Cho Gioi – a not-to-go-alone area?

Cho Gioi, or Gioi Market, is the colloquial name for Hoa Binh Market in Hanoi. It is situated 2.5 km away from Hoan Kiem Lake and 3.5 km away from Hanoi Old Quarter. This market sells all kinds of goods, ranging from small items such as nails and watch batteries to larger products such as motorbikes, electronics, and refrigerators.

According to some documents, Gioi market was formed around 1954-1955, when people displaced (evacuated) to the South needed to sell their used property during the Vietnam War. The name “Choi market” has existed since the subsidy period (1965-1986), when the demand for non-orthodox goods exchange led to spontaneous markets meeting outside, different from covered markets such as Dong Xuan market, Hom market, Hang Da market, etc., for those with business registration. Goods exchanged at the market have all kinds of origins, including hand-carried goods from abroad, privately produced goods without labels, and many second-hand, fake, and stolen goods.

At one point, the government tried to close the market and even moved Gioi market to Phung Hung street. However, these efforts were unsuccessful because the need for exchange really existed and the market area was already a familiar place, not easy to change. Since the country opened up and renewed, many professional shops have appeared, selling goods with labels. However, small exchanges are still carried out at “Gioi market”.

Market Areas

Thinh Yen Street (formerly known as Rue Dumoutier during the French colonial period) serves as one of the gateways to the market, where a variety of music discs (CDs, VCDs, DVDs) are sold. Additionally, old and new electronic products such as televisions, amplifiers, and music players are also very popular in this area.

Located next to the entrance of the King Pagoda is a place where electronic components and computer items are sold.

The area at the end of the market is known for selling all kinds of goods, including items that might be considered discarded.

Facts:

• Some people believe that if something is stolen in Hanoi (e.g. motorcycle parts, auto parts, electrical or household appliances), it is likely to end up in Gioi market. In the past, people also bought and sold license plates for cars and motorbikes in this market, but the police were able to stop them.
  
• Gioi market, also known as Hoa Binh market, is a flea market in Hanoi that was established in 1954. It specializes in selling stolen goods, imitation goods, and famous second-hand goods from the capital. The market operates under the roadway of many streets such as Tran Cao Van, Yen Bai, Thinh Yen, and King Pagoda, with roughly 700 business households. At the end of 2012, the local Gov’ district proposed moving Gioi market due to environmental pollution and traffic obstruction.

Cho Gioi is an interesting part of Hanoi that is often unknown to travelers, but it has a rich history to share. Join our not-to-go-alone area to discover one of the most fascinating parts of Hanoi. We are top local experts on Airbnb!