Ben Thanh Market

Being the most famous landmark in Ho Chi Minh City, the Ben Thanh Market enjoys a history of over 150 years. It was established during the French occupation, but a fire burnt it to the ground in 1870. After which it was rebuilt to be the city's largest market. 

Ben Thanh Market

The market and the surrounding streets make up a quite lively area for visitors to venture out. Believe it or not, one can never get bored in an Asian Market since it's so different than the commercial centers and shopping malls seen in Western countries. Various stands and food stalls in the food section offer fresh dishes made to the order: Banh Xeo, banh beo, banh cuon hu tiu, etc. Anything you can find here is what the locals favor, from clothing, bags, and jewelry to sweets, groceries, and a Vietnamese coffee shop till you drop! Just remember to haggle down the price. Another tip is to come here before 8 am in the early morning since good bargains can always be made at that time because people believe the first transaction of the day will bring good luck to them. When evening falls, try the sidewalk restaurants - that's also where the locals dine! On the whole, Ben Thanh Market is a great place to see the real Vietnam.

Your trip can be enriched by visiting other famous tourist sites like Notre Dame Cathedral, Reunification Palace, Jade Emperor Pagoda, Thien Hau Pagoda, and History Museum. To make it a whole, it's suggested to check out this 14-Day Best of Vietnam & Cambodia Tour since it's rather convenient to travel to Siem Reap by a flight from Ho Chi Minh City.