As the annual Halloween festival approaches, Hang Ma Street in Hanoi’s Old Quarter bursts to life with a dazzling array of spooky toys, costumes and decorations.
The vibrant Hang Ma Street at night. Photo: Duy Khanh/ The Hanoi Times
The narrow Hang Ma Street, long renowned for its traditional craft shops, transforms in the days leading up to the Halloween Festival into a lively hub of festive cheer, drawing both locals and tourists alike.
Held every October 31, this Western cultural celebration carries a meaningful message: it encourages children to overcome their fears of ghosts and darkness while embracing the joyful and playful aspects of life. Over the past two decades, Halloween has steadily gained popularity in Vietnam, gradually becoming a favorite occasion for young people to gather, socialize, and enjoy lighthearted fun.
During this festive period, schools, supermarkets, restaurants, and families all join in with a variety of Halloween-themed activities. The streets and shops are adorned with colorful decorations, reflecting both creativity and a growing local fascination with this Western tradition. Recognizing the demand, Hanoi’s businesses have enthusiastically embraced Halloween as a seasonal opportunity.
On Hang Ma Street, vendors are busy preparing for the celebration, offering a wide assortment of toys, costumes, and festive trinkets. According to a local merchant, this year’s selection is quite diverse, ranging from plastic pumpkins and lanterns to skeleton figurines, costumes, and Halloween-inspired fashion accessories.
“The best-selling items that children love the most are witch robes and pumpkin lanterns,” she explained.
As dusk falls, a corner of Hanoi’s Old Quarter glows with colorful and eye-catching Halloween displays, delighting both locals and foreign visitors.
These pumpkin lanterns are displayed on the sidewalk for sale.
The haunting ghost masks add a playful scare to the lively street scene.
The traditional Halloween colors of orange, black, and white dominate the scene.
Grotesque silicone spiders are on display, ready for eager buyers.
Prices are budget-friendly for visitors: pumpkin lights range from VND80,000 (US$3.30) to VND150,000 ($6.20) depending on size, while spooky masks cost VND40,000 ($1.60) to VND400,000 ($16.50) depending on material and design.
Children flock to the colorful Halloween toys, eyes wide with excitement.
The festive items remain on display until the end of October, after which Hang Ma Street begins preparing for the next celebrations.
By November, Halloween decorations give way to the bright and joyful displays of Christmas and New Year’s Eve, ushering in the holiday season in the heart of Hanoi.
Walking down Hang Ma Street during this period is not just a visual experience-it’s a full symphony of sights, sounds, and scents.
A vivid snapshot of Hanoi’s dynamic spirit, where local culture meets a playful celebration of worldwide customs.
By Jenna Duong – Duy Khanh
