Year-end local markets in Hanoi for a New Year

Hanoi is a dynamic city and the cultural and economic center of Vietnam. Nowadays, convenience stores and supermarkets are springing up like mushrooms in Hanoi. However, one traditional thing Hanoian still preserve until now is going to the local markets at the end of Vietnamese Lunar Year (aka Tet holiday).

If your Hanoi vacation takes place during Tet holiday, you should pay a visit to the local markets to immerse in the vibrant ambiance of people shopping for their traditional new year and to experience a truly Southeast Asia.

Quang Ba Flower Market

Opening hours: 2am – 10am
Address: Au Co, Nhat Tan, Tay Ho, Hanoi

Being known as the biggest flower market, Quang Ba flower market is a main hub for florists as well as pretty much anyone looking to buy beautiful flowers. Here, there is only 1 type of good: flower and other flower-related stuff which is distributed to the whole city of Hanoi and adjacent provinces. Quang Ba flower market runs from midnight to 10am, and it reaches its peak around 3-5am which is the best time for you to visit if you want to capture the liveliest moment. It is getting more and more bustling all day during Tet occasion as people are in a rush to prepare for a Lunar New Year. 

The flower is a quintessence of Tet occasion, and peach blossom is the major flower offered in Hanoi. Vietnamese buy flowers and trees to decorate their house during Tet holiday as a symbol of wealth and prosperity for the beginning of a new year. 

Hoa xuan market

Opening time: all day from date 23rd to 30th of the last month of Lunar year
Address: Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem district, Ha Noi city

Hoa Xuan means Spring Flower, and Hoa Xuan market is open from date 23rd to 30th of the last month of Lunar year. The market is taking place on 5 different streets in the centre of Hanoi’s Old Quarter– Hàng Lược, Hàng Rươi, Hàng Khoai, Hàng Mã and Phùng Hưng – and these streets will be blocked for pedestrians only for a more pleasant market experience. It is a great opportunity for visitors to have a glimpse of local life and cultural insight as walking, especially great for participating in the extra hyped up vibe during Tet festival preparation.

A wide range of plants associated with Tet holidays such as peach blossom, kumquat trees – symbol of luck and prosperity, and kinds of flowers are displayed in large quantities like a huge garden in blossom season.

Many people pay a visit to this market not just for trading but to enjoy the bustling and special ambiance that evokes great memories in the old day, people also seem closer these days. On the street, you may encounter a lot of young ladies and girls who dress up well in the Vietnamese traditional dress – Ao dai, they all look so beautiful and so Asian.

Amongst many people rushing for trading new items, you may see many artisans bring old items created skillfully from traditional craft villages and ornamental objects for the New Year. It is not just a trading point, but rather a place in which people meet others and exchange experiences. They perceive that exchanging ancient items plays an important role in the spiritual life and pays for luck for a fabulous New Year.

Hang Ma market

Every year, from the date 29th to the afternoon of the 30th of the last month of the Lunar New Year, the antique market meeting on Hang Ma Street becomes crowded. It is a unique traditional culture amongst the hectic pace of city life. 

Amongst many people rushing for trading new items, in this year-end antique market in Hang Ma street, you may see many artisans bring old items created skillfully from traditional craft villages and ornamental objects for the New Year.

People sell a lot of items, from all kinds of worshipers, Buddha statues ... to everyday items such as bowls, chopsticks, cutlery .... Visitors come here to see and choose an item with the hope of a new year filled with luck, joy and prosperity. It is not just a trading point, but rather a place in which people meet others and exchange experiences. They perceive that exchanging ancient items plays an important role in the spiritual life and pays for luck for a fabulous New Year.

Bưởi Market

Opening time: the 4th, 9th, 14th, 19th, 24th and 29th every lunar month
Location: Hoang Hoa Tham Street in Hanoi

Located along Hoang Hoa Tham Street, Buoi market is among the oldest ones in Hanoi that offers ornamental plants, vegetables, flowers, agricultural products and all kinds of ornamental creatures such as dogs, cats, birds, fish... For several days before Tet, the normally lively street of Hoang Hoa Tham will be tenfold that of regular days, and become a favorite destination for flower and pet lovers.

If you come to Bưởi market on these days, you will be overwhelmed by the beauty of the countless blooming flowers and ornamental plants, from peach branches, traditional kumquat trees to imported exotic flowers.

In the last days of the year, if you have a chance to travel to Hanoi, do not forget to take the time to visit these special markets to enjoy the bustling aftertaste of the street on spring day; to deeply understand and love the traditional cultural beauty of this country. Contact Threeland Travel to go with a local guide, your market trip around Hanoi in Tet holiday will be even more memorable.