1. Ben Thanh Market – Symbol of Saigon culture
1.1 Where is Ben Thanh Market?
How far is Acnos from Ben Thanh market. About 5 minutes walk
1.2 Why has Ben Thanh market become the most famous market in Saigon?
Ben Thanh Market was established in the mid-19th century. After many changes in the past, this market has become a symbol of the vibrant trading culture in Saigon and Vietnam. With the economic and tourism development in Ho Chi Minh City, this market has become more famous and attracts many international tourists to visit.
Vietnamese people are familiar with crowded and bustling markets. However, for foreigners, this brings a special cultural experience. Therefore, international tourists often like to visit the markets to buy special gifts and enjoy Vietnamese cuisine. Ben Thanh has become a symbol of Saigon, attracting people when coming to Ho Chi Minh City.
2. History of Ben Thanh market formation
Ben Thanh Market was originally built in the 17th century near the Ben Nghe River to welcome visitors and soldiers entering the Gia Dinh Citadel. The market was named Ben Thanh because it was located near the river and citadel. The market was built of bricks, wood and thatched roof. The old Ben Thanh Market was very crowded and bustling, with goods coming and going on boats day and night.
3. How many entrances does Ben Thanh Market have?
- The main South gate of Ben Thanh Market: This gate is located on Le Loi Street, opposite Quach Thi Trang Park, which is the main entrance to the market. The highlight of this gate is the famous 3-sided clock tower. The entrance attracts many visitors with stalls selling all kinds of goods, mainly fabrics and dried foods.
- East Gate of Ben Thanh Market: The East Gate is located on Phan Boi Chau Street, an ideal place for cosmetics lovers. The stalls here offer a variety of body, skin and hair care products.
- West Gate of Ben Thanh Market: The West Gate is located on Phan Chu Trinh Street, with many stalls selling shoes, handicrafts and souvenirs.
- North Gate of Ben Thanh Market: The North Gate is located on Le Thanh Tong Street, where many kinds of fresh flowers and tropical fruits are sold.
4. Operating hours of Ben Thanh market.
Ben Thanh Market is still crowded at night but has a more peaceful atmosphere. The stalls mainly sell food, soft drinks and local specialties. In addition, there are shops selling clothes, accessories and souvenirs. The sparkling lights and fragrant aroma of many Vietnamese specialties are what attract tourists.
5. Interesting experiences when coming to Ben Thanh market
5.1 Explore the iconic architecture of Ben Thanh market
Ben Thanh Market was built with a unique architectural style by a mixture of Indochina and French influences. The market is a rectangular building with a clock tower as a focal point on the front, a wooden vaulted ceiling and open sides. Although it has undergone many renovations, the market’s exterior and clock tower are still intact. So when you come here, don’t forget to check-in and take photos with the background of the oldest and most famous market in Saigon.
5.2 Enjoy delicious dishes at Ben Thanh market
For tourists who love Vietnamese cuisine, the spacious dining area in Ben Thanh is a place not to be missed. You will enjoy specialties from all regions of Vietnam, some outstanding dishes include banh xeo, avocado ice cream, grilled meat vermicelli, grilled spring rolls, snail vermicelli, grilled meat skewers, broken rice, and salad. rolls, fried dough, mixed rice paper…
The food stalls here feature Vietnamese street food, rustic and very familiar. The space in the dining area is very clean, most restaurants have a menu with many dishes for you to choose from. Besides, most shop owners in Ben Thanh market can speak English, so they welcome foreign guests very enthusiastically and friendly.
However, according to Acnos Hotel ‘s experience , food prices in Ben Thanh market are always higher than outside, sometimes without a clearly listed price. Therefore, to avoid being ripped off, you need to be careful to only eat at places with price menus or ask carefully before ordering, avoid restaurants that are not transparent.
5.3 Buy souvenirs at Ben Thanh market
In addition to cuisine, Bien Thanh market is also a paradise for souvenir hunters. A lot of items are sold here from hats, silk scarves, traditional Vietnamese clothes to wooden handicrafts, lacquer, ceramics, coffee, tea, dried seafood… Especially must Ao dai and conical hats are two cultural symbols of Vietnam, loved by many foreign tourists.
So coming to Ben Thanh market, you will be free to choose your favorite items as gifts for relatives and friends. However, prices at Ben Thanh market are quite high, so don’t hesitate to bargain down.
6. Attractions near Ben Thanh market.
In front of Ben Thanh market, a large-scale Metro station is under construction. Modern space, large outdoor walking area promises to be a new symbol of Ho Chi Minh City. At the end of August 2023, the Metro train on the Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien route began its first test runs. The space outside the station is in the process of being completed. In the near future, it will definitely be a destination that you cannot miss when coming to Saigon.
Besides, near Ben Thanh market there are many tourist attractions that you can easily visit on foot:
– Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts is about 0.5km from Ben Thanh market.
– Independence Palace is about 1.3km from Ben Thanh market, is the most famous cultural and historical symbol of Ho Chi Minh City.
– Notre Dame Cathedral is about 1.5km from Ben Thanh market.
7. Hotel near Ben Thanh market
If you want to stay near Ben Thanh Market, here is a list of some outstanding hotel in District 1 for you to choose from.
Hotel near Ben Thanh Market
– Acnos Ben Thanh Hotel
Address: No. 20 Nguyen Thi Nghia Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
+ Reference price: From 1,300,000 VND / night