Travel Guide to Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City
Traveling to Ho Chi Minh City, there are indeed numerous places to explore. However, if you miss out on Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City, it will be a significant loss. So why does Vietnam Budget Carrental say so, and what makes this market bustling and attractive to tourists? Let's find out right away.
Where is Ben Thanh Market located?
Address: Le Loi Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Ben Thanh Market, which is one of the top 12 best markets in Ho Chi Minh, is situated in the heart of District 1, the most bustling and glamorous area of Saigon. Close to many famous Saigon landmarks like the Independence Palace, the Central Post Office, the City Opera House, and various luxurious 5-star hotels, Ben Thanh Market attracts a large number of visitors.
When is the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh - Ben Thanh Market?
Saigon has two distinct seasons: the rainy season from May to November and the dry season from December to April of the following year. However, the weather and temperature in Saigon are not too harsh. During the rainy season, the weather is cooler, and sudden afternoon showers are frequent, so you can take advantage of the early mornings to visit the market.
If you want to fully explore Saigon and discover Ben Thanh Market, the dry season is the ideal time to visit. The weather during this time is dry, making it convenient for traveling and capturing beautiful photos in this historic market area.
How do you get to Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City?
1. Getting to Ho Chi Minh City
To reach the glamorous Ho Chi Minh City, you have various transportation options available such as airplanes, trains, buses, car rentals, etc. Among these, foreign tourists and those from northern and central provinces of our country often choose airplanes for their journeys to make it more convenient, faster, and safer.
2. Getting to Ben Thanh Market
Reaching Ben Thanh Market is quite simple because it's right in the heart of District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City. Hence, you can choose from the following transportation options according to your preference:
- Bus: Several bus routes pass near Ben Thanh Market, such as 03, 04, 152, 19, 20, 39, 53, 93, 96. The bus stops are usually around 200 - 600 meters away from the market, and it takes about 4 - 8 minutes to walk from the bus stop to the market entrance.
- Motorbike or Self-drive Car: You can independently travel by renting a car in Ho Chi Minh or a motorbike and park at private parking lots near the market. The parking fees vary from 10,000 - 20,000 VND per trip. However, it's advisable to ask about the fare beforehand to avoid being overcharged, especially during crowded weekends or holidays.
- Motorbike Taxi (Xe ôm) or Taxi: If you are not familiar with the streets, don't hesitate to hail a taxi or motorbike taxi to take you to this famous market. Who knows, you might hear some interesting stories about this city during your ride.
>>Read more: Taxi From Ho Chi Minh To Cantho
History of Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City
Ben Thanh Market is a large market located in the city center. From a market area established on the banks of the Ben Nghe River in the 17th century, Ben Thanh Market has transformed itself into a solid structure that symbolizes Saigon.
Initially, the market area was constructed using bricks, wooden frames, and thatched roofs, situated near a riverside close to Gia Dinh City. This riverside was used to receive travelers and soldiers entering the city, hence the name Ben Thanh, which was also attributed to the adjacent market area known as Ben Thanh Market.
However, around the mid-1911s, the market area began to deteriorate and was at risk of collapsing. To avoid this hazard, the French selected the Marais Boresse area, filled in the land, and planned four roads, thereby constructing a more stable new market. This location is the present-day site of Ben Thanh Market.
After over 100 years of existence amidst the changes in this historic city, the image of Ben Thanh Market is deeply embedded in the memories of Saigon's residents, embodying the splendid beauty of yesteryears and the lively pulse of today.
Covering an area of over 13,000 square meters, Ben Thanh Market is the trading hub and exchange point for goods among the Saigonese and neighboring regions, hosting nearly 6,000 small traders and about 1,500 stalls, attracting thousands of visitors daily.
How many gates does Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh have?
Ben Thanh Market has 4 main gates and 12 auxiliary gates. Each main gate is located on a different street and exhibits various common items for visitors to shop:
- Southern Gate of Ben Thanh Market: Positioned on Le Loi Street, opposite Quach Thi Trang Park, this is the market's main entrance. Its highlight is the famous three-faced clock tower. This entrance attracts many visitors with stalls selling a variety of goods, mainly textiles and dry foods.
- Eastern Gate of Ben Thanh Market: Located on Phan Boi Chau Street, it's a paradise for those passionate about cosmetics. The stalls here offer diverse body care, skincare, and hair care products.
