Ben Thanh Market, Ho Chi Minh City, is an iconic symbol when it comes to the city named after Uncle Ho. Where is Ben Thanh Market located? What’s interesting about Ben Thanh Market? Let’s find out through the article by DanangPrivateCar.com’s.
There are dozens of places to visit, hundreds of points to explore, and thousands of activities waiting for you. However, if you haven’t visited Ben Thanh Market, one of the most bustling markets and a symbol of the city, then your journey is not yet complete.
Having existed and developed for over 100 years, Ben Thanh Market is not only a trading hub for the locals but also an unmissable tourist destination. From its unique architecture and friendly vendors to the diversity of goods available, it attracts everyone to come and explore at least once.
To not miss out on exciting experiences, let’s wander around Ben Thanh Market for a day with Klook and see what this market has to offer.
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Introduction to Ben Thanh Market, Ho Chi Minh City.
Ben Thanh Market is a large market located in the city center. From a market built by the Ben Nghe River in the 17th century, Ben Thanh Market has transformed into a solid and iconic structure of Saigon.
Originally, the market was constructed with bricks, wooden frames, and thatched roofs, situated next to a river port near Gia Dinh Citadel. This port was used to welcome travelers and soldiers into the city, hence the name “Ben Thanh,” and consequently, the market became known as Ben Thanh Market.
However, around the mid-1911, the market area deteriorated and was at risk of collapse. To avoid this danger, the French authorities chose the area of Bo Ret Pond (Marais Boresse), filled it up, and planned four roads, creating a new, more resilient market. That is the location of Ben Thanh Market to this day.
After over 100 years of presence, along with the changes of this historic city, the image of Ben Thanh Market is deeply ingrained in the memories of Saigon residents, reflecting the grandeur of the past and the vibrant life of today.
With an area of over 13,000 square meters, Ben Thanh Market serves as a trading hub for the local residents of Saigon and the surrounding areas. It accommodates nearly 6,000 vendors and around 1,500 stalls, attracting thousands of visitors every day.
When Was Ben Thanh Market Built?
According to an official document published in the Le Nouvelliste Cochinchinois (New Cochinchina Newspaper) on March 31, 1914, the reconstruction project for Ben Thanh Market appeared in 1894, but construction didn’t begin until 1912. The official inauguration of Ben Thanh Market took place on March 28, 1914.
Ben Thanh Market has undergone several renovations and upgrades. After a major renovation in 1985, both the market’s interior stalls and the surrounding areas were refreshed, while the external architecture and the clock tower were preserved.
Why is Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City Famous?
Located in the city center, after over 100 years, Ben Thanh Market is not only a place for business and trade but also a witness to the many changes and fluctuations of Saigon. Moreover, it is one of the most renowned tourist destinations in the city that attracts visitors from all walks of life. Travelers visit Ben Thanh Market not only for shopping but also to experience and capture the distinctive characteristics and everyday life of the city’s inhabitants.
How Many Gates Does Ben Thanh Market Have?
Ben Thanh Market is designed with four main gates located on the four sides of the market, and it has 12 auxiliary gates radiating in four directions. Each main gate offers a variety of popular items for visitors to explore or enjoy on the spot.
- The Southern Gate (main entrance) is situated on Le Loi Street and is known for selling fabrics, clothing, and dried goods. Notably, the Southern Gate also features a three-faced clock tower that has remained unchanged since its construction, attracting many visitors who come to check-in and take photos.
- The Northern Gate is located on Le Thanh Ton Street and leads to the section selling fresh food and fruits.
- The Eastern Gate is situated on Phan Boi Chau Street and is a paradise for pastries, confectionery, and cosmetics.
- The Western Gate is located on Phan Chu Trinh Street and focuses on selling footwear, handicrafts, and souvenirs.
Where is Ben Thanh Market located?
Ben Thanh Market is officially located on Le Loi Street, District 1, Ben Thanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. It faces Quach Thi Trang Square, which is now the Ben Thanh Subway Station.
- Ben Thanh Market is located in the central District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, so it is easy to reach by any means of transportation.
- If you are traveling by bus, you can refer to the routes that have stops near Ben Thanh Market, such as 01, 02, 03, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, etc. The bus stops are usually about 200-600m away from the market, and it only takes a few minutes to walk to the market.
- For those who prefer cycling or motorbikes, you can park at private parking spots for a fee of around 10,000 – 20,000 VND per trip.
- You can also take a traditional taxi or ride-hailing services. The drivers will drop you off right in front of the market entrance.
Furthermore, if you want a convenient, affordable, and flexible mode of transportation, you can hire a car with a driver in Ho Chi Minh City. You can combine your trip with visits to other famous places. With your own vehicle from danangprivatecar.com, you can have a comfortable and flexible schedule. Our drivers will wait for you to explore and experience different destinations. Contact us now for the best advice.
