Shopping in Ho Chi Minh City, markets and malls

Shopping in Ho Chi Minh City is easy and pleasant, the city has many shops and markets selling genuine leather items, clothes for men and women of all sizes and styles, as well as homemade souvenirs and cute trinkets for home comfort.

Going shopping in Ho Chi Minh, remember that you have to bargain here and do not take the first thing you like, as there is a high probability that you will find cheaper and better.

Shopping in Ho Chi Minh can be expensive and very cheap, it all depends on what kind of goods you are interested in - branded or locally produced.

To buy locally produced goods, here is a list of markets in Ho Chi Minh City:

1. Ben Thanh Market

Ben Tan Market is the largest shopping mall in all of Ho Chi Minh City! It is located in the middle of Cholon Chinatown, and you can buy everything here: clothes, shoes, accessories, souvenirs, fruits and vegetables, bags, backpacks, hats, and more. Everything can be bought at low prices, as long as you are good at bargaining, although even if you take at the original price, it will still not be that expensive. Ben Tan is divided into outer and inner ranks. Inside, mainly private traders trade, and the outer rows are state-owned, there are many souvenirs and handmade items. Start shopping in Ho Chi Minh City from this market, it is located in the tourist area and you will immediately understand what prices are in Vietnam.

At 19:00, Ben Tan closes and trade continues in the nearby streets. Near the wound is the main bus station of Ho Chi Minh City.

1.An Dong Market

This is an indoor market, which is located on 4 floors in a large building. There are relatively fewer tourists at Dong Market than at Ben Tan. Here you will buy clothes, shoes and traditional Vietnamese souvenirs. You may not like this market atmosphere, but if you are looking for cheap goods, then it will not be out of place to look here. Spices, seasonings and other food, costume jewelry and jewelry are sold on the first floor (I would not buy them there), clothes are on the second floor, and fabrics are sold on the third.

The market is located at: Dong An Market, 34-36 An Duong Vuong, Ward 9, District 5, Ho. Ho Chi Minh

2. Tan Dinh Market

This market has everything the same as the previous two, but it still differs from them in some ways: the Tan Dinh market has a huge selection of fabrics. There is silk, velveteen, cotton, suit fabrics, fabrics for curtains, shirts, wool, etc. It is very pleasant that almost everywhere there are price tags, sellers will not be able to overprice tourists. Oddly enough, but there are no sewing studios nearby, from which intrusive sellers constantly pop out with a desire to sew a suit for you.

Market Address : 48 Mã Lộ, Tân Định, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh

3.binh tay market

This market, after all, is more for wholesale buyers, but if you are interested, take a walk here, look at the variety of goods presented here. Trading at the Binh Tay market starts early in the morning and continues until 10-11 pm.

Address : 57A Tháp Mười, Phường 2, Quận 6

Shopping malls in Ho Chi Minh City

In Ho Chi Minh City, in addition to markets, there are shopping centers with branded clothes where you can make purchases, large and beautiful, only the prices in them are also “beautiful”, not cheaper than in European stores of the same level. The brands there are both European and Vietnamese, by the way, very decent.

1.Vincom

The construction of this mall was completed in 2010 and it has become one of the most popular in Ho Chi Minh City.

There are a lot of floors in the shopping center, you may not have time to get around in a whole day. Here they sell such famous brands as Armani, Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo, Mango. In addition to clothing, cosmetics, accessories, and toys are sold here.

Vicom has a large dining room on the ground floor where you can order both traditional Vietnamese food and European food.

Children won't be bored here either - the Vicom games center has many interesting games, such as air hockey or racing. For very young children, there is also entertainment, called the "Magic Garden".

Address: in the heart of the city 72 Le Thanh Ton street

2.Parkson

Parkson is also a very large and expensive shopping center, not only in Ho Chi Minh City, but also in Hanoi. Here you will find exclusively branded clothing, sports brands such as Adidas and Esprit, Tissot Casio watches. On the ground floor there are large cosmetic stores of famous world brands - Lancome, Clinique, etc. Parkson has a food court with a variety of cuisines, departments with children's clothing and items for home comfort.

