Hoi An Night Market | What to do, Info & Opening Hours

The Hoi An Night Market is a must-visit for anyone exploring the city in the evening. With its colorful lanterns, lively atmosphere, and numerous stalls, it attracts a crowd of tourists every night, all looking for souvenirs and street food.

But let’s be clear: it’s primarily a tourist market. If you’re coming for the experience and the photos, no problem. However, if you’re looking for authentic craftsmanship or high-quality products, you need to be selective. Many stalls sell the same items, often at inflated prices, and quality isn’t always guaranteed.

All in all, it’s a nice place to explore, but it’s best to go with the right expectations.

Where to Find Hoi An Night Market?

The Hoi An Night Market is located on An Hoi Island, right across from the Japanese Bridge, along Nguyen Hoang Street. Every evening, the street lights up with hundreds of colorful lanterns, creating a vibrant and lively atmosphere.

From 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, vendors set up their stalls, forming two main aisles separated by a central row. The outer rows are mostly dedicated to street food, while the middle row features stalls selling local souvenirs.

Since 2023, under the initiative of the Hoi An city authorities, the market has also expanded to Nguyen Phuc Chu Street.

Hoi An Night Market Opening Hours

For those who prefer to visit the market without the crowds, the best time to go is just before sunset. Most vendors arrive around 5:00 PM, but the market doesn’t get busy until after 6:00 PM.

If crowds don’t bother you, the busiest time is between 6:30 PM and 8:30 PM. After 9:00 PM, the number of visitors decreases significantly, and food stall owners start moving their carts closer to the market entrance to attract the last customers. Most stalls close around 10:00 PM.

What to do at Hoi An Night Market?

1. Souvenir Stalls

The Hoi An Night Market is primarily a series of stalls selling more or less the same items. You’ll find lanterns, jewelry, linen clothing, paintings, and bamboo crafts. Everything looks well presented, but if you take a closer look, most products are neither handmade in Hoi An nor truly artisanal.

There are also many so-called bargains: lanterns labeled as handmade that actually come from small factories or, even worse, are imported. Many clothing items are advertised as pure linen, but when you touch them, they often feel like a polyester-cotton blend. If you’re looking for something authentic, it’s best not to buy impulsively.

That being said, if you just want a simple souvenir, the market does the job. Prices are inflated, but bargaining is expected. A good tip: never accept the first price given.

Also, keep in mind that the first stalls tend to be more expensive, so head towards the end of the market to find better deals.

2. Food Stalls

While the Hoi An Night Market may not be the best place for souvenirs, food is a different story. There’s a good variety of local street food, often at very affordable prices.

The must-tries? Banh mi, a classic, although the best ones can be found elsewhere in the city. Grilled meat or seafood skewers, served with a flavorful dipping sauce. Bánh xèo, crispy Vietnamese pancakes dipped in nuoc mam sauce. And for those with a sweet tooth, chè, a traditional Vietnamese dessert made with beans, jelly, and coconut milk, is a pleasant surprise.

However, not all stalls are equal. Some are just there to attract tourists and focus more on presentation than taste. My advice? Watch where the locals eat. If a stall is crowded with Vietnamese customers, that’s usually a good sign.

3. The Lantern Corner

Without a doubt, one of the highlights of the market—both visually and for shopping—is its lantern section. Right at the entrance, you’ll find five stalls offering lanterns of all sizes, shapes, colors, and patterns.

Vendors typically charge 20,000 VND (around $0.90 USD) to take a photo in front of their shops. However, if you purchase a lantern, this fee is often waived, as long as you pose with your new buy.

This spot is also a favorite on Instagram, and you’ll likely see many tourists striking a pose in front of the lantern-covered walls.

If you’re looking to buy a lantern, this is the place to do it. Prices here shouldn’t exceed 100,000 VND.

2nd Night Market in Hoi An

A second night market opened in Hoi An in 2018, located along Tran Quy Cap and Bach Dang streets, near the central market. Be careful not to confuse it with the main Hoi An night market.

You’ll find pretty much the same products, but with one big advantage—it’s far less crowded. This makes it a more enjoyable alternative for strolling around and shopping without the hustle and bustle of the main night market.

On Bach Dang Street, a few stalls sell local food, but the biggest downside is the lack of a lantern section, which remains one of the main attractions of the primary night market.

My Opinion

The Hoi An Night Market is the perfect spot for a first-time visit. The atmosphere is unique, the lanterns create a picturesque backdrop, and there’s a wide variety of street food to try. If your goal is to enjoy a lively night stroll, then it’s definitely worth a visit.

However, if you’re looking for authentic or high-quality artisan products, it’s better to look elsewhere. This market is primarily designed for tourists, with inflated prices and mass-produced items. For locally made souvenirs, it’s best to check out specialty shops or artisan workshops.

In short, it’s an experience worth having, but it’s important to set the right expectations to avoid disappointment.