There are two things I’ll always associate with Hanoi: Street food, and ladies

wheeling bicycles laden with fresh-cut flowers. These two vibrant industries are
part of the city’s character—without them, Hanoi just wouldn’t be the same. Street
vendors are some of Hanoi’s hardest-working residents, and they start their days
long before the rest of the city has woken up. One of the best things you can do
when visiting Hanoi is check out the morning markets, where it all begins.

Quảng Bá flower-market (in Tây Hồ district) meets year-round at 2am, it’s said to
be the head-market where all species of fresh flowers are bought and sold by
Hanoians. Flowers here are deemed to be most beautiful and fresh; moreover,
going to the market by night is a touch of culture, an identity of Hanoians.

Closer the Tet, the market seems busier and merrier, not only flower-dealers buy
flowers for resale, many just come to see and enjoy Tet atmosphere. Despite the
icy cold in the open, the market gets crowded right from early hours. Beautiful
flowers of all species will make you fascinated, not only flowers, everything
related to flowers can be found here (decorative papers, coloured strings...), from
low-price to most expensive flowers, from home-grown to imported ones.

Flowers are sold by separate species, unlike in other markets. The whole Quảng Bá
seems to be speaking in low-and-soft voices. The sellers and buyers as well, all
have an electric torch in hand because the sun is still sleeping.
If you’re a flower enthusiast or an extremely early morning riser, make sure to
include Quang Ba Flower Market in your travel itinerary.