Address : Le Dai Hanh street, District 11

3.Diamond Plaza

A large shopping center, which is located near the Notre Dame Cathedral. Premium goods are also presented here, but a buyer with an average income can also find something for themselves. On the 3rd and 4th floors you will find a large grocery store and food court.

4.now zone

Opened in 2009 and immediately became a favorite shopping destination for many people in Ho Chi Minh City. Compared to other shopping centers, Nowzone is famous for its more affordable prices, designed more for the average buyer. Here are the brands Zara, Levis, Lee and brands of Vietnamese clothing, such as Ninomax. The clothes are pretty good too! Lots of clothes for teenagers, as well as children's toys and accessories.

Address : 235 Nguyen Van Cu, District 1, Ho Chi Minh

see also

Ben Thanh Market is another attraction of Ho Chi Minh City, which has become its symbol and hallmark. Mentions of it can be found in books and films, and the giant clock above its entrance is depicted on postcards and postage stamps. Because of this, as well as its location - in the tourist center, not far from the bus station - the market is very popular among city guests.

The market dates back to the beginning of the 17th century, it was formed by street vendors. For a long time it was spontaneous, and only in the middle of the 19th century, when the first pavilion was built here, did it receive an official status. The building in which it is now located was built in 1912. At the same time, the market was named Ben Thanh. Since that time, this is the most famous Vietnamese market. Its territory is unusually large, four entrances are located in accordance with the parts of the world.

Here you can buy everything - from souvenir magnets to electronics and household appliances, from slippers to vegetables and fruits. There are rows with "real goods from real European designers" where you can buy any fake: bags, shoes, watches, etc., often of good quality. There are many stalls with handmade items and various souvenirs. The most expensive, according to local concepts, values ​​​​are tea and coffee. They are sold by weight, after the sale they are poured into a distinctive Vietnamese packaging, outwardly not inferior to the factory one.

Prices cannot be called low, it all depends on the ability of buyers to bargain. Officially, the market is open until seven in the evening. After closing, trade moves to the market square and boils until late at night. At this time, discounts on goods are much more significant.

Opposite the market building, you should pay attention to the statue of Tran Nguyen Khan. This poet and commander led the resistance to the Chinese invaders at the beginning of the 15th century. In the history of the Vietnamese people's permanent struggle for independence, he was the first to use pigeons to deliver military reports. With a carrier pigeon, this hero is immortalized.

The markets of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) are places where there are no fixed prices, but there is a huge selection of a wide variety of goods. It is here that you will feel the real flavor of Vietnamese trade. In Ho Chi Minh City you can find day and night, wholesale and retail markets, large (in the central part of the city) and small flea markets, flea markets for local residents and the so-called "Russian" markets (focused on tourists). About which markets are best for shopping, where they are located (with addresses and location on the map), I will tell you in this article.

But first, I would like to give you a couple of tips on how to get the most out of your trip to the markets of Ho Chi Minh City. After all, these are not modern shopping centers or ordinary stores. Here, trading is completely different. And in order for you to have only positive emotions after visiting the markets, you need to know some features.

You should follow a few simple rules:

1. Bargain. There are no clear price tags in the markets, and sellers can inflate the cost for tourists by an order of magnitude. But you can safely bring down the price and benefit from it. Remember that haggling is an integral part of traditional Vietnamese trading and you can't just buy here. It will look like an insult to the seller.
2. Don't forget cash! The rule is obvious for the Russians, but it is better to recall it right away. Credit cards are not accepted here.
3. Always keep an eye on your belongings, as thieves are not uncommon in the markets.
4. Don't overload yourself. The range of each market is colossal, and in an attempt to find something extremely interesting and cheap, you can bring yourself to overwork. You won’t be able to see all the goods in one fell swoop anyway, so don’t forget to take a break at local cafes. The eateries near the markets always serve delicious, inexpensive and authentic Vietnamese food, which will be another incentive for your trip to these places.

