Antique Market Shopping
Antique shopping in Hanoi promises an unforgettable experience.
It is home to a wide variety of historical relics, ancient wares and priceless heirlooms.
Perusing through the stalls of antique markets in Hanoi would evoke a sense of nostalgia, as you would be able to view items that would give you more than an inkling into what the olden day Vietnam was all about.
A major antique market you would find is the one located in the deepest part of the Ba Dinh district. The market is considered a hidden gem and is opened only on Saturdays. It receives much attention despite the fact that it isn’t properly advertised nor clearly marked out. On market day, you will find this area bursting with noise and crowd, as people try to bargain for the prices of special antique items. Even if you are not a fan of antiques, just strolling around the market and soaking in the atmosphere will be an unforgettable experience.
The market stalls are filled with a variety of items that include artistically designed porcelain bowls, hand painted vases and drinking cups, vintage watches and wall clocks, oil lamps, ancient silver cutlery, silver coins, gold coins, musical instruments, war instruments such as rusted compasses, land mines, grenades, knives, bullets and lots more.
It would do you good to know that while there are priceless heirlooms for sale in this market, there are also some fake items as well, and use your discretion when making a purchase. It is also advised that if you are not really able to spot out the fakes, you should visit the market with a person who knows how to do so. Also, you might want to put on your poker face when you visit the market, as bargaining is a bit difficult, given that lot of the items have fixed prices.
During our TextileSeekers tour to Hanoi, we will be arranging opportunities for travellers to experience antique shopping. Keep an open mind and always have an idea how much you wish to pay for an item before you begin negotiating. Being polite and gracious is always helpful. The best way to shop for antiques is to take your time. If you like a piece, try to negotiate for a price that you think is fair and suits your budget. However if you cannot reach an agreement with the seller, you might want to think twice. Leave the piece and walk on, and you might chance upon something else you like even better down the road.