Han River: Explore the old traditional market

2025-09-10
Blog, Da Nang, Home Page, Must Read, Travel Insight

Han Market in Da Nang is an attractive tourist destination for many visitors. This is a traditional market space, very typical of Da Nang city, with a variety of items for sale, bustling food courts, specialty stalls giving visitors an unforgettable experience.

Overview of Han market as a historic and cultural icon in Da Nang

Danang Han Market is adjacent to 4 main streets: Bach Dang, Tran Phu, Nguyen Van Linh and Hung Vuong, because Han Market is located in the central area, so the roads and means of transportation here are very convenient.

Han Market Danang has been around since the 1940s, starting out as a spontaneous market where locals traded and is now over 83 years old! The Han Market in Danang is enormous, covering an area of 28,000 m², divided into 576 stalls and 36 kiosks for small traders to rent and trade. Just by looking at the number of stalls, you can imagine how bustling and diverse the market is.

Originally a spontaneous market, Han Market in Da Nang has transformed into a famous shopping center in the city. This has led to a large number of visitors, including both locals and domestic and foreign tourists. With the stalls arranged eye-catchingly and neatly, you can spend time exploring and walking around here to visit them, which is an intriguing way to explore the local culture and life. Some of the prominent items here are spices, dried foods, fish sauce, fabrics, souvenirs, etc.

Being the busiest and most diverse shopping place, Han Market Da Nang opens very early. Han market opening hours start at 6am; at this time the traders have returned from the wholesale market and arranged food and goods for sale. The market is open until 10pm. However, at around 7pm the market starts to close, so there are fewer items. If you want to shop fully, visitors should visit the market before 7pm.

What to buy in Han market

With a large area and many items, you will not have to worry about what to buy in han market. Han Market Vietnam has 2 floors. Especifically, the first floor area includes dried goods, snacks, fresh seafood and handicrafts. The second floor space includes fabrics, clothes, shoes, and bags. This is a market space with a variety of items for sale and a dining space, giving visitors many experiences:

Foods and vegetables:

- Fish Sauce Varieties: Da Nang Han Market offers a wide selection of fish sauces, such as anchovy sauce, fermented fish sauce, pickled fish sauce, and more. Visitors can stop by almost any stall in the market to purchase these flavorful specialties.
- Dried Fish: As a coastal city, Da Nang is renowned for its abundant dried fish, prepared with unique methods and rich seasoning. The dried fish sold at Han Market makes an excellent gift to bring home.
- Dried Beef: A popular specialty in Da Nang that many visitors love, perfect to bring home and enjoy with friends.
- Green Chili: Green chili is a delicacy of Da Nang and an important part of the people’s everyday meals. It costs about 80,000 VND per kilogram at the market.

Souvenirs:

Shoes and Bags Made from Seagrass and Rattan

- Shoes and Bags Made from Seagrass and Rattan: People can buy handmade things like shoes, sandals, and purses made from seagrass and rattan. These make great gifts for friends and family. These items are very beautiful and need a lot of skill to make; hence, they cost more.
- In addition to dried goods, Han Market in Da Nang also features numerous stalls selling clothing and fabrics for visitors to explore and shop. The market offers a wide variety of garments and tailoring materials, generally at higher prices. There are also tailoring services for suits and traditional outfits designed especially for international visitors. You can even have a Vietnamese áo dài, for both men and women, custom-made in a style that blends tradition with modern fashion—an ideal souvenir to bring home.

What to eat at Han market

If you don’t know what’s delicious at Han Market Da Nang, here are some dishes you shouldn’t miss:

Banh Canh Cha Ca is a famous cuisine in Da Nang. It has chewy rice noodles in a tasty broth and comes with fish cake that smells delicious. Cost: 25,000 to 35,000 VND each bowl.

Mi Quang: Golden turmeric noodles with shrimp, chicken, quail eggs, toasted peanuts, and fresh herbs on top. Cost: 30,000 to 45,000 VND each bowl.

Nem Lui: Grilled pork skewers cooked over charcoal, usually served with fresh vegetables and a special dipping sauce. Price: 5,000 – 7,000 VND/skewer.

Banh Uot Ram It: Soft steamed rice sheets with crispy fried rolls and a sweet and sour sauce to dip them in. The cost is 20,000 to 30,000 VND each serving.

Banh Xeo: Vietnamese pancakes that are crispy and filled with shrimp and pork. They are served with fresh herbs and a dipping sauce. Cost: 15,000 to 25,000 VND each.

