 |
| Ben Thanh Market |
Being a bustling market in the daytime and a social center after sunset,
Ben Thanh Market is absolutely a must-see attraction of the most dynamic city
of Vietnam.
Believe it or not, even though you have spent years shopping at several
malls and commercial centers that shopping has become a boring and ordinary
task to you, exploring an Asian marketis always an exhilarating experience.
Visit Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and you will understand.
Being a bustling market in the daytime and a social center after sunset,Ben
Thanh Market is absolutely a must-see attraction of the most dynamic city of
Vietnam.
Past and Presence
Built in 1870 by the French, the market was initially called Les Halles
Centrales before being renamed Ben Thanh in 1912. From a wet market created by
street vendors by the early 17th century, Ben Thanh has experienced many ups
and downs throughout it’s history, and is now the oldest surviving market and
one of symbols of Ho Chi Minh city. That makes it a must for any visitors
travelling to this 300-year-old city.
Today, because the market possesses one of the most crucial locations in
District 1 (the intersection of Le Loi, Ham Nghi, Tran Hung Dao Avenues and Le
Lai Street), transportation is extremely convenient and trade is bustling. In
the morning, you can find almost everything from dry food to clothes for a
reasonable price. The market atmosphere can sometime be a real hustle and
bustle, but it is an exciting experience after all. However, always remember
thatbargain is a must in any Vietnamese market.
From late afternoon until late night, the shops inside the market are
closed, but several restaurants are open outside on the surrounding streets.
These small yet interestingrestaurants can offer you a variety of choices:
bubble teas, grills, seafood, etc. When you are tired of eating, stand up and
take a walk along the neighborhood which has in no time transformed into a
night market full of lights and glamour.
Ben Thanh Market is possibly the most well-known symbol of Ho Chi Minh
City, showing up in a large number of publications, movies, online articles.
Why it is so? Because your trip to Ho Chi Minh City cannot be completed without
a visit to Ben Thanh market to experience the “real Vietnam”!
What can be found here
Ben Thanh is firstly well-known as the place for real Vietnamese food.
There a number ofvendors and food stalls in the market food section that offers
guests dishes freshly made to the order. Here, one can taste various kinds of
local dishes like banh xeo, banh cuon, banh beo, cha gio, hu tiu… In the
evening, while all stalls inside the market are closed, sidewalk restaurants
around the market open and make it extraordinary lively area. One of the most
recommended foods by tourists is deep fried whole fish, so remember to try it
at least once when you dine here. Besides, one can also taste seafood and enjoy
cool beer at cheap price (only $1-2 for a beer only). One advice for tourists
is not sitting deep into the crowded food tent to avoid the heat.
 |
| Ben Thanh Market |
Curious about what the locals eat, wear or use daily? Just come here and
find out the answer. From clothing, shoes, bags, jewelry to kitchen ware,
grocery, sweets, and great Vietnamese coffee… every thing that Saigonese need
for their daily life can be found here. Taking a look at things for sale here,
seeing how people make transactions or which kind of goods is purchased most by
the locals, one can learn much about the local life and get useful experience
for shopping in Vietnam also. For the ones who are keen on shopping, here is
exactly the place you are looking for.
Besides goods for daily use, tourists can find here variety of
eye-catching local handicrafts, souvenirs. Just pick up some cute fridge
magnets or delicated small piece of lacquer, one has got small gifts for
friends and family at home or something to remind him/her about the trip to Ho
Chi Minh city. “I live in Bangkok, the land of markets, but I still found this
market rather interesting. It sells items slightly different from what I get in
Thailand. Fascinated by the coffee bean/powder and knick knack shops. My sons
bought a fridge magnet each with famous Vietnamese landmarks on them. I don't
normally purchase souvenirs when I am overseas but landed up with some nice
pieces of lacquer from one of the shops”, a tourist from Bangkok said. Here is
some advices for an idea of what to buy when you are in Ho Chi Minh City.
More: Shopping Guide in Ho Chi Minh City
Travel Tips
Though quality of goods is quite good but price here is often inflated
up to two or three times than the initial. Hence, one should “go at least three
or four stalls to compare the prices, and see how cheap you can bargain the
items down to”, Peter Stevenson, a tourists from Gold Coast, Australia shared.
 |
| Ben Thanh Market |
Another tip is go shopping in the market before 8am for “morning price”
that is a little lower than the usual for the same good. “Cool” price at the
beginning of the day is for easier first transaction which is believed to bring
about good luck to the sellers for the rest of the day.