Fabrics, Flowers and Street Food: a Day in Hanoi Markets

Buzz from market to market on a Vespa, in search of wonders in the Vietnamese capital – from coconut soups, to silk dresses and unforgettable night-time shopping sprees.

Duration: from morning to evening, preferably on the weekend

Itinerary: a trip into Hanoi districts, 12 kilometres total

Equipment: backpack and a Vespa top case to store all purchases

Hanoi is a huge metropolis, but the city heart is compact and full of character. Some areas still look like postcards belonging to the past, and its markets are refreshing, lively corners. So, get ready and make space in your backpack, top case and under-saddle storage of your Vespa, because it will be impossible for you to finish the journey through the market stalls without buying something. Relax at first, it would be better to start shopping after 11am. Why? Traders think that it is bad luck if the first customers try to haggle or leave without buying anything, so better to not push your luck and be patient.

If you want to enjoy a delicious breakfast, start from the Nam Dong market, located in the eponymous district, near the Xa Dan Lake. The entrance is on Ho Dac Di Street and inside you will find countless stalls specializing in sweet soup, a coconut and bean-based soup. Although very simple, it tastes great. If you don't want to overdo it with sugars, or just can’t tolerate the consistency of the soup, try the sweet porridge, voted the best in town by the residents of Hanoi. You’ll easily find the specialized shop inside the market.

With the right energy boost underway, start hunting for curiosities, inexpensive dresses and, yes – once again – culinary delights. First, travel towards Cho Hom Market where the best stalls for fine fabrics can be found. You can buy luxurious materials and take them to a tailor to have a bespoke dress made, or just take spectacular photographs among the intense colours and textures of the market. Your Instagram followers will be pleased.

Then head towards Hang Da Market. Do not be fooled by the fruit and vegetable stalls at the entrance of this gigantic market hall; here, you can buy something completely different. Go up to the second and third floors where you will find a huge selection of new or vintage dresses, suits and shoes. It is the ideal place if you are looking for a áo dài, the charming Vietnamese long dress. Seek out the silk ones that are perfectly recognizable thanks to pleats and bright colours.

It will be lunch time – great! Given that on your Vespa you can reach every corner of Hanoi, head towards Yen Phu, a non-touristy market. Here you can explore all the nuances of Vietnamese street food, prepared according to traditional rules. Before returning to the hotel, stop at the Quang Ba Flower Market, one of the largest in the country. A charming array of scents explode from bicycle baskets with flowers from all parts of Viet Nam, gathered in colourful bouquets and whimsical compositions... at rather fair prices, too.

If you find yourselves in Hanoi during the weekend, in the evening, go towards Hang Dao Street, near the Old Quarter, and join the crowd to experience an exciting atmosphere with food, souvenirs, curious gadgets and real or synthetic flowers of all kinds. The weekend night market is an unforgettable one with its lights, paper lanterns and street food vendor smoke, giving you lasting memories of this magical city to share back at home.