Banh Bot Loc: Clear tapioca dumplings stuffed with shrimp and pork and served with a sour fish sauce. Cost: 20,000 to 30,000 VND per plate.

Oc Hut: a famous street food that is typically sold at Han Market. It is spicy and tasty snails. Cost: 20,000 to 40,000 VND each serving.

Che Sam: a sweet herbal soup that is great for calming off. Price: 10,000 to 15,000 VND per glass.

Avocado Ice Cream: This creamy and thick avocado ice cream is a great summer treat in Da Nang. Cost: 20,000 to 30,000 VND each cup.

Best time to visit Han market

The vendors of Da Nang Han Market normally open at 6:00 AM and close between 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM. Some sellers close their businesses earlier, while others stay open until late at night. The best time to go to Han Market in Danang is:

Early Morning: The morning is when the market is busiest with residents buying fresh food from 6:00 to 8:00 AM. Stalls are filled, so you have the most choices. It’s also the greatest time to see how the people of Da Nang really live their lives.
Late morning (10:00 AM to 12:00 PM): The market isn’t as busy, so it’s easier to roam around, look at things, and haggle with sellers over costs. If you like to shop in a more laid-back way, now is the best time.
Afternoon to Early Evening: The market comes alive with bright lights and a bustling atmosphere between 4:00 and 7:00 PM. Try some of the local specialties while you browse. But some stalls can close after 7:00 PM, so it’s advisable to get there a little early.

Read more: Danang Cathedral: All you need to know before explore

Tips for shopping at Han market

When strolling around Han Market Danang for sightseeing and shopping, here are some important tips to avoid overpaying:

Bargaining: Except for early in the morning (when goods are freshly stocked), you can usually try negotiating prices down by 40–50% from the initial offer.
Price Comparison: Before you buy something, look at the pricing at a few different stalls to be sure you get the greatest offer.
Prefer Stalls with Posted Prices: Shopping at stalls with set prices helps you avoid paying too much and saves you time on haggling.
Be Careful with Souvenirs: Souvenir stalls often charge more, especially for those from other countries. So think about what you want to buy before you buy it to obtain a better deal.
Take care of your things: Don’t bring too much cash or other precious items with you because busy shopping locations can make it easier to lose things or get them stolen.

Nearby attractions

After purchasing items and exploring the colorful stalls at Han Market, travelers can easily continue their journey to visit some of Da Nang’s most famous nearby attractions. These attractions, which include famous bridges, cultural museums, and peaceful parks by the river, will make your trip even better.

Dragon Bridge (Cầu Rồng) is a must-see landmark located in Da Nang. It’s only around 5 minutes from Han Market. The dragon breathes fire and water on Friday and Saturday nights, putting on a great spectacle that draws many people.
The Han River Bridge (Cầu Sông Hàn) is Vietnam’s first swing bridge and one of the city’s most famous buildings. It’s only a short walk from the market. At night, the bridge The bridge turns to allow ships to pass underneath. This is a one-of-a-kind event for people who stay up to observe.
Cham Museum (Bảo tàng Chăm): This museum is around 1 km from Han Market and has the biggest collection of Cham sculptures and artifacts in the world. It’s a wonderful place for history buffs to visit.
Indochina Riverside Mall is near Han Market Danang and has worldwide brands, restaurants, and a movie theater. It’s a wonderful place to shop if you want something more modern.
APEC Park is about 1.5 kilometers from the market. It is a riverside park with lots of green space and intriguing buildings. It’s a nice place to wander, snap pictures, and enjoy the quiet beside the Han River.

Not only can you buy local goods and unusual souvenirs at Han Market, but you can also get a taste of daily life in Da Nang. A trip to the market, along with adjacent sights like the Dragon Bridge, Han River Bridge, and the Cham Museum, is a great way to learn about the culture and have fun.

In the opinion of Lily’s Travel, Han Market is a must-see place in Da Nang. This is one of the must-see destinations when traveling to Da Nang. Therefore, in every tour to explore Da Nang, Lily’s Travel always arranges this location for a relatively long period of time. During this time, visitors can experience cuisine, shopping as well as walking as a way to explore local culture. Lily’s Travel has successfully conducted nearly 10,000 tours to Da Nang, bringing thousands of visitors to the city. We are confident that we can bring quality tours for all visitors to explore every corner of Da Nang as well as Han Market.