Situated in Cua Dong Ward of Hoan Kiem District, Hang Da Market is among the oldest and most well-known traditional markets in Hanoi.

In the past, the market opened onto several streets, including Nguyen Van To, Hang Da and Ngo Tram, and was divided into four main zones selling fresh food, cooked dishes, clothing, and assorted household goods.

Rows of tightly packed stalls once offered everything imaginable, earning the market a reputation as a shopping paradise of its time.

In 2010, Hang Da Market was redeveloped into Hang Da Shopping Center, a complex featuring five above-ground floors and two basement levels.

The market itself was relocated underground, which led to its now-familiar nickname among locals and tourists alike.

Inside, Hang Da Market continues to sell a wide range of products, neatly arranged by category, from dried goods and fresh food to fabrics, clothing, souvenirs, and handicrafts.

Ceramic and craft stalls are particularly popular with foreign visitors, who often stop to browse, admire, and purchase the colorful items on display.

According to several vendors, however, daily shopping traffic remains limited, with most visitors coming to look around rather than buy.

Many people find it inconvenient to park, walk down into the basement, and navigate the enclosed space, especially when nearby areas are filled with temporary street markets offering similar goods.

“The layout isn’t convenient, the entrances are hard to find, and being underground makes the space feel stuffy,” one vendor said quietly.

“Parking is also a challenge, as the lot is often full, so people gradually lose interest in coming here,” the vendor added.

Despite these drawbacks, the food court located near the market entrance remains a popular spot, particularly around lunchtime.

Although smaller in scale than food areas at other traditional markets, with fewer than ten stalls, the selection is diverse and consistently well received.

Visitors looking for a filling meal can choose from hot dishes such as set meals with rice, crab noodle soup, chicken pho, bun thang, eel vermicelli, porridge, beef noodle soup, sticky rice, stir-fried noodles, and giả cầy noodles.

The market also serves light snacks including mixed vermicelli, char siu pho, fresh spring rolls, dried beef salad, traditional sweet soups, and a variety of drinks.

Many diners say the food suits different tastes and age groups, with prices ranging from around $0.80 to $1.60 per dish.

With about $4, visitors can sample two or three dishes, such as eel vermicelli or chicken pho at roughly $1.40 each, or black bean porridge for around $0.80.

Ayumu, a tourist from Japan, said she has visited Hang Da Market twice.

Interested in collecting and learning about Southeast Asian culture, she came to the market to shop for colorful cups, plates, and patterned ceramics.

During her visit, she also stopped by the food court to try eel vermicelli, priced at 35,000 VND, or about $1.40.

“Compared with other traditional markets in Hanoi that I’ve visited, like Mo Market or Dong Xuan Market, the dining space here is smaller and there are fewer choices,” she said.

“Still, the flavors are interesting and the prices are reasonable, so I think it’s worth experiencing.”

Thao Trinh