Han Market (Cho Han): Where to Shop in Da Nang?

Han Market Introduction

Han Market (Cho Han) is one of the central markets in Da Nang, the capital city of central Vietnam and the 4^th biggest city of Vietnam. It’s popularly known now as a good place to go shopping for local products in town. Visitors will see a diversity of things here to bring home that are for sale at not expensive prices. Thanks to efforts from the authorities, it’s not wet, smelly, dark, and the sellers are not allowed to cheat buyers. They also can speak a bit of English, Chinese Mandarin and Korean languages.

This Da Nang’s busiest tourist market has two levels, with the main entrance facing Tran Phu St and the back to Bach Dang St. Its ground floor is used to sell souvenirs, local sweets, fruits, vegetables, fresh meats, dried seafood, cooked foods and local specialties – fish cakes (chả cá), beef sausage (chả bò), fish sauces (mắm). By the staircases, correct balance is placed to check the weight and free testers are available to check the preservatives in foods. 

Fabric and ready-to-wear fashion are upstairs, including clothes, dresses, shoes, hats, bags, underwear, shocks, and traditional Vietnamese costume for ladies (áo dài). If áo dài is not perfectly fitted to the body, nearby tailors will fix quickly (they are working behind fabric kiosks!). Custom made dresses and suits are also available. However, the tailoring service in Hoi An seems to be better.

Near the Han market, visitors have the chance to exchange money too. All kinds of popular currencies (cash) are accepted, to exchange to Vietnam dong and vice versa. There are so many banks and ATMs in its surrounding area also.

Fact: Local people call Han market because it stands by the Han river. About the origin of “Han”, they explain that the bay of their city (Da Nang bay) looks like a barrel and it’s leaky at the estuary of the river. So, the bay needs to be “welded”. Han means “welding” in Vietnamese. See more in Han river guide.

Read also: Hoi An Central Market

Han Market Da Nang Opening Hours

Everyday, Han market opens from 6 am to 7 pm. If coming to it earlier, visitors may see sellers and what they sell, like fresh meats, seafood, vegetables and breakfast. Many locals wake up early in the morning and then go to parks by the river to do exercise. By that, they want to buy something to eat and cook at home later. The time by 9 am is perfect to watch the life of citizens. 9 am onwards, tourists start visiting it to buy something, so it’s bustling then.

Han market is still a traditional Vietnamese market. For locals, they don’t prefer to buy stuff (not to eat) before 10 am because sellers believe that the first customers decide how lucky they are on the day. So, people have to buy for them or not bargain too much. This belief is still living, although not a lot anymore. If having time, lunchtime onwards will be better. Unlike other markets, there are no pickpockets and beggars here. By the way, on the stairs to upper levels, visitors can put money into donation boxes for orange-agent victims in Da Nang.

Read also: Bridges in Da Nang

History of Han Market in Da Nang

Following the Treaty of Hue in 1883, the government controlled by Nguyen emperors recognized the French protectorate in central Vietnam. 5 years later, the French officially established “Tourane” – their colonial city by the Han river that is called “Da Nang” today. Some people explain that Tourane is a misspelling of “Cua Han” in Vietnamese (meaning “the estuary of Han river”). Then, the colonists started planning quarters with grid streets and urban buildings, including city hall, church, post office, museum, railways and sure, a market.

Originally, the Han market (or Tourane market) had a market and trading streets on both sides. One-storey shop houses lined these streets, selling wholesale consumer goods and foods. The owners were mainly Chinese people and a bit Vietnamese. To connect with the rest of the city, the French also built railways and a ferry. Until the first bridge constructed to span Han river in 2000, the ferry was still in use (called “Han market ferry”). Inside the main building – the market, a wide range of products were for sale. Because there are only people in high classes coming to shop, locals say that it is “rich people market”.  

After two wars between France and America, Han market was rebuilt in 1989 and to the present day, it doesn’t change a lot. It still plays its role as an important hub of commerce in the city.

