Where are the markets in Hoi An?

Some unique markets that have built their brands in the old city of Hoi An need to be restored soon instead of being left open as they are now.

Kim Bong rural market took place in mid-June 2025, attracting a large number of visitors to visit and experience. Photo: QUOC TUAN

In 2018, Hoi An market was launched with the initial orientation of being held twice a month. This market was organized by the government of Hoi An city (old) with the expectation of not only promoting trade but also becoming an attractive tourism product of the ancient town. The highlight of the market is selling OCOP products, local specialties and saying "no" to the use of plastic bags and replacing them with paper or environmentally friendly materials.

However, over time, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hoi An market has gradually become less frequent, mainly held in conjunction with some important events of the old Hoi An city. The most recent notable "market meeting" was during the 20th Hoi An - Japan Cultural Exchange (August 2024). In the past year, this market has been almost absent.

Another special market that once left a strong impression on tourists in Hoi An but has "disappeared" is the Tan Thanh fishing village market (old Cam An ward, now Hoi An Tay ward).

Launched in 2020, Tan Thanh fishing village fair quickly attracted tourists with its lively organization and diverse products associated with the circular economy orientation. At times, this fair has expanded its participation scale very well, not only with products in the old Quang Nam province but also attracting many booths from a number of provinces and cities in the Central region.

Hoi An market was launched in 2018 but is no longer maintained. Photo: QT

After more than 4 years of organization, Tan Thanh fishing village market has become a favorite destination, especially for international visitors. With the "core" of the market, Tan Thanh fishing village tourism community was also awarded the ASEAN Tourism Award in the community tourism award category for the 3rd time, within the framework of the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2023. Unfortunately, this market has not been held for more than a year, since the last time in mid-2024.

According to Mr. Le Quoc Viet - representative of Tan Thanh Fishing Village Tourism Cooperative, the reason for stopping the market is not because this product has lost its appeal but because of some regulations regarding the space for the event.

“The unit is also very concerned about having to temporarily suspend this product, but there is currently no plan to restore it. The Tan Thanh fishing village market product was once recognized as a 4-star OCOP product but is no longer participating in the program,” said Mr. Viet.

Tan Thanh fishing village market is often held on Nguyen Phan Vinh street (old Cam An ward, now Hoi An Tay ward). Photo: QT

Most recently, a rather impressive market was put into trial operation, the Kim Bong rural market (in the old Cam Kim commune, now Hoi An ward). The most recent event was held in mid-June 2025, this rural market created a "fever" when it attracted a large number of tourists beyond expectations, converging to experience the space near the Kim Bong Carpentry Village. The rural market was planned to be held monthly, but was temporarily suspended last July.

Mr. Tong Quoc Hung - Vice Chairman of Hoi An Ward People's Committee informed that the temporary suspension of the market last month was due to the time when the local government merged. The ward must prioritize focusing all its efforts on handling important tasks to serve the people and ensure the good operation of the two-level government.

“Kim Bong rural market is a very unique product, it needs to be maintained periodically to create more tourist attraction for the locality. Hoi An ward has a plan to organize the market again at the end of this August,” Mr. Hung shared.

Before 1945, Hoi An also had a market associated with the bustling trading activities of Hoi An port. That was the Faifo market that existed in the period 1935 - 1939, organized to supply agricultural and commercial products in general of Quang Nam province and Tourane region (Da Nang).

Source: https://baodanang.vn/dau-roi-cac-cho-phien-o-hoi-an-3298975.html