The Hoi An Night Market is great for buying handicrafts like silk, lanterns, and pottery, as well as clothing, leather goods, and local snacks. To explore, cross the An Hoi Bridge to find the market's main street, visit between 6:30 PM and 11:00 PM for the best atmosphere, and be prepared to haggle politely and pay in cash.
In this guide, discover the best time to visit, must-try dishes, and top places to stay near the market, where hundreds of stalls line the Thu Bon River selling souvenirs, snacks, and street food. If you are planning a broader stay in Central Vietnam, you can also combine Hoi An with nearby highlights through a Da Nang and Hoi An itinerary.
Hoi An Night Market is an open-air evening market held on Nguyen Hoang Street, right across the bridge from the Ancient Town. It stretches for about 300 meters along the Thu Bon River and fills with vendors every night from around 5.00 PM.
The market sells a bit of everything: paper lanterns, jewelry, handmade clothes, toys, and local street food. Most stalls are run by families who have been here for years, giving the place a relaxed community feel.
Unlike the daytime markets that focus on fresh produce, this one caters mainly to travelers looking for souvenirs and local snacks. It is lively but easy to walk through, making it one of the most convenient evening activities in Hoi An.
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The atmosphere in Hoi An Night Market |
The market starts around 5.00 PM and winds down by 10.00 PM to 11.00 PM, depending on the day. Stalls line Nguyen Hoang Street across the bridge from the Ancient Town, with peak crowds from about 7.00 PM to 9.00 PM. If you want space to browse, arrive before 6.00 PM. For photos with lanterns lit, come after dusk and expect slower walking speeds in the main aisle.
Hoi An has two main night markets located close to the Ancient Town. Each one has a different focus, so it is worth visiting both if you have time.
This is the main market most travelers visit. It runs along Nguyen Hoang Street, just across An Hoi Bridge from the Old Town. Around 300 stalls fill the street every evening, selling lanterns, souvenirs, and small snacks.
You can find the classic postcard view of Hoi An here like lanterns glowing over the river and vendors calling out to passersby. It gets crowded 7.00 PM, so early evening is the best time to walk around. Prices are not fixed, so a bit of polite bargaining helps.
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A busy road on Nguyen Hoang night market |
A short walk away from Nguyen Hoang, this smaller market focuses on street food. It stretches along Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Street, near the riverside. Locals come here for quick dinners, and travelers follow for the smell of grilled pork and sizzling pancakes.
You can sample dishes like banh xeo, grilled skewers, and che desserts without sitting in a restaurant. It is less polished but more authentic, offering a real taste of Hoi An’s night food scene. Travelers who want a deeper local food experience often pair this evening stop with a Hoi An cooking and village experience during the day.
The food section of the night market sits near Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Street, just a few steps from the riverbank. Around dusk, vendors begin setting up grills and woks, and the air fills with the smell of lemongrass and charcoal.
You can taste banh xeo (crispy pancakes), nem nuong (grilled pork skewers), mi quang noodles, and small desserts like che sweet soup. Prices usually range between 20,000 and 50,000 VND ($1-2) a dish, and you eat standing or on small plastic stools.
Food quality varies between stalls, so look for the ones busy with locals. The flavors are simple, not too spicy, and safe for most travelers. Bring cash, as card payments are rarely accepted.
For travelers interested in exploring Vietnamese cuisine beyond one evening at the market, our food and culinary tours in Vietnam can also be a useful source of ideas.
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Local street food at night market |
For more recommendations on where to eats, check out this article: 20+ Best Restaurants in Hoi An Vietnam Worth Visiting
Stalls along Nguyen Hoang Street sell an endless mix of souvenirs: silk lanterns, hand-painted fans, bamboo bags, and embroidered textiles. Some items are handmade by local artisans, while others come from nearby craft villages.
Bargaining is part of the fun, and vendors usually expect it. Start at about 60 - 70 % of the asking price and negotiate with a smile.
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Various handicrafts & souvenirs stalls to choose from |
As the sun sets, the streets around Nguyen Hoang glow with hundreds of silk lanterns in every shape and color. Walking through them is one of the simplest but most memorable parts of visiting the market. The air smells of grilled food, and the sound of soft music blends with the chatter of vendors.
Lantern shops stay open until late, and many allow you to pose for photos near their displays. The best time for pictures is around 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM, when the light from both the sky and the lanterns mix evenly. Most stalls along the river will dim their electric lights during this time to highlight the lantern colors.
If you prefer quieter corners, head to the far end of Nguyen Hoang Street or cross An Hoi Bridge for a wider view of the lantern reflection on the water. Many visitors combine this evening walk with a Hoi An day tour that covers local craft, food, and village life.
