Dong Xuan Market

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About Dong Xuan Market

Dong Xuan Market, or Cho Dong Xuan, is the oldest and largest market in Hanoi. It is located at Dong Xuan Street, at the end of Hang Dao Street, on the northern part of the Old Quarters. The original building was constructed in 1889, on the site of one of Hanoi's lakes. On 14 July 1994, a big fire destroyed the original building. It caused damage amount to millions of dollars, not to mention claiming five lives and putting 3,000 workers out of job. Thousands of exotic animals were also lost in the flames.

The present Dong Xuan Market was built to replace it. The new building was opened for business in December 1996 with "quite a bang". Hundreds of disgrunted women vendors took to the streets in anger to demonstrate against what they felt were unfair stall allocations, so much so that the prime minister's office had to intervene.

Today the present Dong Xuan Market already looks a bit worn out. It has an escalator, probably the first in Hanoi, but it did not work. The market itself looks like an old shopping mall and sells all sorts of low-priced garments such as counterfeit t-shirts, watches and the likes. If you're looking for more interesting goods, the shops surrounding the market may be more promising.

Getting there

From the north bank of the Ho Hoan Kiem, take Hang Dao Street. Along the way, it changes name to Hang Ngang Street and then Hang Duong Street. Eventually it becomes Dong Xuan Street. You will see Dong Xuan Market on the right side of the road. The distance is about 400 meters.