Luyện theo cấu trúc Cambridge IELTS 16 · Speaking Part 1–3: Night Markets

1. Not as often as I'd like, to be honest. During the week I'm usually too tired after work, but on Friday or Saturday evenings I tend to meet friends for something to eat, especially in the summer when it's too hot to do much during the day.

2. Yes, there's a small wet market about five minutes' walk from my flat. It's mainly for fresh food, like vegetables, fish and meat, and it gets busy very early in the morning. In the evening, the same street turns into a little food market with a few stalls selling snacks.

3. It depends on what I'm buying. For fruit and vegetables I'd rather go to the market, because things are fresher and you can chat with the sellers. But for household items or anything packaged, a supermarket is more convenient since everything is in one place and the prices are fixed.

4. Plenty of times. Just last week I bought a bag of roasted sweet potatoes from a woman with a cart outside my office. It's one of those little pleasures of city life: it's cheap, it's freshly made, and you don't have to wait.

5. I'd say it's actually the best time. The temperature drops, people have finished work, and many shops stay open quite late. The only drawback is that popular places can get extremely crowded after about seven o'clock.

I'd like to talk about a night market I visited in a coastal town in the centre of my country, about two years ago, during a short holiday with my cousins.

The market was set up every evening along the riverbank, right next to the old town. During the day it was just an ordinary road, but at around six o'clock dozens of vendors arrived with folding tables, lights and gas stoves, and within half an hour the whole street had been transformed.

What struck me first was the sheer variety of things on sale. Near the entrance there were stalls selling handmade lanterns, silk scarves and wooden souvenirs, which were obviously aimed at tourists. But further along, the market became much more local, with grilled seafood, rice pancakes and a sweet bean dessert that I'd never tried before. There was even a man repairing watches under a single light bulb, which I found quite charming.

As for why I enjoyed it so much, I think it was mainly the atmosphere. There was a real buzz in the air, with music from a nearby café, the smell of food cooking and people of all ages wandering around. Unlike a shopping mall, nothing felt planned or polished, and every evening was slightly different. I also liked the fact that I could talk to the vendors. One elderly woman explained how she made her rice cakes, and she insisted that we try one for free. Having said that, it was extremely crowded, and I had to keep a close eye on my bag. But overall, it's one of the most memorable evenings I've had while travelling, and I'd love to go back.

1. I think a lot of it comes down to climate and lifestyle. In hot countries, people naturally prefer to go out after dark, when it's cooler. Night markets are also cheap and informal, so they're a place where families, students and tourists can all spend an evening without spending much money.

2. On the whole, I'd say they help. They give small traders a way to earn a living without the high rents of a shop, and they attract visitors who then spend money in nearby restaurants and hotels. The downside is that they can create noise and rubbish, which local residents and shopkeepers sometimes complain about.

3. To some extent, yes. The authorities clearly need to enforce basic hygiene standards for food and make sure nothing illegal or unsafe is being sold. But I don't think they should regulate too heavily, because part of the appeal of these markets is their spontaneity, and excessive rules could push small vendors out of business.

4. Quite significantly, in many places. Stalls that used to sell everyday goods for local people have often switched to souvenirs or more expensive food aimed at visitors. That brings in money, of course, but there's a risk that the market loses its authenticity and becomes a sort of theme park version of itself.

5. I doubt it. Online shopping is unbeatable for convenience, but people don't go to a night market just to buy things; they go for the experience, the food and the social atmosphere. So I can imagine markets becoming more focused on food and entertainment, but I don't think they'll disappear.