Ben Thanh Market
Ben Thanh Market is the biggest market in District 1 - The heart of Ho Chi Minh City. It was built in 1912, experienced many years of vicissitudes of the war with many restorations. It is now considered the symbol and soul of Saigon.
OVERVIEW
Address: Le Loi Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh
Vietnamese: Chợ Bến Thành
Ben Thanh Market is a large market in District 1, which sells almost everything from food to clothing and footwear. If you come to Saigon, you should visit Ben Thanh market once because it is a symbol of Saigon.
It has four main gates:
Cua Nam (South gate): where trade in goods such as clothing, cloth and dry food.
Cua Bac (North gate): where trade in fruit and fresh food.
Cua Dong (East gate): where trade in cosmetics and confectionery.
Cua Tay (West door): where trade in foods, drinks and souvenirs.
HOW TO GO
Form Tan Son Nhat airport to Ben Thanh market is about 7km. You can get there by bus, taxi or Grabtaxi.
For bus: You take buses 152 (fare: 6000 dong).
For taxi: Fare is about 100,000 dong.
For Grabtaxi: 76,000 dong.
From Tan Son Nhat airport to Ben Thanh market is about 7 km
Ben Thanh station is about 500m from Ben Thanh Market (on Ham Nghi Street). Ben Thanh station is the biggest bus station in Ho Chi Minh city. You should note this location, we take it as a basis for directions to other locations.
Ben Thanh bus station
EXPERIENCES
Ben Thanh Market is always crowded with people from many different places, so you should store your belongings carefully, such as cell phones, cash, and wallets. There have been a few thefts here.
The area around Ben Thanh Market is the center of Saigon, so take a walk around.
About 100m from Ben Thanh market is Sense Market (underground the 23/9 Park). This is a major market mainly of Asian cuisine, Saigon Cuisine and souvenirs.
This area has a lot of accommodations, you can rent a room here for convenient travel (view Hillary Saigon Homestay)
You can try some typical Saigon dishes such as Goi Cuon, Che and Banh Xeo with prices ranging from 30000 to 100000 Dong/dish.
Prices of commodities here are quite expensive, you should bargain when buying.
Estimated time to visit: 1-2 hours.
Nearby locations: 23/9 Park (is about 100 m), Bui Vien Walking Street (is about 1 km).
For us, Ben Thanh market ranked first in the top 10 Places to Visit in Ho Chi Minh City because of its symbolism.
OUR SUGGESTIONS
In fact, we do not appreciate foods and drinks at the Ben Thanh area because they are relatively expensive and not so delicious. However, we will introduce you to some restaurants that we found reasonable.
- Banh Beo Hue: Address: Door number 7; Ben Thanh Market; Main food: Banh Beo; Price: 20,000 - 50,000 dong; Opening: 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM.
- Quan Bun Mam: Address: 22 Phan Boi Chau, District 1; Main foods: Bun Mam, Goi Cuon; Price: 10,000 - 65,000 dong; Opening: 6:00 AM - 7:00 PM.
- Be Che: Address: Door number 7, Ben Thanh Market; Main food: Che; Price: 17,000 -39,000 dong; Opening: 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM.
- Oc Van: Address: Ben Thanh Market, Main food: Shellfish; Price: 20,000 - 50,000 dong; Opening: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM.