Hang Da Market: on Hang Da street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.
Opening times: Daily from 6.00AM to 21.00PM
The old Hang Da market has been upgraded into a small shopping mall that would offer you variety of products, ranging from food, beverage to clothes, jewelries. Smaller than Dong Xuan and offering a more select product range, this is the place to come for imported wine, flowers, second-hand clothes and fabrics.
The outside of the building is also very picturesque with its white multi-perforated façade and it’s expected that the whole interior may one day change from market stalls to boutique outlets.
Hang Da market is a great place to pick up one-off clothing items including skirts, dresses and coats and some of the best buys are stylish second-hand clothes which are pretty much all in perfect condition.
Hang Da market is best visited first thing in the morning when the traders are unpacking for the day and best avoided over weekends or during the midday heat. Take a break when you shop on the first floor where you can buy some freshly cooked Vietnamese snacks.
Bargaining is not only advised but absolutely expected when shopping at Hang Da market. As a rule, start at around 50% of the starting price but do not accept any lower than 25%. Hang Da is located on 1 Pho Hang Da at the intersection with Yen Thai. There is also a large shop lined with bamboo cages which are filled with exotic birds on the north corner where Hang Da meets Hang Dieu, which is also worth a look.
The area was once the main stretch for pipe and tobacco sellers so you keep an eye out for the remaining stores dating back aeons located just north on Hand Dieu Street. Don’t forget to take a camera as Hang Da market is worth a visit just to capture the elegant architecture of the market building.
