Overview of Dam Market
Like Dong Xuan Market in Hanoi or Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City, Dam Market (Cho Dam) is considered as the central market in Nha Trang because of its beautiful and unique architecture. It is the city’s largest market and a shopping center with items such as local traditional products. If you want to buy souvenirs or gifts for your relatives and family on your trip to Nha Trang, Dam market Nha Trang is a great place to go.
Where is Dam Market?
Dam Market is regarded as the most famous market in the coastal city of Nha Trang because of its beautiful architecture and uniqueness. It sells diverse goods from various areas along the southern coast such as fresh seafood, dried food, souvenirs, clothing, and footwear. Let’s go to Cho Dam Market in Nha Trang right now if you want to buy any specialties from the South Coast area.
- Location: Ben Cho Street, Van Thanh Ward, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province
- Opening hours: 5 am – 6.30 pm daily
- Distance to city center: 1.9 kilometers
- Entrance fee: No charge
Highlights and Architecture of Dam Market
Architecture
Dam Market is known as the first and most famous market in Nha Trang. Located in a favorable location in the center of this city, enclosed by main roads, Dam Market is considered as the most bustling trading center in this coastal city.
The construction of Dam Market was inspired by the shape of a lotus flower. The whole market is in a round shape with a diameter up to 66.5 meters. Due to its shape, the market is also called Round Dam Market. Dam Market has two floors; the area of the second floor is smaller than the ground floor. The total area of the two storeys is 5,270 square meters, which can contain up to 3,000 people at a time.
From afar, the construction of Dam Market can still capture the attention of visitors thanks to its round shape. The roof of this market is like the undulating waves of the sea, while others say that it is like the pistil of the lotus. Thanks to the exclusive architecture, Dam Market is among the most famous places of interest attracting tourists coming to this appealing coastal city.
Dam Market is not just a market of buying and selling, it is also a symbolic construction that has attached the daily life of the locals for more than a half century.
Structure
Due to the large size, the space of Dam Market is divided into three main areas so that tourists can find the goods they need in the right place. The three main areas of Dam Market are the center, left side and right side parts.
The center of Dam Market is the place where tourists can find essential items such as consumer goods, clothes, cosmetic products and household goods. Besides, there are various kiots that sell souvenirs and handicraft products so that you can buy some as gifts for your friends and relatives.
The left side of Dam Market is the world of seafood. The seafood here is caught in Nha Trang sea and shipped immediately to the market to ensure the freshness of the seafood. In addition to the fresh seafood, there are many kinds of dry seafood you can find in this area, from shrimp, squid and types of sea fish.
If you are interested in the local cuisine, the right side of Dam Market is just for you. Coming to Nha Trang, having a try on the local dishes at a traditional market is a must-do activity for all tourists. From grilled meat rolls, seafood noodles to mango rice papers and fish sauce, this area of Dam Market is such a paradise for all food lovers.
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What to buy in Dam Market?
Souvenirs
At the center of Dam Market, you’ll find a wide variety of souvenirs to remind you of your trip to Nha Trang. Compared to other tourist attractions, the prices of souvenirs sold at Dam Market are much more affordable.
There, you can buy handicraft products from traditional villages in Khanh Hoa, such as artificial pearls, postcards, pottery, and handmade items. Besides, clothing, fabric, and dry seafood are other popular types of souvenirs among tourists.
Dry seafood
Because of Dam Market’s convenient location, you can find a wide variety of fresh seafood there, including crabs, shrimp, sea snails, lobster, tuna, mackerel, herring, and so on. Traders buy them directly from fishing boats that have just returned from the sea. As a result, you can buy seafood with confidence about its quality.
If you want to buy gifts for your loved ones, dried seafood is a great option. Fish sauce, dried squid, dried fish, squid, crab, or lobster… are some items that you should buy.
Fabric and clothing
Dam Market’s central area sells clothing and a variety of fabrics. Because most of the clothes are made in Vietnam or China, the prices are quite reasonable.
Clothes are available in a variety of colors and styles that are appropriate for people of all ages. To prepare for your trip to Nha Trang’s beach, you can buy some T-shirts or hats. You can also buy fabric at this market and take it to a nearby tailor shop to have your costume made.
