Son Tra Night Market is an easy all-in-one evening stop
Son Tra Night Market is near the eastern end of Dragon Bridge around the Lý Nam Đế–Mai Hắc Đế area.
It works well for travelers who want food, shopping and a riverside night walk without complicated transport.
Current 2026 listings vary slightly: many map listings show roughly 17:30–23:45 on weekdays, with weekend hours beginning around 17:00 and running close to midnight, while another major travel guide lists 18:00–00:00 daily.
For practical planning, think of 17:30 to around 23:30 as the core window and reconfirm if you plan to arrive very late.
Entry is free
The market normally has no admission fee.
Paid parking may apply outside. Some travel guides quote roughly 10,000–20,000 VND for motorbike parking, but the actual fee can vary.
Two simple parts: food and shopping
The market is easiest to understand as two overlapping zones.
One side is dominated by street food, seafood, skewers, drinks and desserts.
The other focuses on souvenirs, bags, accessories, clothes and small gifts.
Recent local guides report a wider layout after an expansion or relocation in 2025, but stall counts can change, so the practical point is simply that the market is easy to browse by food and shopping sections.
Seafood is the visual centerpiece
Grilled seafood is one of the first things most visitors notice.
Prawns, squid, clams, scallops and snails are displayed and cooked to order.
Typical small seafood plates are often around 60,000–120,000 VND, while large seafood such as lobster or crab may be sold by weight and can cost much more.
Always ask whether a price is per plate or per kilogram before ordering.
Easy street foods to try
Bánh tráng nướng
Grilled rice paper topped with egg, spring onion, dried shrimp and sauce.
Typical price: 15,000–30,000 VND.
Mì Quảng
A Central Vietnamese noodle dish with thick noodles, rich low broth, herbs, peanuts and rice cracker.
Typical price: 30,000–50,000 VND.
Bánh xèo
Crispy turmeric pancake with pork, shrimp and bean sprouts, usually wrapped with herbs.
Shellfish and snails
Often cooked with garlic butter, lemongrass, chili or tamarind.
Kem bơ
Da Nang-style avocado ice cream.
Typical small serving: 10,000–25,000 VND.
Order small amounts first
The market is better for grazing than placing one large order at the first stall you see.
Walk through once, compare menus and order small portions from several places.
Confirm the unit before paying
Check:
- Per piece or per set
- Per plate or per kilogram
- Whether cooking is included
- Whether sauces or drinks are extra
- Whether card payment is available
Simple questions such as “Per plate?” or “Per kilo?” are enough.
Souvenir shopping
Common items include:
- Dragon Bridge and Da Nang magnets
- Keychains
- Small lanterns
- Rattan and tote bags
- Hats
- T-shirts
- Elephant pants
- Accessories
- Dried seafood and packaged foods
The same item can have different prices at different stalls, so comparing two or three stalls is sensible.
Bargaining
Some souvenir and clothing prices may be negotiable, especially if you buy several items.
Food prices and clearly marked low-value items are usually not worth aggressive bargaining.
Cash is easiest
Small VND notes such as 10,000 / 20,000 / 50,000 / 100,000 VND are useful.
Some stalls display domestic bank QR codes, but these may not be convenient for foreign visitors.
Small vendors often do not accept international cards.
Best time: around 19:00–21:30
This is usually the busiest period, with the largest number of stalls operating.
For a calmer walk, arrive around 17:30–18:30.
After around 22:30, some food stalls may begin packing up.
Combine it with the Dragon Bridge show
Official Da Nang tourism information for 2026 lists the Dragon Bridge fire-and-water show at 21:00 every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
A simple plan:
19:00 market → food and shopping → move toward Dragon Bridge around 20:30 → 21:00 show → return to the market or walk along the river
Crowds and traffic control can increase before the show, so do not wait until exactly 21:00 to move.
Where to stand
The dragon head sprays water as part of the show.
Stand farther back if you want to protect phones and cameras.
Ride-hailing demand can spike immediately after the show.
Getting there
Use Son Tra Night Market in Grab or navigate to the Lý Nam Đế–Mai Hắc Đế area near the eastern end of Dragon Bridge.
On busy weekend nights, getting dropped slightly away from the bridge and walking may be faster than sitting in traffic.
Dress for walking
There is no formal dress code.
Shorts, T-shirts and sandals are fine, but comfortable shoes matter because you may walk for one or two hours.
During rainy season, carry a compact umbrella or light raincoat.
Choosing cleaner-looking food stalls
If food hygiene matters to you, look for:
- High customer turnover
- Plenty of local diners
- Ingredients covered or kept chilled
- Food cooked immediately after ordering
- Clear pricing
How long do you need?
Quick walk: 40–60 minutes
Food plus shopping: 1.5–2 hours
Market plus Dragon Bridge show: 2–3 hours
Quick summary
Location: Lý Nam Đế–Mai Hắc Đế area, east side of Dragon Bridge
Hours: roughly 17:30 to 23:45/00:00
Entry: free
Peak time: 19:00–21:30
Dragon show: Fri–Sun at 21:00
Food: seafood, bánh tráng nướng, mì Quảng, bánh xèo, shellfish, desserts
Payment: small VND cash is easiest
Key tip: confirm whether seafood prices are per plate or per kilogram
Final thoughts
Son Tra Night Market is useful because it requires almost no planning.
You can arrive in the evening, eat several small dishes, shop for inexpensive souvenirs, walk by the Han River and combine the visit with Dragon Bridge.
Check same-day hours if arriving late, confirm seafood price units before ordering and use the 21:00 Dragon Bridge show as the anchor for your Friday, Saturday or Sunday evening.