Now let's look at the markets themselves.

Description of the main markets in Ho Chi Minh City

1. Ben Thanh Market (Ben Thanh)

• Day Market Hours: 06:00 – 18:00
• Opening hours of the day market: 18:00 - 00:00
• Address: intersection of Le Loi, Ham Nghi and Le Lai, District 1

The story about the markets should start with the largest and most popular among tourists. Here you can buy any souvenirs and goods that are only found in Vietnam. An interesting fact: this is a fairly cheap market, but the cost of renting retail space here is one of the highest in the world. Get ready for the crowds of sellers who will pounce on you, you just have to go a little deeper inside.

But the range is able to impress everyone. In total, there are about 3 thousand departments of goods in Ben Thanh: clothes, accessories, lighters, T-shirts, coffee, handbags, shoes, conical hats, tailoring, as well as many small cafes and shops of authentic Vietnamese cuisine.

When the main market of Ben Thanh closes, a night market begins to work on a separate part of it. There are shops for clothes, shoes, accessories and souvenirs. As for the last category, I recommend paying special attention to bamboo products, arts and crafts, paintings and lacquer souvenirs. There are also a couple dozen small eateries around. Ben Thanh night market is a good place for an evening walk in the center, when you can relax, have dinner and spend some time usefully if you did not have time to buy the necessary goods and gifts during the day.

2. An Đông Market (An Dong)

• Address: Công trường An Đông, Phường 9, District 5
• Phone: +84 28 3097 5864

The largest textile and clothing market in Ho Chi Minh City. Whatever fabrics you need, you'll find it here. Prices in the departments are reasonable, but in non-core markets you can find cheaper. However, the quality of the goods here is generally higher. An important feature of the market is that most sellers work here at fixed prices. But if you buy several items, you will always get a good discount.

3. Nguyễn Tri Phương Market (Nguyen Thi Phuong)

• Address: 302 Nhật Tảo, Phường 6, District 10
• Phone: +84 28 3855 3159

Nguyễn Tri Phương Market is a large one-stop market that caters to every consumer need, from groceries to jewelry. At the same time, it is devoid of the disadvantages of other large Ho Chi Minh markets (intrusive sellers, deception in prices, etc.) and is not so far from the tourist zone. In addition to fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood, I recommend paying special attention to the tea departments in the market - here you can buy a really good drink. And right outside the market on Bà Hạt street there is a small stall selling traditional Vietnamese pies. Very tasty!

4 . The Student Market (Student market)

• Address: 32/12,Tân Phước,Tân Bình
• Phone: +84 169 306 7376
• Website: http://sinhvienbdshop.mov.mn/

What can be sold in the student market? The name may indeed seem unexpected, and for most tourists this market is not of interest by default. Moreover, the path from the center to it is not close.

But if you are interested in finding something old, worn, authentic, cheap and inspiring, you can try your luck at this flea market. The student market is a kind of flea market for inexpensive and second-hand goods. This is the place where you can walk "through the real Vietnam" in Ho Chi Minh City and have lunch at one of the eateries. And, of course, you can accidentally find here a unique piece of decor for your home for a couple of cents.

From the center, the easiest way to get here is by bus 19, which stops on Lê Lai Street, next to 23/9 Park (in District 1).

5. Yersin Market (Dan Sinh Market, or Dan Shin market)

• Address: 1 04 Yersin, District 1
• Phone: +84 28 3825 1130
• Website: http://chodansinhsaigon.com/

An austere building on Yersin Street in District 1 that sells army gear, boots, gas masks, electronics, and even imported industrial equipment. Here you can find anything: from an inexpensive set of camping goods to full-fledged uniforms for a small army. It also sells a large number of military memorabilia from the 1965-1975 Vietnam War.

