The Ramadan food market in an alley down Duong Ba Trac Street in District 8, Ho Chi Minh City, has been crowded with customers every afternoon during the first half of the Muslim holy month.

The food market will run until March 30, marking the end of Ramadan this year.

The market is unique in that all dishes adhere to Halal standards, ensuring food is prepared according to Islamic regulations.

Halal requirements not only prohibit pork and alcohol but also mandate specific processing methods, including the slaughter of cattle according to Islamic rituals, ensuring minimal animal suffering and requiring that the processor be Muslim.

Snacks and desserts from the Ramadan food market on Duong Ba Trac Street in District 8, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: To Cuong / Tuoi Tre

Beyond a food destination, the Ramadan market offers a glimpse into the rich culture of the Muslim Cham community, creating an unforgettable experience in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.

Stalls at the market begin serving at 2:00 pm, with peak activity around 4:00 pm when the full range of dishes is on display. 

While some vendors stay open into the night, most stalls sell out early due to the large crowds. 

A stall offers fried pastries at the Ramadan food market on Duong Ba Trac Street in District 8, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: To Cuong / Tuoi Tre

The market, though small, immerses visitors in a vibrant culinary atmosphere filled with the aroma of fried foods and the rich scent of coconut milk from traditional desserts.

Women in Hijabs serve snacks and desserts, while men tend to hot oil pans, frying sweet potato patties and banana fritters. 

The market’s best-sellers include roti canai (buttery Indian flatbread), fried sweet potato patties, and sakaya (a fragrant, fatty egg cake of the Cham people). 

A stall offers butter-fried chicken and quail at the Ramadan food market on Duong Ba Trac Street in District 8, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: To Cuong / Tuoi Tre

Prices are affordable, with most items costing around VND5,000 (US$0.2) for two cakes, while larger ones range from VND10,000 ($0.4) to VND25,000 ($1).

Visitors are advised to carry small change as not all stalls accept QR code payments. 

The market, initially catering to the Muslim community, has grown in popularity, becoming a culinary hotspot in Ho Chi Minh City. 

A stall offers butter-fried chicken and quail at the Ramadan food market on Duong Ba Trac Street in District 8, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: To Cuong / Tuoi Tre

Social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook feature numerous reviews, drawing tens of thousands of views and attracting a growing number of young customers keen to explore both the food and the culture of Vietnam’s Muslim community.

Quynh Chi, 24, shared that this was her first visit to the market and that she had spent two days sampling the diverse dishes. 

She recommended the beef curry from Ro Yal’s shop, a popular choice costing VND50,000 ($2) per portion. 

Beef curry served with samosas and murtabak from the Ramadan food market on Duong Ba Trac Street in District 8, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: To Cuong / Tuoi Tre

The beef curry is slow-cooked until tender, with a unique flavor that is milder than the strong spices typically found in Indian or Middle Eastern dishes. 

Ro Yal’s stall also serves ‘pai pa ghenh,’ a traditional Cham soup, and other popular items to pair with the curry, such as samosas (fried pastry), murtabak (stuffed pancake or pan-fried bread), and roti canai.

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