BEN THANH MARKET

Having weathered the ups and downs of history and numerous renovations, the ancient charm of Ben Thanh Market remains preserved, making it an inseparable symbol of Ho Chi Minh City.Currently, Ben Thanh Market spans a total area of 13,056 $m^2$. It stretches 136m from the South Gate to the North Gate and 96m from the East Gate to the West Gate, with 5-meter-wide walkways connecting the four directions. The four main gates feature ceramic bas-reliefs depicting local products: the South Gate (the main entrance) displays stingrays, catfish, cattle, and pigs; the North Gate features bananas and geese; the East Gate shows cattle and pigs; and the West Gate depicts stingrays and bananas. In addition to the four main gates, there are numerous side entrances. Standing prominently above the main gate is the three-sided clock tower—an iconic feature that allows visitors to easily recognize Ben Thanh Market from a distance.Today, the market houses nearly 1,500 vendors selling a wide range of essential and unique goods, both domestic and imported. It is also considered the culinary paradise of District 1, gathering most of the city’s signature specialties with impressive flavors, such as bún riêu (crab noodle soup), bún mắm (fermented fish noodle soup), bánh canh cua (crab tapioca noodle soup), and bánh bèo (steamed rice cakes). Visitors can also enjoy famous Saigon street foods like fresh spring rolls, snails, fried rice flour cakes, seven-color sticky rice, and various traditional sweet soups.

Address: Quach Thi Trang Square, Ben Thanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City