Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh

Ben Thanh Market in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City is a great place to shop for local handicrafts, designer goods, Vietnamese art and other souvenirs. Here you’ll find food stalls inside the market where you can sample Vietnamese cuisine hawker-style or simply cool off with a cold drink when haggling becomes difficult. should be too much.

The​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ market is big, a bit tricky to find your way around and is definitely something you should avoid if it is too hot. However, it is still worth seeing. After dark, the eateries located around the market, which have been closed during the day, open their doors, thus creating a lively scene on the street full of the smells of fried noodles, grilled fish and meat. Ben Thanh, one of the oldest landmarks of Saigon, offers a very authentic Vietnamese atmosphere.

In the evening, go to Ben Thanh Market and take a chance on real local food in the street style at one of the 20 or so small restaurants around the market building which serve you. Cooking staff will prepare the food right in front of you and you can choose from a never-ending array of dishes like vegetarian noodles, fresh seafood, crispy rice pancakes and steamed cakes. Most of the places will be full of great local company as locals will be there to have a bite and a quick drink on their way home from ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌work.

The​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ best time to purchase some lacquerware, bamboo products, and handicrafts at a discount would be by going to the market early in the morning. Besides, there is a sale of clothing, textiles, luggage, watches, and a variety of electronic goods. The local spices, nuts, and fruits not only change the smell of the place, but also the sound of tourists and the locals, who are bargaining, are getting more and more lively. But keep in mind that some goods will have their prices fixed.

Ben Thanh Market is in District 1, the center of Ho Chi Minh City, and is located at the crossroads of Le Loi, Ham Nghe, Tan Hung, and Le Lai streets. Shops close in the late afternoon and shopping is best done in the morning before the heat of the day hits.

The market is one of Ho Chi Minh’s most famous landmarks and is known by all taxi drivers, but if you are in the city center, it is better to check first whether you can walk to the market from my hotel as it is located very central.

Ben Thanh Market

Opening Hours: Daily 6:00 ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌–24:00