TL;DR: Chợ Viềng is held once a year, on the night of the 7th into the 8th of the first lunar month; in 2027 that is the evening of 12 February to the morning of 13 February. There are two markets on the same night: Chợ Viềng Chùa by Đại Bi pagoda (former Nam Giang, now Nam Trực commune) and Chợ Viềng Phủ around Phủ Dày, which worships Mother Liễu Hạnh (now Vụ Bản and Hiển Khánh communes), both in Ninh Bình province. Visitors buy luck and sell misfortune; goods are mainly plants, farm tools and antiques.
When is Chợ Viềng held?
Chợ Viềng is held once a year, on the night of the 7th into the 8th day of the first lunar month[1][2]. It runs mainly from the evening until early the next morning[1]. In the Đinh Mùi year, the market night falls on the evening of Friday 12 February 2027 to the morning of Saturday 13 February 2027.
How does Chợ Viềng Chùa differ from Chợ Viềng Phủ?
Although people speak of one Chợ Viềng, there are in fact two markets held on the same night in the former Nam Định area, now part of Ninh Bình province[1].
- Chợ Viềng Chùa, also called Chợ Viềng Nam Giang, is held in the former Nam Giang township, home to Đại Bi pagoda, which worships the Zen master Từ Đạo Hạnh[1]. After the 2025 reorganisation, Nam Giang belongs to Nam Trực commune, Ninh Bình province.
- Chợ Viềng Phủ, also called Chợ Viềng Phủ Dày or Chợ Viềng Kim Thái, is held around the Phủ Dày relic complex, which worships the Holy Mother Liễu Hạnh[1]. In 2023 the market was held at the Phủ Dầy relic complex in Kim Thái commune and spread into Trung Thành commune and Gôi township[2]; since 2025, Kim Thái and Gôi belong to Vụ Bản commune and Trung Thành to Hiển Khánh commune.
| Criterion | Chợ Viềng Chùa | Chợ Viềng Phủ |
|---|---|---|
| Other names | Chợ Viềng Nam Giang | Chợ Viềng Phủ Dày, Chợ Viềng Kim Thái |
| Associated site | Đại Bi pagoda, worshipping Zen master Từ Đạo Hạnh | Phủ Dày complex, worshipping Holy Mother Liễu Hạnh |
| Area before July 2025 | Nam Giang township | Kim Thái commune, Trung Thành commune, Gôi township |
| Current area | Nam Trực commune, Ninh Bình province | Vụ Bản and Hiển Khánh communes, Ninh Bình province |
| Time | Night of the 7th into the 8th of the first lunar month | Night of the 7th into the 8th of the first lunar month |
Why is going to Chợ Viềng about "buying luck and selling misfortune"?
Most people who go to Chợ Viềng share the idea of buying luck and selling misfortune (mua may bán rủi)[2]. So sellers do not quote high prices and buyers do not haggle much[2], and both sides hope for a peaceful, lucky new year rather than for profit[1].
Visitors usually buy a small item to take home for luck; the value of the item matters less than having bought something on the market night.
What is sold at Chợ Viềng?
The goods are mainly plants, farm tools and antiques[1]. There are hundreds of thousands of items, from bronze, stone, porcelain and wooden objects to genuine antiques and imitations, along with many ornamental plants[1].
VietnamPlus calls Chợ Viềng a market typical of the farming population of the Red River delta[1]: farm tools and seedlings bought at the start of the year are meant for the new crop.
How is Phủ Dày linked to Mother Goddess worship?
Phủ Dày worships Mother Liễu Hạnh, part of the Mother Goddess belief that UNESCO has inscribed as intangible cultural heritage of humanity[2]. Analysing the legends of the Buddha Mother Man Nương and the Holy Mother Liễu Hạnh, Nguyễn Hữu Thụ argues that Buddhism's blending with Mother Goddess worship cannot be separated from the spiritual needs of the Vietnamese.
The two markets, one before Đại Bi pagoda and one beside Phủ Dày, show that intertwining clearly on a single early-spring night.
Nhật Nguyệt's suggestion: what to keep in mind at Chợ Viềng?
The market is busiest at night, so go in a group, keep your belongings close and check the local traffic arrangements beforehand. If you want to visit both markets, allow time to travel between Nam Trực commune and Vụ Bản commune.
The "antiques" on sale include imitations[1], so do not pay genuine-antique prices for an item that has not been appraised. For luck, one small purchase is enough.
