Hanoi - Thieves Market

📍 Hanoi, Vietnam

4.9 ( 433 reviews)

From

Duration4 hours

FitnessEasy

CancellationFree cancellation 24 hours before starting time.

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Overview

No-one knows exactly how long the ‘Sky Market’ or ‘Thieves Market’ has been in existence, but it has an immortal feel to it. Tiny stalls cram next to each other, selling everything under the sky, from motor parts to timber, spices to vintage electronics. That’s the reason for the first name. But traditionally, people also stop here first if looking for anything that’s gone ‘walkies’, giving it the second title. All of this makes it a great place to get lost with your camera - a shadowy bazaar full of faces and strange offerings, afternoon sunlight streaming through the makeshift roof. The myriad stalls and alleyways provide ready made frames for decisive moments, and we’ll even wander into a century-old colonial HQ, now converted into a pensioners’ ping pong club.

What you will be doing

Thieves Market

Expect many street photography opportunities, with the market’s shopfronts, stalls and narrow alleyways providing a constant selection of frames. The friendly traders and other locals also make for willing portrait subjects, and this is a great opportunity to work on your approach to people photography. Deep in the bazaar, sunlight filters through the overhead awnings, giving your pictures a unique atmosphere.

Photography techniques

Changing light conditions both environmental and artificial, and objects moving through the cramped alleys, make exploring ISO, aperture and frame speeds a priority. Along the way, you’ll put together a photographic story of life in one of Hanoi’s most fascinating markets.

Things to know

AccessibilityNot wheelchair accessible

Fitness levelEasy

Tour languageEnglish

Licence requiredNone

Bring your own camera, with a fully charged battery, wide-angle or zoom lenses

Inclusions and Exclusions

✅ Included

Pick up and drop off transport
Tour guide

❌ Not included

Gratuities

Where we'll meet

Meet up/Pick up location: Your hotel in Hanoi

Instruction: We will pick you up from your hotel

ReturnThis trip returns to meeting point

Your host

This tour is operated by Vietnam in Focus.

Pay securely online. Your tour is operated by our vetted local partner, and Kodama Travel acts as booking agent. We recommend all guests take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover unforeseen delays, cancellations, and medical emergencies.

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