When you search for Dalat Night Market, you will often see the same things: grilled rice paper, sweet potatoes, secondhand jackets. These familiar images have become part of the market’s heartbeat, loved by generations of locals.
But Da Lat is always changing in quiet ways. Around the night market, new corners are growing beside old favorites. In this guide, you will discover both the traditions locals cherish and the fresh experiences that make Dalat’s nights even more special.
What to know about Dalat Night Market
Dalat Night Market sits right outside Dalat Central Market, spreading around Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai Street and the Hòa Bình area. The Dalat night market opening hours usually start around 5 PM and continue until 10 PM, with weekends lasting even longer into the night.
At night, the market comes alive with the scent of grilled rice paper, the glow of colorful lights, and the hum of small games for children. Locals come for a casual dinner, light shopping, or simply to enjoy the cool evening air.
Is Dalat Night Market worth visiting? Yes. It is one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to feel the real rhythm of Da Lat after dark. Whether you are hungry, curious, or just looking for things to do in Dalat at night, the night market offers a relaxed and memorable experience.
10 things locals love to do at Dalat night market
The best way to experience Da Lat night market Vietnam is to move like the locals. They do not rush. They stroll, they snack, and they savor the night slowly.
Here are 10 things locals love to do at Dalat Night Market. You might want to try them too.
Pick up salted egg sponge cake at Kimi
- Location: 21 Nguyen Van Troi Street, Da Lat
- Opening hours: 3 PM – 10 PM
Before diving into the bustling Da Lat night market, many locals stop by Kimi Bakery. This small shop is famous for one thing: soft and fluffy salted egg sponge cakes. Topped with salted egg yolks, cheese, and pork floss, these little cakes offer the perfect balance of sweet and savory.
Holding a warm cake in your hands while walking through the cool night air feels like a little piece of Da Lat’s charm. Expect a short line in the evening, but the quick service and delicious reward are worth every minute.
Eat Dalat night market street food
At first glance, the food stalls at Da Lat night market Vietnam may seem similar. You will find grilled rice paper, roasted corn, sweet potatoes, and hot soy milk everywhere. But what locals love is not just the food itself, but the warm conversations, the friendly nods, and the feeling of being part of the night.
If you wonder what to eat at Dalat Night Market, start with street classics like bánh tráng nướng (Vietnamese pizza), crispy sweet potatoes, and hot soy milk. Vegetarian options are easy to find too, especially grilled corn and meat-free bánh tráng nướng.
Tips for a satisfying (and safe) food experience
- Best time to visit: Between 6:30 PM and 9:30 PM when the food stalls are lively but not too crowded.
- Check hygiene: Choose stalls where food is covered, and vendors use gloves or tongs.
- Prices: Most snacks cost between 20,000 and 50,000 VND (around $1 to $2).
- How to order like a local: Point, smile, and say “Một cái” (one please).
Drink hot soy milk at Dung Béo
- Location: 2 Nguyen Van Cu Street, Da Lat
- Opening hours: 12 PM – 1 AM
No night at Dalat Night Market is complete without a warm glass of fresh soy milk from Dung Béo. Dung Béo has been serving locals for over 30 years. The soy milk here is made fresh every night. It is rich, creamy, and served hot in small glasses.
Many enjoy it with fried bread like bánh tiêu, croissants, or cream puffs. You can also try other drinks like sweet corn milk, black sesame milk, or peanut milk.
Experience Dalat’s dried fruit buffet
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.”
If you wonder what to buy in Dalat Night Market, start with these local favorites:
- Soft dried mango with chili salt: Chewy, sweet, and just a little spicy. A classic favorite with a bold kick.
- Crispy dried yogurt: Light, crunchy, and slightly tart. A fun, new snack you will not find everywhere.
- Red hibiscus flower: Dried into dark red petals. Locals use it to brew sour and refreshing tea, often served cold.
- Soft dried honey sweet potato: Naturally sweet and chewy. Many people eat it as a healthy snack or light breakfast.
- Local herbal teas: Not a fruit, but a perfect match. Try artichoke for something smooth, ginger for warmth, or mint for a cooling finish.
The vendors are kind, and there is no pressure to buy. So just try as much as you like, then choose your favorite to take home. You might leave with more than one favorite.
Buy a secondhand jacket
When the evening chill rolls in, locals know where to find warmth: the secondhand clothing stalls at Da Lat night market Vietnam. These are not polished boutiques. Some jackets hang neatly; others form piles you can dig through, making each find feel like a small victory.
Locals call it đồ si, meaning thrift. A jacket might cost only 30,000 to 100,000 VND (around $1 to $4). You might discover a cozy cardigan from Korea or a heavy winter coat from Japan. If you are thinking about must-try finds at Da Lat Night Market, hunting for a perfect secondhand jacket is part of the fun.
Tips on bargaining at Dalat night market
- Show interest but stay relaxed: Vendors respond better when you seem curious but easygoing.
- Ask for the price first: Most items are not tagged.
- Bargain kindly: A smile and polite words often help.
- Complete the purchase if you agree: It is respectful.
- Carry small bills: It makes transactions smoother.
Walk down Ánh Sáng Street
You might think your evening ends at Dalat Night Market, but just around the corner, Ánh Sáng Street quietly invites you to stay a little longer. Locals call this their “after-walk,” a time to slow down, enjoy the cool air, and follow the scent of familiar food drifting through the night.
