Ben Thanh Market is a symbol that cannot be more familiar when it comes to the city named after Uncle Ho. There are dozens of places to go and hundreds of spots to explore but if you have not visited Ben Thanh market – a symbol of the city, your journey is still incomplete.
For more than 100 years, Ben Thanh market is not only a place of trade but has also become a tourist destination for every tourist. The unique architecture of the market, the friendly vendors, to the variety of goods, make everyone want to visit once.
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General information
Ben Thanh Market is a large market located in the Ho Chi Ming City center. From an old market built on the banks of the Ben Nghe River in the 17th century, Ben Thanh Market has transformed into a solid and iconic building of Saigon from the past to the present.
According to the official document published in Le Nouvelliste Cochinchinois newspaper (Nam Ky Tan Bao) on March 31, 1914, the project to rebuild Ben Thanh market appeared in 1894, but construction began in 1912. Ben Thanh Market officially opened on March 28, 1914.
Ben Thanh Market has undergone many restorations. After a major restoration in 1985, all the market houses and the stalls were renewed, but only the exterior architecture and clock tower were preserved.
Ben Thanh market designed 4 main doors bordering 4 streets and 12 side doors radiating in 4 directions. Each main door includes many popular items for visitors to visit or enjoy on-site.
Cua Nam (main gate) is located on Le Loi street, is a place to sell fabrics, clothes, dry food. In particular, where the South Gate also houses a 3-sided clock tower, which has been preserved since its inception, attracting many people to check in and take photos.
Cua Bac is located on Le Thanh Ton street, leading to fresh foods and fruits.
Cua Dong is located on Phan Boi Chau Street, a paradise of confectionery and cosmetics.
West Gate is located on Phan Chu Trinh Street, focusing on shoe stores, fine art goods and souvenirs.
Ben Thanh market designed 4 main doors bordering 4 streets and 12 side doors radiating in 4 directions. Each main door includes many popular items for visitors to visit or enjoy on-site.
Cua Nam (main gate) is located on Le Loi street, is a place to sell fabrics, clothes, dry food. In particular, where the South Gate also houses a 3-sided clock tower, which has been preserved since its inception, attracting many people to check in.
Cua Bac is located on Le Thanh Ton street, leading to fresh foods and fruits.
Cua Dong is located on Phan Boi Chau Street, a paradise of confectionery and cosmetics.
West Gate is located on Phan Chu Trinh Street, focusing on shoe stores, fine art goods and souvenirs.
4 reasons make Ban Thanh Market famous
Location
The location of Ben Thanh market is located in the center of District 1. The intersection point between 4 roads: Phan Boi Chau, Phan Chu Trinh, Le Thanh Ton and Quach Thi Trang construction site in Ben Nghe ward, Ho Chi Minh city.
Around the market, there are many other famous historical and cultural constructions such as City Post Office, Independence Palace, etc. And skyscrapers as well as high-class apartments such as Bitexco tower, Vinhomes Golden River apartment, communal house, etc. The Marq residence,… With the central location, Ben Thanh market is a place to visit in Ho Chi Minh City.
The story of its name
Ben Thanh Market is not a strange attraction to Saigon people. However, not everyone, especially young people knows that this place has experienced hundreds of years of history with many collapses and relocations.
The origin of the name “Ben Thanh market” came from the past. This market was located next to a river wharf – a place for visitors and soldiers to enter the city. Therefore, it is called Ben Thanh. Since then, the market’s name is also taken from the name of this wharf.
Four regional distinctions
Ben Thanh market is the central market in Ho Chi Minh city. The market has about 1,500 stalls and is the trading place of nearly 6000 small traders. As mentioned below, the market is very special with 4 gate directions, each door focusing on selling separate items.
It is convenient for people when want to buy items. Just remember or search for information, you can find out the distinction to buy what you want.
The classical architecture as the heart symbol of “old Saigon”
Classical architecture in the heart of Saigon
Last restored in 1985, Ben Thanh market still retains the ancient architecture that the French had painstakingly designed before. With a red tiled roof combined with arched gates, it gives the market a unique but memorial.
Foods to try
Hue cake
Hue cake is one of the most favorite foods in Ben Thanh Market. The stall is always crowded. The reason create is famous is the sauce that is modified and processed to suit the taste of the Southern people – a little sweet.
Sweet gruel/sweet soup
his place has been mentioned by many foreign magazines and newspapers. You will be attracted to many kinds of gruel such as: the Southern dialect that is made from corn and tapioca rice pudding, the gruel made from durian, the gruel made from grapefruit oil and slivered rind, three colored sweet gruel, green beans sweet gruel, black beans sweet gruel…
The sea rolls
Only from simple ingredients, this dish becomes attractive, becoming a specialty when talking about this prosperous city. The rolls are full of shrimp, meat and green vegetables, bringing an irresistible appeal.
Crab soup cake
To enjoy this soup, go to stall number 1301 at Ben Thanh market. A portion of crab soup here is full of sliced pork belly, straw mushroom, fish cake, crab meat… combined, creating an extremely delicious taste.
Ms. Mai’s rice noodles
This noodle shop has existed for 3 generations, is a long-standing restaurant and is also very famous in this market. A bowl of vermicelli will include shrimp, lean pork, and worms made from bright yellow shrimp paste. Fresh shrimp meat, sweet broth, and flavors blend to create an irresistible attraction. Enjoying a bowl of vermicelli here will make you want to come back again and again.
Night market
The atmosphere of Ben Thanh night market always attracts many visitors. Thanks to the excitement that this place brings, more and more tourists want to come here to visit. Not only is it famous for its extremely trendy clothing stores, but the roadside eateries are also popular with tourists.
Places to visit near Ben Thanh market
After a session of exploring every corner of Ben Thanh market, you can also visit other famous places that are very close to the market such as: Bitexco, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Independence Palace, Diamond Plaza, Vincom Center Dong Khoi…
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