Operating Hours of Ben Thanh Market to Refer to.
Ben Thanh Market typically starts its activities at 4:00 AM and closes at 7:00 PM. However, after 7:00 PM, the Ben Thanh Night Market lights up and becomes bustling and lively.
There are two ideal time frames for you to visit Ben Thanh Market:
- From 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM: Suitable for sightseeing, shopping, and indulging in a variety of food options inside the market.
- After 7:00 PM: Perfect for those who enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and the dazzling night stalls.
With its large area and thousands of stalls arranged in different sections, it may take you nearly 2 hours to explore the entire Ben Thanh Market. Therefore, #DanangPrivateCar recommends planning your time wisely to fully experience the fascinating aspects of this market.
What’s there to do at Ben Thanh Market?
The image of Ben Thanh Market is familiar to both Vietnamese people and international visitors when they come to visit Saigon. Behind its classical French architecture, lies a vibrant and dynamic buying and selling scene taking place inside. Let’s find out what you can do at Ben Thanh Market with #DanangPrivateCar!
Unique Architecture.
From a market constructed with bricks, wooden frames, thatched roofs, to iron frames, tiled roofs, and now with modern tin roofs and ceramic floors, Ben Thanh Market has undergone many changes, but the old architectural features remain, especially the clock tower at the Southern Gate. The clock tower has three faces and follows French architecture, with the words “CHỢ BẾN THÀNH” (Ben Thanh Market) inscribed on it.
Furthermore, each main gate of the market is adorned with ceramic bas-reliefs created by artist Le Van Mau, a lecturer at the Bien Hoa Fine Arts School, in 1952. These bas-reliefs depict products from the southern region, such as pigs, cows, ducks, bananas, fish, and more.
Diverse Goods.
Getting lost in Ben Thanh Market is a real possibility! As the largest retail market in the city, you can find a wide range of products from fashion, handicrafts, and souvenirs to household items, electronics, and mementos.
Moreover, there is a dry goods paradise with various types of cakes, preserves, dried seafood, alongside hundreds of types of fruits and agricultural products from the Southern and Western regions, as well as other parts of the country. You can enjoy specialties from all over Vietnam right here at Ben Thanh Market.
Delicious Cuisine.
Ben Thanh Market is famous for its plethora of Saigon’s delicious dishes and specialties from different regions. From main courses like pho, bun bo (beef noodle soup), bun rieu (crab noodle soup), bun suong (clear shrimp and pork dumpling soup), com tam (broken rice), goi cuon (fresh spring rolls), xoi 7 mau (seven-color sticky rice), and more, to snacks like che (sweet dessert soup), snails, various types of sweets, and more. Every dish is flavorful, delicious, and reasonably priced.
This fascinating market is renowned for its numerous delectable dishes, and it would be a shame not to try them. From main courses like bun rieu, bun suong, com tam, bun mam (fermented fish noodle soup), goi cuon, xoi 7 mau, to desserts and indulgent treats like Saigon’s various colorful che, banh beo (steamed rice cakes), different types of snails, they are all fragrant, tasty, and attractively priced.
Vibrant Night Market.
If you’ve been to Ben Thanh Market but haven’t experienced the lively atmosphere of the night market here, then you’ve truly missed out. When the streets light up, the night market comes to life along Phan Chu Trinh and Phan Boi Chau streets.
In addition to the fashion and handicraft stalls, the Ben Thanh Night Market becomes even more bustling with seafood stalls, grilled food vendors, affordable eateries, beer stalls, and lively drink spots. Every evening, locals and tourists gather in the night market area to enjoy delicious budget-friendly dishes and immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of the “city that never sleeps.”
Nearby Tourist Attractions around Ben Thanh Market.
After exploring the vibrant atmosphere of Ben Thanh Market, you can also visit nearby shopping centers such as Diamond Plaza, Vincom Center Dong Khoi, or drop by the Bitexco Financial Tower.
In addition, there are many other interesting attractions in the city center, such as the Independence Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, City Theater, Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum, and more.
Things to Keep in Mind When Visiting Ben Thanh Market.
- Due to the nature of the market attracting many foreign visitors, vendors often set higher prices. Remember to inquire about prices beforehand and showcase your bargaining skills a little to avoid being overcharged and to get the desired item at a more reasonable price.
- Be cautious of your belongings to avoid pickpocketing or snatch theft during your shopping experience.
- Outside the market area, the streets can be crowded with heavy traffic, so when crossing the road or taking photos for check-ins, it’s important for tourists to pay attention and prioritize their safety.
No matter how much the shopping trends of a modern city may change, traditional markets like Ben Thanh Market will continue to exist over time as an irreplaceable part of Vietnamese cultural life. If you have the opportunity to visit Ho Chi Minh City, be sure to allocate some time to visit this longstanding and bustling market in the city.
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