Step into the vibrant chaos of Long Bien Market, a wholesale market for fresh produce and local specialties that has an appeal to the richness of authentic Vietnamese life.
About Long Bien Market
Long Bien Market is the sum total of Hanoi’s nocturnal economy. This huge wholesale market spreads out under the iconic Long Bien Bridge and metamorphoses into a kaleidoscope of sounds, colors, and smells by night. Forget the sparkling facades of tourist-oriented markets; here, you get to see unvarnished Vietnamese commerce at heart.
It’s a whirlwind of activity, with locals haggling over mountains of fresh produce, while the air is thick with the heady aroma of exotic spices and the salty tang of seafood. Since its opening in 1992, the market has become a lifeline to the city of supply for restaurants, shops, and households with the freshest ingredients of the day.
Long Bien Market is much more than a marketplace; it’s a cultural phenomenon. It is the place through which the rhythm of daily life in Hanoi pulsates in all its intensity, where tradition and modernity coexist. For the intrepid traveler, this promises to be off the beaten track – the opportunity to indulge in the real flavor of Vietnam.
Things to Do While Visiting Long Bien Market
1. Embrace the Sensory Overload
The moment you put one foot in the big strip that encompasses Long Bien Market, you are hit with a burst of color, sounds, and smells. Stacks on stacks of vibrantly hued fruits and vegetables line practically every stall, creating a collage of smell – an intoxicating smell mixed with the earthy smell from spices and the briny tang of fresh seafood. Allow yourself to be engulfed by the swirling colors of the market and feel the cacophony of voices and laughter wash over you. On the way, you will come across a most beautiful floral show, a small oasis of peace amidst the din and the cacophony of the marketplace.
2. Witness the Art of the Deal
Bargaining is a part of life at Long Bien Market. Just watch in amazement as market vendors and locals participate in loud, vivid bargaining exchanges, their bam-bam conversations peppered with laughter and cheers. Test your bargaining skills; have fun with them, do it respectfully yet lightheartedly because that’s part of the market experience.
3. Capture the Unique Atmosphere
Long Bien Market really comes alive at night. It takes on the atmosphere of a fairy tale, perhaps due to the soft light falling from an impressive display of hanging lanterns. Take a snapshot of this view and forever capture the busy crowds, overflowing stalls, and outline of Long Bien Bridge against the night sky.
4. Sample Local Delicacies
Although Long Bien Market is more of a wholesale market, some lucky visitors can get a feel of Hanoi with its hidden treasures of street food. Indulge in a steaming bowl of full-flavored pho. Try exotic fruit like dragon fruit or rambutan; drink a robust Vietnamese coffee.
5. Engage with the Locals
The heart and soul of Long Bien Market are in its people. Take some time out with the friendly vendors and their products, and glean an insight into daily life in Hanoi. Knowing a little Vietnamese certainly enhances the experience, but simple gestures and smiles do much to build connections.
Unique Nighttime Dishes around Long Bien Market
Clearly, venture out of the market stalls into the surrounding streets to feel Hanoi’s energetic nightlife. Here are some typical foods of the local people:
Cha Ca La Vong (Grilled Fish with Turmeric and Dill)
Cha Ca La Vong is the gastronomic icon of Hanoi, a sizzling hotpot made from grilled fish marinated in turmeric and dill. The fish cooks at the table with scallions, fresh herbs, and rice noodles to create a symphony of flavors and aromas.
Bun Thit Nuong (Grilled Pork with Noodles)
Similar in some ways to bún chả but with a little twist of different taste, bún thịt nướng could be considered as the grilled pork belly served up with rice noodles and fresh herbs, in addition to a tangy dipping sauce. It is a typical Hanoi street food. Very satisfactory and delicious.
Mi Van Than (Noodle Soup with Dumplings)
This noodle soup comes in a rich broth, dumplings, noodles, and various toppings including pork, shrimp, and vegetables. This will make a good meal choice for warming you on a cold night.
Banh Cuon (Vietnamese Steamed Rice Rolls)
Bánh cuốn is a thin rice paper roll, delicate and elegant, filled with ground pork, mushroom, and onions, which becomes light and refreshing with a sweet and sour dipping sauce.
