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Ben Thanh Market

As the bustling market of Ho Chi Minh City, Ben Thanh is a must-visit destination for any traveler. This market boasts a rich blend of history, culture, and commerce that can be discovered through its diverse array of stalls and shops. This article will cover everything you need to know about this vibrant market.

Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - Vietnamdrive

Ben Thanh Market is an iconic symbol of Ho Chi Minh City

Location

Located in the central area of Ho Chi Minh City, Ben Thanh Market is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the vibrant culture of Vietnam. More than just a place to shop, the market also offers opportunities for cultural and culinary exploration. From early morning until late at night, the market brims with vendors selling fresh vegetables, meat, seafood, and a variety of Vietnamese street food. Visitors can try many authentic dishes such as pho, banh mi, spring rolls, or shop for traditional items such as ao dai, lacquerware, and silk.

Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market Vietnam has been an iconic symbol of Saigon for hundreds of years

After over 100 years since its establishment, Ben Thanh Market has become not only a trading hub but also a witness to the many ups and downs of Saigon. Whether you are looking for a glimpse into the country's rich heritage, a taste of the local cuisine, or an insight into the daily life of Vietnamese people, the market can meet all your needs.

History of Ben Thanh Market

The market was first created as an informal gathering of street vendors near Saigon River. After the French colonial powers took over Gia Định citadel in 1859, they formally established Ben Thanh Market near Ben Nghe River. That is also why it was called Ben Thanh, as “ben” means "river wharf" and “thanh” means "citadel".The market was made from bricks, wood, and thatched roofs.

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The old Ben Thanh Market

In 1870, a fire destroyed the market and after it was rebuilt,After being used for decades, around 1911, the market became unstable and was in danger of collapse. To avoid this, French imperialists built a new market in Bo Ret area (or Marais Boresse area), which is now the current location of Ben Thanh Market. Construction began in 1912 and was completed in 1914, it was named "The New Ben Thanh Market" to distinguish it from its older brother.. Since then, the market has undergone many renovations. The latest was happened in the year 1985. Still, its exterior structure and clock tower have been preserved. it was and stayed the largest market in Saigon.

Today, because the market possesses one of the most crucial locations in District 1 (the intersection of Le Loi, Ham Nghi, Tran Hung Dao Avenues and Le Lai Street), transportation is extremely convenient and trade is bustling. In the morning, you can find almost everything from dry food to clothes for a reasonable price. The market atmosphere can sometime be a real hustle and bustle, but it is an exciting experience after all. However, always remember that bargain is a must in any Vietnamese market.

Ben Thanh Market's Gates

The market has 4 main entrances and 12 sub-entrances. Each main entrance is located on a different street and displays many popular items for visitors to shop. Literally, everything under the sun can be found here. There are up to 1500 stalls managed by 6000 merchants inside the market:

  • The Southern gate: Located on Le Loi Street and facing Quach Thi Trang Park, this entrance is the main gate of the market. It features a famous 3-faced clock tower as the highlight of the market. It also leads to stalls offering garments, clothes and dried foods, while fresh produce stalls selling fresh fruit, meat and flowers can be found around the Northern gate.
  • The Eastern Gate: Located on Phan Boi Chau Street, the east entrance is a paradise of cosmetics where you can get to buy a wide range of body care and skin care products, and the Western gate leads to stalls that sell footwear and souvenirs.
  • The Western Gate: Located on Phan Chu Trinh Street, this entrance has many stalls selling shoes, handmade crafts, and souvenirs
  • The Northern Gate: Located on Le Thanh Tong Street, this entrance offers a variety of fresh flowers and tropical fruits.
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Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City | Expedia

The stores in Westerm Gate

Also, there is a large food centre inside the market which offers mouth-watering local Vietnamese food which is pretty much reasonably priced. A bowl of pho can cost as much as VND 60,000 (~USD 3)The top 3 things to do at Ben Thanh Market Saigon, while a bowl of sweet dessert is priced at VND 20,000 (~USD 1).

Walking Night Market Ben Thanh - Shop & Eat at Ben Thanh Night Market

A stall in Ben Thanh's Market Food Hall

The ideal time to visit Ben Thanh Market

If you want to shop around, the best time to visit the market is between 7:30 am and 6 pm. If you want to enjoy the bustling atmosphere of numerous food stalls on Phan Boi Chau Street next to the market, come after 7 pm. Note that the market is quite spacious and has lots of stalls, so it may take you 1-2 hours to explore thoroughly.

Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market at night offers a lively and bustling atmosphere for visitors to enjoy

Top 3 things to do at Ben Thanh Market Saigon

Ben Thanh is known for its rich history, bustling atmosphere, and diverse goods. Below is a list of the top 3 things to do when visiting this market:

Explore the symbolic architecture of the market

Ben Thanh Market boasts a unique architectural style, which is a blend of Indochinese and French influences. It is a rectangular building with a notable clock tower in the front, a wooden vaulted ceiling, and open sides. Despite the many renovations, the exterior and clock tower of the market are still preserved, inviting visitors to discover a bygone era with every step they take.

Ben Thanh Market

The exterior architecture of Ben Thanh reflects its long history and cultural significance

Enjoy delectable Ben Thanh Market food

For those who enjoy Vietnamese cuisine, the spacious dining area in Ben Thanh is a must-visit. This culinary destination features a diverse array of dishes from every region of Vietnam, drawing in both domestic and foreign visitors. Some prominent dishes include Vietnamese pancakes, avocado ice cream, Vietnamese noodles with grilled pork, grilled spring rolls, vermicelli with snails, and grilled meat skewers, all of which offer a rich explosion of flavors to satisfy your appetite.

Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh is a paradise for food lovers

Shopping for souvenirs

This market is also a haven for souvenir hunters. With numerous shops selling various souvenirs, visitors can easily find unique items to bring back home as gifts for their loved ones. From traditional Vietnamese hats, silk scarves, clothing to wooden handicrafts, lacquerware, and ceramics, there is an endless array of gift options for you to choose from. If you are a fan of the local culture, don't miss out on some colorful conical hats or intricately embroidered ao dai dresses. Other popular souvenirs here include coffee beans, tea leaves, and various local spices.

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Souvenir stall in Ben Thanh Market

 

Important Node of Public Transport

Ben Thanh Market is not only an important traffic node in District 1, right opposite of the popular shopping attraction across the roundabout, you find a big bus station from where you can catch a bus to all districts of Ho Chi Minh City.

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Ben Thanh Bus Station

Ben Thanh is also one of the big stations of the upcoming subway. Line 1 of the "Ho Chi Minh City Metro", which is currently under construction, will connect Ben Thanh with Long Binh and Suoi Tien Park in District 9. Other planned lines will connect the station with Cholon, Binh Tan District and Tham Luong in District 12.

Ben Thanh Market is a must-visit destination in Ho Chi Minh City for those who want to experience the bustling atmosphere of a traditional Vietnamese market. Whether you are looking for traditional handicrafts, delicious street food, or a lively shopping experience, this market has something for everyone. Therefore, don't forget to include a visit to Ben Thanh Market in your itinerary!