Weekend Walking Street and Night Market in Hanoi
Part of the Hanoi travel guide — see every topic in All Hanoi Guides.
On weekend evenings, the roads around Hoan Kiem Lake close to traffic and become a big walking street. At the same time, a night market fills the Old Quarter streets just north of the lake. Families, students and visitors come out to walk, play, shop and eat. This guide explains when it happens, what to see and how to enjoy it.
The walking street
The walking street usually runs from Friday evening to Sunday night. The roads around Hoan Kiem Lake and some streets nearby close to cars and motorbikes. Without traffic, the area feels open and calm. People walk slowly along the lake, take photos and sit on benches under the trees. In the evening there is street music, dance groups and traditional games such as rope pulling and bamboo jumping. Children ride small electric cars. It is one of the best places to see local people relax. Times and closed streets can change for holidays and events, so check locally.
The night market
The Old Quarter night market usually runs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. Stalls line Hang Dao street and continue north towards Dong Xuan market, a walk of about 1 km. You can buy clothes, shoes, bags, phone cases, souvenirs and small crafts. Food stalls sell snacks, drinks and sweets. Prices are low but not fixed, so you can bargain politely with a smile. Most goods are for daily use rather than high quality. The market is crowded and narrow, which is part of the fun. Keep your phone and wallet in a front pocket or a closed bag.
Around Hoan Kiem Lake
Hoan Kiem Lake sits in the centre of Hanoi, between the Old Quarter and the French Quarter. The path around the lake is about 2 km and takes about 30 minutes at a slow walk. On weekend evenings, the lake is lit with soft lights. The area east of the lake has a wide square that is a popular meeting place. Early on weekend mornings, you can see groups doing exercise and dance by the water. The streets south of the lake have shops, the Opera House area and modern malls. You can easily combine the walking street with dinner in the Old Quarter.
Food and drinks
There is plenty to eat on walking street nights. Street sellers offer ice cream, grilled corn, sweet potatoes and fresh fruit. Kem Trang Tien, a well-known ice cream shop on Trang Tien street south of the lake, is busy on hot nights. Many cafés around the lake have balconies with views of the crowds. In the Old Quarter, the food streets near Ta Hien and Dong Xuan market stay open late. Stay hydrated, because summer nights in Hanoi are hot and humid. Public toilets are around the lake, and cafés usually let customers use their toilets.
Tips for your visit
Come after about 7 pm, when the lights are on and the heat is lower. The busiest time is Saturday night. If you want a quieter walk, go on Friday or early on Sunday evening. Wear comfortable shoes. Taxis and Grab cannot enter the closed roads, so ask to be dropped at the edge of the area. If you stay in the Old Quarter, just walk. Keep valuables safe in the crowd. Watch for motorbikes at the edges, where the closed area ends. The cooler months, from about October to April, are the most pleasant for long walks.
Weekend Walking Street and Night Market at a glance
| Getting there | Hoan Kiem Lake, central Hanoi; walk from the Old Quarter or get dropped at the edge of the closed roads |
|---|---|
| Hours | Usually Friday to Sunday evenings; check locally for holiday changes |
| Cost | Free to walk; market goods and snacks are cheap; bargain politely |
| Best time | After about 7 pm; about October to April for cooler nights |
| Distance | Lake loop about 2 km; night market about 1 km from Hang Dao to Dong Xuan |