- Western Gate of Ben Thanh Market: Situated on Phan Chu Trinh Street, this gate hosts many stalls selling footwear, handicrafts, and souvenirs.
- Northern Gate of Ben Thanh Market: Found on Le Thanh Ton Street, this gate specializes in selling fresh flowers and tropical fruits.
Interesting experiences when visiting Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City
1. Explore the iconic architecture of Ben Thanh Market
Ben Thanh Market was built with a unique architectural style, blending influences from Indochina and France. The market is a rectangular building with a clock tower as the focal point at the front, a vaulted wooden ceiling, and spacious aisles.
Despite undergoing several renovations, the exterior and clock tower of the market are still preserved. So, when you visit, don't forget to check in and take photos with the backdrop of this ancient and most renowned market in Saigon.
2. Enjoy delicious food at Ben Thanh Market
For travelers who love Vietnamese cuisine, the extensive food area at Ben Thanh is a must-visit spot. You'll get to taste specialties from all regions of Vietnam, including standout dishes like banh xeo, avocado ice cream, grilled meat vermicelli, grilled pork skewers, snail noodle soup, grilled skewered meats, broken rice, fresh spring rolls, fried rice flour cake, mixed rice paper...
The food stalls here showcase the characteristics of Vietnamese street food—humble and very homely. The dining space is clean, and most eateries have diverse menus for you to choose from. Additionally, most stall owners at Ben Thanh Market speak English and warmly welcome foreign guests.
However, according to Vietnam Budget Carrental's experience, food prices at Ben Thanh Market are usually higher than outside, sometimes without clear pricing. Therefore, to avoid overpricing, you should eat at places with clear menus or inquire thoroughly before ordering to avoid places without transparency.
3. Ben Thanh Market's Shopping Challenge and Unlimited Shopping
Regarded as Saigon's largest retail market, it offers a diverse range of goods from affordable to luxurious, catering to tourists with everything from fashion items to household goods.
You can wander around the market to pick the most fashionable outfits or the most useful household products with an incredibly diverse range of styles. Don't forget to haggle a bit to get your favorite items at the best prices!
Note that Ben Thanh Market receives an extremely high number of visitors daily. You need to be careful with your purse, wallet, and personal belongings to prevent theft.
4. Souvenir Shopping at Ben Thanh Market
Apart from food, Ben Thanh Market is a haven for souvenir hunters. Here, you'll find a wide array of items ranging from hats, silk scarves, traditional Vietnamese clothing to exquisite handicrafts made from wood, lacquer, ceramics, as well as coffee, tea, dried seafood, and more. Particularly notable are the ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) and non la (conical hat), which are cultural symbols of Vietnam, adored by many foreign tourists.
So, when you visit Ben Thanh Market, you'll have plenty of options to choose from for souvenirs for your family and friends. However, prices at Ben Thanh Market are quite high, so don't hesitate to negotiate.
5. Explore Ben Thanh Market at Night
The night market is the "crowning jewel" earning Ben Thanh Market its reputation as a "playground" in the city. It's not just for tourists; it's also an entertainment and leisure spot for young people or office workers after a long day at work.
Take some time to stroll along the bustling streets of Phan Chu Trinh and Phan Boi Chau to immerse yourself in the lively crowd, savor street food delights, and shop for interesting souvenirs.
Considerations When Visiting Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City
The following tips are quite useful and essential if you want to have a complete and budget-friendly visit to Ben Thanh Market:
- The market operates from 7:30 AM until 6 PM, so if you plan to explore the market, you can visit during these hours. After 7 PM, the night market outside will start bustling.
- The market mainly serves a large number of foreign tourists, hence the prices may be slightly higher than usual. Bargaining is advisable to avoid overpaying.
- If you're not planning to shop, feel free to stroll around the market area. However, refrain from touching items or picking them up if you don't intend to buy, as it might inconvenience the sellers.
- Given the market's vast area and numerous stalls, allocate at least 1 to 2 hours for your visit. Plan your time accordingly.
- Snatch theft and pickpocketing incidents haven't been fully controlled, so be cautious about safeguarding your personal belongings.
- When checking in at the market entrance, ensure traffic safety, as it's located along a busy thoroughfare.
Despite changes in shopping or personal preferences, the shopping culture in this market remains unchanged. It will persist and always allure others due to its distinctiveness. These are all the details about Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City that Vietnam Budget Carrental wants to share if you're considering visiting and exploring this market.
