Explore Hoi An night market and its unique experience

Hoi An Night Market is often referred to as a shopping and culinary paradise of the Ancient Town, making it an essential stop for visitors. The market is located in the heart of Hoi An’s pedestrian zone, on Nguyen Hoang Street, opposite the Japanese Covered Bridge.

If you’re planning to visit Hoi An, don’t miss the article below from Hotel Royal Hoi An Gallery to fully explore the beauty and charm of the night market!

Explore Hoi An night market

Hoi An Night Market is a vibrant cultural and culinary space in the heart of Hoi An Ancient Town, where visitors can explore folk art, local cuisine, and traditional activities in the evening.

Located in Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the night market has a completely different atmosphere after dark. As night falls, the area becomes radiant with hundreds of colorful lanterns, becoming a cultural symbol tied to Hoi An’s identity.

At the night market, visitors can experience unique traditional cultural activities. One of these is the Bai Choi performance, a folk art form from Central Vietnam that blends poetry, storytelling, and traditional games, offering both entertainment and cultural insight.

Hoi An Night Market is not just a market but a multidimensional cultural entity, where arts, cuisine, handicrafts, and local experiences converge and shine.

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Highlighted Areas at Hoi An Night Market

Hoi An Night Market is a harmonious blend of many cultural, shopping, and culinary spaces, stretching across various streets. Each area has its own unique features, catering to diverse interests of visitors.

Nguyen Hoang night market – Souvenirs and handicrafts

• Address: Nguyen Hoang Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province.
• Operating hours: From 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM daily.

If you love the craftsmanship and cultural products of Vietnam, then Nguyen Hoang Night Market is a must-visit destination.

Just across An Hoi Bridge, Nguyen Hoang Street transforms every evening into an artistic avenue. Over 50 carefully arranged stalls line the street, each offering a unique world of handcrafted items made by skilled artisans. The vibrant atmosphere and intricate craftsmanship make it a must-visit for all.

What makes this market special is that not only can you shop, but you can also observe or even participate in making lanterns, printing wooden pictures, or painting ceramics. This makes Nguyen Hoang Night Market a place that tells silent cultural stories through every item.

Culinary night market on Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa street

• Address: Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province.
• Operating hours: From 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM daily.

Cuisine is an inseparable part of Hoi An’s identity, and the culinary night market on Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Street is the clearest proof of this.

Once you step onto this street at night, you will immediately be captivated by the enticing smells from dozens of food stalls offering Hoi An’s signature dishes. You’ll also find local street snacks, with prices ranging from 15,000 to 50,000 VND per dish, affordable for all travelers, from young groups to families with children.

The space here is reasonably spacious, with well-organized walking paths. Some stalls even have tables and chairs for visitors to sit, eat, and chat while feeling the slow pace of the Old Town at night.

Pedestrian Streets and Night Shopping Area

• Address: Main streets in Hoi An such as Tran Phu, Bach Dang, Le Loi, Minh An Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province.
• Operating hours: From 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM daily.

Not confined to just one specific street, the Hoi An pedestrian area at night extends across several central streets, including Tran Phu, Bach Dang, and Le Loi. This area is the most popular among tourists, especially from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM, when the streets are beautifully lit with colorful lanterns, and locals begin showcasing traditional folk art performances, adding to the vibrant atmosphere.

Along these streets, you’ll find a variety of stalls selling clothes, handbags, paintings, handcrafted jewelry, and unique items such as clay dolls, hand-painted fans, mini conical hats, or intricately carved wooden keychains.

In addition to shopping, this is also an ideal area to enjoy street art performances. Artists playing traditional Vietnamese instruments like the Dan Bau, Dan Tranh, or groups performing Ca Tru or Bai Choi often perform at street corners, attracting crowds to watch and record the performances. Many international tourists express their surprise at witnessing a “very different Vietnam”—both ancient and vibrant.

Experiences at Hoi An night market

Hoi An Night Market is a destination not only for shopping and enjoying cuisine but also for deeply exploring local culture. Every corner, stall, dish, and handicraft product reflects the identity of the Old Town, offering a blend of tradition and modernity.

