Local markets

Camden Town used to be the alternative scene of London. Here misfits, freaks, and punks hung out among shops with Dr. Martens and stud belts. Today Camden Market is still big on punk and goth shops including infinite number of tattoo parlors, but the edge has worn off. The few punks you do see are professionals and pose for pounds, the rest of the people are grownups hoping for a shock and Euro kids on school trips.
Camden Punk Market is only one of several markets near Camden Lock. The others are focused on food, clothes, independent design, home art and other knick-knacks.

Though the original Spitalfields market dates back to the 13th century, today's market is a very contemporary affair. The beautiful Victorian market hall is still in use, but in addition to the stalls there are also trendy retailers, restaurants and coffee shops along the sides, so even on quiet days the place is buzzing with life. Since the market is covered, it makes a great escape on one of those rainy days. The hall is open every day, while markets are on from Sunday to Friday. The big market days are Thursday (antiques and vintage), and Friday and Sunday when the hall is filled with boho chic designs, fashion accessories, handmade jewelleries and arts - and, of course, food stalls.

Portobello Market is another of those famous London markets. It is a bit of a mix of fashion, second-hand clothes and small cafes at one end and cute boutiques packed with antiques (and semi-antiques) at the other. On Saturday, it becomes insanely crowded when Portobello Road is lined with antiques, jewellery and fruit stalls attracting a constant flow of tourists and Londoners alike - don't expect a bargain!

The Central Market in Hanoi's old quarter is a big industrial building packed with plastic flowers, stuffed animals and polyester fabrics in every colour and pattern. Most stuff are for wholesale and not many tourists venture in here, which just makes it even more interesting for people watching. On the top floors sellers are sitting, eating, even sleeping on top of their goods, while porters heavily loaded with cargo squeeze through the narrow lanes. The market extends into streets around the market building. Out here you will find fruit, vegetable, meat and stuff you wouldn't know what to do with.

The Mekong Delta is a huge maze of wide rivers, narrow canals, rice paddy fields and fruit plantations. The small family farmers take their boats to the nearest floating market to sell their harvest. Here, retailers come by in bigger boats to snap up whatever is in season. In the rainy season, the floating markets are stuffed with fruits of any colour, while the dry season offers more vegetables. The sellers advertise their goods by tying a sample to the top of a high pole. In the early morning the river, is buzzing with activity and the crowd of boats can be so dense that you can almost walk across the river. Not all boats are loaded with fruits and vegetables, some are just floating noodle shops or cafes, while others are packed with... well, tourists.

Other floating markets in the Mekong Delta are Cai Be, Phung Hiep, Phong Dien and Tra On.

The mountains of northern Vietnam are populated with minorities. Every smallish township has their own market once a week and attracts different kinds of colourful tribe people that comes in for shopping, browsing, finding a wife, or just stocking up on this week's rice wine. Some of the best markets "near" Lao Cai Town is Bac Ha (Sunday) which is one of the biggest and most touristy, not saying that many come, Can Cau (Saturday) beautiful set on the mountain side, Coc Ly (Tuesday) small but interesting, Muong Hum (Sunday) located in a lush valley, and Muong Khuong (Sunday) a great trading fair with a real outpost felling, since it's very close to China. Keep in mind that it takes many hours from Lao Cai town on winding mountain roads to get to these far out markets, but it's sure worth it.

Located on a lovely plateau at the high altitude of 1492 m, Sin Ho is one of Vietnam highest towns (about the same altitude as Sapa). The town itself is rather drab with pot holed streets and the usual range of dull concrete buildings. It stands in stark contrast to the spectacular winding road leading up to/down from town, which will spoil anyone not too car sick with a dramatic mountain scenery, where the local ethnic minorities cultivate on the steep slopes. Try to plan your journey so you are in Sin Ho on a Sunday, which is the big market day. Ethnic minorities from all around Sin Ho region, like Red H'mong and Black Dao, will then come into Sin Ho market and spice up the place.

The biggest surprise for many in Yemen is the lack of markets. Logic would dictate that being an ancient culture with a long history of trade there would have had to be some excellent bazars. But it's not until visiting the tiny town of Beit al-Faqi that travellers finally get their first taste of this. Without question, the Friday market in Beit al-Faqi is the best in the country. Although true, it is unlikely a traveller will find souvenirs, this is not what this market is about. This is not a tourist market, but pure and unadulterated Yemeni trading traditional. The sights, sound and smells combine into some sort for intoxicating concoction as you wander aimlessly past stall filled with who knows what.