1. Ha Long – Shopping Paradise by the Wonder Bay
Ha Long not only captivates visitors with its natural beauty but also with its rich shopping scene. From traditional markets like Ha Long Market to modern shopping malls like Vincom Plaza Ha Long, the city caters to every shopping need. Especially, Ha Long specialties such as hand-ground squid cakes, dried seafood, Ha Long pearls, and art coal are essential souvenirs for your exploration.
Let's explore the most prominent shopping destinations in Ha Long below!
2. Notable Shopping Spots in Ha Long
2.1. Ha Long Market 1 – Traditional Shopping Center
Located on Bach Dang Street, Ha Long Market 1 is the city's largest and oldest market, attracting visitors with its bustling atmosphere and diverse goods. This is the ideal place to experience traditional Ha Long tourism shopping:
Floor 1: Jewelry, Ha Long pearls, handicrafts, electronics.
Floor 2: Clothing, shoes, and Ha Long specialties such as squid cakes, dried squid.
Outdoor area: Fresh seafood such as shrimp, crab, and mud crab at affordable prices.
The market opens from 6 am to 6:30 pm, a must-visit destination to buy Ha Long specialties as gifts.
2.2. Ha Long Market 2 – Seafood and Souvenir Paradise
Located in Bai Chay area, Ha Long Market 2 is a famous shopping spot in Ha Long known for its fresh seafood and local products. Although smaller than Ha Long Market 1, it still offers a unique shopping experience:
Seafood: Fresh fish, squid, and lobster caught from Ha Long Bay.
Souvenirs: Keychains, seashell paintings, and shirts with Ha Long Bay prints.
Dried Specialties: Squid cakes, dried fish, and dried shrimp at reasonable prices.
The ideal time to visit is in the morning, from 6 am to 11 am, when the goods are fresh.
2.3. Cai Dam Market – a destination for fresh seafood
Also located in Bai Chay area, Cai Dam Market is one of the famous shopping spots in Ha Long, known for its Ha Long seafood. The market is small but clean and loved by many tourists because of:
Fresh and delicious seafood: Crabs, shrimp, and squid at affordable prices.
Packaging service: Assists tourists with transporting seafood.
The market is busiest in the morning (6 am-10 am), the perfect time to buy fresh Ha Long specialties.
2.4. Vincom Plaza Ha Long – a high-class shopping mall
Vincom Plaza Ha Long, located in Cot Dong Ho area, Bach Dang ward, is one of the leading shopping malls in Ha Long. This is an ideal destination for those who love modern shopping spaces:
Fashion: Famous brands such as PNJ, Giordano, Canifa.
Food and Beverage: Restaurants with various styles from Vietnamese to international cuisine.
Entertainment: CGV Cinema and VinKE amusement park for children.
The mall is open from 9 am to 10 pm, perfect for relaxing after a long day exploring Ha Long Bay.
2.5. Marine Plaza – Shopping and Entertainment Complex
Marine Plaza (Halong Marine Plaza), located in the Hung Thang urban area, Bai Chay, is the largest tourism shopping complex in the city. With an area of over 110,000 m², it offers:
Diverse shops: Fashion, souvenirs, household goods.
Food and Beverage: Fresh seafood prepared on-site, street food stalls.
Events: Halong Carnaval festival and music performances.
Marine Plaza is a great choice to combine shopping and entertainment during your trip.
2.6. Halong Night Market – Night Shopping Colors
The Halong Night Market, located in the Marine Plaza area, is a must-visit destination to explore the local culture in the evening. The market operates from 6 PM until late with:
Souvenirs: Seashell keychains, coal-painting handicrafts, Halong T-shirts.
Street food: Grilled seafood, Banh Cuon with squid sausage.
Vibrant atmosphere: Attracting both domestic and international tourists.
This is the perfect place to shop for Halong souvenirs and enjoy the night atmosphere by the sea.
2.7. Specialty Shops – Bringing Halong Home
Halong is also famous for its shops selling Halong specialties and unique handicrafts. Below are specific shops for each type of specialty:
Ha Long Squid Cakes:
Ba Kien Squid Cake Shop (Address: 18 Ha Long, Bai Chay) – famous for its authentic hand-pounded squid cakes.
Thoan Squid Cake (Address: Ha Long Market 1 area) – high quality, carefully packaged.
Ha Long Pearls:
Long Beach Pearl Shop (Address: Sun World area, Bai Chay) – offers high-end pearl jewelry.
Ha Long Hon Gai Pearls (Address: 25 Le Quy Don, Hon Gai) – wide variety of designs, reasonable prices.
Art Coal:
Ha Long Art Coal Shop (Address: Ha Long Road, Bai Chay) – specializes in statues and paintings carved from coal.
Quang Ninh Coal Arts & Crafts (Address: Near Ha Long Market 1) – exquisite handcrafted products.
Dried Seafood:
Co To Dried Seafood Shop (Address: Bai Chay area, near Cai Dam Market) – quality dried squid and fish.
Anh Duc Dried Seafood (Address: Le Thanh Tong Street, Hon Gai) – wide variety of conveniently packaged dried seafood.
These gifts are not only beautiful but also embody the characteristic cultural value of the city, making them the perfect choice to bring Ha Long home.
3. Useful Shopping Tips in Ha Long
To fully enjoy the Ha Long tourism shopping experience, remember the following tips:
Best shopping time:
Ha Long Market: Early morning (6am-10am) to buy fresh seafood.
Ha Long Night Market & shopping malls: Evening (6pm-10pm) to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.
How to bargain: Ask for the price first, then bargain from 50-70% of the original price when buying souvenirs or clothes at the market.
Reference price:
Cha Muc: 300,000-600,000 VND/kg.
Dried squid: 600,000-1,200,000 VND/kg.
Ha Long pearls: From a few hundred thousand to a few million VND depending on the quality.
Check goods: Especially with dried seafood and handicrafts, check carefully to ensure quality.
Tax refund policy: Some Ha Long shopping malls such as Vincom Plaza Ha Long may support VAT refunds for international tourists - ask the staff for details.
Ha Long is not only a natural destination but also a Ha Long tourism shopping paradise with a variety from Ha Long market, Ha Long shopping malls such as Vincom Plaza Ha Long, to the vibrant Ha Long night market. Ha Long specialties such as Cha Muc, Ha Long pearls, and art coal will be wonderful souvenirs to bring back after the trip.
