Han Market in Danang: A historic and modern combination at the heart of the city

Foreign tourists coming to Danang are often recommended to go explore a crowded, large-scale market as known as Han market which is a major traditional market and one of the most-visited attractions to domestic as well as foreign visitors from across the country.

The main gate of Han market is on Tran Phu street

The predecessor of Han Market is an unprompted gathering of a minor group of traders starting in 1940s. The official construction of Han Market took place on 19 May in 1990 in commemoration of the 100^th anniversary of the great former Communist Leader’s birthday, Ho Chi Minh. The new site was accomplished within one year, on 29 March 1991, marking the 16^th anniversary of the city’s liberation. Han Market, named after the river flowing on the eastern side of the city, covering an entire area of 28,000m2. That huge space makes room for 576 stalls and 36 kiosks selling staple commodities.

However, what attract tourist the most in Han Market are local special fruits, fresh and dried seafood and aquatic products. Han Market is just the right address to pick up the best-quality indigenous “Mam” (salted fish) including sour shrimp paste, anchovy paste, codfish paste, grinded pork cooked with fermented shrimp paste, as well as hot chili paste, renowned Ly Son garlic, sun-dried squid, dried rice crackers…

Ly Son Garlic, aka Lone Garlic, since it has one clone and has medical properties.

Tourists are coming to Han Market not only for purchase purpose, but also to experience the traditional market atmosphere through bargaining activities and lingering around, contemplating well-ordered display of innumerable array of goods. Han market used to be known as the “rich market” since it was extremely popular among the more well-off classes of the society. In the past, most of the wares on display in the markets shipped by a French-constructed train system called the Tourane Marche, making it the place for wealthy classes to purchase more costly imported goods. Nowadays people from all walks of life come and trade in Han market because it offers relatively low prices, sometimes wholesale prices, thanks to the fact that goods flock in here before being distributed to retailing markets in the city.

Han Market in 1950s

The market is located at the grand intersection of Bach Dang, Hung Vuong, Tran Hung Dao and Tran Phu street and it may cost you about US$5 to arrive at the market by taxi if you stay at one of the beach resort on Danang coast.