If you’re looking for a more unique shopping experience, there are also marketplaces that specialise in niche items such as war memorabilia, authentic woodwork, fashion wholesale outlets, and branded sportswear. Whether you’re looking to enjoy a day of retail therapy or immerse yourself in the local culture, Ho Chi Minh City’s most popular street markets are not to be missed on your travel itinerary in Vietnam.
1. Ben Thanh traditional market:
It is the famous tourist spot in Saigon. Ben Thanh is firstly well-known as the place for real Vietnamese food. There a number of vendors and food stalls in the market food section that offers guests dishes freshly made to the order. Here, one can taste various kinds of local dishes like banh xeo, banh cuon, banh beo, cha gio, hu tiu… In the evening, while all stalls inside the market are closed, sidewalk restaurants around the market open and make it extraordinary lively area.
2. Binh Tay market:
Binh Tay or Cho Lon market has a great clock tower and a central courtyard with gardens. Much of the business here is wholesale but it’s popular with tour groups. The market was originally built by the French in the 1880s; Guangdong-born philanthropist Quach Dam paid for its rebuilding and was commemorated by a statue that is now in the Fine Arts Museum. Expect a friendly welcome when you sit down for breakfast or coffee with the market's street-food vendors.
3. Russian market:
The market’s predecessor was opened in 1991 in the Saigon Tax Trade Center. It was called the Russian Market because many Russian dealers would shop there, and then sell the products in their home country. The Daily observed that the Russian Market is a comfortable place to shop.
Stallholders rarely pester customers or ask for unreasonable prices. Customers are able to window shop without sellers complaining too. Customers should be patient when shopping – always check potential purchases carefully and bargain hard. Spend some time at the Russian Market this weekend to see for yourself.
4. Yersin market:
Dan Sinh Market, or Yersin Market, was named after the French biologist and adventurer Alexandre Yersin. He is honored as the founder of Vietnam’s Pasteur Institutes, Indochina Medical University, and some other valuable facilities. Specializing in a wide range of the war surplus and camping items, this American market houses a warren of stalls offering industrial-sized electrical appliances as well as imported machinery.
5. The flower market:
Ho Thi Ky flower market is the biggest flower market in Saigon. The flower market, located in District 10, opens all day and night but the busiest time is from 0 am to 3 am. It is the unique flower market trading flowers all night in Saigon. Wandering this flowers at night is interesting experience, you can easily find out variety kinds of flowers here such as roses, lilies, carnations, lotus…
To explore more life in HCMC, apart from various entertainment and relaxation venues, tourists are also advised to drop at a convergence point for street vendors city. In different markets will bring you different unique experiences. Come to Vietnam and enjoy it!