In general, this is a specialized market, but with a wide range of products. Here you can find almost everything and still not encounter crowds of buyers, sellers and noisy market traffic.

By the way, the street and the market were named after the Swiss and French doctor Alexander Yersin, who discovered the causative agent of bubonic plague, and also lived in Nha Trang and founded several medical institutes in Vietnam.

6. Binh Tay Market (Binh Tay)

• Address: 57a Tháp Mười, Phường 2, District 6
• Phone: +84 28 3855 6130

Binh Tay Market is the central market of Cho Lon, Chinatown Ho Chi Minh City. Combining elements of French and Chinese architecture, this market (built in 1928) covers four city blocks and is the largest in terms of area in Ho Chi Minh City. The range of goods is almost the same as Ben Thanh, but this market is much less visited by tourists. So you can count on the absence of crowds and better prices.

7. The Flower Market (Flower market)

• Address: Ho Thi Ky, District 10

The largest flower market near the tourist area. In addition to fresh flowers, you can buy seedlings and seeds at good prices. But, first of all, it simply deserves your attention. If you want to take a walk in a beautiful place, go, no matter how strange it may sound, to the market.

8. Russian Market (Russian market)

• Address: 328 Vo Van Kiet, District 1

There is also a "Russian" market in Ho Chi Minh City - one of the youngest in the city center. It is notable for a large assortment of goods “for Russians”. In other words, this is one of the few places in the city where you can buy quality winter clothes and accessories at affordable prices. They also sell things in large sizes (more than Vietnamese "standards"). You can find sportswear, summer wardrobe items, shoes, souvenirs, suitcases and more.

Prices are quite cheap by Vietnamese standards. For example, you can buy a good T-shirt here for about VND 80,000, jeans for VND 150,000, and a decent quality winter jacket for about VND 95,000.

9. Saigon Square

• Address: 77 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, District 1

Once the Saigon Square market was a single place, but today it is divided into two territories: Saigon Square 1 and Saigon Square 2. These are very large indoor markets that sell a lot of clothes and shoes, children's products, accessories, mobile phones, jewelry, etc. Further.

Saigon Square 1 is a large two-story building, where all departments are intelligently and conveniently ordered. This is the best place to shop if you don't like noise, chaos and heat.

Prices are approximately equal to those that I described in the Russian market. But here, too, don't forget that a 70,000 VND Gucci handbag will fall apart before you take it home to Russia.

• Address: Cao Minh Cafe, 311/27, No Trang Long Street, Ward 13, Binh Thanh District

The name speaks for itself - this is a market for antiques and collectibles. Quite a young market founded in 2009. Offers the largest selection of antiques in town. Knowledgeable people can easily pay for local goods that give the impression of unnecessary things, even thousands of dollars. It is important to note that the market is open only on Sundays from 06:00 to 14:00. The entrance fee is VND 30,000.

11. Eco Box Container Market

• Address: 99 N1 Street, Son Ky Ward, Tan Phu District

An unusual market that combines a number of outlets and cafes, which are located in rows of old containers. The containers are cleverly converted for trade and brightly decorated, which deserves at least a couple of memorable photos if you have time to get out of the center.

At the moment, the trading space is expanding (the final number of containers laid down in the market development plan is 600 pieces). It is mainly aimed at young buyers. The market is open daily. You can find clothes, cosmetics, souvenirs, toys, dishes and goods for tourists on sale. There is also quite a lot of exclusive handmade. Open from 17:00 to 22:00 every day.

A special highlight of this place is the outdoor stage with seating. Theatrical and musical performances are held here every evening.

12. The New District

• Address: Queen Plaza Ky Hoa, 16A Le Hong Phong Str, District 10

The New District Market is another popular shopping destination for Ho Chi Minh City's youth. Here are the outlets of the most popular street fashion brands: Nosbyn, The Blue T-shirt, Heverly, Urbanista, Pop Birdy and others. Works on weekends.

