Ben Thanh Market, Ho Chi Minh City http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:B%E1%BA%BFn_Th%C3%A0nh_Market.jpg Charles Haynes
Ben Thanh Market is the central market of Ho Chi Minh City. It was built by the French in 1914, and was called Les Halles Centrales.
Ben Thanh Market is the place to see the people of Ho Chi Minh City go about their shopping. The sprawling comples is entered through a landmark entrance with a huge clock tower that is visible around the neighborhood.
Ben Thanh Market entrance http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ben_Thanh_market.jpg www.viajar24h.com
Within Ben Thanh Market are hundreds of stalls selling a wide range of merchandise ranging from foodstuff to household items, apparel and leather goods. The place is alive with activity for much of the time. A section of the market is devoted to selling livestock, brought into the city from the surrounding country.
As you enter Ben Thanh Market, you will find the general merchandise stall on your left while stalls selling apparel and textile are on your right. Further down, you come across dry goods such as spices and canned foods. After that, you come upon the stalls selling fresh food on your right. This is the eatery of the market, and a good place to try the local food of the city. Many of the stalls have their signs in English as well as Vietnamese, so this should come in handy when ordering food.
Location
Ben Thanh Market is located at the intersection of Le Loi and Ham Nghi Boulevards in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City.
Inside Ben Thanh Market http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Inside_Ben_Thanh_market.jpg Stephan Ridgway