. Some food stalls and vendors may stay open even later, until 11:00 PM or past midnight on weekends. |
| Best time to visit | For the most vibrant atmosphere and the absolute best photos of the glowing lanterns, I recommend visiting between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM. This is when the market is at its liveliest. |
| Crowd alert | Be prepared, the market gets very crowded during these peak hours. If you prefer a more relaxed experience, I suggest visiting right when it opens at 5:00 PM to watch the vendors set up, or after 9:30 PM when the crowds begin to thin out. |
| Entrance fee | It is completely free to enter and wander through the market. |
READ MORE: Best places to visit in Hoi An
What to eat? A Street food paradise
Is the Hoi An night market good for authentic local food? Yes, it is a fantastic place to start your culinary adventure! The market and the nearby food areas are a paradise for sampling authentic Central Vietnamese street food.
| Local dish/Snack | Description | Estimated price range (VND) |
| Bánh Mì | Vietnam’s world-famous baguette sandwich, Hoi An style. Crispy, warm bread filled with a delicious mix of meats, pâté, fresh herbs, and pickled vegetables. | 25,000 – 50,000 VND |
| Cao Lầu | The quintessential Hoi An noodle dish. You must try this! Thick, chewy noodles are served with slices of savory pork, fresh greens, and a small amount of rich, flavourful sauce. | 30,000 – 50,000 VND |
| Mì Quảng | Another popular noodle dish from our region, with wide yellow noodles made with turmeric, served in a flavourful broth with shrimp, pork, and peanuts. | 30,000 – 50,000 VND |
| Bánh Xèo | A crispy, savory Vietnamese pancake made from rice flour, filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts. It’s served with rice paper and fresh herbs for you to wrap and dip. | 50,000 – 70,000 VND |
| Vietnamese “Pizza” | Bánh Tráng Nướng. A popular and fun snack. A thin sheet of rice paper is grilled over charcoal and topped with egg, green onions, and various meats or cheeses. | 15,000 – 30,000 VND |
| Sweets & Desserts | You must try the Coconut Rolled Ice Cream, where ice cream is made fresh on a frozen plate right in front of you. Also, look for Mango Cake (Bánh Xoài) or a bowl of Chè (a traditional sweet soup). | 30,000 – 50,000 VND |
What to buy? Souvenir and handicraft heaven
What can I buy at the Hoi An night market? This is the best place in town to find beautiful gifts and keepsakes to remember your trip.
| Souvenir category | Description | Estimated price range (VND) |
| Lanterns | This is the star of the show! You will find thousands of iconic, collapsible silk and bamboo lanterns in every color, shape, and size imaginable. They are lightweight and fold down flat, making them the perfect, easy-to-pack souvenir. | 20,000 – 250,000 VND (depending on size and detail). |
| Clothing & Silk | You can find beautiful ready-made Ao Dai (the traditional Vietnamese long dress), colourful silk scarves, and lovely bags made from brocade fabric or woven straw. The iconic Conical Hats (Nón Lá) are also a popular item. | Conical Hats: From 30,000 VND |
| Handicrafts | Look for beautiful pottery from the nearby Thanh Ha village, small hand-carved wooden statues, intricate 3D pop-up cards, and cute little clay figurines called tò he. | 30,000 – 500,000 VND |
| Jewelry | You can find a lot of affordable silver jewelry, beautiful handmade accessories, and other charming trinkets. | Earrings/Trinkets: From 30,000 VND |
READ MORE: Hoi An Lantern Festival: Dates, Significance, and Guide for Indian Travelers
Visitor tips and Cultural immersion
Here is my expert advice to help you make the most of your visit.
Payment, Pricing, and Bargaining
- Bargaining: For souvenirs and clothing stalls, bargaining is expected and part of the fun! Don’t be shy. A good and polite strategy is to start by offering 60-70% of the initial asking price and then negotiate with a smile. Remember, food prices at the stalls are usually fixed.
- Payment: Always carry cash (VND), especially small bills like 10,000, 20,000, and 50,000 VND notes. Very few street vendors will accept credit cards.
Safety and Logistics
- Safety: The market is generally very safe and friendly. However, because it gets very crowded, it’s always a good idea to be mindful of your belongings. Keep your wallet and phone in a secure place to avoid any chance of pickpocketing.
- Footwear: Our practical tip is to wear comfortable walking shoes. The walkways can be crowded and sometimes a bit uneven, so comfortable footwear will make your experience much more enjoyable.
Photography and Entertainment
- Photography: The market is a photographer’s dream! For the most stunning and atmospheric photos, the best time is right around sunset and during the peak evening hours when all the lanterns are glowing brightly.
- Cultural activities: To make your evening even more magical, Vietnamstory.in highly recommends taking a traditional lantern boat ride on the Hoai River. For a small fee, you can release your own lantern and make a wish. You might also be lucky enough to catch a performance of Bài Chòi, the traditional Vietnamese folk singing game, which is often staged in an open area near the market.
Integrating the market into your Hoi An evening
The night market is the perfect centerpiece for a wonderful evening in Hoi An.
- Dinner & drinks: You can start your evening with a lovely dinner at one of the beautiful riverfront restaurants in the Ancient Town, and then head to the market for dessert and shopping. Or, you can have a fun and casual dinner by sampling all the delicious street food at the market and then finish with a relaxing drink at one of the cool bars on An Hoi Islet.
- Proximity to attractions: The market is located directly across from the Japanese Covered Bridge and the main part of the Ancient Town, making it the natural final stop for a perfect evening itinerary after you have explored the historic streets.
- Enhanced cultural experience: If your trip aligns, try to plan your visit to coincide with the Monthly Lantern Festival (held on the 14th day of the Lunar Month). On this night, the atmosphere is even more magical, with more lanterns and cultural activities, though you should be prepared for it to be significantly more crowded.
Conclusion
As you can see, the Hoi An Night Market is the perfect, essential end to a day of exploring. It conveniently brings together the very best of Hoi An’s evening experiences into one vibrant and accessible location. You can sample all the must-try local foods, find the most beautiful and authentic souvenirs, and soak in the magical lantern-lit atmosphere all in one place. It truly is the centerpiece of the perfect Hoi An evening itinerary, with something to delight every member of your family.
Planning the perfect trip is all about making things easy and enjoyable. At Vietnam Story, we take care of all the logistics – from your hotel to your transportation and daily activities—so you can simply focus on the experience. Let us integrate a wonderful evening at the night market into a perfectly balanced itinerary for you. Book your trip with us, and discover the hassle-free joy of exploring the best of Vietnam.