In addition to shopping, you have the opportunity to enjoy local DJ sets and take part in a number of activities. Good music, delicious food, art spaces and a crowd of young people make the market an ideal place for travelers who want to understand the lifestyle of Saigon's youth today. However, it should be warned that a number of bright souvenirs here are not always of decent quality.

13. Hello Weekend Market

• Address: subject to change, so stay tuned to the market page on Facebook.
• Website:

Ben Thanh in Ho Chi Minh City (Cho Ben Thanh, or Ben Thanh Market) is located almost in the very center of the city. Of the more than 170 major markets of the former Saigon, Ben Thanh is in first place in popularity. In addition, it is famous for its highest rent in the world.

Ben Thanh market address: intersection of Le Loi, Ham Ngi, Tran Hung Dao and Le Lai streets in District 1.

The market has the shape of a square, divided by two large cross-shaped galleries.

In addition to the four main entrances, located on the cardinal points, there are smaller side ones (there are 1 6 in total). Above the main entrance (south gate) rises a tower with a clock. This view is well known even to those who have not yet visited the country, as it is the most famous image of Ho Chi Minh City. Feature films, brochures, postcards, postage stamps - this picture is everywhere.

Opposite the main entrance is a beautiful mini-square with a statue depicting the famous Vietnamese politician, poet and commander Tran Ng yen Han. At the beginning of the 15th century, he fought against the conquerors from China and was the first to come up with the idea of ​​sending pigeons with reports.

The market area is conditionally divided into two parts:

• outer perimeter. There are state-owned shops operating on the principle of "fix price". There are also fruit and vegetable pavilions, many eateries and cafes.
• Inner part occupied by shops of private merchants; many of these shops are family owned and passed down from generation to generation. Prices in this part of the market are not fixed.

Here are the main products that you can find on local stalls:

• Fish and seafood
• Leather products
• Cosmetics and jewelry
• Tea and coffee
• Spices and medicinal herbs
• Vegetables and fruits (fresh, dried, dried)
• Crockery (clay, ceramic, porcelain, coconut)
• Clothing and footwear (including national)
• fabrics
• Household appliances and electronics
• Jewelry made of gold, silver and stones
• Wood products (furniture, paintings, figurines, caskets)
• Souvenirs (magnets, key chains, bamboo trinkets)

Ben Thanh Day and Night Market

Trade here is carried out in two shifts. During the day there is a huge assortment, but the prices are quite high. Toward evening, the so-called "night market" opens. The choice becomes smaller, but there is an opportunity for more profitable purchases.

"Night" is a very conventional designation. Nobody trades here at night. Rather, it is an evening market.

Here are the opening hours of Ben Thanh Market:

• Daytime - from 6 am to 6 pm.
• Night - from 6 pm to midnight.

I will tell you about each of them - after all, these are, one might say, two completely different places.

day market

Despite the apparent mixture of goods, there is a clear division of the market into zones.

• • South side. Here is the main entrance. On both sides of it there are rows of clothes, fabrics, children's things, mosquito protection sheets, sewing supplies. Masters work there, from whom you can order a suit or dress. The order will be completed within a day. But be prepared for the fact that you will be required to pay in advance. Risk money or not - you decide.

• • Closer to the east gate on the right- shops selling leather goods, all kinds of haberdashery, textiles. Next are the vendors offering cosmetics and jewelry. On the left are stalls with shoes, souvenirs and various small things.

• North side. Here they sell vegetables, fruits, flowers. In this part of the market, you can buy almost all the fruits growing in Vietnam. The range and size of this splendor is fascinating.

Following are the fish and meat rows, as well as many counters with semi-finished food products.

The aisles between the rows in the market are narrow, and tourists with children should be prepared for the fact that it is almost impossible to walk there with a stroller. Besides, the market is stuffy. Even though most of the stalls are outdoors, in many places it's hard to breathe from the crowds. This can become an obstacle for long walks.

There are many fakes and copies of world brands on the market. However, you can find completely unique things that are not sold in other places.

