Exploring the Bustling Heart of Lang Son: A Century-Old Marketplace Still Thriving with Bargains

Traveling from Hanoi, it takes approximately 3-4 hours to cover the 155km distance to reach Dong Kinh Market. Nearby cultural attractions include Ky Cung Temple, forming an appealing tourist cluster for visitors.

History and Development through the Ages

Dong Kinh Market’s predecessor was the “Bac Dich Truong Vinh Binh,” a border market that served as a pivotal trading center between Vietnamese and Chinese merchants since the 17th century. The name “Dong Kinh” (東京) reflects its significance as the eastern gateway to the ancient capital of Thang Long. Over the centuries, the market underwent various transformations and was rebuilt in the late 20th century with a grand three-story architecture, becoming a commercial symbol of Lang Son province.

The period from 2010 to 2025 marked the expansion of the market’s scale to cater to the growing shopping demands of domestic and international tourists. As observed in a February 2025 video, the number of tourists visiting Dong Kinh Market during the Lunar New Year reached record levels, with hundreds of 20-30 seater coaches packed into the surrounding area.

Commodity Structure and Local Specialties

Scientific Commodity Classification

Dong Kinh Market is designed with three floors, each dedicated to a specific group of commodities:

First Floor: Focuses on electronics and household appliances, including mobile phones, smart watches, Bluetooth speakers, and home electrical appliances. The products here are mainly of Chinese origin, directly imported through the Tan Thanh border gate.

Second Floor: This area is reserved for groceries and agricultural products, where visitors can find Lang Son specialties such as seedless Bao Lam pink peaches, Chi Lang late-ripening plums, and Shan snow tea.

Third Floor: Specializes in fashion and fabrics, offering a diverse range of clothing, footwear, and brocade fabrics of the Tay and Nung ethnic groups.

Diverse Street Food Options

The area surrounding Dong Kinh Market is a food lover’s paradise, offering a variety of distinctive dishes:

– Lang Son Roasted Duck: Marinated with special spices and roasted over charcoal until the skin is crispy and the meat is tender, this dish leaves a lasting impression.

– Sour Pho: A unique combination of soft pho noodles, sweet and sour broth, grilled pork, and herbs, embodying the culinary essence of the border region.

– Ngai Cake: Made from glutinous rice flour, mugwort, and mung bean paste, this cake has a mild bitter taste and is a popular choice for souvenirs.

In February 2025, the area selling specialty vegetables, such as “sau sau” leaves (a type of forest vegetable), attracted a large number of tourists looking for unique gifts. This vegetable is highly prized for its distinctive flavor and high nutritional value.

Visitor Numbers and Tourist Seasons

Dong Kinh Market welcomes approximately 5,000-7,000 visitors per day during the off-peak season, with this number doubling during the Lunar New Year holidays. The majority of tourists are from Hanoi, Quang Ninh, and neighboring provinces, along with around 20% international visitors, mainly from China.

The market’s busiest periods are at the beginning of the year, especially during the first and twelfth lunar months, when traditional festivals take place. This is also when the market offers the widest variety of goods and cultural activities are at their peak.

Engaging Experiential Activities

– Bargain Hunting: Visitors can haggle to obtain electronic items at prices 30-50% lower than in Hanoi. This is the main attraction of Dong Kinh Market.

– Cultural Exploration: Combine your visit with a trip to Ky Cung Temple, a historical site located 500 meters from the market. The temple honors Han Quan Cong Shin Cong Tai, who contributed significantly to the development of border trade.

– Street Food Adventure: Indulge in grilled delicacies from the street vendors lining the roads, especially the honey-glazed meat skewers and salted chili pepper chicken feet – essential snacks when visiting Lang Son.

Shopping Tips for Visitors

According to surveys of tourists, prices at Dong Kinh Market vary depending on one’s haggling skills:

– Electronics: Imported Chinese phones are priced between 1.5 and 3 million VND, 20% lower than in large stores in other cities.

– Brocade Fabric: Prices range from 150,000 to 300,000 VND per meter, depending on the material and pattern. This handcrafted product is a favorite among tourists.

Product Quality Note: Inspect anti-counterfeit labels on electronic devices, especially for well-known brands like Xiaomi and Huawei, to avoid purchasing counterfeit or low-quality goods.

For food specialties, it is advisable to purchase from stalls with clear signage to ensure food safety.

Ideal Visiting Hours: The morning (6 am-9 am) is the best time to buy fresh agricultural products, as they are delivered to the market early. On the other hand, the afternoon (3 pm-6 pm) is ideal for electronics shopping, as vendors often offer discounts at the end of the day to clear their stock.

The Lang Son Provincial People’s Committee is implementing a project to upgrade Dong Kinh Market into a multi-functional commercial center, including a food complex and an OCOP product display area (One Commune One Product). By 2026, the market is expected to expand with two additional underground floors serving as parking lots to alleviate traffic congestion during peak hours.

Additionally, Lang Son province’s tourism development plans position Dong Kinh Market as a central attraction, connecting it with other tourist destinations within the province to create a captivating itinerary for visitors.

With its harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, Dong Kinh Market is not just an ideal shopping destination but also a cultural gateway that offers visitors a deeper understanding of the economic and social life in the northeastern border region of Vietnam. From exploring its historical origins to experiencing the shopping and culinary delights, every aspect of the market presents unique values.

In the context of Lang Son province’s tourism development, Dong Kinh Market is asserting its indispensable role, contributing to promoting the image of the region and its people to domestic and international visitors.