Long Bien Market Hanoi - Night Market & Street Food Guide

If you're exploring Hanoi, the busy capital of Vietnam, there's one spot that will make you experience the city's local rhythm - Long Bien Market.

It is an enormous wholesale marketplace within the nation that supplies the entire capital with fresh fruit, sea foods, and flowers. Here's the twist: this isn't the morning marketplace; in fact, the marketplace opens at the dead of the night! If you're a foodie, a photography buff, or just someone who likes wandering about, exploring the Long Bien Marketplace will give you that authentic nightlife feel of the capital.

What's Long Bien Market all about?

It's one of the largest wholesale markets north of Vietnam, supplying hundreds of vendors, shop owners, and businesses. It's literally just a stone's throw away from the legendary Long Bien Bridge, and this market completely keeps Hanoi's food scene alive by receiving truckloads of fruits, vegetables, seafood, and flowers from all over Vietnam and even from abroad.

Daytime markets you know about aren't what Long Bien Market's all about. It starts at midnight. It's kinda gritty around the edges, highly charged, and occasionally a little overwhelming - otherwise, that's what makes this place great. If you want to experience something new in Hanoi, this is the place you want to visit.

When to visit Long Bien Market

Being that it's a night market, timing's everything:

• Between midnight and 3 am, the market is completely wild, with traders arriving with all kinds of fresh material. It's the best time to witness all the action and drama.

• 3 am - 5 am: The market sort of winds down as sellers start packing up and taking their goods to the smaller morning markets.

• After five o'clock in the morning, the marketplace empties out, having only several remaining last-minute consumers and remnants.

If you want to experience the complete ambiance of the marketplace, attempt to reach there by 1 am to 3 am.

What You Can See at Long Bien Market

A Sensory Experience

Long Bien Market is not for the faint of heart and by that I mean someone who gets easily overwhelmed in crowded and loud places. The wild activity, the commotion, and the atmosphere can knock you over at first. You will witness porters zooming around with massive loads, vendors shouting prices, and motorbikes squeezing into the smallest of places.

Fresh Produce Galore

The market is heaven for foodies. You will find:

• Those trendy exotic fruits like star apple, lychee, and dragon fruit.

• Fresh produce from the farms surrounding Hanoi.

• Fresh Vietnam sea produce direct from the Vietnamese shores.

• Flowers from the local flower farms in and around Hanoi.

A Glimpse into the Ordinary Day

Most of the people working there are just traders who just work there on the side, market traders, and farmers who struggle. It's hard work—many don't even have a break while moving things all around the city. If you want to know what life here's like, that's where you'll find it.

Great things about Long Bien Market.

It really is worth seeing the market at night – the whole thing just springs to life around midnight.

Wear some closed shoes – the ground's likely all wet and disgusting. You don't want to step in something gross!

Be Respectful - Vendors are working hard and might not appreciate tourists blocking their way for photos. Always ask before taking pictures.

Take some loose change along – If you're planning on purchasing something, don't expect street vendors to accept large bills.

Be aware of your surroundings – the market's full most of the time, and these motorbikes move very fast in the narrow spaces. Hold tight to what you've got!

Consider having a guide - If you're not familiar with Vietnamese, having one around will truly assist you in navigating the marketplace and understanding what's happening.

Is Long Bien Market safe for tourists?

Yes indeed! Although the marketplace does look somewhat disordered, the marketplace itself is fairly safe. Just beware of:

• Pickpockets - As with any crowded area, keep your valuables secure.

• Slippery floors - there are wet places and they are very slippery, notably by the seafood stalls.

• Fast-moving Porters – Workers carrying heavy loads don't stop for tourists. Stay out of their way!

If you're going alone, consider joining up with a neighborhood friend or guide who makes the experience even better.

Food You Must Try At Long Bien Market and Nearby

If all that walking makes you hungry, you're in luck - Hanoi street foods are waiting for you to be devoured. Here are some street foods that you simply must try:

Bánh mì is essentially this fantastic Vietnamese baguette sandwich filled with meat, pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs.

Phở - It's an amazing hot bowl of Vietnam's renowned noodle soup.

Xôi (Sticky Rice) - A popular breakfast dish topped with various savory ingredients.

Bun cha - Grilled pork served with vermicelli noodles and fresh herbs. If you don't eat meat then try the Vietnamese egg noodles which is quite cheap too here and as delicious!

There'll be several small street stalls throughout the marketplace where the vendors serve up these foods early in the morning.

Long Bien Market and other markets in Hanoi

If you're doing general shopping, Dong Xuan Market is where you want to go. Quang Ba Flower Market is the one where you're into flowers, but Long Bien Market is where you truly want to go to experience the real nightlife economy vibe (we are not talking about the pub/bars nightlife).

FAQ About Long Bien Market

How do I access Long Bien Market?

The street market near Long Bien Bridge in Hanoi is really cool. You can take a Grab taxi, jump on a rented motorbike, or simply walk over if you're close.

Is Long Bien Market open every day?

Yes, it's open every day of the year, regardless of the weather (unless it's an extreme event like a typhoon duh!).

Do vendors speak English?

Not really! Most sellers just communicate in Vietnamese, so you have to be prepared for using hand gestures or a translator app.

Can I buy some fruits or vegetables?

It's all wholesale material, so the vendors typically sell in bulk. But if you ask nicely, they may accommodate you with smaller quantities.

Is it worth a look if I'm not interested in photography?

Absolutely! It's a genuine cultural experience that few visitors get to witness. If you enjoy finding hidden gems, you're going to love it.

What should you bring?

A camera (if you're a photography enthusiast), cash, comfortable walking shoes, and a sense of adventure!