Where have the traditional markets of Hoi An gone?

Several unique traditional markets that have established a strong brand in the former Hoi An city area need to be restored soon instead of being neglected as they are currently.

The Kim Bong rural market, held in mid-June 2025, attracted a large number of tourists who came to visit and experience it. Photo: QUOC TUAN

In 2018, the Hoi An market was launched with the initial plan of holding it twice a month. This market was organized by the (former) Hoi An city government with the hope of not only promoting trade but also becoming an attractive tourism product of the ancient town. The highlight of the market is the sale of OCOP products and local specialties, and a policy of "saying no" to the use of plastic bags, replacing them with paper or other eco-friendly materials.

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

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

Launched in 2020, the Tan Thanh fishing village market quickly attracted tourists with its lively organization and diverse products aligned with the circular economy . At one point, the market expanded significantly, attracting not only products from the former Quang Nam province but also many stalls from several provinces and cities in the Central region.

The Hoi An market was launched in 2018 but is no longer maintained.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

Over the past four years, the Tan Thanh fishing village market has become a favorite destination, especially for international tourists. With the market as its core, the Tan Thanh fishing village tourism community was also awarded the ASEAN Tourism Award in the community tourism category for the third time, within the framework of the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2023. Unfortunately, this market has not been held for over a year, since its last event in mid-2024.

According to Mr. Le Quoc Viet, representative of Tan Thanh Fishing Village Tourism Cooperative, the decision to stop organizing the market is not because the product has lost its appeal, but because of some regulations regarding the venue.

"The unit is also very concerned about having to temporarily suspend this product, however, there are currently no plans 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," Mr. Viet said.

The Tân Thành fishing village market is usually held on Nguyễn Phan Vinh street (formerly Cẩm An ward, now Hội An Tây ward). Photo: QT

Most recently, a rather impressive market was put into trial operation: the Kim Bong rural market (formerly Cam Kim commune, now Hoi An ward). The last event, held in mid-June 2025, created a sensation, attracting a large number of tourists far exceeding expectations, who flocked to experience the area near the Kim Bong carpentry village. The market was planned to be held monthly, but was temporarily suspended last July.

Mr. Tong Quoc Hung, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hoi An Ward, informed that the temporary suspension of the market last month was due to the local government merger. The ward had to prioritize focusing all its efforts on handling important tasks to serve the people and ensure the smooth operation of the two-tiered government system.

“The Kim Bong rural market is a very unique product that needs to be maintained regularly to create more tourism appeal for the locality. Hoi An ward has a plan to reopen the market at the end of August,” Mr. Hung shared.

Prior to 1945, Hoi An also had its own bustling market, closely linked to the port city's vibrant trade activities. This was the Faifo market, which existed from 1935 to 1939, organized to supply agricultural and commercial goods in general for Quang Nam province and the Tourane region (Da Nang).

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