With rapid urbanisation, it’s a struggle to find a traditional market within 30km of Hanoi’s city centre.
Today, urbanisation has reduced the number of traditional markets, with people more familiar with shopping in supermarkets and convenience stores.
Suburban areas of Hanoi are still home to some mixed markets, where farmers can be found selling baskets of shrimp alongside an array of other goods.
Khe Market in Van Khe Commune, Me Linh District, Hanoi, is an example. The market, some 30km from the heart of Hanoi, retains traditional market culture which may be lost in the near future:
Van Khe Commune has attracted many real estate investors
The market is located by the left bank of Red River. Behind it stand many new big houses
An elderly woman with a kerchief
It transforms into a wholesale market at late afternoon
Many people just sell some vegetables on rattan or bamboo baskets. They often earn less than VND100,000 (USD4.8) on market day
A cow and ducks sit side-by-side for sale
A vegetable seller
Late afternoon market day
With no lighting, transactions continue under the lights of vehicles
Sold out
Roasted duck meat stalls at VND140,000 (USD6.73) per duck
Traditional rural markets may become a thing of the past
Bicycles are still used to transport goods to the market