Cat Bi Market is known for its affordable and delicious food, with many household goods and a vibrant food section.

Some must-try foods are available at the market.

Beef skin salad is a popular dish.

Beef skin salad has a mix of chewy and crunchy textures with bold flavors.

Beef skin salad is a signature street food made from boiled beef, skin, and other parts, mixed with lemongrass and roasted rice powder.

The dish has a chewy texture with bold heat from the dipping sauce and a slight sourness from herbs.

Diners wrap the mixture in rice paper with herbs and dip it in fish sauce or other pastes.

The dish costs VND25,000 - 30,000 per 100 grams, enough for one to two people.

Stir-fried geoduck is another popular dish.

Stir-fried geoduck has a rich golden sauce and a coastal flavor.

Geoduck is a type of mollusk found in Hai Phong's waters, with a long siphon and sweet meat.

At Cat Bi Market, geoduck is stir-fried with onion, garlic, and other spices.

Cooks add starch to achieve a thick consistency.

The finished dish has a golden color and a rich sauce, served in small bowls for VND30,000.

The dish may not suit everyone, especially those with sensitive stomachs.

Banh beo is a soft and delicate dish.

Banh beo is infused with the aroma of banana leaves.

Banh beo is a familiar delicacy in Hai Phong, available in traditional markets.

Hai Phong's banh beo is wrapped in banana leaves and shaped like a boat, with a filling of pork and mushrooms.

Each piece is cut into slices and topped with fried shallots, served with a dipping sauce.

The texture melts in the mouth, blending with the filling and banana leaves.

Banh beo is sold in pairs for VND15,000 - 20,000.

More local delights are available at the market.

Visitors can enjoy other specialties like banh duc, fried dumplings, and sweet soups.

The market features regional dishes like fresh spring rolls and bun bo.

Prices are affordable, ranging from VND15,000 to 30,000 per serving.

With VND150,000, visitors can try five to six dishes and leave satisfied.

Dessert stalls offer a variety of sweet soups, from lotus seed to fruit mixes, starting from VND10,000 per cup.

Tips for visitors are available to enhance their experience.

Visitors should travel in groups to sample more dishes.

The best time to explore the market is between 3pm and 5pm, when most stalls are open.

Thao Trinh is the author.