“Hundreds of streets and tens of thousands of peddlers” are the words used to describe the trade activities in the capital city. Here the pavements prove to be the most bustling markets than any other supermarkets.

In Hanoi, pavements not only serve pedestrians, but also as the places for markets to gather. A lot of “mobile” markets and popular food shops have appeared on pavements. Meanwhile, a lot of pavement areas have become famous flesh pots for playboys and connoisseurs.

Pavements – the biggest night markets in Hanoi

The pavements and the roadbeds on the area from Mai Dich overpass to the cross-road of Nguyen Phong Sac – Xuan Thuy in Cau Giay district automatically turn into the night markets after 6 pm every day. The large area on the advantageous position is really an ideal place for peddlers.

Hundreds of product items can be displayed on the pavements, from clothes, footwear to handbags, ties to vegetables, glasses, food, and drinks. The sellers do not have to pay fee for using money, therefore, they can make bigger profit. Meanwhile, buyers like purchasing goods at the pavement markets, because the goods are mostly for popular consumers and have “reasonable prices.”

Ngoc Anh, who is a clothes seller on Xuan Thuy Street, revealed that the sales may reach 10 million dong a day, while the profit is about 50 percent of the sales, which can bring her a profit high enough to feel all the members of the family.

Nguyen Thi Minh from Thai Binh province, who sells nem chua (fermented pork roll), also said that her “vending shop” has been feeding her and her children, who are now living in the home village. Therefore, Minh has been trying to hold on to the pavement area, even though she has been asked to leave many times by the police in the campaigns to clean the capital city.

The areas along the Ho Tung Mau Road gathers a lot of groceries which provide a wide range of products. Those, who go out to take fresh air, can drop into street food shops on pavements, where they can enjoy common dishes in the open air. 

This proves to be the ideal market for the students, who want to buy fashionable clothes at reasonable prices. Especially, the couples, who are going to get married, can go there to buy pillows, blankets. Meanwhile, travelers to Hanoi would like going there to buy small souvenirs which would later remind them of the trips to Hanoi.

The Chua Boc Street has become a noisy night market. The area was well known as the “fashion shops’ street,” where luxurious expensive clothes were on display. However, Chua Boc now has become more famous for the pavement markets, which mostly distribute footwear, handbags and clothes. Meanwhile, luxurious shops’ owners have complained that their products have been unsalable.

The paradise for connoisseurs

The special characteristic of the pavement markets and pavement shops in Hanoi is that they are not only reserved for common people, who hunt for sale-off products, but also for the youth and connoisseurs. 

The favorite destinations of the clients are the lemon tea shops which have been mushrooming on the pavements.

The Nha Tho Street, My Dinh stadium area, parks and small alleys all can be the areas for lemon tea shops. There are up to hundreds of shops on every street, and all of them are full of customers.

Ngo The Bao, the owner of a lemon tea shop on Nha Tho Street, said several years ago, there were only several lemon tea shops. Meanwhile, the number of the shops has been increasing rapidly, but the sales of each shop have not decreased.

Source: VNN