If the North has Hanoi Dong Xuan market, the South has Ben Thanh Saigon market. During more than 100 years of existence and development, the market is not only a business place but also a witness to many important historical events of the ancient Saigon land.
Today, Ben Thanh Market is considered one of the symbols of the city, also a famous tourist destination that any visitor wants to visit at least once.
How Ben Thanh Market is unique?
From a primitive market with materials such as brick, wooden thatched roof, but since its inauguration, the market has been in operation for over 100 years. Although in 1985, Ben Thanh Saigon market was renovated and overhauled, basically the old architecture remains. It is the tower with 4 clocks facing 4 sides above the main gate, the other 3 sides have simpler architecture.
Top things to do in Ben Thanh Market
Currently, Ben Thanh market has an area of about 13,000 m2, is the largest retail market with more than 1,400 stalls and about 6,000 small businesses – where you can find a lot of items from pots. people to high-end.
As expected of the name “The city does not sleep”, even in the Ben Thanh market Saigon also shows that. The street lights up when the market becomes the busiest and most exciting. Around 7:00 p.m., the main stalls started to close to make room for the stalls of clothing stalls, souvenirs, handicrafts … outside the market on Phan Chu Trinh and Phan Boi Chau streets to operate.
At night is also the time when people sell seafood, baked goods, beer, and water. Every night, locals and tourists gather here to enjoy delicious food and immerse in the vibrant and dynamic night atmosphere.
Ben Thanh Market is relatively large, so you usually need 1-2 hours to visit, shop and enjoy the food in the market. After “bombarding” every corner here, you can combine visiting more nearby commercial centres such as Diamond Plaza, Vincom or visit Bitexco Financial Tower to see the city view from above.
How to get there?
If you depart from Hanoi and other provinces, you can travel by plane, train, or bus to Ho Chi Minh City. Then, move to the territory of District 1 to reach the market, the market is located in the centre of District 1, the way is easy! To get to the market fastest you should use a motorbike or taxi, but simpler and more economical, use the bus.
Since Ben Thanh market and the central bus station are quite close to each other, most buses take you to the market, you can choose one of the bus routes No. 02, 04, 18, 28, 36, 45, 52, 65, 93, 152 …
What to eat in Ben Thanh Market?
Do not forget to mention the diverse and rich cuisine of Ben Thanh market. Saigon sweet soup is certainly no stranger to people from all over the world, coming to the market, you will be overwhelmed by the long rows of tea stalls of all colours, green, yellow banana, corn, white Coconut milk, purple taro, red from pomegranate dew,… And especially, at Gate 7, there is a tea shop for more than 40 years specializing in Southern sweet soup.
The main dishes must include broken rice, rib rice, vermicelli fish sauce, spring rolls, grilled pork vermicelli, and seven colours sticky rice. The snacks are plentiful like mixed rice paper, Hue duck cake, snail dishes, cake flour, …
Recommended accommodation
- A&EM Hotel
- Avanti Hotel
- Silverland Central Hotel
- Ben Thanh home
Hopefully, with the above experiences of going to Ben Thanh market, you will know how to explore this market simply and easily. Have a nice tours in Ho Chi Minh City and have a lot of interesting experiences.
