Bến Thành Market

Bến Thành Market (Vietnamese: Chợ Bến Thành) is located in the center of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam in District 1. The market is one of the earliest surviving structures in the city and an important symbol of the city. Ben Thanh Market is a famous destination for many local and foreign tourists from all around the world. The market operates all year round and opens at around 6am every day until the official closing time at 6pm. After 6pm, the day market transitions into a night market which runs until 10pm. Today, Ben Thanh Market welcomes more than 10,000 visitors per day to shop and visit. The market has nearly 1,500 booths with more than 6,000 small businesses selling wholesale and retail items from consumables to luxury goods.

Ben Thanh Market is situated in the center of Ho Chi Minh in Bến Thành Ward, District 1. The market is located on an intersection of four busy streets. The main entrance is the Southside on Lê Lợi Boulevard/Quách Thị Trang Square, the Northside on Lê Thánh Tôn, the Eastside on Phan Bội Châu and the Westside on Phan Châu Trinh. The market was originally structured to be near the Saigon River, formerly called as Bến Nghé River, next to Citadel of Saigon (or Gia Định). As a former floating market, the surrounding canals offered the convenience for boats to pick up and drop off items for trade. After being relocated in 1912 near the Mỹ Tho railway station (currently the Saigon bus station), the market possesses one of the most optimal locations in District 1.

Ben Thanh market has a total area of 13,056 m². The 100-year-old building has a unique French Indochinese design that stands out among the modern and contemporary buildings around Saigon center. Throughout the years, the market underwent major renovations to both the exterior and interior, but the overall architecture remained with its iconic bell tower in the foreground. Since the building was constructed by french Etablissements BROSSARD & MOPIN around the time of the French Colonial Era, the building holds strong French influence. Khuong Van Muoi, President of the city Architects’ Association, said the build adopted some of its unique features from French architects. He m

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