Vietnamese market

Vietnamese market it’s one of these places which are must while visiting Vietnam. Local markets, stalls with various products are everywhere. The trade in Vietnam seems to be a primary branch of Vietnamese economy. Vietnamese people sell everything and everywhere and I can guarantee that every needed things you’ll find in this country always close at hand irregardless the time of the day or night.

It doesn’t matter if it’s dy or night, trade here is always flourishing. Who knows, maybe somebody would have a taste for a watermelon at 2 am…

There’re also a various ways of sale. Goods can be sold straight from the car, and even a composition of the goods can be a real masterpiece.

Another way… straight from the bike…

or traditionally from the stall…

Sometimes on the ground….

Very popular is also peddling…

There’s also a sloth option, without getting out of a car you can buy everything straight from the stall located on the road 😉

Every space is used in Vietnam…

So what can we buy in Vietnamese markets?

Before all, various fruit, those well-known and exotic ones. Among local delicacies are: lichee, longans, “hairy” rambutans, carambolas, called also star fruit or stinky durians (you can read about them here) and huge jackfruits presented in the photo below.

A very interesting fruit is citron, colloquially called Buddha’s hand from its characteristic shape. It’s used for the jams or marmalades and its juice is used as citric acid.

In Vietnamese markets you’ll find a lot of vegetables which are the base of the Vietnamese cuisine. The most popular is chayote, prepared in various ways. It can be baked, grilled or cooked (green vegetable next to carrot in the picture).

The vegetable which looks like cucumber is called bitter melon. In order to reduce its bitter taste, the flash must be sprinkled with salt.

Another popular ingredients are water spinach and watercress which tastes similar to mustard. An interesting vegetable, presented in the picture below is daikon, which resembles big parsley. You’ll find in many dishes like: soups, gravies  or salads. Thin and long vegetable which looks like green beans is called cowpea.

There’s also one thing which you can find on every Vietnamese market – it’s the main Vietnamese export good – delicious, exceptional, aromatic Vietnamese coffee. More about this amazing drink you’ll find here.

Most Vietnamese flats aren’t equipped with kitchen so in the markets you’ll find a lot of dried fish and seafood which are easy to storage.

Of course you can buy there also fresh fish and seafood… but trust me, after the hot day is better to keep off these stalls.

The same is with meat….

In Vietnam you can easily spot French influences, because this country was under French rule  for almost 100 years. French colonizers introduced to Vietnamese menu new products like: bread or sweet buns.

It’s very hard to find dairy in Asia, except Vietnam. Butter, milk or cream are legacy of the French. However, if you want to taste it, you must bear in mind one thing, it’s production sometimes doesn’t meet with French standards, as you can see in the picture below… 

Some stalls seem to be modelled after those in France which are famous for elegantly arranged goods.

Another French delicacy which can be spotted in Vietnam are frogs… 😉

Unfortunately you can buy there also turtles.  

As you can see, the visit on a Vietnamese market can be interesting experience and a very good introduction to getting acquaintance with Vietnamese cuisine.