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.

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The market is large, sometimes difficult to navigate and is definitely best avoided during the hottest part of the day but it's all well worth a look. As night falls, the restaurants around the market open up, creating a vibrant roadside scene filled with the scent of fried noodles, grilled fish and meat. One of Saigon's oldest landmarks, Ben Thanh offers a wonderfully authentic Vietnamese atmosphere.

Save your appetite and head to Ben Thanh Market in the evening where you can be served some real street style local food at one of the 20 or so eateries that surround the market building. Chefs will cook in front of you with an endless array of cuisine choices including vegetarian noodles, fresh seafood, crispy rice pancakes and steamed cakes. You will be in great local company as most of the places thrive with locals enjoying a bite to eat and a quick drink on their way home from work.





For a shopper's paradise, it's best to head to the market early in the morning to pick up some bargains including lacquerware, bamboo goods, and handicrafts. There is also a sale of clothing, textiles, luggage, watches and a variety of electronic goods. Local spices, nuts and fruits freshen the air, which is also filled with the chatter of tourists and bargain locals. However, note that some items will be strictly priced.

Ben Thanh Market is located in District 1 in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City at the intersection 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 well known to all taxi drivers, although if you are in the city center check first to see if you can walk to the market from my hotel because it is located very central.

Ben Thanh Market
Opening Hours: Daily 6:00 –24:00