Discover the Biggest Local Market in Ho Chi Minh City

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Vietnam, a bustling country in Southeast Asia, is renowned for its diverse and vibrant local markets. From traditional markets to modern shopping complexes, these markets offer a unique blend of products, flavors, and experiences. Here are the five largest local markets in Vietnam:

  • Ben Thanh Market, Ho Chi Minh City:

Located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, Ben Thanh Market is one of Vietnam’s most iconic landmarks. It is a bustling hub of activity, with over 1,500 stalls selling everything from souvenirs and clothing to local delicacies and fresh produce. Visitors can explore the market’s labyrinthine alleys and discover hidden treasures, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists.

  • Dong Xuan Market, Hanoi:

Dong Xuan Market is Hanoi’s largest indoor market, covering an area of over 60,000 square meters. It is a shopper’s paradise, with over 2,000 stalls selling a wide range of goods, including clothing, electronics, household items, and traditional crafts. The market is also known for its delicious street food, making it a popular lunch spot for locals and tourists.

  • Cho Lon Market, Ho Chi Minh City:

Cho Lon Market, also known as Binh Tay Market, is a major wholesale market in Ho Chi Minh City. It is a bustling hub of activity, with thousands of vendors selling a wide variety of products, including textiles, electronics, food, and household goods. The market is especially popular with wholesalers and retailers, who come from all over Vietnam to purchase goods at competitive prices.

  • Sa Pa Market, Lao Cai:

Sa Pa Market is a vibrant market located in the mountainous town of Sa Pa, in the northern province of Lao Cai. It is a popular destination for both locals and tourists, who come to experience the unique hill tribe culture and purchase handcrafted souvenirs, traditional textiles, and fresh produce. The market is also known for its delicious street food, making it a great place to sample local delicacies.

  • Nha Trang Night Market, Nha Trang:

Nha Trang Night Market is a bustling market that comes to life after sunset in the coastal city of Nha Trang. The market stretches for several blocks along the beach, with hundreds of stalls selling a variety of souvenirs, clothing, and local delicacies. Visitors can also enjoy live music and cultural performances, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists.

Thi's Market - CN Hồ Tùng Mậu in Ho Chi Minh City
Thi’s Market – CN Hồ Tùng Mậu in Ho Chi Minh City

The 7 Biggest Local Market near Ho Chi Minh City

Ben Thanh Market

  • Address: Ben Thanh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4 (52933)
  • Reviews:
    Godhuli Biswas✭✭✭✭✭
    3 weeks ago
    You will find absolutely everything here. Be sure not to get lost here. I liked this place. It’s just standing in the middle of the busy road and there are so many people coming over here to check out clothes, groceries, food items, decor, souvenirs and what not. If you are good at bargaining, you can think of doing hopping here. The market is so big, it was super fun to watch.
    Yu Veeravong✭✭✭✭✭
    3 weeks ago
    Everything is here to look and buy but only with the energy to negotiate. Every shop will start with 2-3 folds of actual reasonable prices except for Vietnamese traditional costume shops that will show fix prizes. Go for it and have fun with buying. Anyway, if you want to buy with peace of mind then go to Saigon Square, beside Saigon Center. It’s air-conditioned and no inflated offer prices. Great quality products with small money to pay.
    Isk Ib✭✭✭
    a month ago
    Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City is a bustling hub known for its wide variety of goods, but it’s essential to be cautious. Most vendors specialize in selling imitation branded products, so visitors should beware of haggling and be confident in saying no to avoid any unwanted purchases. The market offers a unique shopping experience, particularly for those seeking souvenirs, but discernment is key when navigating the array of goods.

    Amidst the shopping, the market features a side with a food court in the middle, providing a welcome break for visitors. This section not only offers a diverse selection of local cuisine but also serves as a convenient spot to relax and refuel. In summary, Ben Thanh Market can be an exciting destination for souvenir shopping, but it’s crucial to approach it with a discerning eye, especially when dealing with imitation branded goods.

