Buzz
From a simple house-cleaning activity...
The concept of flea markets originated from the 'garasale' culture of Europe and America. When families move houses or tidy up after each season, they often realize they have excess belongings. Neighborhoods come together to sell off unused items, sometimes finding great bargains. Hence, this is not just a regular trading spot. It's unique, with each item being one-of-a-kind, and it serves as an opportunity to connect communities and exchange cultures.
In contrast to the commercialized old market of Dalat, these sky markets still boast plenty of unique and peculiar items at prices as low as a few tens of thousands.
Another notable feature is that sky markets rarely revolve solely around buying and selling. They often come alive with artistic endeavors like live music, outdoor film screenings, and even tarot card readings. A sun-drenched courtyard adorned with weathered wooden signboards, a prominent corner for tarot readings that beckons you deeper in, and the more you explore, the more stalls emerge, interspersed with quaint eateries offering a variety of street snacks - this is the quintessential image of a market in Dalat, where you can while away the day without ever getting bored.
Here are a few sky markets you must visit when in Dalat:
1. Dalat Station Market
Apart from buying and selling activities...
...There's also tarot reading...
...And these adorable little statue corners.
Finally, the market space is incredibly beautiful, with lush green corners exuding a distinctive Dalat vibe. This makes it an ideal spot for picture-perfect moments, living up to the standard of 'a square meter, a hundred beautiful photos'!
2. The Viewfinder House Flea Market
This market is within the premises of a homestay, encompassing the entire surrounding yard, with plenty of seating and overhead shelter, making it ideal for year-round visits, even during the rainy season. The market opens twice a month, on Saturdays and Sundays. The distinctive feature of The Viewfinder market is its incredibly diverse range of goods, from second-hand items, handicrafts, knitting, tarot, feng shui items to bubble tea and various snacks.
A haven for vintage and handmade enthusiasts.
If you stay until evening, there's live music, and you can comfortably use the recreational space at the home, including bookshelves and a pool table.
Being situated within the homestay and cafe premises, there are countless chill spots and photo opportunities for you, making it extremely suitable for weekend dates.
Another special thing is that occasionally, the market holds workshops, usually for crafting or simple cooking. Although it's part of a small homestay, the market's themes are very diverse, changing frequently, so just follow The Viewfinder's page and you'll be well informed!
3. Farmer’s Market
A regularly held market, occurring monthly, which has been ongoing for a long time and is better organized than the spontaneous flea markets of cafes and homestays. The Farmer’s Market - true to its name - is a gathering place for organic produce, handmade specialties, and local handicrafts from native Da Lat residents.
If you've ever seen movies set in the rural areas of the American South, with farmers' markets set up on the farms of local farmers, then The Farmer’s Market will perfectly recreate that atmosphere, in a genuine, unadorned way, yet still retaining that distinct “Da Lat” feel.
Da Lat produce is a feast for the eyes.
Here, you can find truly authentic local specialties. Unlike the industrialized products sold in souvenir shops or supermarkets in the center of Hoa Binh, and not as flashy as the trays of strawberries altered at the central market, most of the produce here is grown in small, humble, and clean home gardens. Additionally, there's a diverse world of handmade pastries, tea, exclusive formula wines, handicrafts, and more.
Handmade pastries - an unmissable specialty at the Farmer’s Market
One lovely thing is that you won't be given plastic bags when you come to the market, aligning with the spirit of selling 'clean' goods, we must also keep nature 'clean'!
A friend once told me that when visiting a new city, you must definitely visit two things: the library and… the market. These are the places that vividly depict the everyday life of the locals, giving us a genuine and profound insight into that region, through the lens of the 'locals' rather than just being a 'visitor'. Hopefully, you'll give the Da Lat flea markets a chance!
Author: Mai Thị Trà My
* This article is participating in the Mytour Golocal program
Mytour Golocal is a blog writing program introducing beautiful destinations across Vietnam, under the framework of the Mytour Go & Share program. This is a wonderful opportunity to promote local tourism to everyone. For each qualifying article, you will receive 800,000 VND and a chance to become a contributor with Mytour. For more details about the program, visit: https://trv.lk/golocal
