Cho
The local market where Vietnamese families shop, and how to visit without feeling lost.
Cho is the Vietnamese word for a market. It can be a covered hall, a row of street stalls or a floating boat market on a river. It is where local families buy fruit, vegetables, meat and daily goods.
How will you meet it on the trip?
You will walk past a cho in nearly every town. Mornings are the liveliest time, with stalls stacked with herbs, fruit and fresh noodles. Some markets also sell clothes, bags and souvenirs on the upper floor.
In Hanoi, a short walk from the pho co brings you to market lanes. A village dinh (communal house) is often close to its market.
What is the tip for a first visit?
Go early, carry small notes and keep your bag in front of you. Ask before photographing a stall. Taste fruit when the seller offers.
Muslim travellers should check what is in cooked dishes and never assume halal. Our meal and prayer checks list the questions to ask.
Which related terms will you see?
- Pho co: the old quarter, surrounded by market streets.
- Homestay: a family-run stay where the host may shop at the local cho.
- Dinh: a village communal house, often near the market.
More on eating well sits in Food and daily travel, and the budget builder helps you set a daily food amount.
If markets are part of your plan, tell us where you will stay and whether food needs checking, and we can help you plan a gentle morning around one.
Common questions
How do I bargain politely at a cho?
Smile, ask the price and, if it seems high, offer a lower number with a friendly tone. If you cannot agree, thank the seller and walk on. Fixed-price stalls and food stalls rarely bargain, so use this only for clothes and souvenirs.
Is the market suitable for toddlers and elders?
Mornings are cooler and calmer, but aisles are narrow and floors can be wet. Carry small children and take elders at a slow pace. Keep bags zipped in front of you, and rest in a cafe nearby when anyone tires.
Can Muslim travellers eat at a cho?
Fresh fruit, packaged items with a clear label and plain vegetable dishes are easier to judge. For cooked food, ask what is in the broth and what else the stall cooks. Never assume halal. When unsure, buy fruit and eat elsewhere.
Keep planning
If markets are part of your plan, tell us where you will stay and whether food needs checking, and we can help you plan a gentle morning around one.