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Dong Ba Market is not only well-known among local people but also again its fame by any travelers to Hue, Vietnam. Many visitors to Hue always plan itinerary to visit Dong Ba market at least once in their trip. In this article, we will introduce to you the most essential information about this bustling market.
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1. Introduction to Dong Ba Market
It will be a pity if you visit Hue without going to Dong Ba market to shop and taste local specialties. Dong Ba market dates back to the reign of King Gia Long, initially located outside Chanh Dong Gate. In 1885, the market was unfortunately destroyed by French colonialists. Two years later (1887), King Dong Khanh rebuilt this market and named it Dong Ba. And in 1899, under the decision of King Thanh Thai, he moved Dong Ba market to its present location.
- Opening hours: 03:00 AM - 08:30 PM
2. How to get to Dong Ba Market ?
Dong Ba is located right in the heart of Hue city, so it is not difficult to find. You just need to take a cab or ride a motorcycle to Tran Hung Dao Street near the Perfume River then you will recognize this bustling market.
If you stay in a hotel near the river, you can walk to this market. However, to combine with famous Hue attractions such as Thien Mu pagoda, Quoc Hoc Hue school,... you should go on a tour or take a cab.
3. The best time to explore Dong Ba market
Dong Ba market is not too different from other traditional markets in Vietnam, that's what you think when you first see this market from the outside. However, after you discover it, you will see that this place really deserves to be the most famous market in Hue.
Your exploration on Dong Ba market should start around 3 PM for the following reasons:
- Hue in summer is very hot. Therefore, tourists often prioritise destinations such as Hue's mausoleums and temples with a morning departure. Exploring Dong Ba market in the afternoon will fit your discovery itinerary in Hue.
- Because some businessmen are so careful that they often avoid raising and lowering items in the early morning without selling them. Going to the market in the afternoon after someone has already bought something, you can bargain a little.
- Additionally, although goods are open for sales from early morning to late afternoon, the famous food stalls are usually open in the late afternoon. If you want to taste Hue's specialties, afternoon is the best time to go.
4. How to explore Dong Ba market?
Dong Ba market still maintains its ancient style with a bit of contemplation and nostalgia. You can freely take photos of the market from outside or of the people trading.
This market is designed with 3 stories selling all kinds of items. Here you can buy souvenirs or gifts for loved ones such as fabrics, clothing, handicrafts, jewellery, home decoration, etc.
Dong Ba is full of essential items for daily activities. It is not only a shopping place for tourists, but also a place that provides goods for the people who live here. Visitors can go to the textile and clothing stalls to choose their favourite fabric to make a Hue-style ao dai.
Dong Ba Market covers an area of nearly 15,600 m², from Gia Hoi Bridge to Truong Tien Bridge with thousands of stalls serving different business needs. Surrounding the 3-story building in the center are rows of merchant houses in the U-shape. You can exploreDong Ba marketby going directly to the center, follow the staircases to the 3rd floor and start to explore from here.
Dong Ba market’s 3rd floor
In the 3rd floor of the market, you will immediately encounter stalls selling textiles and clothes. When you come here, you can choose fabrics to make a traditional Vietnamese dress - the ao dai with the style of Hue. Interspersed with fabric stores are excellent tailoring shops where tailor make and sell the extremely unique ao dai. If you are looking for some beautiful Vietnamese clothes, you may find them on the 3rd floor of Dong Ba Market.
Dong Ba market’s 2nd floor
Going down to the 2nd floor, you will see exquisite handicrafts. Visitors cannot help but be surprised by the handicrafts as Hue souvenirs.
Here you see poetic hats from Phu Cam conical hat village, steel-covered scissors from Hien Luong smith village, and sophisticated items from Ke Mon jewellery village. In addition, there must be bamboo products from Bau La, Da Le and Phu Thu villages with bamboo baskets, beds, hammocks, and cradles.
Notably, there are also products made of pottery such as clay pots, lime pots, cups and bowls carved with ancient patterns.
Dong Ba market’s 1st floor
This is the market area for dried seafood and many Hue specialties such as fish sauce, seasoned fish sauce... In this area you will see many stores selling dozen kinds of fish sauce and dried foods. The shopkeepers here advise visitors and also let visitors try, which is why many tourists buy a lot of fish sauce as gifts for their relatives and friends.
