Hotels near Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market has occupied its present building since 1914, and the clock tower above the south gate is the landmark most people use to orient themselves in central Ho Chi Minh City. Inside, roughly 1,500 stalls are grouped by trade: fabric and tailoring in one quarter, dried goods and coffee in another, souvenirs near the entrances, and a food court through the middle. Doors open around 6:00 and the main hall closes at 18:00.

Prices inside are not fixed. Opening quotes on souvenirs usually run two to three times what a local would pay, and bargaining down to 40 or 50 percent of the first figure is normal. The food stalls are much better value than the merchandise: a bowl of bun rieu or banh canh costs 50,000 to 80,000 VND (about 1.80 to 2.90 EUR). A night market takes over the surrounding streets after 19:00.

Pro Tip: Eat inside, shop outside. The food court stalls near the east gate serve the same dishes as the tourist restaurants across the road for about half the price, while near-identical souvenirs go for less on Le Cong Kieu Street. Since Metro Line 1 opened, Ben Thanh station makes this the simplest place to begin or end a sightseeing day.