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Before boarding my Cebu Pacific Airlines flight to Manila, the capital of the Philippines, I spent nearly two hours searching on Google for information about my destination. I like to read up on information shared by others to verify details and, of course, to know exactly where I want to go. However, the information I found in Vietnamese was very limited, which suggests that traveling to the Philippines is still relatively new to Vietnamese people.
Visit Fiesta Market flea market.
Fiesta Market is located within the Market Market complex, about 25-30 minutes by taxi from Manila Bay if traffic isn't congested. Market Market is divided into two sections: a flea market and a shopping mall. The flea market section is unique because visitors aren't subjected to bag checks by security personnel or guards upon entry, despite the presence of security guards everywhere. Arranged similarly to markets in Vietnam, Fiesta Market also has stalls categorized by type: fruits, flowers, food, groceries, etc., but the difference lies in its cleanliness, the more spacious spacing between stalls, and the availability of tables for customers to eat right there. At Fiesta, you can enjoy a delicious Filipino dish for as little as 60 pesos.
Within an expansive area of over 1000 square meters, the stalls are arranged according to product categories. Wide, clean walkways create a convenient environment for customers to shop.
At Fiesta Market, tourists can easily find and buy local specialties such as dried fruits and traditional Filipino pastries as souvenirs for their loved ones.
For just 60 pesos or more (approximately 30,000 VND), you can sample famous Filipino dishes such as Taho (tofu pudding), Isaw (grilled chicken), and Kikiam (minced pork with a vegetable filling)...
Filipino cuisine also uses a lot of oil and fat, but it's not as spicy and doesn't use as much soy sauce as some neighboring countries.
Fiesta Market is a popular lunch spot for many working-class people from the surrounding areas, thanks to its wide variety of food and affordable prices.
Wandering around the food stalls, dried goods shops, flower and fruit shops at a leisurely pace will only take you about 20 minutes. After stopping at a juice stall and buying a Kiwi Lassi – fresh kiwi blended with shaved ice for 69 Peso – I chose a table at the far end of the food court to sip my refreshing drink while observing how people shop, order, choose, and eat their food... Finding peace amidst the hustle and bustle, feeling the rhythm of the local people's lives – that's the moment I'll remember most vividly, leaving a lasting impression of each place I visit...
Blog: Nana Pham
