Hotels near Hội An Central Market

Hoi An Central Market occupies a long riverside building and the surrounding streets at the eastern end of Tran Phu. The market is at its peak between 06:00 and 09:00 when farmers from Tra Que and Cam Thanh arrive with herbs, vegetables, and flowers. Inside, the wet market section sells fresh fish hauled in from the Thu Bon estuary that morning. The food stalls clustered near the river entrance serve cao lau (thick rice noodles with pork and crispy croutons), mi quang (turmeric noodle soup), and banh mi - the three dishes Hoi An does better than anywhere else in Vietnam.

Prices for a bowl of cao lau or mi quang range from 25,000 to 40,000 VND (1 to 1.50 EUR). The upper level of the market building houses fabric and souvenir vendors. No entry ticket is needed - the market is free and open daily. It thins out considerably after 11:00, so early visits reward you with both better food and a livelier atmosphere.

Pro Tip: For the best cao lau, look for the stalls where locals are eating, not the ones with English menus. The women-run stalls along the river side of the market building consistently serve the freshest bowls.