Ben Thanh Market, Ho Chi Minh City: A Saigon Icon

More than just a popular spot for shopping and dining, Ben Thanh Market is a unique symbol of Saigon, now known as Ho Chi Minh City. Exploring Ben Thanh Market not only allows you to find unique products but also gives you a deeper understanding of the culture and history of Ho Chi Minh City.

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Overview of Ben Thanh Market

The history of Ben Thanh Market is closely linked to the rise and fall of Saigon-Cholon over hundreds of years. Initially, the market was located on the banks of the Ben Nghe River, near a river dock used by soldiers and civilians entering the Gia Dinh Citadel. Because of its location and function, it was named “Ben Thanh Market.”

After the Le Van Khoi uprising (1833–1835), the Gia Dinh Citadel was demolished, leading to the market’s desolation. When the French attacked Saigon in February 1859, Ben Thanh Market was completely burned down.

In 1860, the French rebuilt the market at its original site. After several renovations, the market became more spacious, with brick columns, an iron frame, and tiled roofing.

By 1912, the old market had severely deteriorated; the stalls were rotting and on the verge of collapse. The French authorities decided to construct a new Ben Thanh Market at its current location between 1912 and 1914, featuring a symbolic clock tower at the southern gate.

In 1952, during a market renovation, twelve reliefs crafted by the Bien Hoa Art Workshop were added to its four entrances. Since then, the image of Ben Thanh Market has become a familiar and cherished symbol, embodying the cultural memory of Ho Chi Minh City.

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Entrances of Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market covers an area of approximately 13,056 square meters and is designed with four main entrances facing bustling streets. Each entrance is lined with various stalls, offering a wide selection of products for visitors to choose from.

South Gate: Facing Le Loi Street and Quach Thi Trang Square, this entrance offers goods like fabrics, clothing, and dried foods. Notably, the South Gate is the market’s main entrance, featuring the iconic clock tower that has been preserved since the market’s construction. It is also a favorite spot for tourists to take photos.
North Gate: Facing Le Thanh Ton Street, this entrance is home to stalls selling fresh produce and fruit, attractively displayed to catch the eye of shoppers.
East Gate: Located on Phan Boi Chau Street, this area is packed with stalls selling sweets and cosmetics. The East Gate is particularly crowded during holidays and festive seasons.
West Gate: Facing Phan Chu Trinh Street, this entrance features stalls selling handicrafts, souvenirs, and footwear.

In addition to these four main entrances, Ben Thanh Market has 12 auxiliary entrances that branch out in all directions around the market.

How to Get to Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market is located in the heart of District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, making it convenient for visitors. You can choose from various means of transportation to get there:

Walking: If you are staying in District 1, you can walk to the market, especially if you are also planning to visit the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts or other nearby attractions.
Motorbike or Car: These are the most common means of transportation to Ben Thanh Market. There are many parking spots around the market if you decide to drive yourself.
Bus: You can take bus routes 03, 04, 152, 19, 20, 39, 53, 93, or 96 to reach Ben Thanh Market. The bus stops are only about a 5-minute walk from the market.
Taxi: Taxis are readily available and can drop you off at any entrance of your choice.

Operating Hours of Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market is open every day, including holidays, and has two distinct operating periods: day and night.

Day Market: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
During the day, the market is bustling with stalls offering a wide variety of goods, including textiles, souvenirs, handicrafts, fresh produce, seafood, spices, fruits, and dried foods.
Night Market: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
At night, the market becomes more peaceful, mainly featuring food stalls that sell local snacks and drinks. Some shops selling clothing, accessories, and souvenirs also remain open.

What to Buy at Ben Thanh Market

Enjoy the Cuisine

Tasting the local cuisine at Ben Thanh Market is an experience not to be missed. The market’s food court is quite famous and beloved by many visitors for its variety of dishes, including broken rice, grilled pork rice, spring rolls, vermicelli with grilled pork, Hue-style beef noodle soup, Vietnamese pancakes (banh xeo), seven-colored sticky rice, and many other local specialties you won’t find elsewhere.

Clothing and Accessories Stalls

Inside the market and along the two adjacent streets, Phan Boi Chau and Phan Chu Trinh, you will find numerous stalls selling a wide range of clothing and accessories at various price points. Remember to ask for the price and negotiate before making a purchase.

Handicrafts and Souvenirs

The handicraft stalls will amaze you with their colorful and diverse range of products. Ben Thanh Market is considered the most diverse and abundant place for handicrafts in Ho Chi Minh City. This trade has been passed down through generations, making it a preferred destination for international tourists looking to buy souvenirs. However, always ask for the price and negotiate before buying.

Fabric Stalls and Tailoring Services

Unlike other markets in Ho Chi Minh City that sell only fabric, Ben Thanh Market’s fabric stalls also offer tailoring services, delivering custom-made clothes within a day. This is a convenient option for international tourists, allowing them to save time and receive a tailored product for a reasonable price, starting from just a few dozen U.S. dollars.

Fresh Fruits

Walking past the stalls selling fresh tropical fruits, you’ll be delighted by the variety and vibrant colors, accompanied by a fragrant aroma. The selection of fruits at the market is sure to fascinate you.

Tips and Notes for Shopping at Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market serves both as a place for everyday shopping and as a popular tourist destination, attracting many international visitors. To ensure the best experience, it’s helpful to keep a few tips in mind.

According to SVietnam, prices at Ben Thanh Market are usually higher than those at other markets, and sometimes there are no clear price tags. Therefore, be sure to ask for the price beforehand and use your bargaining skills a bit to get the best deal.
Given the market’s large area and the numerous stalls, you will need at least 1 to 2 hours to explore. Make sure to plan your time accordingly.
When taking photos at the market’s exterior gates, be mindful of the traffic to avoid any accidents, as these areas are often crowded with vehicles.
If you do not intend to buy anything, feel free to walk around the market, but avoid touching the goods and then putting them back, as this can irritate the vendors.
Keep a close eye on your bag to prevent theft or snatching.

Attractions Near Ben Thanh Market

There are several famous tourist spots near Ben Thanh Market that you can visit:

Saigon Central Post Office: Discover the classic architecture that is a distinctive feature of Saigon.
Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts: This museum houses and displays traditional and contemporary Vietnamese paintings and sculptures.
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon: A remarkable architectural work in Saigon.
Independence Palace: A historical site in Vietnam’s struggle for independence.
Nguyen Hue Walking Street: A hub for entertainment, shopping, and dining activities.

With its rich historical and cultural values spanning hundreds of years, Ben Thanh Market is undoubtedly a fascinating destination during your visit to Ho Chi Minh City. The tips we’ve provided may not cover everything, but we hope they contribute to a better experience for your trip. If you need further assistance, our travel advisory team is always here to help you.

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