Sellers Ben Thanh are often very annoying. They can grab hands and aggressively offer their goods. But this is a market, there are special rules, and you need to be prepared for this. For a bargain, you need to bargain - in most cases, this will allow you to bring down the price by 3-4 times. For those who are wary of noisy sellers and do not know how to bargain, there are shops with fixed prices.

The average prices in the market are as follows:

• Durian - from 100,000 to 120,000 VND per kilogram
• Longan - from 120,000 VND per kilogram
• Mango, pitahaya - from 70,000 VND per kilogram
• Avocado - from 50,000 VND per kilogram
• Sapodilla - from 40,000 VND per kilogram
• Watermelons - from 25,000 VND per kilogram
• Bananas, papaya - from 20,000 VND per kilogram
• Coconuts - from 15,000 VND per piece
• Coffee - from 30,000 to 250,000 VND per 100 grams
• Tea - from 80,000 to 280,000 VND per 100 grams
• Dried papaya - from VND 350,000 per kilogram
• Almonds - from 45,000 VND per 100 grams
• Silk dress - from 210,000 to 770,000 VND
• Cotton T-shirt with embroidery - VND 25,000 to VND 40,000
• Doll in national clothes - from 80,000 VND
• Magnet - from 10,000 to 15,000 VND

In the center of the covered market there is a large area occupied by shops with industrial goods and a food court offering a huge selection of food and drinks. The eateries and cafes located here attract not only tourists - there are also enough local residents there. And if you are not afraid of iron / plastic chairs, a metal tray instead of a table, standing food, hustle and noise - welcome.

The variety of Asian fast food presented here is amazing. Fragrant hot soups, amazing and unusual desserts... It's easy to make a choice - in most cases, the menu is duplicated in English.

Here's what you can try here:

• Soups Pho (strong broth, tofu, noodles, pepper, lime, soybean sprouts, greens; as a meat base - beef, chicken or pork) and Bun Bo Hu (beef broth, rice noodles, lemongrass, shrimp paste, greens )
• Rice with beef, chicken or shrimp
• Fried Rice Rolls with Stuffings
• Sweet soup Che. There are many options. Consists of coconut milk, rice or corn dumplings, jelly, fresh fruits, various types of beans, lotus seeds, nuts. They eat cold.
• Baked bananas topped with peanuts and roasted sugar
• Airy egg coffee (e coffee, condensed milk, yolk and sugar)
• Refreshing fresh juice from any fruit, sugar cane juice

Average food prices:

• Pho Soups – VND40,000 to VND50,000
• Soy noodles with chicken - from 40,000 VND
• Rice with beef - from 45,000 VND
• Fried rice with seafood - from 45,000 VND
• Shrimp Noodles – VND45,000 to VND50,000
• Fried rice flour pancakes – from VND 50,000
• Beer "Saigon" - from 20,000 to 30,000 VND
• Soft drinks (tea, cola, juice) - from 15000 VND

Night market

The well-known night market Ben Thanh starts working after the official closing of the day market. Merchants take their stalls to the adjacent streets. The choice of goods becomes a little less, and the prices are more pleasant. Shops on the outside of the building are also open. But the main reason why you need to come here in the evening is the numerous eateries. A wide selection of local dishes, grilled meats and seafood, delicious cold local beers and an authentic atmosphere will make the evening unforgettable.

In the night market, you can not only have a bite to eat, but also make very profitable purchases. Among other things, various souvenirs are sold here, which I recommend paying attention to.

What can be bought as a gift:

• Coffee (Vietnam is one of the favorites of the coffee market, only Brazil surpasses it in terms of production volume).
• Tea ("snow", jasmine, ginseng, lotus)
• fabrics
• A bottle of "snake wine"
• Products of local craftsmen (caskets, ceramics, wood paintings, lacquered miniatures, interior items)
• Silk products (bed linen, dress, embroidered paintings, Vietnamese lanterns)
• Pearl beads
• Handmade masks made from natural materials
• Non la palm leaf hat

From the history of the market

Ben Thanh was built in the 17th century by French colonists. Its first name is "Les Halles Centrales". In 1859, when the first covered rows were erected on the site of a spontaneous gathering of local merchants, it was officially opened. However, in 1870, a fire partially destroyed the buildings made of wood and thatch.

