Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market offers a historic central market experience. It sits on Lê Lợi Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. This market building ranks among the city’s earliest surviving structures. Visitors recognize it by its large clock tower at the main entrance. The market spans a 13,000-square-meter space. It occupies a major traffic intersection. Four main gates open onto different streets. Twelve sub-entrances also welcome visitors.

The current market building dates back to 1914. French contractors Brossard et Maupin completed its construction. This structure replaced an earlier market. Fire destroyed the previous market in 1870. The building saw a major renovation in 1985. Workers preserved its original French colonial architecture. The market’s name connects to the city’s past. ‘Bến’ means wharf and ‘Thành’ means citadel. This name references an old riverside market. That market once sat near the former Gia Định Citadel.

Inside, nearly 1,500 stalls sell a wide range of goods. The market splits into distinct zones for various products. Stalls offer textiles, áo dài, clothing, and handicrafts. They also sell souvenirs. Other sections focus on fresh produce, meats, dried foods, coffee, and spices. A dedicated food court area serves Vietnamese dishes. The South Gate on Lê Lợi Street leads to textiles and dried goods. The North Gate on Lê Thánh Tôn Street features fresh produce and flowers. The East Gate on Phan Bội Châu Street has cosmetics. The West Gate on Phan Chu Trinh Street sells shoes and souvenirs.

After the main building closes, a night market operates. It opens on the surrounding streets. Outdoor stalls and food vendors open from evening until late. These vendors sell clothing, souvenirs, and street food. The night market creates a different atmosphere. It differs from the daytime operations inside the main hall. The market serves as a major hub for city buses. It sits adjacent to the Ben Thanh metro station.