How to Shop in Ben Thanh Market, Ho Chi Minh City
Ben Thanh Market is the most lively, unique market in Ho Chi Minh City. This traditional Vietnamese market building, with its big clock tower, is a significant landmark, packed with street food vendors selling local cuisine, clothing stalls, souvenir shops, and handicraft goods.
Riza, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Ben Thanh Market is a shoppers paradise in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, and in this post we are going to explore all it has to offer. Let's discover Ben Thanh Market!
History of Ben Thanh Market
Ben Thanh Market has a rich history dating back to the early 17th century. Originally a small, informal wet market founded by local street vendors near the Saigon River, it quickly became a bustling hub for trade. In 1859, the French colonial powers took over the Gia Dinh citadel and formally established the market. After a fire destroyed the original structure in 1870, it was rebuilt and renamed “Les Halles Centrales.”
In 1912, the market was relocated to its current location near the My Tho railway station (now the Saigon bus station) and renamed “Ben Thanh Market.” This move marked the beginning of its transformation into the iconic market we know today. The market’s distinctive bell tower and French Indochinese design have remained intact through several renovations, preserving its original historical charm.
View of street vendors and shops outside Ben Thanh Market, Ho Chi Minh City
Throughout the years, Bến Thành Market has been more than just a shopping destination; it has served as a cultural melting pot and a reflection of the city’s evolving identity. During the Vietnam War, the market continued to operate, becoming a place of resilience amid conflict. After the reunification of Vietnam in 1975, it underwent further changes, adapting to new economic realities and the influx of foreign tourists.
Today, Ben Thanh Market is one of the most famous and popular tourist destinations in Ho Chi Minh City. It serves as a central hub for wholesale and retail items, with over 1,500 booths offering everything from fresh produce and coffee beans to clothing and souvenirs.
Visitors can immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere and explore a wide range of Vietnamese cuisine, including delicious street food. Its modern function as a central market has made it an icon of Vietnamese culture and a place where foreign visitors can experience the ambience of Ho Chi Minh City within an historic marketplace.
What to Buy at Ben Thanh Market
Ben Thanh Market sells almost everything, including fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and flowers. Unique Vietnamese traditional handicrafts, such as lacquerware and coconut dinnerware, are great souvenirs. There is a huge variety of goods at Ben Thanh Market, but many tourists visit to buy clothing and sneakers, along with general souvenirs.
Stalls in Ben Thanh Market, Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnamese coffee beans and local snacks like dried mango or other dried fruits are also on the list of things to buy. Ultimately, the choice of what to buy at Ben Thanh Market is up to you, as there are so many stalls selling different goods that you can most likely find whatever you're looking for.
Shopping and Bargaining Tips
Bargaining like a pro can be difficult, but following these tips will surely help. Always smile and negotiate in a friendly manner; don’t look like you want it, and browse some other stalls to gain knowledge of the price before you bargain.
Vendors in Ben Thanh Market, Ho Chi Minh City
Be respectful when bargaining; if you are too desperate to buy the product, the vendors might sense it and keep the price high, so don't be afraid to walk away from a purchase and take a look at some other stalls, as some stalls nearby will probably sell the same product.
Offering vendors roughly 50% of the asking price is a good starting point, they might give you a return offer, and you can meet them half way if you like. The trick is to not mind walking away if you don’t get the price you want.
It's important to remember that Ben Thanh Market is a tourist market, although Vietnamese people do visit the market, they are usually visiting from other cities in Vietnam, meaning they are still tourists in Ho Chi Minh City just like you. This means Ben Thanh Market is designed to look like a local market but aimed to draw in tourism, making it more crowded and sometimes slightly more expensive than local markets.
Not all markets and shops in Ho Chi Minh City will require you to bargain with vendors, but Ben Thanh Market is one particular place where prices are not listed and you will most likely need to bargain to get the price you want.
Food and Drink at Ben Thanh Market
Ben Thanh Market is famous for its food courts and offers a variety of dishes. You can find steaming bowls of pho, flavorful banh mi sandwiches, fresh seafood, tropical fruits, and tasty desserts.
