In the days leading up to the Tet holiday, as the breath of spring gently weaves through every street, Dong Ba market becomes bustling and radiant. Beyond its role as the city’s largest commercial hub, this century-old market has become a familiar destination for residents and visitors to pose for commemorative photos, capturing spring moments imbued with the distinctive character of Hue.

In the days leading up to the Lunar New Year of the Horse, when streets are awash in the golden hues of apricot blossoms, young people once again eagerly enter the season of photo hunting. From the Imperial Citadel, ancient pagodas, and Dong Ba Market to cafes decorated in spring colors, every street corner and every space become a backdrop for capturing beautiful moments. Tet photos not only mark the transition between the old year and the new, but also reflect the vibrant, youthful rhythm of life in the heart of the Ancient Capital.

The Management Board of Dong Ba Market organized a review and award ceremony for the contest “Exploring the History of the Formation and Development of Dong Ba Market (1899 - 2024)”. This was one of many meaningful activities in the series of events commemorating the 126th anniversary of the formation and development of Dong Ba Market (August 23rd, 1899 - August 23rd, 2025).

In Da Lay commune (Da Teh district, Lam Dong province), the new homeland of the people from Hue today, it is hard to recognize the traces of the hardships from nearly half a century ago. The most recognizable feature in this rural area that carries "Hue far away" is the distinctive Hue accent, the conical hats of the elderly women glistening as they shield their kind smiles, and the lively mornings with loc and nam cakes. We arrived at the Da Lay market in the Central Highlands and felt as if we were back in Hue, enjoying street food and chatting at a corner of Dong Ba or An Cuu markets…

On the morning of August 28, Vietnam Grab LLC collaborated with Tourism Department to hold a ceremony to present the project of installing Grab stone benches and decorative pillars at 3 locations, including Hue Imperial Citadel, Dong Ba Market, and Phu Mong Street.

There are 40 stalls selling typical dishes located in front of the main gate of the market. The shops have signs, menus, pictures, and price listings in Vietnamese and English to help diners conveniently choose the dish.

Dong Ba Market has taken a historic step in its over 120-year history by having street names for the first time.

Ms. Hoang Thi Khanh, 81 years old, selling betel nut at Dong Ba market, said that before 1975, small traders all wore ao dai, and Dong Ba was like a miniature Hue, a place preserving the essence of Hue's cultural heritage. Sometimes visitors from far away come to Hue, to Dong Ba market, just to hear the very authentic Hue dialect of the old and young ladies.

Being a major commercial center of Hue City, Dong Ba market not only attracts customers for bustling trading exchanges during the day, but right in front of the market's lobby, there is also a food street at night, on the famous Tran Hung Dao Street.

Gia Hoi Old Quarter is located between the Perfume river and the Dong Ba river, running from Dong Ba Market down to Bao Vinh.

On the morning of September 24, the Management Board of Dong Ba Market coordinated with World Wild Fund in Vietnam (WWF-Vietnam), Go! Supermarket, Co.op Mart Hue Supermarket held a ceremony to launch the “No Plastic Bag Week”.