Read also: Museums in Da Nang

Location of Han Market and How to Get There

Where is the Han Market?

Han market is in the core of Da Nang city, therefore it’s very convenient to get to Han market and vice versa. Its address is 119 Tran Phu St, Hai Chau 1 ward, Hai Chau district. This market also has door opening to Hung Vuong and Nguyen Thai Hoc streets, and especially, Bach Dang St (Han river bank). Roads in the front and back of the market allow one-way traffic. For that reason, tourists have to walk across them to access it.

Walking

If staying in hotels within Hai Chau district, it’s easy to reach the Han market by foot. The best way is still walking on the promenade by the Han river. It’s wide, free from “crazy” traffic and allows to see unique bridges of the city. Additionally, also friendly to wheelchair users and toddles. To get to the Han market, pedestrians need to go across Bach Dang street and remember to observe carefully to reach the opposite side safely. Luckily, vehicles move in one direction only, so “the game” may be easier. A gate of Han markets faces this road.  

Because there are many great places to try local foods, the Han market and its surroundings is the host for Da Nang walking food tour.  

Car and Taxi

Getting to Han market by car and taxi is convenient from everywhere in Da Nang city thanks to its prime location. If want to check how much the taxi charges, travelers can check the distance on the map in kilometers and multiply by around 15,000 VND. Passengers have to pay by cash for the driver. People in the hotel can help to have one to reach Han market, and then it’s not difficult to see a taxi there to go somewhere.

For a full-day exploration around the city, travelers should have a private car and driver. It’s not all about the cost, it’s a convenience and time saving. And sure, Han market is one of the stops. Text us in whatsapp number +84968009827 to assist a recommended itinerary and the price.

Bus

Han market is accessible by public bus. On the left bank of the river, visitors can get R17A bus that runs from Cang Song Han (“Han river harbour”) to the center of Hoa Vang district. In the city down, this bus picks up and drops off along Nui Thanh, Hung Vuong, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai and Ly Tu Trong streets. Its operation hours are between 6 am and 7 pm. Ticket price is about 6,000 VND. The nearest places to the Han market are at Bach Dang St (walking across the street then) and the Pink church (need to have a short walk and then across the street). Keep in mind to be careful while walking across roads because the traffic is usually high. Should go with locals if you see someone.

If traveling by buses and vans by yourself, a spot by Bach Dang street (right side) is designed for tourist vehicles only. It’s possible for drivers to pick up and drop off there.

Motorbike

Motorcycle is the most popular vehicle in Vietnam. Tourists can hire a bike and get around Da Nang city by themselves (make sure that the license is available!). The rental fee often doesn’t include gasoline and accident insurance, but the fuel price is really cheap (around 1 usd for one liter). Parkings are around the market.

Our advice is to have a full-day rental. Visitors can self-organize a Da Nang city tour to cover famous landmarks, such as the Pink church, Museum of Cham sculpture, 67-meters-tall Lady Buddha or the Marble mountains.  

Read also: How to Get to Golden Bridge from Da Nang

In the Surroundings of Han Market

The Da Nang Cathedral

Completed in 1924, the Da Nang cathedral still is the only Catholic church built by French people in Da Nang’s centre. It’s popularly known as the Pink church for tourists and the Rooster church for locals. People just need to walk from Han market to visit and photograph at this place. Sometimes its main entrance (facing Tran Phu road) opens but sometimes, it’s needed to access it by a door in Yen Bai road. See full details and mass times in Da Nang cathedral travel guide.

Local Restaurants near Han Market

Around the Han market, there are many Vietnamese restaurants. These venues serve both local foods and fusion cuisine, and mainly family businesses. It’s not hard to see a Pho eatery where people come to try traditional beef noodle soup that is seen as Vietnam’s national food. Pho xao – stir fried noodles and Com chien – fried rice are also available, with beef and chicken. Luckily, the staff understands English (although not much).