Ben Thanh Market Street food vendors
Some must-try dishes include Pho, Nem Ran (Vietnamese Spring Rolls), Bun Rieu Ganh, Bun Bo Hue, Summer Rolls, Broken Rice, and Be Che.
Many stalls serve Vietnamese coffee too, which is a delicious pick me up after a long day of browsing the stalls.
Practical Information
Ben Thanh Market is located in District 1 in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. One of the main entrances to Ben Thanh Market is on Phan Boi Chau Street. The market is one of the most famous landmarks of Ho Chi Minh City and is known to all taxi drivers. The following tips below should help you on your travels to the market.
Getting There: Ben Thanh Market is conveniently located in the Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, near the intersection of Le Loi and Ham Nghi streets. The market is easily accessible by taxi or ride-hailing services, making it a hassle-free destination for tourists.
Opening Hours: The market operates from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with the nearby night market taking over from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. This allows visitors to experience the market’s vibrant atmosphere both during the day and in the evening.
Ben Thanh Market is actually one of the easiest places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City, but the information above may help your journey be a bit more seamless.
Ben Thanh Night Market Experience
Ben Thanh Night Market is just as popular as the regular market, although this market is set up outside the Ben Thanh Market on the street. It is located right next to Bến Thành Market, so you should be able to spot it by arriving at the Ben Thanh Market area.
Terrazzo from Vernon Hills, IL, USA, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
The night market hours open at 6 p.m. and close at 10 p.m. when traders set up their booths on the east and west sides of the market. You can find many things here, including traditional clothing, electronics, and souvenirs. It sells similar items to the regular Ben Thanh Market with a tiny bit less variety.
Foodies will enjoy the street food market section in the night market. Vendors there sell Vietnamese dishes along with international street food. The night market is a great place to try local street food and drinks at cheap prices.
Overall, the night market is a great addition to the regular Ben Thanh Market, however, I do still recommend visiting the day market, and if you have the time, add in the night market a bit later for some extra fun.
Alternative Markets in Ho Chi Minh City
Ben Thanh Market is great, it's a vibrant cultural hub that provides a ton of goods and street food all in one place. However, it does have its drawbacks, the market is often too busy, and prices are sometimes too high. So for those looking for some alternative markets to visit in Ho Chi Minh City, try Anh Dong Market and the Russian Market (Cho Nga).
There are many other markets and even night markets dotted around Ho Chi Minh City that offer more reasonable prices with less bargaining. So for those who dislike bargaining and busy places, I still recommend visiting Ben Thanh Market, but you may want to do your shopping in another market as it can get pretty hectic in Ben Thanh Market.
Nearby Attractions
Ben Thanh Market is located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City in District 1, which means there are a number of great attractions nearby. Some of these sites, including the Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post, Reunification Palace, and the War Remnants Museum, are nearby attractions.
View of the Reunification Palace in Ho Chi Minh City
In the late afternoon or evening, you can go to Bui Vien Street, also known as the backpacker street, or head to Nguyen Hue Walking Street for a more local experience. Both of which are great locations to walk, eat street food, and shop.
Bundling some of the sites together to save time is a great idea because there are so many nearby attractions that it's easy to do this. Many visitors will visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, and Reunification Palace before or after shopping at the Ben Thanh Market. Just be sure to check the opening and closing times of each site and plan your day around them.
Hotels near Ben Thanh Market
The central location of Ben Thanh Market makes it a great place to stay nearby. It's situated right in the center of Ho Chi Minh City District 1 and has access to a range of shops, restaurants, bars, and other amenities that are within walking distance of the market.
There are plenty of luxury hotels nearby, along with medium-budget hotels, guesthouses, hostels, and apartments. The variety of places to stay in this area is massive, and the prices are quite reasonable, especially when you consider that most attractions are within walking distance, which means there won't be much need for taxis.
Conclusion
Ben Thanh Market is a must-see attraction in Ho Chi Minh City, offering a wide range of goods and a unique shopping experience. It has a rich history, a vibrant atmosphere, and delicious food, making Ben Thanh Market a great place to discover the local culture.
Whether you’re looking for souvenirs, trying local street food, or simply looking to experience a Vietnamese market, Ben Thanh Market is a must-visit destination in Ho Chi Minh City.