Where is Ben Thanh Market? Experience in shopping for tourists

Becoming one of the long-standing symbols of Ho Chi Minh City, where is Ben Thanh market, what district is it in, and what attractive features it has are often common questions in the hearts of all tourists. Let's explore what Ben Thanh market has right here with HoaBinh Tourist.

Ben Thanh Market - famous destination in Saigon

Introduction to Ben Thanh market District 1

Where is Ben Thanh market?

To answer the question "What district is Ben Thanh Market in?", visitors need to know clearly that the market is located on Le Loi Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The main gate of Ben Thanh market, overlooking Quach Thi Trang square with the symbol of a three-sided clock tower, is also known as the South gate.

The market usually opens from 4:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., but to witness the busiest stalls, visitors should come here when most people start going to school or work. crowded.

Besides Ben Thanh market, there are also many other interesting places to visit nearby such as Landmark 81, city post office, Independence Palace, "corn building"... so you can combine them for your trip. Make your trip as reasonable and convenient as possible.

Ben Thanh Market impresses with its unique architecture

Information about Ben Thanh market - 100 years of history of formation and development

Where is the origin and origin of the name Ben Thanh market?

Over hundreds of years of history, Ben Thanh market is considered a typical symbol of Saigon. However, not everyone knows where this name comes from. Because in the past, this market was located next to a river wharf and often welcomed visitors and soldiers into the city, so from then on, the market's name was also taken as Ben Thanh market.

History of Ben Thanh market formation

Ancient Ben Thanh Market (from 1859 - 1911)

For the purpose of trading and exchanging essential goods, before the French colonial period, Ben Thanh market appeared and welcomed countless people and boats carrying goods crowded on the river. However, when the French invaded, the market was burned to the ground and it took a year to restore it to its original location.

New market period (from 1912 - present)

After a long time of use, the market gradually deteriorated and was in danger of collapsing at any time, so the French rebuilt it after filling a muddy pond named Bo Ret. Since 1912, it took another 2 years for the French construction contractor Brossard et Maupin to complete this project. The old architecture has since been preserved to this day, although Ben Thanh market underwent a major renovation and repair in 1985.

Ben Thanh Market - Famous 100 year old market in Saigon

Experience going to Ben Thanh market in District 1

How to get to Ben Thanh market

To ensure "going to the right place, returning to the right place", visitors need to find out in advance which street Ben Thanh Market is on, then can determine the appropriate method of transportation. There are 3 ways people often choose:

• Bus: Bus routes passing near Ben Thanh market are 03, 04, 152, 19, 20, 39, 53, 93, 96. Stops are usually about 200 - 600 meters from the market, takes about 4 - 8 minutes walk.
• Motorcycles, cars: Around the market there are many private parking spots with different prices, some places are cheap from 10,000 - 20,000 VND/trip but there are also places that "cut corners" with higher prices, Especially on crowded weekends and holidays, visitors should proactively ask for prices before sending.
• Taxi: The most convenient way for those who are not familiar with the streets of Saigon is to call a taxi and let the driver take you right to the market gate.

How many doors does Ben Thanh Market have? Where is the entrance to Ben Thanh market?

Ben Thanh Market consists of 4 main doors and 12 side doors radiating out in many directions. Each main door is located on a different street side, selling many popular items for tourists to buy as gifts or enjoy on the spot such as:

• South gate: the door has the famous 3-sided clock tower, located on Le Loi street, opposite Quach Thi Trang park, often attracting many tourists to check-in here with rough stalls such as fabrics, dry food;
• East gate: located on Phan Boi Chau street, is a place that attracts people with colorful candies and cosmetics;
• West gate: located on Phan Chu Trinh street, there are many stalls selling shoes, handicrafts, diverse souvenirs...
• North gate: located on Le Thanh Tong street, where there are all kinds of fresh flowers and tropical fruits to attract tourists.

Northern Gate - One of the gates of Ben Thanh market crowded with passersby

What time of day should you go to Ben Thanh market?

There are two very suitable times for tourists to visit Ben Thanh market:

• From 7:30 a.m to 6:00 p.m: If tourists want to visit and shop inside the market.
• After 7:00 p.m: If visitors want to immerse themselves in the bustling atmosphere of colorful stalls at night.

The market area is quite large, plus many different stalls and areas, so it may take visitors 1 - 2 hours to visit the whole tour. Please arrange the most reasonable start and end times for the tour to be complete.

Where is the most convenient place to stay near Ben Thanh market?

