As the biggest and most famous traditional market in Hue, Dong Ba Hue market has everything you need. From food, crafts, gifts to fashion items, … This is also a famous tourist destination that almost every tourist visiting the ancient capital also stops by. Today, dulichsontra.com will reveal to you the experience of visiting, eating and shopping at Dong Ba market!
A brief introduction about Dong Ba market in Hue
History of Dong Ba Market
Dong Ba Market was built many years ago. Before 1899, it was located at Dong Ba Gate (East gate near Hue Citadel). In 1885, when the imperial city of Hue fell, the French colonialists destroyed the market.
In 1887, King Dong Khanh ordered it to be rebuilt. In 1889, King Thanh Thai decided to move the market closer to the Perfume River, between Truong Tien Bridge and Gia Hoi Bridge.
The name of Dong Ba market in Hue
Dong Ba Market was originally named Quy Gia Thi – the name that marked the return of the Nguyen Dynasty after returning to Phu Xuan. The name Dong Ba market appeared in 1887 during the reign of King Dong Khanh, and is still called until now.
In fact, it originally had the real name of Dong Hoa market – Dong Ba gate. A name that mimics Chinese calling.
Where is Dong Ba Market in Hue and how to get there?
Location of Dong Ba market
The market is located at 2 Tran Hung Dao Street, Phu Hoa Ward, Hue City. Right on the edge of Truong Tien Bridge. It is about 1.3km from the city center, so finding the way and moving is relatively easy.
Move to Dong Ba market
Depending on how far or near your starting position is, choose the right vehicle to get to Tran Hung Dao Street, next to the Perfume River, you will see the market right away.
- If you take a bus, the bus station stop is only about 200m from the market with about 3 minutes on foot.
- If you have a car or motorbike, you can park your car at the market gate for 30,000 VND/car and 5,000 VND/motorcycle.
- If you go with a lot of people, you can call a taxi, but the cost is much higher than the above means, about 200,000 VND / way, moreover, it is also quite passive.
See More: Hue Car Rental With Driver
Hours of operation of Dong Ba market in Hue
Dong Ba Market starts to open from 5 am to 19 pm, it is closed, stopping all trading activities. Particularly for holidays, Tet may be adjusted to close a little later to serve everyone’s shopping needs.
The market is open all days.
- Opening time: 5am – 7pm daily
According to dulichsontra.com’s experience, if there is no urgent business to visit the market, you should avoid “opening hours”. That is, when they first opened the shop, you should not come, if you see or bid but don’t buy, you will be blamed.
When to visit Dong Ba market in Hue?
Like all other traditional markets in Hue, Dong Ba market is open year-round throughout the month, regardless of rain or shine. Therefore, you can visit the market at any time you want.
However, if you go on a sunny day, it will be better. Because it’s dry, it’s convenient and clean to travel, also suitable for you to take pictures to check-in. From March to August is the dry season in Hue.
Visitors to Hue should go in the afternoon, around 3pm onwards. This is said to be the most ideal time to go to Dong Ba market . Because the afternoon is usually easier to bargain. Especially for those of you who like snacks, want to taste strange and delicious dishes, there are many new food stalls selling in the afternoon.
Structure of Dong Ba market in Hue?
Dong Ba Market has an area of about 15,600m2, divided into 3 floors with hundreds of stalls selling all kinds of goods.
The 1st floor is the food area
This is considered the most attractive area of the market. Here, all kinds of dried seafood of the Central region and Hue specialties such as shrimp paste, seasoning sauce, fish sauce, etc. can not be missed. In which, it is impossible not to mention the fish sauce – the condiment that makes the dishes. Hue adds more flavor.
The sellers here are very hospitable, friendly, thoughtful advice, so feel free to choose. But the dry specialties are quite strong, remember to pack them carefully!
2nd floor for craft stalls
The second floor of Dong Ba Hue market is dedicated to selling handicrafts. Here you will find poetic conical hats, accessories that go with the charming ao dai of Hue girls.
In addition, there are also typical handicraft products of traditional craft villages that are also sold here such as Phuoc Tich pottery, Da Le village bamboo, Ke Mon village’s jewelry, etc.
The 3rd floor is the area for clothes and fabrics
The highest area of the market takes you lost in the world of fabric and clothing stalls along with bags, hats, wallets, etc. An ideal space for fashionistas who love to shop.
In addition to the three main stalls, the market also has an outdoor area, also known as a flea market. This space does not regulate certain items, a place to practice for free traders, selling all kinds of items from dining, food, clothes, shoes…
Tourists are in Da Nang but want to combine to explore more dreaming Hue ancient capital. You can book a Hue tour from Da Nang to return in the same day. Visit the highlights of Hue.
What to eat at Dong Ba market? Suggest delicious dishes to try
It is not natural that Dong Ba market is considered as such an attractive tourist destination for tourists. This place can be called a culinary paradise when converging almost all Hue specialties. Visiting the market, you will surely wonder what to eat because every dish looks attractive.
Hue beef noodle soup and other types of vermicelli
Bun bo is a dish that has made Hue culinary brand. This dish is sold everywhere, restaurants or eateries, street vendors all have it. And bun bo Dong Ba market will definitely make you feel overwhelmed when enjoying. Prices range from 20,000 to 25,000 VND/bowl.
In addition to beef vermicelli, there are also a variety of other Hue vermicelli dishes that are equally attractive such as turmeric vermicelli, mussel vermicelli, sour shrimp vermicelli, vermicelli, …
Spring rolls
Nem lui is a typical dish of the Central people. Hue spring rolls are made from meat and rolls, grilled with a very specific aroma, served with raw vegetables, cucumber, sliced raw mango, dipped with sweet and sour dipping sauce. This dish in Dong Ba Hue market is sold opposite the roadside for 10,000 – 20,000 VND.
