Traveler Description
Morning is the best time to visit this bustling market, where you can find everything from food to live animals.

Address: Intersection of Le Loi, Ham Nghi, Tran Hung Dao Avenues and Le Lai Street

Traveler Reviews

Very interesting place
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on Oct 9, 2008


There is everything that you can think of under this roof. clothes, shoes, handbags/wallets, jewelry, cologne/perfume, fruit, seafood, meat. It is amazing. So many different people selling different things. Even if shopping isn't your main point, walking through here and watching the chaos is amazing. I did not find that there was such a hard sell in here, compared to the night street market outside Ben Thanh Market. Often hear "What are you looking for Mr Sir?". or "I have many different colours, same same." A must look while in HCMC

Lacquered Goods by Van Highlighted My Trip!
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on Oct 8, 2008


This is a wonderful and gigantic albeit humid market that has many, many, many different items to choose from! Whether it is jewelry, handbags, books, movies, clothes, accessories, and ceramics ? you can guarantee to find it here! There is even a vendor who exchanges currency located right in their booth! Not very safe but it is a gem if you know where and how to look! They also have a whole section dedicated to the amazing variety of Vietnamese food! A great tip: always, always, always walk away from a high bid with a sincere smile and thank you? chances are, the shop owners will always come run after you, offering bottom barrel prices! I went to Cho Benh Thanh Market maybe three times a week on my two-month trip to Saigon. The food there is amazing, so are the lechee drinks as desserts. On my trip, I managed to befriend a very sweet lady, Van. I have to give her special recognition otherwise the trip would have been a sham! She owns three lacquered shops in Cho Benh Thanh and I initially was drawn to all of the lacquered plates, bowls, cups, tea sets, utensils, paintings, figurines, etc. ? goodness, she had a very lovely and charming set up (this was just the first shop, I would soon find out!) I admired from afar before I made my approach (a lot of the vendors are very intimidating) but when I got close enough, she was the first one to welcome me to the shop and lightly urged me to take a closer look at the items she had on display. Much to my satisfaction, she started telling me the history of her shop and how she got into business, the culture centered on her childhood and her family. It was very heartwarming to befriend a local. Her English was actually very decent and it was fun to teach other our native language. Needless to say it was not just small talk to keep a customer but stories that will last a lifetime and are meant to keep a friend. To add even more fun to my trip, I somehow walked away with a signed receipt when I purchased 3 boxes of her lacquered paintings and dish sets. I practically bought one in every color ? it will look amazing in my fine China collection! To this day, we still chat occasionally and I cannot wait to go back! If you are visiting, definitely stop by and check out Van?s Lacquers! 924.926 #1, #2, #3! 520-1597. She has three shops and you cannot miss it!

Everything under one roof.
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on Sep 27, 2008


You can literally find everything here; clothes, books, bags, food, etc.. the list goes on and on. Be sure to bargain and try to reduce the prices by 30 - 40%. However, the entire market is hot and humid with little ventilation making it a tad torturing to browse through all the stalls. Stalls are also closely located to each other leaving just a small space / corridor for people to pass through. In spite of the heat, I managed to find myself 2 really nice and cheap handbags (all below USD 3) with intricate embroidaries, a pair of shoes, lots of accessories and oh, an apple peeler (very very useful for lazy people like me). Also bought cloth which I sent to the tailors nearby to make dresses and pants. Tailong prices ranges from USD 12 to USD 20.

Main City Touristy Market
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on Sep 12, 2008


My friend told me not to buy anything from Cho Ben Thanh market, because it was always overpriced. However, I find the pricing was just about the same almost everywhere and there isnt a proper shopping center anywhere nearby. Cho Ben Thanh could easily interpret as "Smelly Stupid" in mandarin, cause it sounds the same. It is definitely worth the go at night, where the seafood stalls and push carts are up and going. I think this is the best place to bargain. It is really useful if you are really showing that are you're walking away for a "still high price", they usually will keep you interested by lowering the price some more.

Worst market ever been to
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on Jul 26, 2008


Hi to all ... just got back from amazing Vietnam - including 5 days in Saigon (HCMC) went with our 3 kids and based on reviews of others was looking forward to this market, we've been too many -- many markets throughout asia and our own thoughts were this was the worst ever. Smelly, hot, crowded with wildly overinflated prices (and we know how to barter) limited selection and quality Worth a visit though, as back of market is where the locals shop for food. Loved Saigon as a city though, awesome place and people .... like a mini paris Found the markets in smaller towns and rural areas much better