Aside from satisfying local diners’ diversified tastes, food courts at such Da Nang’s traditional markets as Con, Han and Bac My An, have step by step become ‘do-not-miss’ places for tourists from both home and abroad. It is no exaggeration to say that these markets are really ‘foodie heavens’ because it is just a short stroll to reach and enjoy all local specialities offered at very affordable prices.

A group of young travellers from the capital city of Ha Noi are pictured enjoying ‘ bun thit nuong’ (noodles with grilled pork)

The Con Market, located at 318 Ong Ich Khiem in downtown Hai Chau District, has emerged as one of the most visited places for those who fancy getting their chops around real Vietnamese food in a busy trading atmosphere. Visitors find it very easy to access this inviting place.

The market features an indoor and an outdoor drinking and eating areas consisting of a total of over 100 food stands, with the former opening from 6.00am until 7.30pm daily and the latter operating from 3.30am till around 7.30pm.

Like other traditional markets, this is where you find a variety of fare – fresh fruit, dried seafood, and clothes to name but a few. It is not merely a place for buyers and sellers but also a favourite spot of visitors who want to try local dishes, and explore lives of the locals.

This is the place where one can try almost all delicacies of Da Nang and other regions at affordable prices: ‘bun thit nuong’ (noodles with grilled pork), ‘bun mam’ (rice vermicelli with anchovy fish sauce), ‘my quang’ (Quang rice noodles), snails, ‘banh xeo’ (sizzling crepe with shrimp and pork filling), ‘banh can’ (little round pancake made of rice flour, eggs and shrimp and served with dipping sauce and herbs), ‘goi kho bo’ (salad with dried beef). Each dish only ranges from 15,000 to 50,000 VND.

Like the Con Market, the Han Market featuring a total of 15 food stands is also an ideal choice for local gourmets and visitors.

Vuong Thi Nhung, who has sold such dishes as ‘bun mam’, ‘banh xeo’, Quang rice noodles and porridge for nearly 10 years at this tourist-packed market, said, every day, her food stand serves an average of about 100 visitors. In particular, ‘cao lau’ (the foremost traditional food in Hoi An) is one of the top choices on the menu.

In a similar vein, the Bac My An Market has affirmed its stature as one of the city’s popular magnets for foodies.

Ms Dang Thi Kim Tram, the owner of Tam eatery, which specialises in selling such rustic traditional Vietnamese cakes as ‘banh uot’ (steamed thin rice pancakes), ‘banh it’ (glutinous rice cakes filled with meat or green bean paste) and ‘banh beo’ (bloating fern-shaped cakes), happily said, her eatery’ average daily revenue tops about 8 million VND. The price of food offered here only hovers at between 15,000VND and 20,000VND per portion.

In addition to luring local diners, the above-mention ‘foodie heavens’ has attracted a growing number of visitors from both home and abroad.

My, a female tourist from Ho Chi Minh City, who recently visited the Han Market to enjoy popular tasty food, said, “Dishes are offered at considerably reasonable prices and their tastes are much better than those sold at eateries and restaurants along big streets. Moreover, traders here are always willing to recommend us where to relax in the city”.

Apart from the popular traditional markets, the Helio Night Market, located at the namesake entertainment complex, is also a great choice, especially for the young. The venue operates from 5.00pm to 10:30pm daily.

A total of nearly 200 culinary stalls here are classified into 4 main subdivisions, namely Street Food, Food and Beverages, Beer and Barbecue, Self-selected Seafood.

Visitors to this venue will be treated to a wide range of Vietnamese, Thai, Korean and Japanese dishes.

Also interestingly, diners immerse themselves in a relaxing ambiance filled with free of charge live music whilst enjoying mouthwatering dishes.