The Cam Nang Du Lich guide highlights Cho Cat Bi as one of the most famous Haiphong markets among foodies. Young locals consider this place a culinary pride of the port city. In this food paradise, you’ll find a plethora of delicious, high-quality, and mouth-watering dishes.
Not only is Cho Cat Bi a familiar spot for Haiphong locals, but it’s also a popular destination for visitors. Within a 30-meter radius, you’ll find bustling eateries from noon till evening. The tantalizing aromas and the vibrant display of dishes and drinks are sure to captivate any visitor.
This Haiphong market is open daily and quite famous. Cho Cat Bi is usually bustling with vendors and shoppers. The market is divided into sections for cuisine, shopping, and fresh produce, making it convenient to find whatever you’re looking for.
Cho Co Dao
Located on Tran Nhat Duat Street, Cho Co Dao has long been regarded as a culinary “holy land” that Haiphong locals are proud of. In the morning, the market sells only vegetables, meat, and fish, but from 2 pm to 7 pm, the entire street transforms into a food paradise offering various dishes and Haiphong specialties.
Cho Co Dao is a gathering place for cakes from the three regions of Vietnam: Hanoi’s pho cuon (rice noodle rolls), Hue’s banh bot loc (clear shrimp dumplings), Saigon’s banh trang tron (mixed rice paper) and banh khot (mini savory pancakes), as well as northern-style banh goi (fried dumplings) and banh xeo (sizzling pancakes). Especially, at the beginning of the market, you’ll find banh da cua be (rice noodles with crab) and nem cua be (crab spring rolls) – Haiphong’s most prized specialties.
Here, you’ll also find a plethora of che (sweet soups) like che thap cam (mixed sweet soup), che Thai (Thai-style sweet soup), che suong sa (tapioca and coconut milk sweet soup), and che dua dam (coconut sweet soup), along with various stalls selling banh beo (steamed rice cakes), oc (snails), cha muc (fried squid cakes), hoa qua dam (fruit cocktail), and bun dau mam tom (noodles with fried tofu and shrimp paste), to name a few.
Lac Tray Street Snack Market
Lac Tray Street has transformed into a Haiphong street food market, offering a variety of eateries conveniently located on the same block. When visiting this snack market, don’t miss out on the oc (snails). You’ll find a wide array of snails displayed in front of you, and all you need to do is choose your preferred type and cooking style. For example, you can opt for fresh grilled so huyet (blood cockles) or hao nuong mo hanh (grilled clams with scallions and oil), or select from various snail dishes like me (plum) sauce, spicy sauce, or steamed with lemongrass. Don’t forget to try the cang cu ky (mantis shrimp) in me sauce—it’s so delicious that you’ll want to keep eating until you’re completely full!
Lac Tray is also known for its sup cua (crab soup), which has a delicious crab flavor without any fishiness. The soup is typically topped with quail eggs and corn. While Lac Tray may not be as crowded as Cho Cat Bi, it’s a local favorite due to its affordable prices and signature dishes, making it just as exciting as any other food destination!
Luong Van Can – Le Loi Market
This market, located along the Luong Van Can and Le Loi intersection, combines a variety of street food options with daily necessities. You can easily access the market through entrances on 42 Le Loi or Pham Minh Duc. This market has small alleys offering a wide range of snacks, from bun (rice vermicelli) and mi (egg noodles) to oc (snails), chao (porridge), banh cuon (steamed rice rolls), banh bao (steamed buns), banh mi que (Vietnamese breadsticks), sweet treats, and various che (sweet soups).
One of the most famous and affordable eateries in this market is Oc Chi Hoa, located at the beginning of Luong Van Can Street, which offers convenient parking and reasonable prices. Another must-try dish is the unique banh beo (steamed rice cakes) filled with minced pork, wood ear mushrooms, and shallots—a flavor combination you won’t find anywhere else. Equally enticing is the gia be xao (stir-fried bean sprouts) served with a distinctive hot sauce. Although the restaurant is small and space-limited, the delicious gia be xao makes it well worth the visit.
Nui Deo Market
Nui Deo is the largest market in Hai Phong’s Thuy Nguyen district, mainly selling shoes, clothing, and textiles. From the outside, you’ll see doors numbered 1 to 6, but they all connect inside. The market is usually open all day, but it’s more bustling in the afternoon as people come to eat and shop for dinner.
When shopping at Nui Deo Market, keep in mind that haggling is common, as vendors tend to quote higher prices initially. Even after negotiating, you might still feel that the prices are high. This market is famous for its diverse selection of oc (snails) and seafood. Don’t miss out on the well-known bun dau mam tom (noodles with fried tofu and shrimp paste) in the food court area.
