Located in the central area of the city, Ben Thanh Market has long since become a symbol of Saigon. It is not only purely business area, nearly one hundred year ago, this market also has become a witness of how history changes in the city, it is the economic face that showed economic development of a the biggest commercial city in our country and be reconciliation point between former and present Saigon.
In recent years, Ben Thanh market is also attractive indispensable place for any tour to Ho Chi Minh city. Of course, visitors going to this market are not only to buy goods or souvenirs, but also they find a bit of own image, a personality characteristic shown in the daily life of a city that market is where most revealing.
Formed before the French arrived in this land area, the beginning market located along Ben Nge river, at a wharf close to Quy citadel (Gia Dinh citadel), so it has named Ben Thanh (Citadel whaft). By 1911, The French colonial administration decided to move market to the current position, meanwhile, the market was a marshy pond. This market was started to construct from 1912 until to the end of March 1914 complete and continue operation since then until now.
Ben thanh market is considered the largest retail market in the sense that can be found all of goods, from common to luxury, especially foods. In this market, there are many commodities that want for anything from shallot, peppers, vegetables, fishes, season fruits, candy, clothing, shoes, bags, electrical appliances, electronics, souvenirs,…
Ben Thanh market has area of 13,056 m2 in total, an average of 10,000 visitors per day be welcomed to the market to visit and purchase. There are 1,437 shops, 6,000 small trader, 11 enterprises in this market that has 4 main entrances and 12 secondary entrances on all the sides.
The South entrance (view Quach Thi Trang square) with the symbol of clock tower on three sides. This is the main entrance, inside the cage house is place for sale of clothing items and fried food. The North entrance (at Le Thanh Tong side) is place for flower and fruit stalls. The East entrance (at Phan Boi Chau street) attract customers by cosmetic and colorful candies. The West entrance (at Phan Chu Trinh street) is attracting ladies by the diversity of styles and sizes of footwear, handicrafts, souvenirs.
Referring to Ben Thanh Market, it can not ignore the food stalls with the full participation of traditional dishes from over the country. At the end of January 2012, Ben Thanh market has been chosen as one of the 10 destinations attractive street food on the planet by Food and Wine food magazine. This is a powerful affirmation for that plentiful.Also, along the corridor that is surrounding the cage house, there are stalls sell all kinds of consumer goods for tourists, especially souvenirs, readymade garments, silk fabrics, craft art, embroidery, brocade,…
Ben Thanh market is also very active at night, starting at 7pm, 178 stalls spilled two roads Phan Boi Chau and Phan Chu Trinh with handicrafts, souvenirs, clothing and especially food.
Visitors to Ben thanh market is mainly divided into two types: nonresident customers and closing customers. The majority of nonresident customers are tourists that are mostly foreigners, and closing customers including people living in big surrounding cities as well as longtime resident of Saigon.
The most unique is the beautiful salesgirl, dress trendy and foreign language proficiency as Ben Thanh market traders. Entering into market, weaving between foreign visitors, you could hear greetings in English, French, Japanese, Thai,… that like an arpeggio. It can say, rare are market in Vietnam attracts tourists with high density, multi-colored and multi-national skin kike this market.
For closing customers, when they entering into the Market, they are usually considered as members in family. If customers are young, they are often called “baby, sister,… very sweety!
The price is not expensive, as long as you dare to bargain aggressively. The secrets buying cheap is holding the correct value of items and skills… please agreement. If left to pay the price, you can buy goods with wholesale price, because majority of retail stalls, it is also a wholesaler for distribution systems in many markets, shops in the city and other provinces.
Although the shopping trend of a modern city is going to supermarket or the commercial center, but sometimes the fast pace of life that people need to slow down, as a way to regain the balance of mind. That is one of reasons to Ben thanh market in particular and the traditional markets in general will be remained forever.
>> Read other article about Ben Thanh market: Travel to Ho Chi Minh city then visit Ben Thanh market