Experience unique handicrafts and souvenirs

Visitors can not only admire but also participate in the traditional lantern-making process at stalls in the night market. From selecting the bamboo frame, covering it with fabric, to decorating it with patterns and adding the wires, you will see the traditional craftsmanship and cultural love embedded in every detail.

Enjoy street food with rich flavors

The food section at Hoi An Night Market is where you can taste signature dishes of Central Vietnam. Visitors will get to enjoy Cao Lau with chewy noodles, tender pork, and rich broth, or Hoi An Banh Mi, famous for its crispy crust and filling packed with pate, fresh herbs, and special sauce.

Immerse yourself in traditional cultural atmosphere

Hoi An Night Market offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in unique art performances. Visitors may encounter artists playing Dan Bau or Sao Truc, creating soothing melodies amidst the bustling crowd. The cultural atmosphere is further enhanced by vendors dressed in Ao Dai and wearing Conical Hats, creating a vibrant picture of traditional Vietnamese life.

Boat ride on the Hoai River

One experience not to be missed at Hoi An Night Market is a boat ride on the Hoai River. From the boat station near the night market, you can rent a paddle boat for about 100,000 – 150,000 VND for a 30-minute ride. On the boat, you can admire the radiant Ancient Town reflected on the water, with lanterns floating gently down the river.

Participate in Traditional Games

You can try the pot smashing game, where blindfolded players use sticks to break hanging clay pots. Other popular games like duck-catching and ring toss are also common, attracting both children and adults. These games offer fun while giving insight into Vietnam’s traditional festival culture, with small prizes like candy, fans, or clay dolls.

Enjoy the lantern-lit streets

As you stroll through the night market streets, you’ll be enchanted by the brilliant light from hundreds of lanterns hanging overhead or displayed in the stalls. Each lantern, with its unique color and pattern from round, hexagonal, to lotus-shaped creates a mystical atmosphere. Some street corners are also decorated with festival-themed lanterns, adding even more charm to the setting.

Read more: Hoi An Lantern Festival 2025: Best Dates, Activities & Travel Tips

Visiting tips

Hoi An Night Market is not only an attractive sightseeing spot but also a place that preserves the rich cultural values of the Old Town. Below are some useful tips to help you have a wonderful experience here.

Opening hours and best time to visit

Hoi An Night Market is open from 5:00 PM to late at night, but the best time to visit is from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, when the space is most vibrant and cultural activities are at their peak.

Shopping and safe eating tips

To fully enjoy your journey exploring the Hoi An Night Market safely and comfortably, here are a few useful tips:

• Always ask for the price before purchasing to avoid overcharging.
• Prefer clean and well-organized food stalls.
• Bring cash as not all stalls accept electronic payments.

Hotel Royal Hoi An Gallery – The ideal place to relax

Hotel Royal Hoi An Gallery is the perfect place to relax after a day exploring Hoi An Night Market. The hotel offers luxurious rooms with full amenities, ensuring excellent comfort and helping you recharge after a day of exploring the unique culture and cuisine of Hoi An.
Facilities at Hotel Royal Hoi An Gallery include:

• A beautiful outdoor swimming pool, perfect for relaxing and unwinding after an exciting day of sightseeing.
• A restaurant serving Hoi An’s local specialties, offering a wonderful culinary experience and a deep taste of Central Vietnam.
• A chic bar where you can relax and enjoy excellent drinks after a long day of exploring.
• A spa and massage service, helping you recover your energy and fully unwind after tiring activities.

Conclusion

Hoi An Night Market is not just a tourist attraction, but a journey filled with vibrant experiences of culture, cuisine, and art.

Here, you can not only shop for exquisite handcrafted products but also have the chance to savor local dishes and immerse yourself in the traditional artistic atmosphere of Central Vietnam.

The lively atmosphere of the food areas, the vibrancy of the handicraft sections, and the unique artistic performances make Hoi An Night Market an essential part of any journey to explore the Ancient Town.

After a day of exploration, you can relax at Hotel Royal Hoi An Gallery, a luxurious retreat offering tranquility and elegance, making it the perfect place to end your journey through Hoi An in comfort and peace.