When most travelers think of the Da Lat night market, a few familiar images come to mind. Grilled rice paper on glowing coals. Jackets stacked in secondhand stalls. The warm scent of soy milk rising in the cool mountain air.
But for those who live here, the market is more than food and shopping. It is a feeling. A slow walk after dinner. A last-minute snack before heading home. A space where old routines and small surprises mix quietly under the lights.
This Dalat night market guide shares how locals really experience the place. From the stalls they return to again and again, to the quiet corners they love, here are 10 local-approved Dalat night activities you can try on your next visit.
What makes Dalat Night Market special?
Dalat Night Market sits right in the heart of the city, just a few steps from Dalat Central Market and Xuan Huong Lake. From around 5 PM every evening, the streets begin to shift. Vendors set up their stalls, the smell of grilled rice paper fills the air, and the quiet hills of Da Lat give way to a warm, bustling glow.
But what makes this market special is not just the food or shopping. It is a place where generations of locals have created memories. Parents bring their kids to snack on sweet potatoes and soy milk. Couples browse for gifts. Students talk over snacks near the fountain.
The Dalat Night Market blends tradition and movement. You will find dishes passed down through families next to modern creations like cocktails made with highland herbs. It is not about ticking things off a list. It is about letting the night unfold slowly.
f you are wondering what to do in Dalat at night, this is where the city starts to speak.
10 things locals love to do at Dalat night market
Pick up salted egg sponge cake at Kimi
Before diving into the crowd at Dalat Night Market, many locals stop by Kimi Bakery for a warm sponge cake. It is soft, slightly sweet, and topped with salted egg yolk, pork floss, and a touch of cheese. The mix of textures and flavors makes it a local favorite.
Holding one of these cakes in your hand while walking through the night market feels like a true Dalat experience. The warm cake, the cool mountain air, and the sounds of the evening all come together in one simple moment.
- Address: 21 Nguyễn Văn Trỗi Street, Da Lat City
- Opening hours: 3 PM to 10 PM
- Tip: Arrive early in the evening. These cakes often sell out fast.
If you are searching for what to eat at Dalat Night Market, this is a comforting way to begin.
Eat Dalat night market street food
At Dalat Night Market, no one eats in a hurry. Locals stroll, not just to fill their stomachs, but to let the night guide their choices. The scent of grilled rice paper, roasted corn, and sizzling skewers lingers in the cool air, making each corner feel like a small invitation to stop and taste.
The most iconic dish is bánh tráng nướng, often called Vietnamese pizza. A thin rice paper is grilled over charcoal, then topped with egg, green onions, and your choice of meat or sauce. Crisp, smoky, and slightly chewy, it’s a snack that tastes best when eaten hot, standing on the sidewalk.
You will also find street food in Da Lat like roasted sweet potatoes cooked in iron barrels, skewered sausages, grilled corn brushed with scallion oil, and warm soy milk Dalat vendors pour straight from metal pots. Vegetarian snacks are common too, and vendors are happy to adjust toppings if you ask politely.
What to eat at Dalat Night Market:
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Bánh tráng nướng (Vietnamese pizza)
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Roasted sweet potato
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Grilled corn
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Soy milk and fried dough
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Skewers of sausage or meatballs
Tips for food lovers:
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Visit between 6:30 PM and 9:00 PM for the best variety and atmosphere.
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Choose stalls where the food is covered or cooked fresh.
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Most snacks cost between 20,000 VND and 50,000 VND (around $1 to $2)
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Pointing and saying “Một cái” (one, please) works well if you don’t speak Vietnamese.
The Dalat night market street food scene is not just about flavor. It is about blending into the rhythm of the city, where a small bite and a short pause can make you feel connected to everything around you.