Food stalls outside the building
As you leave the market building and enter the food court around Dong Ba Market, you will find the most interesting part. You can enjoy all kinds of Hue specialties without worrying about the price because they are very affordable.
The Hue dishes are very diverse such as Sia rice paper, Kim Long grilled meat vermicelli, Phu Hoa and Vy Da spring rolls, Nam Pho noodles soup, Van Cu noodles soup.
No matter where you've enjoyed these dishes, you will shout out that banh Khoai, banh Nam, banh Uot, sweet bean soup, and roasted meat sold at Dong Ba market are the most delicious.
5. Must-try dishes at Dong Ba market
Discovering the Hue cuisine at Dong Ba market means stepping into a culinary paradise in central Vietnam. Here you will find many famous dishes such as pork vermicelli, rice with baby clams, grilled pork vermicelli, spring rolls, banh beo, banh loc, banh nam,... When you visit Hue, you should not miss a variety of sweet soups. All of them are meticulously prepared and appealing with great taste, unforgettable for first-time tasters.
Bun Bo Hue (Hue beef noodles)
Bun Bo is a delicious Hue dish that has existed for a long time. So far it has become popular throughout Vietnam. In almost every province, there are Hue beef noodles. However only in Hue, this dish really brings the original flavour. At Dong Ba market, you can enjoy beef noodles for only 20,000 to 30,000 VND/bowl. The large white vermicelli fibres are just the right length. The beef is stewed with a characteristic aroma. In addition to beef, there are also other attractive foods such as pork rolls, meatballs, boiled blood mixed with pure broth, and of course flavourful broth of simmered beef bones.
Nem Lui (Vietnamese pork lemongrass skewer)
Nem Lui in Hue has a distinguish savour of the lemongrass. Because it is grilled over charcoal, it is very fragrant. Nem lui skewers are grilled, eaten with vermicelli, herbs and some other vegetables, which create a wonderful flavour.
A complete Nem lui rolls cannot lack the Nem lui sauce. Every restaurant in Hue has its own recipe for this unique sauce, however the common point is that they are all very delicious. The rich and thick sauce is full of sour, spicy, salty and sweet flavours that enhance the flavour of the dish. Nem lui at Dong Ba market Hue only cost around 50,000 VND/portion for 2 people.
Banh Khoai (Hue crispy pancake)
Visiting Dong Ba market, you should not miss Hue crispy pancakes. The cake has a semicircular shape, fried in hot oil so it has a very attractive golden colour, attracting the eyes of gourmets. The ingredients of the cake are mainly made from rice flour and eggs. Inside the cake are filled with shrimps, pork belly and some other vegetables.
Banh Khoai is served with herbs and fish sauce made from more than 10 different spices. Banh Khoai is a popular afternoon snack of Hue people. You should try this dish on your trip to Hue, the ancient capital.
Che Hue (Hue sweet soup)
Hue sweet soup, known as "che Hue," is a traditional Vietnamese dessert originating from the ancient city of Hue. Renowned for its variety and vibrant flavors, che Hue in Dong Ba Market often combines ingredients like mung beans, jelly, fruits, and coconut milk, creating a delightful balance of textures and tastes. It is a popular treat enjoyed by locals and visitors alike, often served cold as a refreshing dessert to beat the tropical heat. Only when you try it, you will know why it is famous and must-try.
Mussel rice (Com Hen)
In addition to Hue's beef noodle soup, mussel rice is also a famous ancient dish at Dong Ba market. Mussel rice is very simple to prepare: a combination of white rice, fat, herbs, peanuts, Hue fish sauce and, above all, sweet-and-sour fried mussels. Despite the simplicity of the preparation, the fatty, meaty taste of the dish will linger in the minds of all who try this delicious Hue dish.
The Dong Ba market is one of the places not to be missed on a trip to Hue. It's not only a place of bustling commercial activity, but you can also discover the culture, history and cuisine of the ancient capital. We hope that our sharing of Dong Ba Market will help you make a full visit to this traditional market.
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