The Bustling Marketplace of Bac Ninh: A Wholesale Hub with Unbeatable Prices

Lim Market, also known as Lim Wholesale Market, is located in Hoi Nam ward, Lim town, Tien Du district, Bac Ninh province, about 30km from the center of Hanoi. The market is conveniently situated near important transport routes such as the old National Highway 1A, the North-South railway, the Hanoi-Lang Son expressway, and the Bac Ninh-Quang Ninh expressway, facilitating trade and local economic development.

The market, invested in and put into operation in late 2010 by HDB Vietnam Joint Stock Group, is one of the most modern wholesale markets with a synchronous, clean, and convenient infrastructure.

The market space blends traditional and modern styles. From fresh vegetables and live fish and meat to traditional spices, clothing, and household goods, all essential needs are fully met. Additionally, the market features handicraft and local specialty shops selling items such as “banh khuc” (a type of sticky rice cake), “banh te” (another type of sticky cake), “nem Bui” (spring rolls), “ruou lang Van” (Vân village wine), folk paintings, souvenirs, and more. These products attract not only locals but also tourists looking for unique gifts.

Especially during the Lim Festival – one of the largest and most distinctive folk festivals in the Kinh Bac region, taking place from the 12th to the 14th of the first lunar month each year, with the 13th being the main festival day – the Lim Market buzzes with excitement. People from all over flock to Lim town to immerse themselves in the traditional festival atmosphere, listen to the sweet melodies of “Quan Ho” folk songs, participate in folk games, and discover the rich cultural rituals.

During the festival, the Lim Market area transforms into a vibrant cultural exchange venue. “Lien Anh Lien Chi” (unmarried men and women) in traditional attire stroll through the market, singing “Quan Ho” songs, giving visitors the feeling of stepping back in time to a century-old market fair. The stalls are bustling, not only for shopping but also because it is a place for people to meet and greet each other at the beginning of the year, exchanging wishes and smiles while enjoying rustic specialties to the beat of festive drums.

Lim Market is not just a commercial center for Tien Du district but also a place that preserves and conveys the traditional culture of Bac Ninh people. It is a space where community lifestyle habits are conserved, where the early morning hawker’s cry blends with the afternoon “Quan Ho” melodies, and where cultural values withstand the tide of modern life. The fiery “banh khuc” ovens, the freshly painted folk paintings, and the “voI” tea shops by the market stalls – all come together to form a vivid, rustic, and captivating picture of the Kinh Bac countryside.

For those who cherish traditional culture and long to reconnect with their roots, Lim Market offers not just a place to trade but also a space to listen, feel, and preserve a piece of Vietnam’s soul. A visit to the market can bring you not only Bac Ninh specialties but also the gentle melodies of “Quan Ho” folk songs and the lingering taste of an ancient, sentimental, and friendly countryside.