Hoi An Ancient Town has a history dating back thousands of years, having been a significant port city in Southeast Asia. Today? It’s one of Vietnam’s most visited tourist destinations, especially famous for its markets. Strolling through the Hoi An Streets, the sounds, visuals, and scents are all enough to fall in love with the one-of-a-kind beauty.
I’ve visited Hoi An markets multiple times and always find something: a silk hair tie, a cute cafe, street food, clothes…there is so much to explore and fill your shopping bag (or stomach) with!
To prepare you for the Hoi An markets, this guide covers the top things to know, including how to get custom-made clothes and what to eat. Oh yes, and my personal go-to spots!
What to Know About Hoi An Markets
Just some of the basics of what to expect in Hoi An’s winding markets.
Types of Markets & Shops
Central Market
These tops are super popular in Hoi An! I bought mine for just 100k VND (~$4 USD)
Hours: Vary by vendor, but may start as early as 5 AM (especially at the food market) and run until 6 or 7 PM.
It’s kinda tricky to say exactly where the Central Market in Hoi An begins and ends, as the center itself is full of vendors. Walking up and down the streets, the market is seemingly endless.
The biggest reason to visit is the tailors, but you’ll also find fresh fruit and vegetables and souvenirs. If you’re coming for clothes, along with the shops in the streets, there’s a huge indoor market building with tailors back to back.
It’s easy to spend about 2 hours (or half the day), depending on what you buy or if you get anything custom-made.
Night Market
Spend at least one evening in Hoi An, as the lights after dark are stunning!
Hours: 5 to 6 PM until about 10 PM
The Hoi An night market is one of Vietnam's markets you can’t skip! It’s famous for its street food and lanterns, plus the riverside location literally brightens up the night.
The night market starts on the North side of the river (where Central Market is) and extends across the bridge, where the Southern side of Hoi An has the majority of street market goodies.
What stands out about the Hoi An night market the most is that lanterns are everywhere! Shops hang them in beautiful arrays, and who can say no to snapping a pic with them? Be sure to leave a little stop for this insta-worthy backdrop. And don't forget to buy a little lantern while you're there!
I’ll admit I felt a bit overwhelmed as the market can get busy! And if you head towards the riverside, local sellers may try to pressure you into a boat ride. Of course, if you want a boat ride around Hoi An at night – go for it! I’m not judging; it’s just not something that interested me at the time.
Finally, if you're feeling adventurous, try the frog legs at the night market!
Shops
A guide on Hoi An’s street markets wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the shops because the permanent shops and street markets are practically overlapping each other.
As you wander the streets of Hoi An, you'll find lots of storefronts with specialty foods, locally made clothing, and my favorite liquid in all of Vietnam – Vietnamese coffee! Some shops also sell more generic souvenirs and clothes, but in general, the permanent shops in Hoi An have more specialty items and art.
Payment methods
To spend that money in Hoi An’s markets, always bring cash! Some stores accept cards and Apple Pay, but those are usually the permanent shops and restaurants.
Food
Hoi An’s markets are a foodie heaven! There are street vendors, restaurants, and cafes! Ohlala. Oh yeah, and amazing avocado ice cream hidden in tiny alleyways (mentioned below in my Hoi An recommendations).
Vietnam also has a large vegetarian and vegan population, so while most of these dishes have meat, you can find a vegan version!
Here’s some food you’ve got to try in Hoi An:
The thought of this has me wanting to buy my ticket back to Vietnam!
Banh Xeo: Crispy Vietnamese pancake with shrimp and pork. Wrap the pancake and toppings in rice paper, dip, and enjoy.
White Rose dumplings are light and flavorful!
White Rose Dumplings: So small, but so delicious! The rose-shaped rice dumplings are typically filled with meat with shallots spread on top.
My holy grail food in Vietnam: Mi Quang.
Mi Quang: The famous Central Vietnam noodle dish (and my personal favorite!). Must, must try.
Don’t forget chili oil to add the spicy kick!
Cao Lau: Chewy noodles served with rich broth and pork. These are on my list to try next time!
Getting Clothes Made at Hoi An Markets
A display of tailor-made clothes in Hoi An (with customer reviews!)
One of the most popular things to do in Hoi An is get clothes made. People even come to Hoi An just for the tailored clothes!
Hoi An’s streets are filled with so many tailors that it’s hard to even know where to start.
The most popular material for outfits, especially dresses and formal wear, is silk. But you can find clothes made from about any material and pay more or less depending on the quality.
I’d suggest shopping around before committing to a tailor. Know what you’re looking for, or browse shops for inspiration.
