The Tay Do Night Market in Can Tho is a vibrant market where visitors can buy local products, eat delicious street food, and enjoy traditional music performances that provide a glimpse of the colorful culture of the Mekong Delta in Vietnam.
Introduction To Tay Do Night Market
Nestled in vibrant Can Tho, the Tay Do Night Market is one of the most famous and lively night markets in the whole Mekong Delta. Once the sun sets, the night market comes alive with colorful lights shining, upbeat music played, and the smell of delicious local street food drifting in the air. Stalls filled with goods line the river’s edge, welcoming both locals and visitors who enjoy eating, shopping, and soaking up southern Vietnam’s cultural charm.
What makes Tay Do Night Market so outstanding is its wonderful combination of traditional elements with modern vitality. The variety of goods available is impressive, as Tay Do represents a little of everything, from handmade handicrafts, local attire, and fresh fruits to rich Asian delicacies. Similarly, the market reflects the warm hospitality and relaxed lifestyle of Can Tho’s customs and citizens. If you are in this quaint riverside town, it would be impossible not to enjoy walking through the market, experiencing the bright atmosphere, and eating genuine Mekong food.
History Of Tay Do Night Market
The Tay Do Night Market, initially referred to as Luc Tinh Market, opened in about 1915 and has long been recognized as a key trading area of Can Tho. The name “Luc Tinh” (meaning “Six Provinces”) was given because the market was a busy commercial area serving to connect merchants from six provinces throughout southern Vietnam during French colonization. The market was built around the same time as the Binh Tay and Ben Thanh Markets in Saigon, which signifies its importance as one of the oldest trading areas in the region.
Over the years, the market has changed quite a bit, and during a lull, it was known as Hang Duong Market, and operated as a market mostly for small local vendors, providing the market with few foreign merchants. The market was completely renovated in 2005 after almost 90 years of work to become Can Tho Market, and it began to provide an important space for both commerce and culture in Can Tho. Tourists’ influx in Can Tho led to the market operating at night, where people would generously refer to it as Tay Do Night Market, to which the historic meaning of Tay Do or “Capital of the West” captures its vibrancy.
Unique Architecture Of Tay Do Night Market
Tay Do Night Market welcomes visitors with its unique Asian style that combines tradition and modernity. The lively atmosphere, beautiful layout, and glowing lanterns at night create a magical view by the Hau River.
Tiled Roofs In Southern Style
One of the most recognizable aspects of the market is the red tiled roofs, created in a traditional style of Southern Vietnam, featuring soft curves and countless layers are not only meaningful and nostalgic, but also keep users cool and enjoyable throughout the day.
Layout And Structure
The market brings an open layout and structure with stalls that are organized in a way where visitors can move freely without risk of crowding, even in situations where it is busy. Each section has a designated use – food court, handicrafts, etc, and will follow its own orderly process for creating enjoyable related shopping experiences.
Night Sparkle
As it becomes night, Tay Do night market lights brightly and beautifully with thousands of LED lights and decorations. The mixture of warm yellow colors and color creations causes the market to offer more magic to the lively atmosphere by appealing to every visitor.
Large Waterfront Area
Different from plenty of classic markets, the Tay Do Night Market is located on wide-open land directly next to the beautiful Hau River. The open space creates a comfortable environment for a leisurely evening of walking, shopping, and experiencing local friendliness.
5 Unforgettable Experiences You Shouldn’t Miss
Before departing Can Tho, be sure to include an evening spent at the Tay Do Night Market in your schedule – A fusion of culture, cuisine, and community awaits you. The market offers a range of experiences from the sounds of folk music to shopping and dining that you will carry with you long after the trip is over!
Listen To The Melodies Of Don Ca Tai Tu
At the Tay Do Night Market, listening to Don Ca Tai Tu is one of the best experiences. This Southern folk music is recognized and protected by UNESCO. These heartfelt sounds played on the Moon lute, Vietnamese zither, and other instruments convey feelings and a rhythm of Mekong life, and don’t require a stage or lights; performances are often held in the corners of the market with travelers and locals listening in. It’s a wonderful chance to connect with the heart of the Mekong – the home of the love and warmth of Western Vietnam.
Experience The Vibrant Nightlife Atmosphere
Walking and browsing through the busy stalls of Tay Do Night Market is more than a little sightseeing – it is truly a look into local life in night. The air is filled with the smell of recently cooked street foods, chatter from the vendors, and laughter from visitors.
Each stall shares a story, from baskets of tropical fruits, including mangoes and mangosteens, to handmade crafts and colorful lanterns. Watching locals work and interact with tourists does provide some insight into the community’s liveliness and charm. It is a true celebration of the nighttime spirit of the Mekong River.
