The 13 Most Interesting Markets in Asia - Two Can Travel (2024)

4) Chinatown Market in Ho Chi Minh (Saigon), Vietnam

By Claudia Tavani fromMy Adventures Across the World.

I had planned to stay in Saigon for only two days during my trip across South East Asia. The moment I arrived, I knew I would regret this decision. I instantly fell in love with the city: so full of life, so packed with colors, and with such a friendly atmosphere. Wherever I turned, I was welcomed with a huge smile. Not only people allowed me to take pictures of them whenever I asked for permission, but if they realized I was carrying a camera, they’d stop me and ask to pose for me. Yet, the best photos are the random ones I took around the market in Chinatown.

This small market that goes around the tiny alleys of Chinatown mostly sells daily goods – fresh produce, household stuff, and the likes. I arrived there quite late in the day when the bulk of shoppers had gone already and most vendors where getting ready to call it a day and go home. Not these two ladies though. They were deep in conversation, and by the look of it, they must have been saying something really funny!

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5) Bac Ha Markets in Bac Ha, Vietnam

By Jolene Ejmont fromWanderlust Storytellers.

Once a week, from sunrise till 2 pm on Sundays, an explosion of color and local trading takes place at the town of Bac Ha in Vietnam. This market is unlike any other. You will see locals walking from great distances, heading towards the markets by foot, some pulling a water buffalo behind them to trade for something else. The markets are so important, that the local minority groups still dress up in their traditional dress gear, creating a visual explosion of color!

At these markets, you will find a variety of handicrafts for sale from pottery, to clothes and more! You will also find essentials such as incense, tobacco, fruit, veggies, and spices! A special section for the meat markets, a different section to trade puppies, chooks, fighting hens and horses. Right on top of the hill lives the prized possession of the markets, the incredibly expensive water buffalo (who only the wealthy can afford), who is used to work in the rice paddies fields. Whilst the markets are becoming more and more touristy every year, if you go at the right time, before the tourist buses arrive, you can still get great insight into the local way of life!

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6) Luang PrabangNight Market in Laos

By Sarah from www.journeytodesign.com.

After a few months of traveling and trying to say yes to new experiences, I had eaten some weird stuff: I accidentally had a happy pizza in Cambodia, which didn’t make me very happy. I tried to eat snakes and spiders in Siem Reap (tried as in didn’t succeed).I was offered balut in the Philippines, which is an egg with a whole baby chicken in it, and I still feel traumatized.

The result: I didn’t really like food anymore. I lived on fruit shakes, vegetables, and rice, which wasn’t very satisfying, but at least I didn’t have to worry about surprising animal parts being hidden in my food.

Arriving in Luang Prabang, I strolled through the night market looking for my usual banana shake dinner and turned into a little alley.

I could not have been happier: An entire street of vegetarian food stalls. You simply grab a bowl and fill it with whatever you want to eat: vegetables, noodles, and rice for about a quarter of what I’d pay for my milkshake.This became my home in Luang Prabang. Every night, I headed over to the stalls, trying something new. I brought friends, who also fell in love with the alley and soon I simply had to walk in to find someone I knew already eating there.

When I had to leave Laos, I knew I’d miss this street the most. But my “say yes” attitude had slowly come back, so I was ready for new adventures, thanks to this little market.

Address: Sisavangvong Road, Luang Prabang, Laos

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7) Miaokou Night Market in Keelung, Taiwan

By Nick fromwww.nickkembel.com.

Taiwan is famous for its night markets, and of the dozens I’ve been to while living in Taiwan for the last eight years, Miaokou Night Market in Keelung is my personal fave. Miaokou means “temple entrance” in Mandarin, referring to the beautifully ornate temple smack in the middle of the market. Keelung is Northern Taiwan’s largest port, so the market features insanely fresh seafood among various other local delicacies. To make life easier for visitors, every single stall’s specialty is labeled in English; a rarity in Taiwan! Finally, the market is just a pretty place to photograph.

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8) Shilin Night Market inTaipei, Taiwan

9) Noryangjin Fish Market in Seoul, South Korea

By Racheal from Roam With Racheal.

The Noryangjin Fish Market in Seoul is a happening place. The vibrant colors, the hustle and bustle, even the pushing as people squeeze by all adds to the charm. You’ve got to watch your step as little trucks hauling ice zip through the narrow lanes.

The largest fish market in Seoul opens in the wee hours of the morning as people come to get the freshest seafood at wholesale prices. Women all dolled up with their hair and makeup done to try to convince you to buy at their stand. You can literally point to a tank and get any live type of fish that your heart desires and then take it to one of the restaurants upstairs to have it cooked up. You can see more about this markethere. If you find yourself in Seoul definitely check it out.

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10) Gwangjang Market in Seoul, South Korea

By Brock and Tanj fromwww.brockandtanj.com.

This market definitely has the atmosphere of what we are looking for – where the locals eat, a traditional market, and tasty food, therefore, an authentic immersion of Korean culture and cuisine. At the ground level, you can find snack stalls selling a wide variety of delicacies from pig’s feet, blood sausage, porridge, boiled intestines, sushi, etc. It is best-known for its delicious Korean pancakes called Bindaetteok. If you are not into food adventures, the markets also offer silk goods, quilts, and other handmade goods. They also sell Korean souvenirs here.

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