What to eat at Dam Market in Nha Trang?
Dam market, known as Nha Trang’s culinary paradise, is an excellent place to taste the coastal city cuisine. After visiting and shopping around, you can eat Nha Trang’s famous specialties right at the market.
Jellyfish noodle is a must-try dish when coming here. Besides, you should also enjoy grilled meat rolls, mango rice papers, squid pancakes, and fish salads.
Don’t be concerned about food safety or hygiene because the market’s food stalls have been certified for food safety. Here is a list of dining areas near the market that you should try.
- Nem Nuong Dang Van Quyen
Address 1: 16A, Lan Ong Street, Xuong Huan Ward, Nha Trang City, opening hours: 7.30 am – 8.30 pm daily
Address 2: 2-4, Phan Boi Chau Street, Xuong Huan Ward, Nha Trang City, opening hours: 7 am – 9 pm daily
Grilled fermented pork roll (nem nuong) has long been a Nha Trang specialty. And if you’re in Dam Market, Nem Nuong Dang Van Quyen, which has a long history and many positive reviews from diners, is a great place to try this dish.
The dish’s principal ingredient is spiced pork cut into long pieces and skewered into chopsticks. Diners can enjoy this tasty dish with side dishes such as vegetables, unripe bananas, mango, and sauce after it has been grilled on a charcoal stove.
- Sanh Ky Mi Gia
Address: 39 Thong Nhat Street, Van Thanh Ward, Nha Trang City
Opening hours: 5.45 am – 10 am, 3 pm – 9 pm daily
Sanh Ky Noodle, with its traditionally processed broth and ingredients, has become a popular destination for both locals and visitors. When you come here, you can eat famous Chinese noodle dishes like noodle soup, dry noodle, wonton noodle, seafood noodle, and mixed noodle.
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Dam Market Map
How to get to Dam Market?
Dam market is located two kilometers away from the city center, making it very convenient for visitors to travel by motorcycle, car, bus, or even on foot.
To get to the market by car or motorcycle, take the following route: Hung Vuong Street, Tran Hung Dao Street, Pasteur Street, then turn left onto Han Thuyen Street, then follow the roundabout through Le Loi Street to reach Dam Market. Because the market is connected to many streets, you can customize your route.
You can visit Dam Market by motorcycle, car, bus, or even on foot (Source: Collected)
On foot: From Tran Phu Street square, take Tran Phu Street north until it intersects with Le Loi Street. There, turn left and follow the road until you reach Ben Cho Street, which is where Dam Market is located.
You can also save money by taking the No. 3 bus, which runs a 15-kilometer route through the city center streets.
For travelers who want to visit Dam Market with private transport, you can book private tours from Vietnam Shore Excursions. Professional and knowledgeable tour guides will share profoundly many interesting stories about Hinduism, Cham People as well as the local life of local people during the tour. Here are some Nha Trang Tours which customers can find out and book for you and your group.
- Nha Trang Shore Excursions
- Nha Trang Tour Package 4 Days
- Nha Trang City Tour Half Day
- Nha Trang Tour Full Day
Things to remember when visiting Dam Market in Vietnam
- Bargaining is possible: Ask for the price first, then bargain if you believe it is too high. Even though it is the oldest and most famous market in Nha Trang, many shops offer high prices at first. As a result, when making a buy, you can bargain with one-third or even half of the price they offer you.
- Carefully check the expiry date of the dried seafood that you decide to buy as gifts for your family and friends.
- Go early if you want to buy seafood: If you want to buy fresh seafood at its peak of freshness, early morning is the best time. Dam market opens very early in the morning, so you should get up early as well.
- Pay attention to pickpockets: Every day, thousands of people visit and shop at Dam Market. As a result, pick-pocketing still occurs occasionally. Keep an eye on all your belongings, particularly cell phones and wallets or purses, to avoid getting into trouble.
In conclusion, Dam Market is a must do when you travel to Nha Trang. You will not only feel at ease selecting goods with the enthusiastic, friendly advice of the seller, but you will also be able to explore the exciting daily life of the locals. Book voucher, combo, tour to Nha Trang to not miss any fascinating experience in Dam Market in Nha Trang. It will bring you one of the best experiences in the Nha Trang tour.