Only 5km from Ben Thanh market, possessing a series of quality amenities and high-class services, Vinpearl Landmark 81, Autograph Collection is often the destination chosen by many tourists for their journey to explore Saigon's inner city. general and Ben Thanh market in particular.

Landmark 81 - one of the locations near Ben Thanh market

What is inside Ben Thanh market?

Ben Thanh Market District 1 - Centenary ancient architecture in the heart of Saigon

Rebuilt by the French with bricks and wooden roofs in 1912 after deterioration, Ben Thanh market has maintained its ancient and unique architecture from then until now. The 4 market gates all have distinct highlights such as artistically decorated reliefs, representing specialties of the southern region of the country, or a clock tower designed like a miniature tower right at the top of the market at the main gate.

Ben Thanh Market with hundreds of colorful stalls

Where is the shopping stall of Ben Thanh market?

Considered the largest retail market in Saigon with nearly 1,450 stalls and 6,000 merchants, Ben Thanh market has all kinds of goods from popular to luxury, serving all shopping needs of tourists.

• Clothing and accessories stalls: including both inside the market and two side streets, Phan Boi Chau and Phan Chu Trinh, visitors can easily find countless types of shops selling clothes and accessories. colorful souvenirs and accessories, extremely diverse with all kinds of prices.
• Dried specialty stall: almost all types of dried fish, jam, dried food... from all over the country are gathered here. Visitors can freely taste it if the seller agrees, then choose to buy it as a gift or "eat it" right away.
• Handicraft stall: this is a colorful world in terms of both items and prices, from colorful brocade scarves to wooden boxes, delicate and unique ceramics, you will be spoiled for choice. Looking for something to bring home as a gift for a loved one.
• Fruit stall: ensuring that visitors will not be able to help but stop when walking through the fruit stalls, fresh, colorful and fragrant fruits with a variety of types.

Coming to Ben Thanh market, you won't have to worry because there is everything you need here

Where is Ben Thanh market food?

Inside Ben Thanh market, there are many food stalls, helping visitors enjoy a variety of specialties from different regions of Vietnam as well as typical cuisine of many other European and Asian countries. You can immediately refer to the following list of attractive dishes when visiting the food area of the market:

• Main dishes: attractive but simple dishes such as spring rolls, spring rolls, My Tho noodles, broken rice, rib rice, porridge, fish sauce vermicelli, Hue beef vermicelli, grilled meat vermicelli, vermicelli vermicelli, seven-color sticky rice , Hanoi pho, Hue banh beo, banh xeo,...
• Snacks: discover all kinds of street delicacies such as sweet soup, pomegranate seeds, meat skewers, Thai ice cream, mixed rice paper, snail dishes, clams, tapioca cake, green rice,...
• Dessert: fresh and delicious with a variety of desserts such as milk tea, soft drinks, fruit juice...

The culinary area of Ben Thanh market is extremely diverse and unique

Ben Thanh Market at night

Ben Thanh Market closes from 7pm, but this does not mean that everyone's journey of discovery will end here. On the contrary, the nightlife of Saigon people is even more evident when around the market, extremely crowded and bustling night market stalls are formed with all kinds of specialties, grilled foods, and beer stalls. , seafood restaurant…

• Reference time: starting from 7pm
• Location: 2 streets next to the market are Phan Boi Chau and Phan Chu Trinh

Normally, during the peak tourist seasons in Saigon, each night, this market often attracts nearly 1,000 visitors to visit, play and shop, including both locals and domestic and foreign tourists.

Despite being so crowded, the security and order situation of the area is improving day by day. At the same time, the city government always improves the quality of goods and the business attitude of small businesses, so tourists are more comfortable and assured when traveling.

Ben Thanh Night Market never ceases to be hot and extremely vibrant

Things to keep in mind when coming to Ben Thanh market District 1

- Because there are many foreign customers at the market, sellers often set quite high prices, remember to ask first and show off your "bargaining" skills so you don't get ripped off and get the item you like. at a more reasonable price.

- Be careful with your pockets to avoid being pickpocketed or robbed during shopping.

- In the area outside the market, the streets are quite crowded and traffic is busy, so when crossing the street or taking photos to check-in, visitors should pay close attention to keep themselves safe.

Summarizing the above exploration journey, visitors have surely answered questions such as where Ben Thanh market is, what attractive features it has, or what the process of eating, drinking, and sleeping is like, right? 

Not only is it a destination for shopping and entertainment, but this place is also a very unique symbol, showing the simplest and most vivid daily activities of the people of Ho Chi Minh City, making it impossible for visitors to skip! For any information you need advice on, please contact HoaBinh Tourist via hotline: 0913.311.911 - 0939.311.911 for 24/7 support.