I also like to get a feel for each shop's vibe, as some tailors can be too pushy about making a sale. Once, a woman even followed me into the bathroom and pretended we ran into each other, trying to get me to visit her shop after I turned her down earlier.
Ultimately, expect every shop to be sales-y, but if it’s too pushy or you’re uncomfortable, you can walk away.
There are so many shops in Hoi An it’s hard to know where to start!
You can even do research on TikTok to get inspiration from people’s experiences. There are even tailors who have their own accounts, so you can see their work.
After you’ve decided on a shop and what you want done, the tailors will get your measurements and create your piece. Usually, you do the first fitting a day after, get adjustments, and return again until it’s just right. You’ll need a few days in Hoi An if you want to get something made.
If you don’t have much time, you can also check out clothes that the tailors have already made. I tried on a beautiful, flowy dress I saw hanging on a display, and she adjusted it in just an hour!
Tips for Hoi An Street Markets
The markets of Hoi An can be an all-day adventure, so be prepared to make the most of it with these tips.
- Browse the shops first. Many sellers offer the same items, and the prices can vary greatly from one to the next.
- Bring a shopping bag! Without a doubt, you’ll be getting some goodies, so bring a reusable bag to carry them.
- Give yourself at least half a day to visit – there’s so much to see, and it’s best not to rush through.
- Come hungry! Need I explain?
- There are a couple of public bathrooms you can use. They usually cost about 10k VND (~.40 US cents)
- Keep your belongings secured. The area is generally safe, but pickpockets are around.
Other Hoi An recommendations (my personal favorites)
Hoi An Restaurants
Come with friends and share multiple dishes!
One of my favorite places to eat in Hoi An is at the restaurants along the riverfront, especially after the sun sets and the town lights up. Every time I go, I visit a highly rated spot and find a seat on the second floor, overlooking the streets and river.
If you go with friends, share the Banh Xeo and White Rose dumplings! Two highly rated spots with second-floor seating are MẸT Hội An and An.
Cute Hoi An Coffee Shop
My favorite Vietnamese Coffee: Salt Coffee!
There are SO many cute coffee shops across Hoi An. One of my favorites is the Hoi An Coffee Hub. The coffee is made beautifully, and the decor is Mother Nature just being gorgeous with plants and vines all over. It’s also located off the main road, so it’s quieter and removed from all the chaos.
Best Avocado Ice Cream
Avocado ice cream is the best sweet treat in Vietnam. Tucked deep back into an alleyway, you’ll find Kem Bo Hoi An. For just 25,000 VND (~$ USD), you can get yourself the perfect cold treat for hot Vietnam days. Save it to your maps so you can give yourself a sweet retreat when you get tired of exploring the markets!
Hoi An Markets FAQs
What types of markets are there in Hoi An?
Hoi An has every type of market you’d want in Vietnam! Most tourists in Hoi An will visit the Central Market, the night market, and the town of Hoi An itself, which has tons of shops!
If you’re looking to check out handmade goods, silk clothes, accessories, fresh foods, and souvenirs, then visit the Central Market during the day and evening.
When it comes to the night market, go for the food! There are lots of souvenirs at the night market as well, but the street food is the main star.
How much haggling is expected in Hoi An markets, and what’s a fair price?
Haggling is very common at the markets in Hoi An, especially the street market, where prices aren’t always listed or are inflated. Before I haggle, I have an idea of how much something should cost (or the most I’d pay for it), and haggle from there.
A fair price might be the first price asked, or up to half that amount. I decide based on what I think something is worth paying for.
What local items should you buy at Hoi An markets?
If there’s one souvenir I can think of that you must buy in Hoi An, it’s a lantern! There are so many sizes, colors, designs…I personally am in love with them. After I left Hoi An, I had a harder time finding lanterns, so if you’re thinking about buying one, do it there!
Next to lanterns, are clothes! You can get custom shoes, suits, dresses, hats…any type of clothing you could think of in Hoi An!
One thing that makes the Hoi An markets stand out from others in Vietnam is the number of handcrafted goods, so be sure to focus on those before the mass-produced souvenirs you can buy elsewhere.
What time of day is best to visit Hoi An markets to avoid crowds and heat?
To avoid crowds and heat, the morning would be the best time to head to Hoi An’s central market. With that said, not every shop will be open early. The next best time would be the early/late evening. It will be busy, but at least it won’t be as hot!
You can also find the best time of year to visit Hoi An for the best overall weather, especially since Central Vietnam experiences heavy rains and floods at certain times of year.
Ready to take on the markets in Hoi An? I know you are! Enjoy some coffee for me while you’re there.
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