Tourists choose from an array of fabric at Ninh Hiep Market in suburban Hanoi

Tucked away on the outskirts of Hanoi, the Ninh Hiep Fabric Market is the northern region’s largest textile market.

First-time visitors will be surprised to see such a diverse range of colorful fabrics throughout the village. New products appear continuously in assorted designs and textures. According to experienced shoppers, it’s a great way to see what the next fashion trends will be.

Customers can buy cloth by the kilo, one-tenth of a kilo, or by the meter and most fabrics are very inexpensive. Savvy shoppers can find great bargains.

Fabrics at Ninh Hiep, according to the sellers, are cheaper than other places as village traders bring them directly from China and South Korea. The materials are often priced half to one-third lower than products at Dong Xuan, Hom and Phung Khac Khoan fabric markets in urban Hanoi. And almost no one leaves the market empty-handed.

Ninh Hiep Fabric Market also sells other goods including specialty laces, zippers and ready-made garments priced lower than similar clothing found in the city.

Visitors should also be sure to sample some of the traditional dishes available at the market including filtered flour cakes, oyster porridge, grilled birds, boiled corn, and boiled sweet potatoes. After a trip to the market, tourists can also visit 17th century temples, pagodas and other ancient relics nearby.

Ninh Hiep Fabric Market is located 20 km north of Hanoi. To get there, visitors can take a bus numbered 10, 54 or 203 from Hanoi, or alternatively, take a tour offered by the Kham Pha Viet Tourism Joint Stock Company (Tel: 04-3 878 7551). The tour, which costs VND210,000 (US$11.80), includes a shopping trip to Ninh Hiep Fabric Market as well as sightseeing at Giong Temple and Co Loa Citadel.

Reported by Hai Binh