Dong Ba Market Hue 2026: Food, Souvenirs & Local Life

Dong Ba Market (Chợ Đông Ba) is Hue’s largest and oldest market, on the north bank of the Perfume River about 100 m from Truong Tien Bridge, just east of the Citadel. Rebuilt at this site in 1899, it has more than 2,700 stalls selling food, conical hats, sesame candy and souvenirs. Entry is free; come in the morning or for the evening food stalls.

Status (checked October 2026): open daily as normal, from early morning until early evening, with street-food stalls along the Tran Hung Dao frontage from about 18:00. The riverside lanes can flood briefly during heavy October–November rains.

Why Dong Ba Market is worth seeing:

Real local life: Hue residents still shop here for fish, vegetables, fabric and household goods.
Hue food in one place: bun bo Hue, banh beo, nem lui and sweet che at low prices.
Specialities to take home: sesame candy (me xung), shrimp paste, tea and dried goods.
Conical hats: Hue’s famous poem hats (non bai tho) are sold in quantity.
Central and free: an easy walk from the Imperial City and the riverside hotels.

Dong Ba Market at a Glance

Vietnamese name	Chợ Đông Ba
Location	2 Tran Hung Dao Street, Phu Xuan Ward, Hue City; north bank of the Perfume River
Distance	About 100 m from Truong Tien Bridge; about 1 km from Ngo Mon Gate
Size	About 47,600 m²; more than 2,700 stalls run by around 1,800 businesses
History	Moved to this site and rebuilt under Emperor Thanh Thai in 1899
Known for	Hue street food, conical hats, sesame candy, shrimp paste, fabrics
Opening hours	Daily, early morning to about 18:00 (individual stalls vary); evening food stalls from about 18:00
Entrance fee	Free (small parking fee for motorbikes)
Time needed	45 minutes–1.5 hours
Best time	6:30–9:00 for local atmosphere; evening for street food
Nearby	Truong Tien Bridge, Hue Imperial City, Gia Hoi old street, Perfume River boat pier
Find it	Google Maps · Tripadvisor · Wikipedia

Is Dong Ba Market Worth Visiting?

Yes, for an hour of local colour and a cheap, tasty meal. Dong Ba is a working market rather than a tourist attraction, so expect crowds, motorbikes, narrow aisles and some persistent selling. That is exactly its appeal. Pair it with Truong Tien Bridge and the Hue Imperial City on the same walk.

Best for: food lovers, photographers and anyone who enjoys everyday Vietnamese life.
Skip if: you dislike crowds and haggling, or prefer fixed-price shops.
Short on time? Walk the food section and the hat stalls on the ground floor in 30 minutes.

History of Dong Ba Market

Under Emperor Gia Long, a market stood just outside the Citadel’s Dong Ba (Eastern) Gate, which gave it its name; it was also called Quy Gia market after a roofed hall in its centre. It burned down in 1885 during the fall of the capital and was rebuilt in 1887 under Emperor Dong Khanh.

In 1899, as part of new urban planning, Emperor Thanh Thai moved the market to its present riverside site on what was then Truong Tien Road, with 48 roofed stalls and a well. The old site later became a Franco-Vietnamese school attended by the young Nguyen Tat Thanh, later known as Ho Chi Minh.

The market was demolished for rebuilding in 1967, damaged during the 1968 Tet Offensive and patched up afterwards; a major renovation came in 1987. Around 2022, the city spent about 10 billion VND upgrading its infrastructure, and encouraged traders to display prices; the evening food stalls at the front have since become a popular attraction of their own.

What to See at Dong Ba Market

1. The front gate and riverside

The main façade faces Tran Hung Dao Street, with the Perfume River behind. Step back across the road for a photo of the gate with motorbikes streaming past.

2. The food section

Inside, look for stalls serving bun bo Hue (spicy beef noodle soup), banh beo (steamed rice cakes), banh nam, banh loc and com hen (clam rice). Order where locals are eating; most dishes cost roughly 20,000–40,000 VND.

Busy stalls inside Dong Ba Market, Hue — Stalls sell everything from conical hats to local snacks. Photo: Chainwit., CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

3. Conical hats and poem hats

Hue’s non bai tho have poems or images hidden between the layers of leaf; hold one up to the light to see them. Hat stalls are concentrated near the entrance.

