About 10 years ago, Dong Hoi was just a stopover for tourists on their journey to explore Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park. It was not until it was upgraded to become the central city of Quang Binh province and many cultural and historical relics were put into tourism exploitation that Dong Hoi began to attract tourists to stay longer. However, this city on the Nhat Le River is still a quiet, peaceful urban area. Only at Dong Hoi market at dawn or mid-afternoon can visitors witness a different aspect of the city, more lively and imbued with the local flavor.
Dong Hoi Market is located right in the center of Dong Hoi city, next to Nhat Le river and next to Suot Mother statue, is the largest market in the city. Behind the market is a fishing port with bustling boats. Twice a day, at dawn and mid-afternoon, all large and small fishing boats, both offshore and nearshore, gather here after each trip to the sea, bringing seafood ashore to supply the city. Small boats dock almost every day, while large boats only dock once every 10-15 days. Therefore, Dong Hoi market is considered the main market and the largest seafood gathering place in Quang Binh province.
Dong Hoi Market is located right in the center of Dong Hoi city, next to Nhat Le river and next to Suot Mother statue, is the largest market in the city. Behind the market is a fishing port with bustling boats. Twice a day, at dawn and mid-afternoon, all large and small fishing boats, both offshore and nearshore, gather here after each trip to the sea, bringing seafood ashore to supply the city. Small boats dock almost every day, while large boats only dock once every 10-15 days. Therefore, Dong Hoi market is considered the main market and the largest seafood gathering place in Quang Binh province.
Although the afternoon market is the most crowded time of the fishing wharf, the activities on the wharf and under the boats are the most bustling, I love the early morning at this market the most. At that time, the early morning sunlight is not harsh but gently spreads on the river surface. Most of the boats returning to the wharf are small boats, making this place more poetic and the typical noise of the fishing wharf is also reduced. Under the gentle sunlight, the scales of the fish lying quietly in the baskets shine with a pleasing silvery white color. The buyers are mainly traders from the small markets nearby or restaurant owners who come down to the wharf to buy ingredients for the new day. Here and there, there are also people who get up early to find fresh and slightly cheaper shrimp and fish for family meals. The trading scene takes place with a bit of intimacy, a bit of warmth and bright laughter.
Leaving the fishing wharf to slowly walk up the road in front of the market gate, you will see rows of green vegetables flowing down the street (I did not see any butchers on this temporary market about 100 meters long). Well, all kinds of agricultural products picked from home gardens (fresh or processed for breakfast), not at all beautifully decorated like vegetable shops in big cities, but simply displayed on the sidewalk, underneath lined with a pineapple sack or a basket/mesh woven from bamboo.
Simple like that but will give visitors really interesting emotions. Because you will have the opportunity to see a strange vegetable; or be surprised to see that the jackfruit here is cut into slices instead of being split horizontally/lengthwise like you used to know; or you will have to laugh when asking questions and receiving responses in a strange local language that you have to listen to several times to understand... Just talk confidently, the locals will warmly answer you even if you have no intention of buying anything from them. A smile or a small thank you from you is enough for them.
Another interesting thing is that this vegetable and fruit market is only open until about 7am, after which it has to move inside the market to make way for vehicles. So if you want to experience a little bit of joy here, wake up with the sun!