Banh mi sandwich is sold at several spots near the gate by Bach Dang road of the market and in nearby Hung Vuong road. Da Nang local cuisine is known for a banh mi filled by cha ca – fried fish cakes, pate, veggies and bolt sauce. The long version is called “stick bread” (banh mi que) with less fillings.

Other dishes that visitors can expect to taste are banh xeo – rice pancakes, nem lui – grilled pork skewers, bun thit nuong – grilled pork and rice vermicelli, banh beo – rice cake in bowls, com tam – broken rice with pork barbecues, bun mam nem – rice vermicelli with anchovy sauce and more.

Therefore, the surrounding of the Han market is great to have a food tour, no matter by yourself or with a local guide. You can see our Da Nang walking food tour.

Coffee Shops near Han Market

Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in Vietnam. So surprise that there are many coffee shops by the Han market, including famous names and brands. Travelers often go to Cong Caphe, a communist-style shop with different Vietnamese coffee options. Staff here know English and the menu is written in English too. Coconut milk coffee is among the best sellers. Not far away, Ut Tich coffee shop serves coffee made by local beans that are grown and brought from the Central highlands, the largest cultivation region in the country. If seeking somewhere more local, visitors can go to inner streets, to try true local coffee and know true drinking culture. The price there will be cheaper but waiters have no or broken English. Let’s use online translation to make communication easier.

Read also: Museum of Cham Sculpture in Da Nang

Han Market vs Con Market

Con Market (Cho Con) is another large traditional market in Da Nang centre. It’s not far away from the Han market too. Therefore, getting there is convenient by all kinds of road vehicles. Like the Han market, visitors can see a diversity of products to buy and delicious foods to eat. If the price in this one may be cheaper and more local, the quality is the first thing that buyers should know before visiting it. Sometimes, the quality is not good value for money. In Han market, the management is better because it’s seen as a “tourist market” and of course, if someone cheats you, the problem will be figured out quicker. Additionally, the sellers don’t know English much (not to mention other languages) in Con market, making the shopping experience not really smooth.

We advise reading our visitor guide to Con market to have more information.

Han Market vs Son Tra Night Market

Son Tra Night Market (Cho Dem Son Tra) is the biggest night market in Da Nang. It’s located by the right bank of the Han river and the Dragon bridge. More than 150 souvenir and food stalls are here, on the street, providing visitors with many options to buy. It’s quite fair between this and the Han market. Both places serve mainly for tourists, so sellers know English to talk. About the price, nowhere it’s cheaper. The big difference between them is the opening hours, one in the daytime and the other in night time. Many people visit Son Tra night market because they like to watch the fire and water show at the Dragon bridge on the weekend.

We advise reading our complete guide to Son Tra night market for further information.

Da Nang City Tour with Local Guide

Read also: Full-day Da Nang City Tour

A full-day Da Nang city tour includes the Han market. In the morning, visitors may sightsee the Marble Mountains – a group of spectacular hills with amazing caves, ancient temples and colorful handmade marble sculptures and Linh Ung pagoda in the Monkey mountain. This 2010-built pagoda boasts of the tallest Lady Buddha in the country. It’s 67 meters in height. To get to these famous mountains, travelers absolutely can see a long, white sandy coastline with coconut palms. The most popular swimming spot is named “My Khe beach” that was ever in the top 6 of the sexiest beaches of the globe by Forbes.

After lunch, visitors continue exploring Da Nang city’s landmarks. In addition to having free time to visit and go shopping in the Han market, Da Nang cathedral, Museum of Cham sculpture and the Dragon bridge are other stops. The first building represents French colonial time and it’s a must see for instagrammers. It has a photogenic pinky façade. The Da Nang museum of Cham sculpture was also established by French people (in 1919), in order to preserve priceless, elaborate sandstone sculptures of Champa kingdom. This collection is the largest in Vietnam, and of course, is only in the world. Next to it, the Dragon bridge has the most unique design for one urban bridge in the country.