4. Hue specialities

Dry-goods stalls sell me xung (sesame and peanut candy), mam ruoc (shrimp paste), tea, dried lotus seeds and spices, all popular gifts from Hue.

5. Fresh produce and fish

Early in the morning the wet market at the back, towards the river, is busiest, with fish, vegetables, herbs and flowers brought in from the surrounding countryside.

6. Fabric and tailoring

Upstairs and in the side halls you will find fabric, ao dai materials and clothing; some stalls can arrange simple tailoring.

7. The evening food market

From around 18:00, stalls along the Tran Hung Dao frontage serve snails, grilled skewers, nem lui, che and bun bo Hue at local prices, with plastic stools on the pavement.

Dong Ba Market: Opening Hours and Prices

Item	Details
Entrance	Free
Daytime market	Daily, early morning to about 18:00 (stalls vary)
Evening food stalls	From about 18:00 on the Tran Hung Dao side
Street food	Roughly 10,000–40,000 VND per dish
Conical hat	Varies by quality; compare a few stalls
Motorbike parking	Small fee

Dong Ba Market is run by a city-owned management board; individual traders set their own prices, so compare before buying.

How to Shop at Dong Ba Market

Arrive early for the fresh market or late afternoon for a calmer browse.
Eat first in the food section, where prices are usually displayed.
Check prices at two or three stalls before buying souvenirs.
Bargain politely and with a smile for non-food items.
Pay in cash with small notes; card payments are rare.
Keep your phone and wallet secure in crowded aisles.

How to Get to Dong Ba Market

From	How	Time
Hotels on Le Loi or Pham Ngu Lao	Walk across Truong Tien Bridge	10–15 min
Hue Imperial City	Walk, cyclo or Grab	15 min on foot; 5 min by car
Hue Railway Station	Taxi or Grab	About 10 min
Phu Bai Airport	Taxi or Grab	About 30 min

See our Hue transportation guide for cyclos, taxis and bike hire.

Best Time to Visit Dong Ba Market

When	What to expect
6:30–9:00	Fresh produce, locals shopping, the most authentic atmosphere
Midday	Hot and slower; good for lunch in the food section
Late afternoon	Quieter aisles for browsing souvenirs
Evening (from about 18:00)	Street-food stalls on the front side
Before Tet	Extremely busy and festive
October–November	Flood season; check conditions after heavy rain

Local Expert Tips for Dong Ba Market

These tips come from years of arranging Hue tours for international travellers.

Agree on the price of any cyclo ride to or from the market before getting in.
Try bun bo Hue in the market and compare it with famous restaurants listed in our Hue food guide.
Buy sesame candy and tea in sealed packs if you are carrying them home.
Ask before photographing traders up close.
Combine the market with an evening stroll over the illuminated Truong Tien Bridge.

Dong Ba Market vs Hoi An Central Market

	Dong Ba Market	Hoi An Market
Size	Very large, more than 2,700 stalls	Smaller and compact
Feel	Mainly local, busy and chaotic	Mixed local and tourist
Food speciality	Bun bo Hue, banh beo, com hen	Cao lau, mi Quang, banh mi
Best time	Early morning or evening	Morning

Our view: Dong Ba is the more authentic and larger market; Hoi An’s is easier for first-timers. If you visit both cities, try the local noodles at each.

Nearby Attractions

Truong Tien Bridge: the historic steel bridge, a two-minute walk away.
Hue Imperial City: the Nguyen palaces, about 1 km west.
Thien Mu Pagoda: reachable by dragon boat from the nearby pier.
Tu Duc Tomb: the romantic royal tomb south of the city.
Thuy Xuan Incense Village: colourful incense displays on the tomb route.

Sightseeing in Hue for First-Time Visitors: Where Dong Ba Market Fits

One day in Hue? Visit the Imperial City in the morning, walk to Dong Ba Market for lunch, then spend the afternoon at the royal tombs. Return in the evening for street food and the lit-up bridge.

Two days? Add an early-morning market visit before a Perfume River boat trip to Thien Mu Pagoda. Read our Hue travel tips and where to stay in Hue to plan.

Plan your trip with our Hue travel guide and Hue tours. Contact Vietnam Tour Expert Team for a free custom itinerary.