    Piyush Bafna✭✭✭✭
    3 weeks ago
    Bến Thành Market is located in the center of Hồ Chí Minh City in District 1 area. Ben Thanh Market is the most famous shopping destination for tourists. It is a good place to buy local handicrafts, branded items, Vietnamese art and other souvenirs. You can find almost everything here, including souvenirs, clothing, hats, coffee, tea, shoes, purses, snacks, fresh fruit, art, electronics, toys, spices, suitcases, watches, fruit and jewelry. Inside the market, you’ll find food stalls and eateries offering delicious Vietnamese street food and local delicacies. The market has four main entrances and twelve sub entrances.
    CK Vishnu✭✭✭✭
    a month ago
    Ben Thanh Market is a place for the shoppers. It’s a great place for bags and cloths. All you need to do is to know how to bargain …! There’s a good local food market towards the end of the market. I won’t suggest the food there because you will get much more good quality street food near the old town square. Even then I personally went there and had quite a lot of shopping.

Binh Tay Market

  • Address: 57A Tháp Mười, Phường 2, Quận 6, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700900, Vietnam
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.4 (4878)
  • Opening hours:
    Monday: 5:00 AM – 7:30 PM
    Tuesday: 5:00 AM – 7:30 PM
    Wednesday: 5:00 AM – 7:30 PM
    Thursday: 5:00 AM – 7:30 PM
    Friday: 5:00 AM – 7:30 PM
    Saturday: 5:00 AM – 7:30 PM
    Sunday: 5:30 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Reviews:
    Steve Alder-Goad✭✭✭
    4 months ago
    don’t look here for your typical street market. Most vendors only sell in bulk, but the prices are good. Interesting history about how it started – and therefore the shrine inside the quadrant.
    Sena’s Life✭✭✭✭✭
    3 months ago
    The best place to finding cheap stuff in Saigon. If you stay around tourist area you need to take a bua.
    Jonathan Alex
    a month ago
    I’ll just let you know my opinion on all the well known markets in Ho Chi Minh for tourists.

    Not my cup of tea for shopping. I’d prefer ben thanh market to binh tay market, but the prices there may be more expensive and require more haggling. Russian market and saigon square are disappointing too.

    All in all, market shopping here still loses out to the likes of Chatuchak in Bangkok.

    I’d rather shop at: THE BLUES, Icondenim, Routine, Couple TX, YaMe.vn

    Vivienne Schaum✭✭✭✭
    a year ago
    Lot of things to see, but yes, there are a lot of bulk suppliers. Nevertheless you also can buy smaller amounts – recommended is the dried fruit and candy section. You can choose whatever you like to try (or maybe already know). We liked it.
    B W✭✭✭✭
    3 months ago
    The vendors leave you alone. Prices don’t budge much because they’re already very cheap. Definitely aimed at the bulk buyer. There are literally tonnes of the same good here stacked in piles.

Tan Dinh Market

  • Address: 336 Hai Bà Trưng, Phường Tân Định, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.2 (8296)

Chợ Cũ Tôn Thất Đạm

  • Address: QPC3+Q6H, Tôn Thất Đạm, Street, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.1 (710)

Thái Bình Market

  • Address: QM8Q+QJF, Đ. Cống Quỳnh, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.1 (5170)

Thao Dien Market

  • Address: Nguyễn Văn Hưởng, Thảo Điền, Quận 2, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.1 (1036)

The Box Market

  • Address: 04 Phạm Ngọc Thạch, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.2 (279)
Thi's Market - CN Hồ Tùng Mậu in Ho Chi Minh City
Thi’s Market – CN Hồ Tùng Mậu in Ho Chi Minh City

