How much love can one human being have for markets? The answer – a lot!
Hanoi is just shopping heaven. This stall sells all things plastic and fake – from garlands of garish flowers and vegetables to rows of lucky pigs.
Then we’re heading back to Dong Xuan Market to carry on exploring the mountains of produce, fabric and tat that’s on offer.
On route I spot this very smiley flower seller, who zips along the crowded streets leaving a fragrant trail in his wake.
Dong Xuan Market is the largest in Hanoi and is housed in a four story, soviet style building.
There’s a bustling wet market, huge fabric floor and the ever fascinating dry goods section.
The market tumbles out onto the streets in a riot of colour, smells and shouting stall holders.
There are some many details to capture, you could spend a whole day just in a few square miles.
Piles of fresh vegetables form a colourful feast for the eyes against a backdrop of peeling paint and wet concrete.
Stall holders take a brief break in this tiny corner of the city.
Buyers browse a range of locally grown vegetables that they will pop into boxes, baskets and other receptacles on bikes and mopeds.
From furry rambutan to visceral, gutted fish, everything can be bought right here, literally on the street.
And everywhere are the ubiquitous conical hats, that could be passed off as sterotypical, but really are still an everyday sight.
Spray painted walls are reminiscent of Blade Runner and high rise Tokyo.
While cyclo sellers have baskets of items for sale, zipping past you at speed.
It’s an intoxicating, frustrating, deafening, colourful and exhilarating city.
