Ben Thanh Market
At first, the market was situated near the Ben Nghe
River Dike. After being moved many times, it is now standing in the centre of
the city where consumers can conveniently find all sorts of products.
According to Vuong Hong Sen, author of "The Book
Saigon of the Past", in 1912, the French filled a pond, the Boresse, into
a solid foundation of 12,000m² and built a market on it. The market was close
to a landing stage (Ben) of the old city (Thanh), hence its name of Ben Thanh.
The opening ceremony for the market in March 1914 was a big festive event.
At present, the front of Ben Thanh Market faces
Quach Thi Trang Square; its rear faces Le Thanh Ton Street; its right, Phan Chu
Trinh Street and its left, Phan Boi Chau Street. At all of its four sides,
there are bustling trading shops. Located at the centre of the city, Ben Thanh
Market is always loaded with varieties of goods, such as consumer goods, cakes
and candies, food and foodstuffs, and particularly high-quality fruits and
vegetables. Goods are displayed in a very attractive way that always catches
the eyes of the buyers. They meet all requirements for the customers' daily
life or for their families. The market has four gates that are very convenient
for the market-goers. For all of its advantages, Ben Thanh Market is one of the
most attractive tourist sites in the city for both domestic and foreign
visitors.
Ben Thanh Market is a huge covered market in central
HCMC. It is one of the best places to buy coffee, but do try the stalls inside
before buying, as the outside stalls are more expensive. Also if you are buying
a reasonable quantity you can usually get a couple of free coffee filters.
Vietnamese coffee is really delicious; I'm surprised it is not more widely
available in the West.
Apart from coffee, you can get almost anything in
the market or the shops surrounding it. You will have to bargain, unless the
prices are written on the goods, but that is all part of the experience. And
afterwards you can have a bowl of delicious noodles.
