South Korean tourists visit and shop at Da Nang's Han Market. Photo: Xuan Son

Increasing trend of interest in local markets

A holiday trend report published on November 19 by the world's leading online travel platform Booking.com shows that cuisine is becoming a key factor, deciding the experience at various types of accommodation in Vietnam. According to Booking’s survey, 84% of Vietnamese travelers often choose destinations based on local cuisine.

Along with that, 80% of surveyed domestic tourists prefer to visit supermarkets, especially local wet markets, to buy fresh ingredients instead of souvenirs. Also, they view the market shopping as an essential part of the joy of traveling.

In Da Nang, the markets of Han, Con and Hoi An have long been considered must-see destinations for tourists. These are reputable addresses in the city for domestic and foreign visitors to explore local identity through shopping and culinary experiences.

In particular, the Hoi An Market was once voted by the US Lonely Planet magazine as one of the world’s seven most attractive food paradises for both tourists and locals in 2016.

A corner of the Kim Bong Rural Market in Hoi An Ward. Photo: Quoc Tuan

Improving tour quality through markets

Not only Vietnamese tourists, most international tourists also have a great passion for exploring local cuisine.

For a long time, many businesses in Hoi An have successfully developed the "Cooking Class - Learn to Cook" tour which has been loved by international visitors, especially those from Europe, America, and Australia.

In addition, in recent years, Hoi An has created a number of unique market products such as Hoi An Fair Market, Tan Thanh Fishing Village Market or Kim Bong Rural Market.

Recently, the Tam Tien Market in Tam Xuan Commune has become a popular destination among tourists and art photography lovers thanks to its multi-colored beauty viewed from above and its rustic and simple charm.

Realizing this attraction, a nearby resort, Robinson Nam Hoi An, regularly organizes activities to explore the market at dawn combined with beach cleaning and environmental protection efforts in the vicinity, as part of the guests' stay experience.

According to the general assessment of travel agencies through a number of famtrips, the market system, especially the riverside markets in the lower Thu Bon River, holds many unique values that could be integrated into experiential tours, particularly waterway tourism tours.

It is possible to research, restore and recreate some very famous markets that were once very famous and linked to the history of the Quang region, such as Cui Market along the Thu Bon River or Cau Market along the Co Co River, coupled with conveying unique local stories, which will greatly appeal to tourists.

Translated Mai Dung