If you want 100% fresh, you'll have to go native. I would say 90% of Vietnamese still go to their district or suburb street market or vendors, although the more affulent are going to the supermarkets now, mainly for convenience. My wife still drives the 15mins back to her district that she grew up in, and to the same people who have been selling there for years, as trust is involved.
Here the meat is that fresh, they kill the fish, chicken or duck right in front of you, if you like, and you know the pork was done proberly on several hours back (wonder round Hanoi at 5am and you'll hear the pig screams around).
As for fruit and veg, this is only 4 to 5 hours from the night markets dotted around Hanoi, so proberly only a day old, some of the fruits have to come a little more distance, but still fresh, i can vouch for that.
Still some of the supermarket stuff is still the same stuff, but packaged, and your charged twice the price.
So if your ready for a rumble down the local market, with hacking, slicing and chopping all around, that where you'll get the best stuff.
P.S. Best take a Vietnamese friend the first few times, get the prices per Lb/kilo sorted.
answered about 8 months ago by Enzedda
The fruit and vege here are delicious and actually taste like they should (rather than the artificially ripened stuff you get in more "developed" countries). However, remember to wash them well to remove any chemicals or other nasties - you might want to buy some vege wash to help with this.
Not sure where you're living, but the 19-12 Market on Hai Ba Trung (just down from Hanoi Towers) has a good selection of everything you'll need. You'll have to do a bit of bargaining though!
Otherwise, Natinnam is right. Veggy's has a good selection and helpful staff. They're on Xuan Dieu (the end away from the Sheraton).
Happy hunting!
Just a short note about the 9-12.
A fun, authentic and historically significant place to shop. The market is located through the alley passageway near Hai Ba Trung and its size makes it more manageable than some of the larger free-standing type markets.
On a prior visit to the city, I spent a little over two weeks near the 9-12 and would frequent the place for fruit each morning.The vendors start setting up about 5:30 and are ready to start the business day about 6:00 am.
It can be a big help to bargaining if you are one of the first to pass through in the morning. Listen out for " Mua mo hang di" ( open the shop...i.e. make the first offer of the day).
I hear that many of the chefs from some of the major restaurants often buy some cooking herbs at the 9-12.
Worth a visit!