Explore Local Handicrafts And Specialties
Tay Do Night Market is a mecca for anyone who enjoys shopping for unique souvenirs. Everything from bamboo baskets to handwoven bags, miniature conical hats, or decorations made from coconut shells captures the wonder of craftsmanship and the creativity of the local artisans. Do not forget to sample more regional specialties, including dried snakehead fish or shrimp, or the famous Sa Dec noodles, sold at neighboring stalls. Each purchase or bite leads toward taking home a piece of the Can Tho culture.
Savor The Culinary Delights Of The Mekong Delta
No trip to Tay Do Night Market is ever complete without some delicious food. Follow the enticing smell of hot batter to crispy Banh Xeo filled with river shrimp, then try Sa Dec Hu Tieu with beef broth. For dessert, cool off with Che Thot Not (sweet soup) with palm fruit and coconut milk. More adventurous eaters should try grilled snakehead fish or bánh tằm bì and experience these delicious appetizers. Every bite tells a story of the land, simple, fresh, and full of love.
Take In The Incredible Night Views At Ninh Kieu Wharf
Ninh Kieu Wharf is one of Can Tho’s landmarks, located just a few hundred meters from Tay Do Night Market. Visitors can take a saunter to the wharf from the market to behold the twinkling lights reflected on the Hau River for a calm and romantic feeling.
The delightful evening breeze, the toots of boats and their engines sliding by in the river, and the celebration of nearby eateries can make the evening an experience. After walking through the market, there is no better way to end the night at Can Tho than at Ninh Kieu Wharf, sipping on a cool beverage or local snack.
Entrance Fee
Visiting Tay Do Night Market is free. You will only need to pay for items you purchase or food from the many stalls selling delicious street food, with prices for food options and products varying from stall to stall.
Opening Hours
Tay Do Night Market is generally open privately from sunset to early morning, and thrives with a big crowd and colorful ambiance. The best time to enjoy Tay Do Night Market would be from about 5:00 PM through 11:00 PM, when the numbers are the largest. This is when the night market experiences the most colorful hustle of food stalls, shops for souvenirs, and cultural activity. If you’re hoping for a quieter experience, you can come a little earlier in the night to prepare and walk around before crowds arrive.
How To Get To Tay Do Night Market
There are several easy options to get to Tay Do Night Market. If you are traveling from other provinces, you can take a plane or drive in your own vehicle to District 4. Depending on your budget and preference, you can take the train or a bus.
Many bus companies go from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho, where it will take 38-48 hours and cost around 900,000 VND per person from Hanoi. If you want to leave from Mien Dong or Mien Tay stations, from Ho Chi Minh City, there, the cost is between 100,000-200,000 VND.
You can fly from a variety of prices between 900,000 to 5,000,000VND, depending on seat class, for about two hours. Train tickets from their stations (Hanoi or Saigon) take about 10-15 hours and cost approximately 700,000 VND per person, and then the bus, taxi, or drive will take you to Can Tho. The downtown Tay Do Night Market is about 1 km away and has many transportation options: motorbike, taxi, or you can walk. The road to the market is wide and even, so visitors can see anything they want to see during the day or night.
Things To Know Before Traveling To Tay Do Night Market
Before you head to Tay Do Night Market, here are some helpful tips that will make your visit more enjoyable and easier. Use these recommendations to have the best shopping and dining experience with local food in Can Tho.
- Keep your personal belongings safe, particularly your wallet and cellular device, because the market can be crowded in the evening.
- Carefully examine the origin and quality of all products before purchasing, as goods are produced in multiple countries.
- Do not be shy to bargain in a respectful manner. Many vendors expect a little friendliness.
- Wear light, comfortable clothes and shoes for some flexibility when moving through the packed lane.
- Make sure to bring enough cash because most stalls do not accept cards or digital payments.
- Try to get to the market earlier in the evening to avoid congestion, especially after 8 p.m.
- If you will participate in local street food taste testing or simply sampling, choose stalls with busy preparation and sanitary seating when possible.
- When taking photos of vendors or stall food, of course, respect in photo-taking; a few local vendors will ask to take their photo, but most likely will simply ask for respect in photo-taking.
- Consider going during the dry season when the weather will be overall more tolerable for being outside at the night market.
Final Thoughts: Is Tay Do Night Market Worth Visiting?
Tay Do Night Market is one of the biggest and most colorful destinations in Can Tho, allowing visitors to see the essence of local life in the Mekong Delta. It blends traditional Vietnamese culture with the vivacity of modern nightlife, comprised of street food, local handicrafts, and live music. Tay Do Night Market is a must when traveling in Vietnam with Seni World to really experience the tastes and sights of Can Tho at night.
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