In its modern form, in which thousands of tourists know it, the market has existed since 1912. It was then that it was moved to a steel structure building and renamed "Ben Thanh". Over the next two years, it was reconstructed, and since 1914 it has been officially recognized as the largest in Vietnam. To date, some of the buildings of this structure remain the oldest in the city.

By the way, do you know what area Ben Thanh market has today? The covered part of it is located on 1,3000 square meters. In principle, this is not so much (most modern shopping centers are much larger). But if we take the entire adjacent territory, where trade is also carried out, then we get about 100,000 square meters.

How to get to the market

Transport links in Ho Chi Minh City are very well developed. And since the market is located in the center of the city, it will not be difficult to get to it. This can be done by taxi (it is better to choose the official one) or by bus. From the national airport there is route No. 152, from other areas of the city - Nos. 19, 45, 53, 56.

Ben Thanh Market (Cho Ben Thanh, or Ben Thanh Market) on the map of Ho Chi Minh City

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Building a route...

What to see nearby

In addition to the market itself, in the vicinity you can visit the following places:

The building itself was erected in the century before last, but since then it has been rebuilt several times. Inside and you can get acquainted with the history of the city - including the period of the Vietnam War.

The building was built in 1863 by the French colonizers. The exposition is dedicated to the era of the reign of the leader Ho Chi Minh.

Museum of Fine Arts

A mansion built by a Chinese merchant during French colonization. Today it houses the largest exposition of national paintings in Vietnam.

This is an example of colonial architecture, designed by the French architect Eugene Ferre. Built in 1897.

Built in 1863-1880. It was originally called Notre Dame de Saigon. In 1962, with the favor of Pope John XXIII, received its modern name

Designed by Gust ave Eiffel (the building was built in 1886-1891). Interestingly, the post office is still functioning and is in a very good condition.

68 floors of glass and concrete, with an observation platform at the 49th

Dan Xin Market

This place attracts history buffs and collectors from all over the world. You can still buy real trophy things from the Vietnam War there.

For those who are interested in the TOP main attractions of Vietnam, I recommend visiting the Vietnam Attractions page.

Like any other market, Ben Thanh is a place with a special atmosphere. Coming here, you should not expect shop windows polished to a shine, polite sellers and spacious aisles between the malls. But it is here that you can feel the flavor of oriental trade.

To make your visit to the market a pleasant experience, I would like to give you a few tips:

• Shopping is best done in the morning (before 8:00) and just before closing (not so hot and you can get a good discount)
• Due to the large amount of goods, merchants can lay it out before 7:00 and start collecting it at 17:00.
• Tea and coffee are better to buy by weight
• It is forbidden to smoke inside the covered market
• There is a Citi bank ATM at the central entrance, and a Vietinbank ATM near the western entrance.
• Toilets are located at the north entrance, in the corners of the building
• When ordering coffee with milk, please note - they will bring it with condensed milk. If you want with a simple one, say it with "fr esh milk"
• You should beware of pickpockets, especially in the evening.
• Do not rush to buy everything that catches your eye. As a rule, the most expensive places in the market are located at the entrances. The owners of such pavilions pay a lot of money for rent, so they sell their goods at an incredible markup. Most likely, going a little further along the territory, you will find the same things, but already much cheaper.

So, the Vietnamese market Ben Th anh is a real paradise for shoppers. If you happen to be in Ho Chi Minh, do not miss the chance to visit this place.

You can visit this attraction as part of the following excursions:

I invite you on an inexpensive day trip, during which you will get to know the main attractions of the city in a few hours. This is a great option if you have little time or you just arrived in Vietnam and don't know where to start your vacation yet.

