Not only famous for the ancient culture and amazing tourism destinations, Vietnam also attracts the attention of international tourists by its uniqueness in the diverse market of commodities. Exclusive Vietnamese shopping areas are the hidden treasures of the tourism industry that reflects the unique features of Vietnam. Which can travelers see in those markets? What they are? Planning a tour package to Indochina may raise various wonders at first; however, with our 10 special Vietnamese markets which can be found in nowhere all over the world as recommended below, we ensure that travelers will have the obvious plan for their astonishing journey.
1. The market of fighting-cocks (Lao Cai)
Located next to Bac Ha Market (Lao Cai), the gamecock market has been opening for recent years and the only product sold is the gamecocks. The name of the market may raise the ambiguity for travelers who first hear it because they misunderstand that sellers and buyers only arrive there to purchase fighting cocks. However, the truth is people also reach out the way to the market show off their fighting-cocks and enjoy the cock-fighting battle. It is ideal for fighting-cock lovers to purchase a gamecock at a budget market price starting from 1 to 2 million VND.
2. The milled-wood market (Bac Ninh)
On the 2-kilometer road along the dyke leading to Dong Ky village, the richest region in Tu Son, Bac Ninh, the market of milled-wood is operated every day. Rough wood or scantling are usually sold by weight at a price of around 1 million VND per kilogram. For long and monolithic wood grains can be purchased at the price of 10 to 50 million VND for each.
3. The infernal market (Da Lat, Lam Dong)
Despite the scary name, the market of hell in Da Lat city of Lam Dong province is actually the characteristic of the romantic and poetic beauty of the stunning city at night. The particularity of the market is that it is only opened in the nighttime from 19 pm to 4 am the next morning. Moreover, Dalat infernal market is extremely bustling with the major goods including stuffs for winter such as winter clothes, hats, towels wool to serve tourists arriving the land of the cold land all year round. The night market is also a paradise for delicious budget barbecues and delicacies.
4. The market selling cats and dogs (Ho Chi Minh City)
Formed in 1990 in Ho Chi Minh City, the market initially only sold products which were some small cages of puppies. Nonetheless, by the year 2000, after being dismissed, the cat sellers at Cau Muoi Market (District 1) moved to Le Hong Phong, District 10 to rent the ground for their business and then formed the vibrant market today.
After the success of the dog market, a myriad of cats shops also gradually grow. The "goods" mainly sold are in variety of shapes and sizes with many kinds of pets costing the lowest price of 200,000 VND to the high-class imported products valued at 30 to 40 million VND. This is also the location of purchasing stolen dogs and cats back, so many people who lose their pets usually present to "recognize" and redeem their home animals.
5. The Insect Market (Western Vietnam)
Located in Tinh Bien-An Giang border, the shopping areas is popular as the place solely selling numerous unique kinds of insects from extremely poisonous species such as snakes, centipedes, scorpions, geckos and lobsters to special pests including larvae coconut worms, cicadas, and termites. Scorpions are sold at the retail selling price of 4.000 to 6.000 VND per each one and each centipede and lobster costs about 30.000 to 40.000.
6. Vieng Market (Nam Dinh province)
Only take place once a year from midnight to early morning, Vieng market in Goi town, Nam Dinh province is the most famous market in the Northern Vietnam. According to buyers’ intellection, buying a product in Vieng market will bring good luck and let the bad luck go for the whole year, so they reach the special market to purchase at least one item without any bargain. In the past, Vieng market only sold agricultural tools, especially knives, axes, plowshares; however, the goods for sale nowadays are more diverse than before.
7. The market of mice Phu Dat
Phu Dat market is considered as the largest market selling mice as the only good in the West of Vietnam which locates in Binh Long commune, Chau Phu district, An Giang province. The most active trading activities of Phu Dat market occurs from 5 am to 9 am every day. On average, about 3 to 5 tons of mice are consumed daily according to the calculation of the retail sale number. Rats in the market are also widely sold throughout the country, primarily in Ho Chi Minh City and the Northern Vietnam.
8. The recyclable market (Binh Thanh district, Ho Chi Minh City)
On Sunday mornings weekly, the lovers of old and antique stuffs collecting show up at the market-days selling scrap recyclables taking place in the precinct of a coffee shop in Wards 11, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City. The market sells all kinds of goods from popular to high-end ones containing zippo lighters, old watches, antique jewelries, ancient music CDs, expensive antique cars or the oldest cameras in the world.
9. The ‘Non la’ market or Go Gang market
Operated in An Nhon commune, Quy Nhon city in Binh Dinh province, the hat market only starts from 3 am or 4 am, so people call it also ‘the cock-crowing market’. The market only sells ‘Non la’, conical hats and the hat making materials and the whole activities happen under the oil lamps.
10. The gun market (Hanoi)
The market-days of the gun market are hold regularly on the 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th and 30th days according to the lunar calendar. Besides antiques and old furniture, other products include many boxes of bullets, grenade shells, old guns and old military uniforms which are sold in the reasonable price starting from thousands to hundreds of millions VND.