Drink hot soy milk at Dung Béo
- Location: 2 Nguyễn Văn Cừ Street, Da Lat City
- Opening hours: 12 PM to 1 AM
- Price: Around 15,000 VND ( around $0.60) per glass
When the air turns colder and the crowd thins, many locals leave the main street and head toward Dung Béo, a small corner shop just beyond the Da Lat night market. It is one of the most beloved spots to drink soy milk in Dalat, and it has quietly served the city for over three decades.
There are no fancy tables or signs. Just rows of plastic stools, trays of fried buns, and the gentle sound of milk warming in steel pots. Each glass is poured fresh, with a smooth, nutty flavor that feels just right in the highland chill. Most people drink it plain, but many pair it with a warm bánh tiêu or dip in a croissant for something more filling.
If you want something different, try corn milk, black sesame milk, or peanut milk. All are made fresh and served hot. It is simple, satisfying, and deeply local.
Tip: Go after 8 PM when the market starts to quiet down. This is when locals stay and chat longer over warm drinks.
Explore Dalat’s dried fruit “buffet” stalls
Locals never skip the dried fruit stalls at Dalat Night Market. Here, you can taste everything before choosing. That is why people often call it a “dried fruit buffet.”
Locals rarely leave Dalat Night Market without visiting the dried fruit stalls. These are more than places to shop. Vendors invite you to taste before you buy, turning the experience into what many call a “dried fruit buffet.”
You can try soft dried mango with chili salt, crispy yogurt, hibiscus petals for tea, and honey-sweetened sweet potatoes. Most stalls offer small paper cups for sampling, and prices range from 40,000 to 80,000 VND per 100 grams (about $1.60 to $3.20).
If you are wondering what to buy at Dalat night market, this is where flavor meets memory. A few small bags can carry the taste of Dalat back home with you.
Buy a secondhand jacket
When the mountain air turns cold, locals head to a familiar spot at the Da Lat night market: the thrift stalls filled with secondhand jackets. These are not polished shops. Some coats hang neatly. Others are stacked in soft piles waiting to be discovered. It is part of what makes shopping in Dalat such a fun and personal experience.
Locals call it đồ si, which means pre-loved clothes. Prices range from 30,000 VND to 100,000 VND (around $1.20 to $4). You might find a cozy cardigan from Korea, a puffer jacket from Japan, or something completely unexpected that fits just right.
For many, this is more than a way to stay warm. It is a nightly ritual. Picking through rows of jackets while chatting with vendors or friends is something locals do as naturally as grabbing a hot snack.
Tips: Ask for the price first, check for rips, and bring small bills.
Some visitors come looking for a warm layer and leave with a one-of-a-kind piece that becomes a favorite. Others enjoy the thrill of the search. Either way, the secondhand jackets Dalat market offers more than just a good deal. It gives you a little piece of the city to wear.
Take a quiet walk down Ánh Sáng Street
Just a few steps from the busiest part of the Dalat night market, Ánh Sáng Street offers something quieter. Locals call this their “after-walk.” It is where people slow down after shopping, enjoy a late meal, or meet up with friends before heading home.
This small street has a strong Central Vietnamese influence. Many vendors come from Huế, and you will notice signs that begin with “O” or “Mệ,” warm titles used to address older women. The food here reflects that same warmth, with bold spices and gentle flavors that remind locals of home.
What to try on Ánh Sáng Street
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Cơm hến O Hoa: Spicy clam rice at number 18.
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Chè Hạnh: Colorful sweet soups at number 36.
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Bún bò Út Vân: Spicy beef noodle soup at 36A.
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Bánh mì xíu mại Cô Sương: Bread with meatball broth at number 14.
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Cà ri Chàaa: Fragrant Vietnamese curry at number 32.
The street is dimmer and less crowded than the night market itself, but always has people coming and going. Some vendors are open until midnight. Others close earlier depending on weather or food supply.
Sit down for fish cake noodle soup of Ms. Vân
- Location: Near the roundabout by Dalat Night Market
- Opening hours: 8 PM to 10 PM
- Price: Around 35,000 to 50,000 VND (about $1.40 to $2)
Tucked near the roundabout by Dalat Night Market, Ms. Vân’s stall is easy to miss but unforgettable once found. Locals come here for one comforting thing: a hot bowl of bún chả cá, or fish cake noodle soup, that tastes just right in the mountain night air.
Each bowl includes thick tapioca noodles in a clear, fragrant broth. On top, you will find handmade fish cakes, slices of pork leg, and sometimes a piece of soft crab cake. A small stick of fried dough is often served on the side to dip into the soup.
There are no big signs or fancy seating. Just a few stools, a warm pot, and a steady line of locals who know where to find comfort food after dark.
Local tip:
This stall often sells out early. If you do not see a sign, look for where the locals are sitting with steaming bowls. That is usually where Ms. Vân is cooking.
Eat again after the market closes
Just because the main market starts winding down does not mean the night is over. In Dalat, many locals have a second round of food after 10 PM. It is a quiet tradition, often shared with friends or enjoyed solo before heading home through the cool night air.
Around the Dalat night market area, a few small food stalls stay open deep into the night. They do not have flashy signs or menus, but locals know where to find them and what to order. These late-night bites are some of the most comforting dishes you can find in the city.
Where to eat late at night in Dalat:
Ms. Hạnh’s food stall
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Location: Just above the Hòa Bình stairs, near the night market
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Open: 9 PM to 3 AM
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What to try: Hot soy milk with cheese. Creamy, rich, and perfect for chilly nights.
Ms. Mai’s food stall
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Location: Right next to the night market monument
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Open: After 10 PM until late
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What to try: Bánh mì chảo (bread served with a sizzling pan of eggs and meat) and bánh mì xíu mại (bread with meatball soup)
These spots are simple. Low stools, a few trays of food, and the sound of quiet conversations fill the space. If you are looking for late-night food in Dalat, this is where the city softens and slows down.
Local tip: You do not need to speak much Vietnamese. Just sit down, watch what others are eating, and point to what looks good. Vendors are used to helping with a smile.
Slow down at Gemination Cocktail Bar
- Location: 24 Trương Công Định, Da Lat
- Opening hours: 6 PM to 1 AM
- Price range: 90,000 VND to 150,000 VND per cocktail (about $3.50 to $6)
After the buzz of Dalat Night Market, some locals choose to end their evening somewhere softer. Just a few minutes’ walk away, Gemination Cocktail Bar offers a peaceful space to slow down and breathe.
The bar feels like a forest at night. Dim lights, wooden walls, and hanging eucalyptus leaves give it the quiet atmosphere that many locals love. There is no loud music or flashing signs, only quiet conversations, clinking glasses, and the soft hum of Dalat’s cool air.
What makes Gemination special is not just the mood. The cocktails here are crafted with ingredients grown in the highlands. You might sip on something made with bell peppers or native herbs, or try a seasonal mix inspired by local fruits. If you are not sure what to order, the staff will ask how you feel and recommend something that fits.
What to try at Gemination Cocktail Bar
- Bell Pepper cocktail: made with red, yellow, and green bell peppers and fresh herbs
- Mịn: a smooth mix of saffron and native herbs
- Seasonal creations: inspired by local fruits and highland ingredients.
If you are looking for things to do in Dalat at night beyond food and shopping, Gemination offers a different kind of memory. One that is quiet, heartfelt, and uniquely Dalat.
Walk through Dalat night market when it rains
Rain in Dalat does not stop the night from unfolding. When the clouds roll in, locals simply pull on a raincoat or open an umbrella and keep moving. The market stays open, the grills keep going, and the smell of sweet potatoes and scallion oil floats through the misty air.
A rainy night at Dalat Night Market offers a different kind of charm. Lanterns glow against wet pavement. Steam from noodle pots rises gently as people gather closer under small awnings. Everything feels softer, quieter, and more personal. Vendors cover their stalls quickly and continue serving with the same warm energy.