The Ho Chi Minh City Restaurant Tour is a one-day walk with a visit to the most interesting gastronomic establishments in the city. There are about two thousand of them. More than half specialize in local Vietnamese cuisine. But there are places where they cook European, Chinese, Japanese and even Cambodian dishes. We will visit several restaurants where you can appreciate not only the cuisine, but also the atmosphere.

Ho Chi Minh City Tour (Saigon) is a sightseeing tour during which we will visit Notre Dame de Saigon Cathedral, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, Museum of Military History, Ben Thanh Market, as well as an exhibition of lacquerware. I will accompany you, Russian-speaking guide Dinh Chong Hai. On this page you will find out the details of the tour of Ho Chi Minh City, prices and conditions of organization, and you can also order it.

The excursion from Vung Tau to Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta is a two-day trip. On the first day, we will visit Notre Dame de Saigon Cathedral, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, War Victims Museum, Ben Thanh market and lacquerware exhibition. And the whole next day we will devote to a boat trip on the Mekong River.

A tour of the French Quarter of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is an entertaining walk along the ancient streets, where Europe and Asia are connected. You will see many interesting buildings built at the end of the 19th or the first half of the 20th century. Ho Chi Minh City was conquered by the French in 1859. For almost a century it was under their rule. The colonialists rebuilt the central part of the city in their own style. This area is now called the French Quarter.

The Bitexco Financial Tower (Tháp Tài chính Bitexco, or Bitexco) is a famous skyscraper 262.5 meters high, located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, in District 1. The business center building itself is made with the latest technology. On the forty-ninth floor of the skyscraper, there is an observation deck that offers a breathtaking view of the city.

The Ho Chi Minh City Museum, or Bảo Tàng Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, formerly known as Gia Long Palace, is a historical site in the city center. It is dedicated to the struggle of the inhabitants of the city against the French and Americans, as well as the ancient culture of the country. The museum is housed in a colonial mansion that served as the residence of the governor of Cochinchina during French rule.

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Ben Thanh Market, located in the very center, is one of the attractions of the city, conveying a unique flavor and offering visitors the widest range of the most diverse products. It is an impressive complex of many covered hangars, inside which are located dozens of shops and stalls. Above the main entrance, made in the form of a graceful arch tower, draw attention to the openwork clock, whose image can be seen on postage stamps, postcards and advertising brochures dedicated to the city. In addition to the central one, you can get to the market through 3 more entrances, each of which reflects one of the cardinal points in its name.

Ben Thanh Market fully embodies the spirit of Vietnam. Short people in straw hats, as if descended from the screens of American films about the Vietnam War, are actively rolling carts with goods along specially designated paths, a sharp smell of spices is heard from the shelves, loud chirping of sellers in their native language is heard everywhere, and especially zealous tourists stubbornly bring down prices in hoping to get the right product. The territory of the market is so vast that it resembles a whole trading city, consisting of lanes and streets, crowded with people day after day. The product range is wide and varied to the point of impossibility. Exotic vegetables and fruits, drinks, fried grasshoppers and cockroaches, medicinal herbs of dubious origin, as well as jewelry, handicrafts, clothes, shoes and countless souvenirs, are presented here in full abundance.

An integral part of the Ben Thanh market are numerous cafes and eateries where you can have a great bite to eat, having a little rest from the bustle of the market. As befits the eastern markets of Asia, the largest Ho Chi Minh market is rich in all kinds of fakes, including watches, electronics and clothes of elite world brands. The quality is completely different. Some purchases can crumble in their happy owners right in the hands, while others can serve faithfully for many years. Discounts sometimes reach absurd figures, but this is the specifics of such markets. Here you need to be flexible and patient, and also benevolent towards sellers. The negative aspects include the presence of pickpockets, but this is a permanent attribute of almost any market object in different parts of the world. Ben Thanh Market definitely deserves special attention and is quite worthy of giving it a couple of hours in the process of exploring the sights