Travel
The most famous markets in Ho Chi Minh City
Visit four markets in Ho Chi Minh City with a sense of adventure, and expect products and aromas. The following markets are in no particular order of preference: they’re all fantastic.
Ben Thanh Market
Ben Thanh Market.
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Being a bustling market in the daytime and a social center after sunset, Ben Thanh Market is absolutely a must-see attraction of the most dynamic city of Vietnam. Built in 1870 by the French, the market was initially called Les Halles Centrales before being renamed Ben Thanh in 1912.
Ben Thanh Market is absolutely a must-see attraction of the most dynamic city of Vietnam.
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From a wet market created by street vendors by the early 17th century, Ben Thanh has experienced many ups and downs throughout it’s history, and is now the oldest surviving market and one of symbols of Ho Chi Minh city.
Today, because the market possesses one of the most crucial locations in District 1 (the intersection of Le Loi, Ham Nghi, Tran Hung Dao Avenues and Le Lai Street), transportation is extremely convenient and trade is bustling. In the morning, you can find almost everything from dry food to clothes for a reasonable price. The market atmosphere can sometime be a real hustle and bustle, but it is an exciting experience after all. However, always remember that bargain is a must in any Vietnamese market.
The market atmosphere can sometime be a real hustle and bustle, but it is an exciting experience after all.
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From late afternoon until late night, the shops inside the market are closed, but several restaurants are open outside on the surrounding streets. These small yet interesting restaurants can offer you a variety of choices: bubble teas, grills, seafood, etc. When you are tired of eating, stand up and take a walk along the neighborhood which has in no time transformed into a night market full of lights and glamour.
Binh Tay Market
Binh Tay Market.
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Binh Tay Market is the Central Market of Cho Lon in District 6, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Local Vietnamese refer to it as Cho Lon, while local Vietnamese-Chinese refer it as“The New Market of Cho Lon”, and the Chinese other than those living in Vietnam known it only as “embankment”.
Binh Tay Market is the Central Market of Cho Lon in District 6, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
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“The Old Market” did exist in Cho Lon; it used to be on Nguyen Trai Street in District 5. It was destroyed in a raging fire (exact time unknown) and soon after, "The New Market" was built. Although it was used extensively before the fire, local people rarely mention about this lost market except the elderly, or ones who has lived nearby long enough to know the history of this old market.
Ba Chieu Market
Ba Chieu Market.
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Off the burgeoning Phan Đăng Lưu Street, Ba Chieu Market is another Cold War-style nuclear bunker from the outside. But inside it’s equal to the busy road it fronts in intensity and pace. This is a big and busy market that has a rougher edge than the others in this list: more frantic, more local, more unruly, a little less friendly but just as jammed full of produce and energy.
Absolutely everything seems to be on sale here. The market follows the familiar pattern of fruit and vegetables around the outside, dry goods along the narrow outer circle, and meat and fish at the centre. The stalls are tightly packed and labyrinthine, so much so that the atmosphere is almost ‘cosy’.
 The market follows the familiar pattern of fruit and vegetables around the outside, dry goods along the narrow outer circle, and meat and fish at the centre.
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There’s a first floor clothes market where you can find bags, scarves, belts and blankets too. Many of the items have price tags on them, but these should be used only as a guide for how much to bargain down to: from two-thirds to a half of the ‘official’ price tag is usually the ‘real’ price. Thus, a scarf with a VND100,000 tag on it should be bargained down to VND50 to 70,000. Great value Vietnamese dishes are available at the market canteen along the western edge of the building.
An Dong Market
An Dong Market.
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An Dong Market and An Dong Plaza are spaced only about a hundred meters apart, and are both conveniently located not too far Pham Ngu Lao. An Dong Market, the less flashy of the two, is located in a four story 1970s style building located near the corner of Tran Phu and An Duong Vuong.
The great thing about An Dong Plaza and An Dong Market, is that put together, there is so much variety on offer at An Dong Market and An Dong Plaza, that if you dislike shopping like I do, you can get all your shopping needs done in one painless and easy visit.
An Dong Market, the less flashy of the two, is located in a four story 1970s style building located near the corner of Tran Phu and An Duong Vuong.
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Alternatively if you do like shopping, then you will love An Dong Market and An Dong Plaza even more, and find yourself lost for hours looking for bargains, or the perfect shoes to go with your favorite shirt or blouse. 