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Lantern lits at night market |
A short walk from the market, small wooden boats wait by the riverbank offering quick evening rides. Each trip lasts about 15 to 20 minutes, costing between 80,000 and 150,000 VND ($3.20-6.00) per boat depending on size and timing.
During the ride, you can release a paper lantern into the water, a popular custom said to bring luck and peace. The view from the river shows the full glow of the market and the Old Town on both sides.
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Hoai river near the night market |
Near the main bridge, a small square often hosts local folk games and short cultural shows. The most common is bài chòi, a game that mixes bingo-style play with live singing. Players sit in small huts and listen as a host sings out the cards. The game draws both locals and curious travelers.
On weekends and festival evenings, visitors may also see short performances of traditional music or dance in the Old Town. These small cultural shows are usually free to watch, although a small tip for the performers is appreciated. The area tends to become crowded around 7:30 PM, so arriving a bit earlier is a good idea if you want a clear view. Experiences like these are part of what makes Hoi An a highlight in many culture-focused Vietnam itineraries.
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Bai Choi - A traditional performance in Hoi An |
At night, the Thu Bon River glows with floating candles carried on small paper garlands. You can buy one from street vendors or at the boat dock, usually for 10,000 to 20,000 VND (~$0.8) each. The seller lights the candle and helps you place it gently on the water. Locals believe this act brings good luck and peace to loved ones, so many visitors take part just to enjoy the quiet moment away from the noise of the market.
Along the Hoai River Wharf, the reflection of hundreds of lanterns lights up the dark water. This is one of the most iconic views in Hoi An after sunset. From around 6:30 PM, the first floating lanterns start to appear, and by 7:00 PM the river glows with color.
Photographers often stand near the small docks opposite Nguyen Hoang Street to capture both the boats and the market lights. A slower shutter speed works well for handheld shots here, as the light is gentle and even. The atmosphere is peaceful early in the evening before the crowd gathers.
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The Hoai River in Hoi An |
The lantern stalls along Nguyen Hoang Street are another favorite photo spot. Rows of silk lamps in red, green, and gold hang close together, creating a warm glow that lights up every face passing by. Many shop owners will let you take photos if you buy a small lantern or souvenir.
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A beautiful spot to take a photo |
Tucked behind the main market street are narrow alleys lit by a mix of paper lanterns and yellow bulbs. These lanes connect Nguyen Hoang Street to nearby homes and cafés, offering a quieter space away from the crowd. The walls glow warm at night, giving photos a deep golden tone that feels distinct from the riverfront scenes.
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The hidden alleys of Hoi An are filled with lanterns |
The open area near the An Hoi Bridge, often called Hoai River Square, is indeed the liveliest part of the Market. Therefore on weekends, musicians choose to perform here, children running around the vendors and lanterns area. So it is very bustling, bright and perfect for capturing the full energy of the market.
The most photographed spot in Hoi An at night, the An Hoi Bridge connects the Ancient Town to Nguyen Hoang Street. If you stand right from the middle of the bridge, you can see the lanterns reflecting on both sides of the river, and the flow of boats below, it is a fascinating scene to witness.
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An Hoi bridge is a famous spot to go for a picture |
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Lantern and handmade crafts |
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Inside a tailor shop in Hoi An |
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Types of snacks in Hoi An night market |
Staying close to the night market makes it easy to explore the lantern streets and riverside cafés on foot. It also works well if Hoi An is one stop on a broader Da Nang, Hue and Hoi An tour. Most hotels are within a short walk of Nguyen Hoang Street, offering good access to the Old Town and the Thu Bon River. Here are some reliable options across different price ranges.
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Kiman Hotel |
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La Charm Hoi An Hotel & Spa |
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La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa |
Tip: If your main goal is to visit the night market, look for hotels around Nguyen Hoang Street or Hai Ba Trung Street. You can easily walk to the market in the evening and enjoy the lantern lights after most visitors have gone.
If you want to see more of the region in a few days, Hoi An fits especially well into a Central Vietnam itinerary with Da Nang and Hue.
The Hoi An Night Market brings together everything that makes the town special. Food, light, color, and the calm rhythm of local life all meet in one place. It can be crowded, but each corner offers something worth slowing down for, from a bowl of che to the glow of floating lanterns on the river.
If you want to include the Hoi An Night Market in a wider journey, Your Vietnam Travel can help you build a personalized trip that combines Hoi An with Da Nang, Hue, local food experiences, and other Central Vietnam highlights. You can start by exploring our Central Vietnam tours or browse our full range of Vietnam tour packages for more ideas.
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