Types of cakes
Hue cuisine is also famous for its cakes. There can be flour cake, beo cake, little ram cake, banh chung, banh chung, wet cake, etc. And of course you can find all of these at the market.
At the beginning of the market you will see stalls selling delicious pate chaud with meat for only 5,000 VND / piece. A little further in, there are flour cakes filled with shrimp and meat, wet cakes with spring rolls and raw vegetables, or banh beo cups. Don’t forget to try the very attractive little ram cake with fish sauce!
Hue tea
Referring to Hue cuisine, it is impossible not to mention Hue tea. Hue tea has long been famous for its variety, sweet taste, and irresistible aroma.
There are dozens of different types of tea for you to choose from such as lotus seed tea, filtered powdered tea, green bean tea, mixed tea, fruit tea, banana tea, etc. Especially the unique and unique roasted pork wrap powdered tea. , very famous.
What does Dong Ba Hue market have to buy as a gift?
Not only a food paradise, this largest traditional market in Hue also sells a lot of suitable items for visitors to buy as gifts. Dulichsontra.com suggests you a few dishes such as:
Sesame Hue
Sesame is probably the first suggestion that we want to mention. Because this is a delicious and easy gift that almost everyone likes. Hue sesame has 2 types: flexible sesame and crispy sesame. Made from sesame, malt, sugar, peanuts. Particularly for crispy sesame, there is another ingredient, which is rice paper.
Characteristic sweetness but not boring. When you eat, you will feel the sweet, pleasant, supple taste. With hot tea, there is nothing like it. Sesame seeds are packed in packages with many weights for your reference.
Nem Hue
Coming to Dong Ba market in Hue , you can buy bamboo or spring rolls as gifts. Tre Hue has its own characteristics with two types of beef and pork with aroma, sweet taste, mixed with a little bit of golden fried bacon with galangal, garlic, and hearing. The outside is wrapped in guava leaves and then wrapped in banana leaves.
Nem chua is also a delicious dish that is no different from Tre, but the smaller one, the scent is somewhat different. This duo is always chosen by tourists to enjoy and buy to take home.
Hue royal tea
Hue royal tea is very fragrant, it is not only a drink for normal refreshment but has many good uses for health. Royal tea has many types, sold for about 50,000 – 60,000 VND/bag. You can buy it as a gift for your grandparents or parents.
Types of fish sauce
Hue has long been famous for fish sauce. Different from the fish sauce in other places, the fish sauce here is made pure, rich but not too salty, especially with a very fragrant smell. You can buy sour shrimp paste, oyster sauce, shrimp paste, etc. to use in daily meals or as gifts.
Fish sauce is usually packed in a box, the outside is wrapped in a plastic bag for easy transportation and does not have a strong smell when carrying.
Which hotel should I stay in for exploring Dong Ba Hue market?
To facilitate exploring Dong Ba market and save time. You should look for hotels and homestays near the market or the surrounding area. The accommodation system in Hue is very diverse, spoiled for you to choose according to your needs. A few suggestions you can refer to:
- Hue Four Seasons Hotel: No. 7 Nguyen Cong Tru, Group 13, Hue City (0.8km from the market)
- Tran Ly Hotel: 78 Le Loi, Hue City (1.4km from Dong Ba market)
- Melia Vinperl Hue: 50A Hung Vuong Street, Hue City (about 3km from the market)
Recommend places near Dong Ba market in Hue
From Dong Ba market, it is easy to move to visit nearby places.
Truong Tien Bridge
From market to Truong Tien bridge only 750m. This bridge across the Perfume River connecting the South – North banks is also considered a representative image of Hue, attracting many tourists. You can walk on the bridge and admire the romantic Perfume River or explore the pedestrian street at the foot of the bridge.
Hue Imperial Citadel
1.4km from Dong Ba Hue market is Hue Citadel, also known as Hue Citadel. This is the largest-scale construction in Hue with a construction process of more than 300 years. The Citadel is the living place of the king of the Nguyen Dynasty, which has been recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage.
Thien Mu Pagoda
Moving about 5km further to the North, you can visit the sacred and mysterious Thien Mu pagoda. The pagoda is located on Ha Khe hill, on the left bank of the Perfume River, famous for many mysterious legends along with many impressive architectural works that everyone wants to explore.
A few notes to know when going to Dong Ba market in Hue
- If you intend to buy seafood at Dong Ba market, you should come early because at this time, the seafood has just been caught ashore and brought to the market to sell, so it is always fresh.
- Experience going to the market on Tet holiday is often very crowded. Please pay attention to preserve luggage, wallet, phone, … to avoid pickpockets, theft.
- When you intend to buy things at Dong Ba market, don’t be afraid to bargain. Many people who review this market “challenge” the price a lot. If you don’t haggle, it’s easy to be “spoiled”. If you are good at negotiating, you will likely get a cheap item.
- For believers who like to live virtual, you can go to the main gate area of the market with red letters of Dong Ba Market to take pictures. This is also the check-in coordinates that are popular with young people every time they come to Hue.
It is said that the easiest way to understand the local culture and pace of life is to visit the markets and come to Hue too. If you want to understand more about the people and culture here, visit Dong Ba Hue market . Not only can you visit and explore, but you can also enjoy a lot of delicious and attractive dishes at extremely cheap prices.
