The city's best-known covered market, built in 1914, selling souvenirs, textiles, coffee, dried fruit and street food.
Ben Thanh Market is the central landmark of District 1 and the most visited market in the city. Inside the covered hall, stalls sell souvenirs, lacquerware, conical hats, silk, ready-made ao dai, coffee, tea, dried fruit and spices, with a food court along the interior lanes. Asking prices for tourists are often 2-3 times what locals pay, so negotiate. Price tags are rare. The main south gate on Le Loi is the busiest; the east gate on Phan Boi Chau is generally calmer.
| Hours | Daily, about 06:00-18:00; the surrounding night-market stalls run 18:00-23:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | Free entry; souvenirs 30,000-500,000 VND / USD 1.14-19.01; coffee beans 100,000-350,000 VND / USD 3.80-13.31 per kg |
| Payment | Open-air market: bargaining expected; cash (VND) preferred, small stalls accept bank-transfer QR codes |
| Address | Le Loi, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
Good to know
- Tax-free shopping
- Not applicable; market stalls do not issue VAT-refund invoices
- Best for
- Souvenir shoppers and first-time visitors
Location
Le Loi, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
10.7725, 106.6980 View on map
Highlights
- Landmark 1914 market building with a clock tower
- Coffee, tea, dried fruit and souvenirs in one hall
- Food stalls for bun thit nuong, banh xeo and che
- Night-market stalls outside after 18:00
Tips for visiting
- Start counter-offers at 40-50% of the first price and settle near 60-70%
- Arrive before 09:00 for cooler air and fewer tour groups
- Check the same item at two stalls before buying
- Watch bags and phones in crowded aisles
When to visit
Early morning 07:00-09:30.
Accessibility
Level floors inside with narrow, crowded aisles; no step-free toilets.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ben Thanh Market worth visiting for shopping?
It is useful for a one-stop souvenir run but more expensive than other markets; use it for coffee, tea and dried fruit.
Are prices fixed?
No. Prices are negotiable at nearly every stall, though the food court has posted prices.