Ben Thanh Market Tours

Ben Thanh Market showing food and markets
No trip to Ho Chi Minh City is complete without exploring this bustling market where you can enjoy a traditional Vietnamese dish or purchase souvenirs.

Bến Thành Market is the oldest surviving market in Ho Chi Minh City and one of Vietnam’s top destinations. It is a must-see for anyone visiting this 300-year-old city. Explore the colorful stalls and buy food, souvenirs and clothing from the local vendors.

The market began in the early 17th century as an informal gathering of street vendors near the Saigon River. In 1870, the French colonialists formally established it as Les Halles Centrales (the central market). It was moved to a new building in 1912 and renamed Bến Thành Market.

Wander through the stalls, where you can browse through a huge range of Vietnamese goods. Whether you are looking for a kitschy souvenir or traditional clothing, you will find it here. However, the market is not just for tourists. Residents of Ho Chi Minh City do their daily shopping here, so Bến Thành Market offers visitors a peek into local tastes and customs.

Bến Thành Market is also the perfect place to enjoy an authentic taste of Vietnam. Stop by a food stall for a local specialty, such as deep fried whole fish, or a refreshing tea.

Haggling is a major part of the shopping experience in Vietnam and a necessity, as vendors initially charge inflated prices. For the best shopping experience, come to Bến Thành Market ready to bargain. 

Bến Thành Market is located in District 1, the central urban hub of Ho Chi Minh City. The iconic clock tower that rises above the market makes it impossible to miss. The area is always pulsing with pedestrian and vehicle traffic, so watch your step as you cross to the market. Bến Thành Market is open every day. Although the main market closes around dinnertime, the Ben Thanh Night Market stays open later.

Plan a trip to see Ben Thanh Market

Bluesky MarQ Luxury Vaccation
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Ruby Saigon Hotel - Ben Thanh
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Reviews of Ben Thanh Market

4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
240
" "5 - Excellent 31.746031746031747%
4 - Good
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" "4 - Good 44.31216931216931%
3 - Okay
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" "3 - Okay 19.973544973544975%
2 - Disappointing
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" "2 - Disappointing 2.513227513227513%
1 - Terrible
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" "1 - Terrible 1.4550264550264551%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
Jan 2, 2020

Good place to visit for shopping but be careful not to buy the first thing that caught your fancy. Compare prices across sellers and locations first so you get a feel of the standard cost for an item. The sellers will tend to extremely overprice so even if you haggle by 50 percent, you will still not get a good deal. For example, we were able to get a magnet set for only 60,000 VD (from 150,000 VD original price). A foldable backpack was sold to us at 150,000 VD from the original asking price of 450,000 VD. So compare princes across sellers first. And always safeguard your property. Avoid also strangers who approach you to bring to to a place for a good deal.

4/5 - Good

TC
Dec 14, 2019

Many of the vendors have signs stating fixed prices, no bargain8ng

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveler
Oct 18, 2019

Many of the people who work at Ben Thanh Market hustled me to buy their products when I walked by. I couldn't walk a few steps without someone touching my shoulder or putting their items in front of my face to get me to buy them. Also, some people here assume that my husband and I are Vietnamese or can speak or understand Vietnamese.

4/5 - Good

williamp
Oct 2, 2019

Get prices from many vendors before buying. The vendor at front near the doors charge more than those deep inside or back.

3/5 - Okay

B
Jul 13, 2019

This market is similar to the markets in Hanoi and Hoi An. If you haven't visited those, you should definitely check this out, otherwise skip. Instead, go own the street to the Ben Thanh Street Market for a variety of tasty foods.

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveler
Jul 9, 2019

Get at least 2/3 off asking price or you are paying too much

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