Exploring the Ha Long night market
Updated: Sep 24
If you are staying in Ha Long for the evening, the Ha Long Night Market, also known as Bai Chay Night Market, is an easy place to spend a few hours after your cruise or a day around the bay. Located on Hoang Quoc Viet Street in the Ha Long Marine Plaza area, the market is known for its food stalls, souvenirs, clothes and local handicrafts. It is not the kind of place you need to plan your whole evening around. Just come after dinner, walk around, stop for a snack and see what catches your eye.
What to expect at Ha Long Night Market
The market is spread across a large two-level complex with hundreds of stalls. The lower level is mainly about food, while the upper area has more souvenirs, clothing and handicrafts.It gets busier after sunset, especially later in the evening. If you enjoy a livelier atmosphere, around 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM is generally a good time to visit. Weekends and holiday periods can be noticeably busier.
You can simply walk around without buying anything. In fact, I would recommend doing one full lap first before deciding what to eat or buy. Prices and quality can vary from stall to stall.
What to eat
The food section is probably the main reason many visitors stop here. You will find plenty of seafood, grilled dishes and Vietnamese snacks, so it is a good place to try something small rather than ordering a big meal straight away. Look out for fresh grilled seafood, including squid, prawns, oysters and shellfish. You can also try local dishes such as bánh gật gù, a soft steamed rice cake from Quang Ninh, or noodles served with seafood and chả mực.
And if you have not tried chả mực yet, this is a good opportunity. Ha Long is particularly well known for this fried squid specialty, which is often eaten with sticky rice or other local dishes.One local tip: if you see a seafood stall that looks interesting, take a quick look at the prices before ordering. It is also worth checking whether the price is listed by portion, weight or item.
What to buy
The upper floor is where you will find most of the shopping. There are plenty of typical Vietnam souvenirs, including T-shirts, bags, hats, handicrafts, coffee and dried seafood. For something more connected to Ha Long and Quang Ninh, you can look for dried squid, local seafood products, pearl items and small handicrafts. The market also has clothing and accessories if you are simply looking for an inexpensive souvenir.
You do not need to buy the first thing you see. Walk around a little and compare similar items before making your choice.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Ha Long Night Market famous for?
It is mainly known for local food, seafood, souvenirs, clothing and handicrafts. It is a convenient evening stop if you are staying around Bai Chay.
Is Ha Long Night Market good for buying souvenirs?
Yes. You can find many affordable Vietnam-themed souvenirs, as well as local products such as dried seafood and pearl items. Take a walk around first because prices and quality can vary.
Can I bargain at the market?
You can try polite bargaining, particularly for souvenirs and clothing. For food and seafood, always check the price before ordering.
How long should I spend at Ha Long Night Market?
Around one to two hours is usually enough for a walk around, some food and a little shopping. You can stay longer if you enjoy browsing the stalls.
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Our recommendation
I would treat the Ha Long Night Market as a relaxed evening activity rather than a major sightseeing stop. Come after sunset, walk around the food stalls, try some local seafood or chả mực, then take a look at the souvenir shops upstairs.
If you are staying around Bai Chay, it is an easy place to add to your evening after a day on Ha Long Bay. Bring some cash, as smaller vendors may not accept cards, and wear comfortable shoes as you will probably spend quite a bit of time walking around.
The market can get quite busy later in the evening, so keep your phone and wallet somewhere secure. For souvenirs and clothing, it is fine to politely bargain, but I would walk around a few stalls first to compare prices before buying.
If you are planning a Ha Long trip and want to combine the bay cruise with time in the city, contact our travel team for help planning your itinerary.
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