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Top Local Market Alternatives in Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam (Vietnamese: Việt Nam [vîət nāːm] ),  officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV), is a country at the eastern edge of mainland Southeast Asia, with an area of a bit less than 332,000 square kilometres (128,000 sq mi) and a population of over 100 million, making it the world's fifteenth-most populous country. Vietnam shares land borders with China to the north, and Laos and Cambodia to the west. It shares maritime borders with Thailand through the Gulf of Thailand, and the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia through the South China Sea. Its capital is Hanoi and its largest city is Ho Chi Minh City (commonly referred to by its former name, Saigon).
Vietnam was inhabited by the Paleolithic age, with states established in the first millennium BC on the Red River Delta in modern-day northern Vietnam. The Han dynasty annexed Northern and Central Vietnam under Chinese rule from 111 BC, until the first dynasty emerged in 939. Successive monarchical dynasties absorbed Chinese influences through Confucianism and Buddhism, and expanded southward to the Mekong Delta, conquering Champa. During most of the 17th and 18th centuries, Vietnam was effectively divided into two domains of Đàng Trong and Đàng Ngoài. The Nguyễn—the last imperial dynasty—surrendered to France in 1883. In 1887, its territory was integrated into French Indochina as three separate regions. In the immediate aftermath of World War II, the nationalist coalition Viet Minh, led by the communist revolutionary Ho Chi Minh, launched the August Revolution and declared Vietnam's independence in 1945.
Vietnam went through prolonged warfare in the 20th century. After World War II, France returned to reclaim colonial power in the First Indochina War, from which Vietnam emerged victorious in 1954. As a result of the treaties signed between the Viet Minh and France, Vietnam was also separated into two parts. The Vietnam War began shortly after, between the communist North Vietnam, supported by the Soviet Union and China, and the anti-communist South Vietnam, supported by the United States. Upon the North Vietnamese victory in 1975, Vietnam reunified as a unitary socialist state under the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) in 1976. An ineffective planned economy, a trade embargo by the West, and wars with Cambodia and China crippled the country further. In 1986, the CPV initiated economic and political reforms similar to the Chinese economic reform, transforming the country to a socialist-oriented market economy. The reforms facilitated Vietnamese reintegration into the global economy and politics.
Vietnam is a developing country with a lower-middle-income economy. It has high levels of corruption, censorship, environmental issues and a poor human rights record; the country ranks among the lowest in international measurements of civil liberties, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion and ethnic minorities. It is part of international and intergovernmental institutions including the ASEAN, the APEC, the CPTPP, the Non-Aligned Movement, the OIF, and the WTO. It has assumed a seat on the United Nations Security Council twice.

The Biggest Local Market in Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, is home to a vibrant and diverse local market scene. These markets offer a wide range of products, from fresh produce to clothing and souvenirs. Here are the top three local markets that are very popular among both locals and tourists:

  • Bến Thành Market

    Bến Thành Market is one of the oldest and most iconic markets in Ho Chi Minh City. Located in the heart of District 1, this bustling market offers a wide variety of products, including clothing, accessories, spices, souvenirs, and fresh produce. It is also a great place to sample local street food. Bargaining is expected, so don’t be shy to negotiate for a better price.

  • An Đông Market

    An Đông Market, also known as Craft Market, is a haven for shoppers looking for fabric, textiles, and handicrafts. Located in District 5, this multi-level market is a favorite among locals for its wide selection of materials and accessories for tailoring clothes. Whether you’re a fashion designer or just looking for unique fabrics, An Đông Market is the place to go.

  • Tân Định Market

    Tân Định Market is a hidden gem located in District 1. This market is famous for its fresh seafood, fruits, and vegetables. It is also a great place to find local snacks and traditional Vietnamese ingredients. Tân Định Market is less crowded compared to other markets, making it a more peaceful and enjoyable shopping experience.

In summary, Bến Thành Market, An Đông Market, and Tân Định Market are the top three local market alternatives that are popular in Ho Chi Minh City. Each market offers a unique shopping experience, from bargaining for souvenirs at Bến Thành Market to exploring a wide selection of fabrics at An Đông Market, or enjoying a peaceful shopping experience at Tân Định Market. These markets are must-visit destinations for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the local culture and find great deals on a variety of products.

Thank you for taking the time to read our article. For more in-depth reviews and comprehensive ratings on the Local Market spots, please explore the recommended articles listed below.

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