Night markets are one of my favorite parts of traveling throughout South East Asia. I love the food, the knick-knacks, the mix of locals and tourists, and the general buzz that surrounds you. The night market in Hoi An has certainly come a long way since I was there over three years ago. Although the selection isn’t quite as vast as some other night markets, you can still find a good selection of sweet and savory delights, along with numerous stalls selling souvenirs and other trinkets at the Hoi An Night Market.
Picture taken from the end of the night market
The beginning of the night market – less than an hour later and these walkways were packed
What to buy at the Hoi An Night Market
I would recommend heading into the night market when the sun begins to set, as it gets very busy later in the evening. The little trinket shops sell everything from tableware to purses, though I found it a bit more difficult to negotiate here. I wanted a woven bag and the lady originally wanted to charge US$20 and would not go any lower than US$15, which I found to be expensive when compared to shopping in other markets. Regardless, most of the items you’ll find here you’ll have likely come across on your travels elsewhere.
What to eat
There are mainly sweet snacks with a few savory items. Start with a sausage on a stick or a fried shrimp pancake, though I would recommend having something more substantial beforehand. Personally, I went straight for the stalls selling sweets. You’ll find the ever-popular banana nutella pancakes and rolled ice cream, along with some lesser known treats that I hadn’t tried before. This thin crispy waffle with ‘dragon candy’, condensed milk, and chocolate sauce inside was an absolute highlight. I also ordered a thicker version made with shaved coconut and peanuts (both picture above). Most food items on offer will run you between 20,000 VND – 30, 000 VND, but you can sometimes negotiate if there aren’t many people around (I was able to purchase deep fried banana pancakes for 10,000 VND during the day). While I did enjoy the food at the night market, I much prefer these places to eat in Hoi An.
How to get to the Hoi An Night Market
The night market is located on the busy little island of An Hội. To get there, simply head into Hoi An Ancient Town towards the iconic Japanese wooden bridge. You’ll see a small and busy bridge right in front that leads you over the river. Cross over the water and turn right. Walk straight and take your first left – the street will be filled with vendors on both sides.
