Shopping in Da Lat

Da Lat shopping is characterised by the Vietnamese local market tradition with more offerings of souvenirs than usually found elsewhere. With a variety of traditional shops ranging from fruit stores to souvenirs shops, Da Lat shopping offers a unique experience for the traveller.

Strolling around the Da Lat market is a favorite evening activity.

Shopping in Da lat is a must, with small stalls selling fruits and vegetables, clothing, and a wide variety of other goods. Let us help you to get the best deals and learn about the best places to shop in Da Lat, with our Da Lat Shopping Guide below. After a long day of shopping, stop for some finger food, or relax in one of Da Lat's restaurants. For more information regarding shopping in Vietnam please visit our Vietnam Shopping Guide.

Da Lat Shopping Guide

Here's a bit of history about the Da Lat market. When it was first set up, it was located at 3/4 cinema (Hoa Binh cinema) on top of Hoa Binh Square, and was known as 'Wooden Market' because it was constructed from wood. At the time, Da Lat had only about two thousand inhabitants. The market rose like a phoenix from its ashes after a fire ravaged it in 1037. It was rebuilt in the form of a cafe, had no walls around it, and was open from morning to 4 pm. In front of it lay the market square.

You can find all sorts of goods mainly on the ground and first floors of the new market. There are as many as 93 stores on the ground floor stocked with Da Lat specialties. The section (with 28 stores, some 40 years old) that sells flowers in front of the market is the most beautiful part of Da Lat market, especially on Lunar New Year when all the famous flowers of the city are in bloom.

Apart from flowers, you'll find jams and fruit stores on the ground floor. Side A of the ground floor specialises in the traditional woolen clothes and handicrafts of Da Lat. There's a wide range of reasonably priced woolens available here. With a variety of shops in Da Lat market this will be a great experience.

The huge and crowded Da Lat market is the place to go to feel the fun and vibrant pulse of the city. Not only can you see all the special things Da Lat has to offer, but you can also sample some. Vendors are happy to give visitors a taste of wine, tea or candied strawberries.

Unlike in the big towns and popular tourist destinations in Vietnam, you won't come across people who hassle you to buy things. The merchants here are friendly and you can stroll around the market and take your time as most of the shopping is being done by the locals.

On the top floor of the market is a modern embroidery studio, and an increasing number of shops are catering to tourists, but the floor is mostly stocked with excellent local wines, preserves, and produce. Outside, vendors sell all sorts of food items, from sweetened soya milk to affordable dinners. The Da Lat market buzzes with activity and excitement during the day, and even after dark.

Although this market is also known for vegetables and fruit, at midnight, there's a big vegetable market nearby. People actually shop here at midnight! However, you'll be pleasantly surprised at the cleanliness of these streets when you venture out for breakfast early in the mornings.

Da Lat also has a permanent market, and although it is housed in an unappealing concrete building, it has an amazing array of fruits and vegetables. There are strawberries, cherries, blackberries, and avocadoes, which the locals eat as dessert, smashing the pulp and adding condensed milk to it. Its buttery taste is worth trying.

In all probability, you are not likely to find such a varied platter of fruit anywhere else in Vietnam. The explosions of flowers everywhere turn the place into a feast of color and scent, and add to its uniqueness. On the upper floor, you can shop for souvenirs such as lacquerware and native Montagnard handicrafts.

For a delicious traditional snack or meal in the afternoon or evening, head to Nguyen thi Minh Khai where women sell various kinds of pre-cooked food, and even prepare them for you while you wait. Interestingly, they bring in all the food in one large container.

If you visit this market during the afternoon, you'll find that many of the food vendors are poor Montagnards (much poorer than the ethnic Vietnamese) trying to avoid the police who come by less often during this time of day.