Pho Ga (Chicken Noodle Soup)
Though not as famous as Phở Bò, Phở Gà is definitely a rival when it comes to taste. Tender chicken, rice noodles, and a flavorful broth all make up this comforting soup, which is often served with quail eggs.
Bun Dau Mam Tom (Fermented Shrimp Paste Noodle Soup)
Bún đậu mắm tôm is a bold and flavorful dish that’s composed of rice noodles, deep-fried tofu, fresh herbs, and a pungent fermented shrimp paste dipping sauce. It’s a must-try for adventurous eaters.
Nem Cua Be (Crab Spring Rolls)
These crispy spring rolls are loaded with a delicious mixture of crab meat, pork, and vegetables. Served with sweet and sour dipping sauce, they become an appetizer or snack favorite.
Kem Xoi (Sticky Rice Ice Cream)
For dessert, try kem xôi: sticky rice, ice cream, and tropical fruits combined in a single dessert – refreshing and filling, and the perfect way to round off a night of eating.
How to Get to Long Bien Market?
Conveniently located just beneath the iconic Long Bien Bridge, Long Bien Market is a very accessible destination for tourists, either on a motorcycle or by car. The entrance to the market faces toward Yen Phu Street.
Upon entrance to the market, one discovers that the entire place is divided into three separate zones. The center is predominantly for the buyers and in the middle of the buyers walkway, there is room for two-way traffic for motorcycles, cars, and other vehicles. This is the main area where you’ll find the majority of the market stalls.
These will be one-way streets, either right or left of the central zone, and are to be occupied by only pedestrians and goods vehicles out of, and into, the Long Bien Night Market. The areas are reasonably well separated from the central zone.
While there will be other modes of transport like taxis and public buses, motorcycles and cars will, even under such a busy market setting, be the most convenient method of moving around.
Where to Go Near Long Bien Market?
After soaking up the color and chaos of Long Bien Market, take some time out to explore the local points of interest in and around this area.
- Long Bien Bridge: This celebrated French-colonial bridge bursts with stunning panoramic views across the Red River and Hanoi cityscape. Take a leisurely stroll or bike ride across its historic span to appreciate its architectural beauty and soak up the atmosphere.
- Hanoi Old Quarter: Get lost in the enchanting maze that comprises one of the most lively historic areas. Stroll along the streets, and with those come some lovely shops, tea houses, and enticing street food stalls. Do not miss the opportunity to discover hidden temples and ancient houses while you go through an authentic experience of the rhythm in Hanoi.
- Hoan Kiem Lake: Hoan Kiem Lake provides one of the most delightful little spaces to simply escape from it all. Get away from the city center to the fresh-air oasis of peace and quiet, with tree-lined walkways around the lake. Alternatively visitors can wander over to the symbolic Turtle Tower to take in the surroundings, grab one of the many bench seats, sit, and watch the world go by.
- Temple of Literature: Wind back in time to the soul of Hanoi’s intellectual heritage – the Temple of Literature, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has beautiful architecture, Confucian traditions of Vietnam, and huge stone stelae with the names of great scholars inscribed on them.
- Imperial Citadel of Thang Long: Delve into remains of an imperial past in Hanoi at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, a UNESCO heritage site. Explore within the well-preserved remains that include Hoang Thanh Thang Long or Thang Long Royal Citadel and uncover the tale behind the city in terms of history and a line of kings.
Whether you are a seasoned traveler or a first-time visitor to the country, add Long Bien Market onto your itinerary for an experience worth remembering. Customers of Lily’s Travel could customize their own Hanoi tour based on their interest. From hidden gems to iconic attractions, Lilly’s Travel could satisfy all of customers’ needs.
Long Bien Market is a shopping center, but it’s so much more – it’s a window into the heart and soul of Hanoi. Here, there is an energy to the place that will eventually make you appreciate Vietnamese culture and life. There’s much to see in Hanoi from historical landmarks to culinary experiences except inside the market itself.
Read more: Dong Xuan Market: Your Hanoi Adventure Starts Here
