Ben Thanh Market Saigon Vietnam is a famous spot with diverse stalls selling clothes, accessories, handicrafts, dried goods, fruits, and many Vietnamese dishes.
The first time I set foot in Ben Thanh market, I was overwhelmed by the bustling atmosphere and the vibrant colours of each stall. As a foreign tourist, I clearly felt the friendliness, the typical Vietnamese flavours and the excitement of exploring everything from cuisine to shopping.
Where is Ben Thanh Market and how to get there easily?
I have known about Ben Thanh market Saigon Vietnam for a long time, through travel blogs and video reviews saying that “coming to Saigon without visiting Ben Thanh market is like not really coming”.
In addition, the history of the market also makes me curious: originally a market near the river wharf, then rebuilt by the French in the early 20th century and moved to its current location, becoming one of the oldest and most famous markets in Vietnam.
On this trip, I stayed at a small hotel on Ly Tu Trong Street, just a few minutes away from the market. That morning, I opened the ride-hailing app (Grab) and selected “Ben Thanh Market” as my destination.
It took less than 3 minutes for the driver to accept the ride, and about 5-7 minutes later I was dropped off right in front of the South Gate, where the market’s iconic clock tower is located. If I didn’t want to book a ride, I could have walked from my hotel for about 10-12 minutes, through the crowded streets of District 1.
All the roads leading to the market are quite easy to travel, so even first-time visitors to Saigon like me feel very convenient and comfortable moving around.
It’s also helpful to know the Ben Thanh market Ho Chi Minh opening hours, which are typically 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM for the main market and 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM for the night market, so you can plan your visit accordingly.
Architecture and structure of Ben Thanh market for first-time visitors
The first time I entered Ben Thanh market, I was really impressed with the historical architecture and the extremely clear spatial arrangement, making it easy for visitors to explore, even though the market is very large and crowded.
The market has 4 main doors and 12 side doors radiating in many directions; each door has its own characteristics and sells different items.
- South Gate: To be most prominent recognition point, the three-faced clock tower has become a symbol of Saigon. Located on Le Loi Street, opposite Quach Thi Trang Park, this is also the first place I stopped to take some souvenir photos. This area has many stalls selling fabrics and dried foods, ideal for buying gifts to bring home.
- East Gate: On Phan Boi Chau Street. This place is filled with colours from candies, tea, coffee to domestic cosmetics; the sweet aroma made me stop for a long time to choose.
- West Gate: Located on Phan Chu Trinh Street, it has a completely different atmosphere, with a series of stalls selling shoes, handicrafts and souvenirs. This is the area where I see the most foreign tourists because the items are diverse and it is easy to choose a typical Vietnamese gift.
- North Gate: TgroanLe Thanh Tong Street, where countless fresh flowers and tropical fruits are sold. The scent of mango, dragon fruit and coconut makes me feel like I’m lost in a miniature tropical market.
Overall, the market architecture is quite harmonious, with open walkways between areas. Despite the crowd, I still felt it was easy to move around and explore each stall without getting lost. Ben Thanh Market Saigon Vietnam is truly an interesting stop for anyone coming to Saigon for the first time..
A look at the 4 main doors: Shopping from fabrics to handicrafts
When I first visited Ben Thanh Market, I decided to explore each section from the main door to fully experience the vibrant shopping atmosphere here. If you are planning to travel Vietnam, this market is a must-visit spot for its lively stalls and local flavors.
- South Gate (Le Loi Street): As soon as you step through the three-faced clock tower, I stop Trung Nguyen Coffee booth. Here, I chose Robusta pure roasted ground coffee 500g with a listed price of 150,000 VND, bargained down to 120,000 VND. I also bought more dried ginger jam and tamarind jam, soft coconut jam- all are delicious, spicy and sweet, very suitable as gifts.
- East Gate (Phan Boi Chau Street): This area is resplendent with confectionery and southern specialities, stopped by Ngoc Lan Pia Cake stall, try many types of moon cakes: green bean, durian, salted egg filling. There is also green rice cake, green bean cake, coconut candy, grilled banana cake,all can try before buy. I buy5 cakes total price of 90,000 VND, soft, fragrant, full of filling.
- West Gate (Phan Chu Trinh Street): This is the handicrafts and souvenirs, where I visitedPham Gia Fine Arts Furniture Store. The wooden box carved with lotus and Vietnamese birds, lacquer painting, is very sophisticated. List price 300,000 VND, bargained down to 250,000 VND. Friendly stall owner, guided me to choose unique products.