For travelers, this is one of the best times to experience the market. The crowds are smaller, the air is cooler, and the food feels extra comforting.
Tips for visiting Dalat Night Market in the rain:
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Bring a light waterproof jacket or umbrella.
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Watch your step on slick stone streets.
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Choose stalls with roof covers or indoor seating.
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Try warm dishes like grilled corn, soy milk, or fish cake soup.
Even in the rain, the market speaks in color and flavor. If you are wondering what to do in Dalat at night when it rains, this is one moment you will remember long after your trip ends.
What’s new at Dalat night market?
If you think Dalat Night Market only means the crowded street near Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, there is something new to discover. A short distance from the city center, near the Dalat City Flower Garden, a second night market has quietly become a favorite among locals.
This new food market opens from 5:30 PM and stays open until 5:00 AM. It is more spacious, with wide walking paths, over 50 food stalls, and plenty of seating. Unlike the main market, prices here are clearly marked, and vendors focus more on food than souvenirs.
You will find everything from Vietnamese street food to grilled seafood, Thai skewers, fruit juices, and warm desserts. The cool night breeze from the nearby lake makes this a refreshing place to enjoy a slow evening meal.
Some nights feature acoustic music, small gong performances, or traditional dances. The atmosphere is relaxed and inviting, especially for travelers who want to avoid big crowds.
- Location: Near Dalat City Flower Garden (searchable on Google Maps)
- Opening hours: From 5:30 PM to 5:00 AM
- Price range: 20,000 VND to 70,000 VND (about $1 to $3)
If you are looking for a more relaxed version of Dalat night market food, this new spot might surprise you in the best way.
Local tips for visiting Dalat night market
Dalat Night Market is easy to enjoy, but knowing a few local tips can help you feel more at home and avoid small frustrations. These are the habits locals follow and the things they quietly teach their friends when visiting for the first time.
- Dress for the weather: Nights in Dalat can be cooler than expected, especially from December to February. Bring a light jacket, and wear comfortable shoes. The streets can be uneven or wet, especially after rain.
- Go early for food, later for music: Street food stalls are freshest and most relaxed between 6:30 PM and 8:00 PM. After that, the walking street gets livelier with acoustic shows and street performers. If you want both, arrive early, take a slow walk, and stay late.
- Visit on weekdays if you can: From Monday to Thursday, the crowd is lighter. The pace is slower, vendors have more time to chat, and there is more space to wander.
- Keep your belongings in front: The market is safe, but it gets crowded. Use a small bag or backpack, and wear it in front of you when walking through tight spaces.
- Bargain kindly, not hard: If you’re buying souvenirs or clothes, it’s normal to ask for a better price. But keep it light. Most vendors expect it and appreciate a smile more than a hard deal.
Even though Dalat Night Market welcomes tourists, the rhythm still belongs to locals. When you follow it gently, you will enjoy the night more deeply.
Go beyond the lights of Dalat night market with Jackfruit Adventure
Dalat Night Market shows you the lively side of the city, but just a few minutes away, Xuan Huong Lake offers a quieter, gentler rhythm. Many locals stop here in the late afternoon to walk, cycle, or simply enjoy the cool breeze by the water before the evening begins.
If you want to discover a different side of Da Lat, there is so much more waiting beyond the usual tourist paths. You can find quiet cafés, peaceful gardens, hidden viewpoints, and small local secrets that most tourists miss. You can find inspiration on our guide to unusual things to do in Da Lat.
One of the best ways to experience these hidden parts is with Jackfruit Adventure’s cycling tour in Da Lat. You will ride beyond city streets, through coffee farms, visit a traditional K’ho house, and share quiet moments with local families who have called this land home for generations.
When you are ready to go beyond postcards and truly feel Da Lat, reach out to us. We would love to ride with you.
