Black Market, or as Hanoians call it, ‘Chợ Giời’ is an unofficial market that grew naturally back in 1954, when local residents started trading whatever they had during the subsidy era. Here at Jackfruit, we like to call it the Black Market as a playful reference to both its mysterious vibe and the origins. Over time, it became more than just a marketplace. It became a landmark that ties the city to its own past.

For 71 years,‘Chợ Giời’ has carried stories from a very different Hanoi. To others, especially those who grew up in that time, it’s a home of their childhood full of noise and laughter. Come along with Jackfruit Adventure as we step back through time to uncover all the mysteries of Cho Gioi.

The meaning behind the name Cho Gioi

Fun Fact! The official name of this ‘unofficial’ market is actually ‘Hòa Bình’ market. However, Hanoians still call it ‘Chợ Giời’ meaning The Flea Market. The name comes from the story that the market happened to appear out of nowhere, like it dropped out of the sky. 

The nickname also tells about the truth of the diversity of goods you could find here: electrical parts, old radios, bike pieces, vintage collectibles, and the occasional antique treasure with surprisingly cheap prices.

The history of Cho Gioi

As of 2025, Cho Gioi is celebrating its 71st year. The market traces its beginnings back to 1954, during the movement of Northern dwellers to the South of Vietnam which was sponsored by the government with the purpose of developing this area. Many families couldn’t take all their belongings with them, so they gathered to sell or trade household items before leaving. At first, it wasn’t considered a “real” market but a place people whispered about when they needed something inexpensive and secondhand.

The market grew quietly through the Subsidy Period (1975 – 1986). At that time, people worked to earn ‘tickets’ (popular currency of the Subsidy Period) to buy food and supplies. Since everyone only received a fixed amount, which was not enough, the situation forced people to find another way to earn more necessaries. 

Therefore, Cho Gioi became a black market, a hidden trading point. It was unofficial and technically illegal but still survived as people really needed it. The trading rule was simple, you can exchange something you owned for something else with a similar value. For instance, you can swap 3 meters of fabric to get a large piece of meat or a bag of rice.

In today’s life, ‘Chợ Giời’ still remains as a normal market where people can find components of their motorbike from the 80s, 90s or to fulfil their ancient collection. Despite the appearance of malls, supermarkets, and online shopping taking over, the market stays busy. The authorities had tried their ways to shut it down to turn the place into a residential area. However, ‘Chợ Giời’ is home to vendors who have lived their whole lives here, and a familiar spot for older Hanoians who prefer the simple, face-to-face way of buying and selling. The market is permitted to run, as a living piece of Hanoi’s history.

Where is Cho Gioi?

‘Chợ Giời’ (official name is Hoa Binh Market) is located in Hai Ba Trung district, stretching across many streets such as Dong Nhan, Tran Cao Van, Chua Vua and Thinh Yen.

• Address: 33 Thinh Yen street, Pho Hue, Hai Ba Trung, Ha Noi
• Opening hours: 8:00 – 19:00 everyday

Interesting Structure of Cho Gioi

Locals now divide Cho Gioi into 5 distinctive areaseach with its own specialty.

1. Chua Vua Area: 

If you’re looking for electronic components, motherboards or motorcycle spare parts, this is your go-to spot. The name is set because it sits near Vua pagoda.

• Address: 39 Tran Cao Van, Pho Hue, Hai Ba Trung

2. Tran Cao Van area:

This place is a favourite among construction contractors as components for bulldozers, excavators or pumps can be found here, which meets the needs of repair and maintenance of construction equipment. 

• Address: From 2 to 20 Tran Cao Van, Pho Hue, Hai Ba Trung

3. Thinh Yen area:

Nestled on Thinh Yen street, this 200-meter stretch is the heart of Cho Gioi. Music and movie lovers with old souls often visit here for vintage CDs, vinyls, and cassettes, along with old speakers, TVs, and LED lights. The easiest way to get here is to start at Tran Cao Van street then keep moving forward until you see Thinh Yen street.

• Address: around 17 – 39 Thinh Yen street, Pho Hue, Hai Ba Trung

4. Interconnected area of ​​Nguyen Cong Tru residential area:

Every day, local mothers wander this area in search of household furniture, decorations, and clothes with much cheaper prices than regular markets or supermarkets. The area is locally known as ‘Ngõ Tự Do’.

• Address: From 27 Thinh Yen street to Tower B, C, D of Nguyen Cong Tru Resident, Pho Hue, Hai Ba Trung.

5. Nguyen Cong Tru area:

The final location is a little more special as you could find precious wine, feng shui items or recyclable, reusable items. The collectors love this place as they can find precious antiques with fine status here. If you spot a rare item, play it cool since the seller may raise the price if they think you know its true worth.

• Address: Nguyen Cong Tru street, Pho Hue, Hai Ba Trung.

Some experience Jackfruit would like to share when visiting Cho Gioi

1. Explore the old wartime apartment buildings in Cho Gioi

As I mentioned earlier that Cho Gioi can’t be shut down because their vendors have lived here for generations. You can easily spot their ‘home sweet home’ in those old yellow apartment buildings, standing among the tangle of electric wires. These buildings don’t have official addresses on the map, but if your curiosity gets you, you can wander in to know about how people at Black Market live. Just be sure not to enter anyone’s home without permission, you know, privacy first! One of these buildings here, referred to as B1, is mentioned in our guide to Non touristy things to do in Hanoi. Feel free to take a look to learn about it anytime!

2. Start your exploration in the morning

The market is open from around 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM. It may get significantly crowded later in the day, hence arriving late may make your experience less enjoyable. We recommend visiting between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM for the best start.

3. Bring images of the items you’re looking for

Vendors just sell everything they can, so it can be a struggle for them to always understand exactly what you need, especially for foreigners. Having a photo of the item you want can save a lot of time and confusion.

4. Always make a bargain before purchasing anything

Prices can be higher for non-locals. So if you don’t know how to make a bargain in Vietnam, perhaps this is a call for you to start learning it today. Just remember to friendly negotiate with vendors.

5. Check the quality carefully

This is a ‘black market’, there’s no return policy. Always check the status and authenticity of the products thoroughly before buying to avoid any discomforts. 

6. Ensure your belongings are safe

The market is not officially operated. Watch your things closely to prevent pickpocketing. It’s a good idea to visit with at least one companion or a local friend, thieves are less likely to target groups.

Discover all the hidden corners of Cho Gioi with Jackfruit Adventure

‘Chợ Giời’ is the place that are really unique in Hanoi as it the formation of illegal trades from the past to become the famous attraction today. 

The thrilling stories and phenomenal appearance of ‘Chợ Giời’ hit your curiosity hard but you’re not that confident to come there alone or you want to deep down the lores of Black Market through a local guidance. Come ride with Jackfruit Adventure on 2 wheels to solve all the mysteries around ‘Chợ Giời’ on our cycling tours in Hanoi. 

Cho Gioi might seem a little scary at first, thanks to its unique style compared to Hanoi’s regular markets. But let Jackfruit Adventure guide you through all its hidden corners  of the capital: decades-old stalls, wartime apartments, famous antique shops, and everything else you can only discover on our Hanoi cycling tour. Sounds exciting, right? So what are you waiting for? Pack your backpack and head out adventure awaits!