- North Gate (Le Thanh Tong Street): This is paradisefresh flowers and tropical fruitsI stopped by Ngoc Ha Fruit stall, select Hoa Loc mango, dragon fruit, rambutan, and mangosteen, all are fresh and delicious. I bought 1kg of mango for 80,000 VND, enjoyed it right away, feeling the sweet and juicy flavor typical of Vietnam.
In addition, when walking around the market, I also saw many stalls selling dried fish, dried shrimp, fish sauce, Tay Ninh rice paper, Phu Quoc fish sauce, even cashews, roasted sesame, dried fruit, All are outstanding specialities of Vietnam, making me want to buy a lot as gifts.
Exploring each main door, I feltthe diversity and uniqueness of Ben Thanh market, from fabrics, handicrafts, confectionery, coffee, dried jams to fruits and southern specialities gentle, friendly bargaining me buy the items I like at reasonable prices and create an enjoyable and memorable shopping experience.
Culinary Experience – From Main Dishes to Snacks
After visiting the main gates, I couldn’t miss the culinary experience at Ben Thanh market, This place is truly a Vietnamese culinary paradise.
First, I try the main course at the food court inside the market. I chose rare beef pho at the counter Pho 24 Ben Thanh, soft pho noodles, sweet broth, fresh, medium-rare beef, and reasonable prices 60,000 VND/bowl. Next, I tried grilled pork chops and broken rice in Ba Ba Broken Rice, fragrant grilled ribs, soft rice, bean sprouts 50,000 VND/portion.
Next, I explore the snacks: mixed rice paper, Thai sweet soup, seven-colour sticky rice, grilled meat skewers stopped by a small counter called Street Food Corner, try mixed rice paper, 25,000 VND, spicy, sour, sweet, served with fragrant roasted peanuts. Thai dessert is cool, sweet, and the perfect choice to cool down after walking around the market.
Finally, I do not forget dessert with fresh fruit and juice in the North area. Mango, watermelon, and dragon fruit are all pre-cut, fresh, delicious, priced only 20,000 – 30,000 VND/ly.
At night, Ben Thanh market transforms into a bustling night market. Two roads on the side of the market, Phan Boi Chau and Phan Chu Trinh, are flooded with stalls grilled dishes, fresh seafood, hamburgers, try grilled squid with satay sauce 50,000 VND/skewer, Grilled clams 60,000 VND/portion, rich, fragrant flavor, true to Saigon street food standards. The bustling night market atmosphere, bright lights, and bustling sounds create an unforgettable experience.
In conclusion, the cuisine at Ben Thanh market is really diverse, from main dishes, snacks to desserts, along with the vibrant night market, giving me a complete experience of Vietnamese cuisine, both delicious and unique.
06 Tips & Tricks when going to Ben Thanh market
When first arriving Ben Thanh market Saigon Vietnam, I quickly realized that to enjoy the shopping and dining experience fully, visitors should keep in mind a few things tips for safety and savings. Here are 5 tips that I have applied and found very useful:
- Best time to visit Ben Thanh market: The ideal time to visit is 8:00–10:00 AM, when the stalls just open, the atmosphere is airy, and it’s less crowded, perfect for shopping and taking photos. If you want to experience a livelier vibe, visit in the evening from 7:00 – 10:00 PM, when the night market opens with plenty of street food and souvenirs.
- Bargain skillfully: The listed prices at many stalls are often higher than the actual price. Smile, ask for the price and bargain gently; you can often get a discount of 10–20%. Also, it’s useful to know does Vietnam accept US dollars, as some stalls may accept USD, but having local currency (VND) is usually more convenient and may get you better deals.
- Carry just enough cash: Many stalls do not accept cards, especially small snack or souvenir stalls. Having small change ready will help you shop quickly and conveniently.
- Keep yourself safe: The market is quite crowded, especially in the evening. Always keep your bag in front of you, do not leave your phone or wallet exposed, to avoid pickpockets.
- Choose the right time to visit: Early morning (around 7:30 – 10:00) is quieter, easier to move around and take photos. Evening (after 7:00 p.m.) is when the night market is bustling, suitable for experiencing street food.
- Take note of your favourite stores and booths: The market is large with many similar stalls. If you see something you like, take notes or take a photo so you can easily return without getting lost.
Conclusion
At the end of my visit to Ben Thanh market Saigon Vietnam, I was really impressed by the diversity, vibrancy and uniqueness of this place. From the rich shopping stalls, clothes, accessories, handicrafts, dried specialities, to the food court with main dishes, snacks and desserts, every experience leaves an interesting and memorable feeling.