Many of the vendors here come from Huế, bringing with them the soft, rich flavors of Central Vietnam. Signs often start with “O” or “Mệ,” traditional ways of addressing older women in Central dialects, adding a feeling of familiarity.
What to eat on the Ánh Sáng Street
- Cà ri Chàaa – 32 Anh Sang Street, Dalat (Vietnamese curry)
- Bánh mì xíu mại Cô Sương – 14 Anh Sang Street, Dalat (bread with meatball broth)
- Bún bò Út Vân – 36A Anh Sang Street, Dalat (spicy beef noodle soup)
- Chè Hạnh – 36 Anh Sang Street, Dalat (sweet soup desserts). You can also explore this guide to Vietnamese chè desserts to find a flavor you love before order.
- Cơm hến O Hoa – 18 Anh Sang Street, Dalat (clam rice from Huế)
Try fish cake noodle soup at Ms. Vân
- Location: Near the roundabout by Dalat Night Market
- Opening hours: 8 PM to 10 PM
If you are looking for must-try food in Da Lat Night Market, do not miss the fish cake noodle soup at Ms. Vân’s stall. This small, simple spot is a local favorite, serving comforting bowls filled with thick tapioca noodles, soft fish cakes, pork leg, and sometimes a piece of crab cake.
Each bowl is hot, fragrant, and perfect for the cool Dalat weather at night. A crispy piece of fried dough often comes on the side, making the meal even more satisfying.
The stall is clean, welcoming, and very affordable. Prices range from 35,000 to 50,000 VND (around $1 to $2). It often gets crowded, and the food may sell out early. If you cannot find it tonight, it is worth returning the next day for another chance to taste it.
Eat late night food after the market
Locals say the night only ends when your stomach says so. After Da Lat Night Market starts to quiet down, a few small food stalls stay open deep into the night. These late-night spots are where locals go for a final bite before heading home, making them one of the most authentic Dalat night activities for tourists to experience.
Here are two late-night places locals often return to:
Ms. Hanh food stall
- Location: Just above the Hòa Bình area, near the stairs by Dalat Night Market
- Opening hours: 9 PM to 3 AM
- What to try: Hot soy milk with cheese. It sounds unusual, but locals love its creamy richness on a cold night.
Ms. Mai food stall
- Location: Right next to the night market monument in the center
- Opening hours: After 10 PM until late
- What to try: Bánh mì chảo (bread with sizzling pan of egg and meat) and bánh mì xíu mại (bread with meatball soup).
Unwind at Gemination Cocktail Bar
- Location: 24 Trương Công Định Street, Dalat
- Opening hours: 6 PM to 1 AM
After enjoying Da Lat Night Market, many locals like to slow down somewhere quieter. Just a short walk from the market, Gemination Cocktail Bar is a favorite spot to end the night.
The bar feels like a small forest, with soft lights, warm wood, and hanging eucalyptus. It is a peaceful place to sit back, enjoy a drink, and feel the cool night air of Dalat. Friendly staff are happy to recommend something based on your mood.
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 after the market, Gemination offers a slower, softer way to experience the city.
Visit Dalat night market in the rain
Locals do not avoid Dalat Night Market when it rains. If the rain is light, they simply put on a raincoat, carry an umbrella, and keep walking. The cool misty air makes hot dishes smell even better, and the colorful lights reflect beautifully on the wet streets. Vendors quickly cover their stalls and continue serving with a smile.
For visitors, a rainy night brings a quieter and more personal side of the market. Every warm dish feels more comforting, and small moments, like a shared smile or a friendly vendor, stay with you long after you leave. Bring an umbrella, wear good shoes, and enjoy the gentle rhythm of a rainy Da Lat night.
Discover a new side of Dalat night market
If you think Dalat Night Market only means the busy streets around Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, there is something new you might not know yet. Recently, a brand-new night food market has opened near Dalat City Flower Garden, offering locals and visitors a fresh way to enjoy the city after dark.
New Dalat night market location and opening hours
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Location: Near Da Lat City Flower Garden (Location on Google Map)
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Opening hours: 5:30 PM to 5:00 AM (open all night)
What you can enjoy at the new Dalat night market
This new market feels different from the traditional Dalat Night Market near Dalat Central Market. It is cleaner, more spacious, and filled with over 50 colorful food stalls and mobile trucks. You can try grilled seafood, bánh tráng nướng, Thai skewers, fresh juices, and other street food from both Vietnam and international..
There are plenty of tables and chairs where you can sit down, enjoy your meal, and soak in the cool evening air. Prices are clear, usually from 20,000 to 70,000 VND (about $1 to $3), so you can taste a variety of dishes without worrying about bargaining.
In the evening, small acoustic music shows and traditional gong performances light up the market space by the lake. It is a refreshing, peaceful alternative to the busy streets around the main night market, and a perfect place if you love food and slow evenings.
Local tips for visiting Dalat night market
Da Lat Night Market is friendly and easy to explore, but knowing a few local tips can help you enjoy it even more. Whether you come for street food, shopping, or just to soak in the night air, a little preparation goes a long way.
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Dress warmly, especially from December to February: Dalat nights can get colder than you expect, sometimes dropping below 15°C.
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Go early for food, later for live music: Street food stalls are busiest around 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Live music performances near the walking street usually start after 8 PM.
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Try visiting on weekdays to avoid big crowds: Monday to Thursday evenings are quieter and easier to enjoy.
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Be aware of pickpockets in dense crowds: Keep your bag in front of you in busy areas.
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Bargain politely: Smile, offer a friendly counter price if needed, and keep it light.
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.
