Shopping · Ha Long Bay · Vietnam
Shopping in Ha Long Bay
Shopping streets, markets and souvenirs worth the suitcase space.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Schwede66, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Shopping in Ha Long is mostly about edible souvenirs — squid cakes, dried seafood and fish sauce — plus pearls from local farms. Bai Chay has the tourist shops and night market; Hon Gai's market is where locals buy. Best souvenirs: Vacuum-packed squid cakes, Dried squid and Pearls.
Key facts
- Shopping areas
- 2
- Markets
- 2
- Top souvenir
- Vacuum-packed squid cakes
Where to shop
Bai Chay waterfront
Shops selling pearls, dried seafood and souvenirs near the hotels and the cruise port.
Hon Gai town
Local shops and pharmacies around Ha Long market, with lower prices for dried goods.
Markets
Ha Long market
Hon Gai's main market, with dried squid and fish, vacuum-packed squid cakes and fresh seafood.
Bai Chay night market
Evening stalls selling clothing, souvenirs and pearls near the Bai Chay hotels.
What to buy
Vacuum-packed squid cakes
Ha Long's signature food, sold chilled or frozen; check you can carry it home.
Dried squid
A popular snack sold by weight at the market, best grilled before eating.
Pearls
Pearls from farms in the bay are sold in Bai Chay; buy from established shops with certificates.
Fish sauce
Quang Ninh fish sauce from Cai Rong on Van Don is a regional specialty, sold in sealed bottles.
Food and drink to take home
Edible souvenirs travel best when they are dry or sealed: consider Vietnamese iced coffee and Bia hơi. Street cafés on low plastic stools all over Ha Long and Cat Ba. Check your home country's rules on bringing food and drink back.
Shopping by neighbourhood
| Area | Price level | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Hon Gai | $ | The older working town across the bridge, with markets and Bai Tho Mountain |
| Tuan Chau Island | $$$ | Island resort zone and marina linked to the mainland by a causeway |
| Cat Ba Town | $ | Harbour town on Cat Ba Island and gateway to Lan Ha Bay |
| Overnight cruise | $$$ | A cabin on a junk-style boat sailing the bay for one to three nights |
Paying and bargaining
Prices are in VND. Tipping is not traditional but is common on cruises, where crews often receive a pooled tip of around 5–10% of the cruise price for good service. Small tips for guides and boat rowers are appreciated.
- Carry cash in Vietnamese dong for markets, small restaurants and boat rowers.
When to shop
Shops and markets are quietest in January; the busiest months are July.
- February: Yen Tu Festival — pilgrimage season at the Yen Tu mountain pagodas (usually from the tenth day of the first lunar month)
- March: Yen Tu Festival — pilgrimage season continues (usually until the third lunar month)
Staying near the shops
Questions travellers ask
+What should I buy in Ha Long Bay?
Vacuum-packed squid cakes, Dried squid, Pearls and Fish sauce.
+Where is the best shopping in Ha Long Bay?
Bai Chay waterfront: Shops selling pearls, dried seafood and souvenirs near the hotels and the cruise port.
+What are the best markets in Ha Long Bay?
Ha Long market and Bai Chay night market.