The main wet market in Hon Gai, on the eastern side of Halong City, is a working local market rather than a tourist attraction. It sells fresh seafood, vegetables, spices, and dry goods to the city's residents and is at its best in the early morning. The seafood section is particularly good — squid, crab, various reef fish, and sea snails direct from the fishing boats.
Getting here from Bai Chay requires crossing the Bai Chay Bridge, which is straightforward by Grab or taxi. The surrounding streets of Hon Gai have a more authentic local character than the tourist strip across the water — old French-era shophouses, local cafes, and a market town atmosphere that hasn't been fully absorbed into the tourism economy.