The “Motorbike” Market
@ Cho Phung Khoang

When we talk about markets in Southeast Asia, we usually talk about buying fruits off the floating markets in Thailand in a boat of course, or coffee off the train tracks of Vietnam. There is just something about buying stuff off a boat, potentially losing your shit by dropping in the water or the thrill of getting run over by a train that entices locals and tourists alike. 

Well! I visited Cho Phung Khoang in Hanoi, and damn it is unofficially another market that pumps your adrenaline while shopping. You are seeing people on their f***ing motorbikes. I am not kidding. I unofficially call this the motorbike market cause of how many f***ing motorbikes there are inside the market of locals getting their groceries on zooming past you.

Well! The moment I alighted from my Grab, I was greeted with a bunch of clothing stores and a f***ing shit ton of motorbikes.

Well, with my unhealthy obsessions with markets, I headed down to Cho Phung Koang market not knowing that I signed up for beautiful chaos. Like, right outside the market, I can see bikes zooming past these street food vendors. 

Being the fat f*** I am, I grabbed some Pho before heading in. Market Pho is best Pho.

Stepping into the market itself, I was greeted by a horde of motorbikes, everywhere I turned, I see locals going by their groceries speed running their produce on a very efficient transport. The stall owners seem to be unfazed by this scene, as if this is normal in other parts of the world.

The market has pretty standard market fare, from fish to meat. Store owners are generally friendly, and are quite surprised by a người nước bạn (Nui nuk ban aka term for foreigner) snapping photos of their daily lives.

I turned into a small alley in the market that sold daily necessities, and yes there are even motorbikes in such a tight space.

Daily necessities stores are common here just like any other markets. 

Cooked foods are also very common in the markets here. If you want to get a quick bite, you can. From skewers to steamed chicken and roasted meats.

Then there is this mystery meat aka dog meat. Although we scoff and is in awe with dog meat, Vietnam have culture of eating dog meat since a long time ago, and we should respect their culture. 

If you are looking to immerse yourself into almost getting brushed by motorbikes take a trip down to Cho Phung Khoang to get an adrenaline filled experienced while enjoying local culture.