Vietnam — Street Market near Hồ Hoàn Kiếm (Hoan Kiem Lake), Hanoi, Vietnam

Early morning street market

September 2015

When walking back from Hoan Kiem Lake, I saw a great little market selling fruit, vegetables, meat, and clothes. The type of market that I like to explore.

The first thing that struck me about the market was that it seemed impromptu. It had no order. There were no stalls. Everyone was either using a bicycle in some clever makeshift way as a stall, or people were selling from the ground. Moreover, it seemed to be predominantly women stallholders and women buying.

Anyway, it was a good market for me to look around. There was a lot of activity and plenty of photo opportunities. It was also a great place to see the Vietnamese going about everyday life. I was impressed with the range and quality of the vegetables on sale. And I liked the clever and inventive use of bicycles as mobile selling platforms.

My first clue that there may be a market was this group of women on the street corner. I loved the inventive use of the bikes.

Bananas anyone?

It was indeed a great market to explore. There was so much going on. So many photo opportunities.

Just look at the fruit. Doesn’t it look great?

And the way things were stacked and arranged on this motorbike. Great use of space with corn on the cob shoved into a front basket.

Haggling and bartering in the market.

Fantastic metal baskets on this motorbike.

And great-looking apples. Although something tells me, these may not be locally produced!

The market was a stunning little find. Very close to Hồ Hoàn Kiếm (Hoan Kiem Lake) and almost overlooked. I’m glad I took the time to stop and explore.