Con Market -

Con Market

Con Market is one of the prominent landmarks of Danang, Vietnam. This busy local market has been closely tied to the life of Danang’s people for a very long time.

Similar to how Dong Xuan Market is a highlight of Hanoi, Con Market is a must-see for any Da Nang trip. Having existed for nearly a hundred years, this Danang market is an appealing attraction that foodlovers and shopaholics should not miss out on in this city. This article will provide you an all-inclusive travel guide to this famous market.

The market was first established in 1940 on a reedy sand dune and named “cho Con” (Con Market), which means “the market on the dune”. There were only temporary small stalls made from bamboo then. French invaders decided to set up an ammunition depot here, which later became a trading market when the Vietnamese army liberated and took control of the city.

In 1984, the authority of Quang Nam Province had this place rebuilt into a trading center with an area of 14,000 square meters, including one 3-floor building, one 2-floor building, and six market sections. It was renamed to “Trung Tam Thuong Nghiep Da Nang” (Danang Commercial Center). However, the name Con Market is still more familiar with the local people.

Between 1990 and 2005, it used to be the largest wholesale and retail market in Danang.

In 2012, the old name Con Market was given back to the market soon after that, the local authority decided to demolish this market and Han Market to form new commercial centers. However, because the citizens were strongly opposed to this proposal and wanted to preserve the traditional values of the market, the demolition project was canceled.

Nowadays, Con Market has about 2,000 business households with diverse commodities. It is not simply a market but also an attraction that draws thousands of domestic and international tourists each year.

What to do in Danang Con Market?

Con Market in Da Nang is an appealing attraction that tourists should not miss out on. It is one of the best markets in Da Nang where you can find several Danang specialties without worrying about expensive prices or bad quality. Below are two activities for tourists to try at the market:

Enjoy mouthwatering local dishes

Whether you are a foodaholic or not, it would be a big waste if you don’t try the scrumptious Da Nang food during your visit to this Central Vietnam destination. Con Market Danang is well-known for the various tasty delicacies of not only Danang and the Central provinces but also other regions in Vietnam.
Strolling around the street food in Con Market, visitors will see several eye-catching and fragrant foods displayed on small stalls along the market. Here, you can find many famous Danang street foods, such as “banh canh” (Vietnamese udon), “mi Quang” (Quang noodles), “goi kho bo” (salad with beef jerky), “banh bot loc” (water fern cake), “che” (Vietnamese sweet soup), “banh xeo” (Vietnamese sizzling cake), etc. Surprisingly, even though there are no big tables and chairs, the stalls are always crowded. Customers only need some small plastic chairs and bamboo food trays.
It is the low price and good taste of Con Market food that draw the huge attention of visitors. The price often ranges from VND 5,000 to 30,000 for a dish or drink. In other words, in Con Market, you can get your stomach full with only around VND 100,000 – a price that you can never have in big restaurants.

Buy specialty foods and souvenirs

Not only a paradise for gastronome travelers, Con Market is also an ideal place to shop for souvenirs in Danang. Visitors often head to this famous Danang market to buy dried foods and Vietnamese handicraft products to bring home as gifts.
Aside from eateries where you can try the food right away, there are also sections where dried foods are sold. Here, there are dried foods like jerky, dried squid, dried sweet potato, etc., and some special sauces like “mam nem” and “mam tom” – wonderful sauces for meat dishes. You can also find rustic snacks of Vietnamese people here.
Moreover, similar to other famous markets in other destinations in Vietnam, Con Market sells other Vietnamese goods such as leather, handicrafts, and “non la” (conical hats), which will be ideal souvenirs to bring home.