Dong Ba Market: the Oldest and Best Market to Visit in Hue City

Dong Ba Market is the Biggest and Oldest Market in Hue City. Under King Gia Long, it was located outside Chánh Đông Gate (Dong Ba Gate now) of Hue Citadel. After the events of Hue citadel in 1885 when French attached Forbidden City, the market was destroyed by the French colonialists. In 1887, King Dong Khanh rebuilt and named Dong Ba.

• Location: Phu Hoa, Hue City, Thua Thien Hue Province, Vietnam
• Opening Hours:
  • Day Market from 7.30AM - 5.30PM; Mon to Sun
  • Night Market from 6:00PM - 5:00AM Next Day
• Entrance Fee: Free of Charge

History and Architecture of Dong Ba Market in Hue:

In 1899, King Thanh Thai moved Dong Ba Market to its present location. Over time, Dong Ba Market has been repaired many times with an area of 47,614m2 from Gia Hoi Bridge to Truong Tien Bridge, on the one hand is the Perfume River, on the other is Tran Hung Dao main street, Dong Ba Market has a three-floor architecture with thousands of consignments meeting the demand for goods of the local people.

Dong Ba Market is the most famous and best market to visit in Hue city. If you come to Hue without buying some gifts or visiting local delicacies in this market, it is a waste of chance.

Dong Ba Market opened day time, about 12 hours from 6.00am - 6.00pm. But the best time to experience Dong Ba is from about 3pm. Because this period of time is a good time for bargaining for the price of goods of the day, not only this time in Dong Ba market, there are also famous gourmet restaurants but in the morning there is almost no.

Dong Ba Market is considered the largest market in Hue, when you step into the market, you will be overwhelmed with countless stalls and countless items for sale. If not, you can easily get lost or miss. Interesting selection.

The market includes a 3-storey building in the center, called the bell floor, surrounded by rows of houses forming a U-shaped belt, busy goods hugging the bell floor.

The 3rd floor of the bell tower is for fabric and clothes stands. The 2nd floor is the place to sell handicrafts as souvenirs when traveling to Hue. From the poem hat to the pottery items of the ancient village of Phuoc Tich ... everything is on this second floor.

What is Best Things to Buy in Dong Ba Market?

Dong Ba Market has everything for you to buy, from fast food to handmade handicrafts to footwear to gold jewelry. Everything can be bargained for an agreeable price. The ground floor is where you find a whole range of food, wholesale stuff and the floor up-stair is for garments and clothes. And the more you explore the more you’ll discover.

When asking the locals where to buy the best cultural gifts and souvenirs of Thua Thien Hue to bring home, every single one will point you to Dong Ba market. Best souvenirs to buy are ‘Nón Lá’ (conical hats with poem woven onto them), me xung (Hue traditional candies), Truoi berries, Tuan tea, tom chua (Hue Sour Shrimp), lotus seed of Tinh Tam Lake, etc.

What Food to Eat in Dong Ba market in Hue?

At Dong Ba market, you can find all the best local food of Hue: Bun Bo Hue (Hue Noodle Soup with Beef) which is already very famous to many eaters around the world. Com Hen (Hue Clam Rice) and Grilled Pork Noodle (Bún Thịt Nướng) are also a wonderful dish to try –it’s nutritious, full of flavors yet very cheap.

Many kinds of local cakes, noodle soups and candies that has made the name for Hue Food Culture are also very easy to find at the market. You won’t be disappointed if you are food lovers.

Dong Ba Night Market for Local Street Food is opened from 6:00 pm to 5:00 am, take place in the space between Tan Thiet street and the main building of Dong Ba bus station management board. Located in the area of about 4.000m2, it consists of 5 main sections i.e. the business section, art performance section, parking lot, toilet, internal roads and common space.

Besides current lightning system, more lights will be installed. Particularly, the public performance area will be brightened with multi-color laser lights while booths are impressively decorated with Hue traditional colorful lanterns. Dong Ba night market is expected to illustrate the image of Hue in its old days, introduce local products, especially handicraft products, food and specialties of localities.

Recommended Tours to visit Hue Best Tourist Attractions and learn about Vietnamese Royalty: Hue City Tour 1 Day or Half Day, Hue City Small Group Tour, Hue Walking Tour, Hue City Motorbike Tour, Hue Countryside Tour Half Day, Hue Sightseeing Price Car.

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See Also:

• Best Things to Do and Places to Visit in Hue Vietnam
• Best Local Street Dishes You Have to Try in Hue City.