Saigon Attractions #16 Ben Thanh Market
Asian cities are famous for their markets, Saigon is no different and the biggest, best and most well known is Ben Thanh Market. Half way along Le Loi in the heart of district 1 was a large and very busy roundabout. Called Trung Tran Nguyen Han, named after a famous general and used to carry a statue of him on horseback. Sadly at the moment this has desiappeared buried in the enormous tunnelling work that is currently being done for the new metro system. So what ws a beautiful roundabout is currently a building site. Hopefully it will soon be restored to its former glory.
Ben Thanh Market: a place in Saigon’s History
It was started on the banks of the Saigon River as early as the 17th century. Initially it was more a collection of small informal markets, these were formally amalgamated into one large market by the French colonists around 1860. This original one was destroyed by fire in 1870 and rebuilt to become the largest in the city.
In 1912 the French built the new building on the site on which it stands today. It was renovated in 1985 and is a fascinating glimpse into French colonial life. Little has changed since it first opened. Inside tourists will find a vibrant bustling market, with hundreds of stalls separated by the narrowest of aisles. They sell just about everything here and this is aimed more at locals than tourists trying to hunt down souvenirs. That is not to say that souvenirs are not available, just about everything is!
The building itself is yet another fine example of French colonial architecture. It’s facade is interesting and welcoming. It’s tall clock tower dominates the roundabout and it’s intricate roof structure provides a large internal retail space. At night it is illuminated and really looks fabulous.
The food section is a thriving hub of local life as hundreds pour in at meals time to enjoy the local street food on offer. The sights sounds and smells assault the senses as vendors shout out to advertise their produce. Vegetables, tobacco, coffee, scorpions in alcohol, dried fruit and meat products are everywhere. Even if markets are not your thing, this is well worth a visit. It provides a true picture of Saigon life and seemingly goes on none stop all day.
At night Ben Thanh Market and its surrounding area takes on a whole different look. The myriad of streets around the market have developed into an extension of the market over the years. Terrific food stalls spring up everywhere. This is certainly the place in Saigon to find just about anything that you need.
!steemitworldmap 10.772162 lat 106.698278 long Ben Thanh Market D3SCR
For other Saigon attractions see also:
#1 Suoi Tien Theme Park https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/attractions-in-ho-chi-minh-city-suoi-tien-theme-park
#2 Vinh Nghiem pagodahttps://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/saigon-attractions-vinh-nghiem-pagoda
#3 Notre Dame Basilica https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/saigon-s-magnificent-notre-dame-basilica
#4 The Cu Chi Tunnels https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/saigon-attractions-4-the-cu-chi-tunnels
#5 The Municipal Theatre of Ho Chi Minh City https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/saigon-attractions-5-the-municipal-theatre-of-ho-chi-minh-city
#6 People’s Committee Building https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/saigon-attractions-6-people-s-committee-building
#7 Museum of Vietnamese History https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/saigon-attractions-7-museum-of-vietnamese-history
#8 The Reunification Palace https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/saigon-attractions-8-the-reunification-palace
#9 The War Remnants Museum https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/saigon-attractions-8-the-war-remnants-museum
#10 Nguyen Hue https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/saigon-attractions-10-nguyen-hue
#11 Hotel Majestic https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/saigon-attractions-11-the-hotel-majestic
#12 Bui Vien https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/saigon-attractions-12-bui-vien
#13 The Fito Museum https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/saigon-attractions-13-the-fito-museum-of-traditional-medicine
#14 Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/saigon-attractions-14-saigon-zoo-and-botanical-gardens
#15 Saigon Central Post Office https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/saigon-attractions-15-saigon-central-post-office
!steemitworldmap 10.776416 lat 106.671957 long The Fito Museum of Traditional Medicine D3SCR
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good post friend certainly the Asian cities are of great tradition and a tremendous culture as beautiful landscapes ... greetings ..
Thank you my friend, always nice to be appreciated. Happy new year @antonio.guarique.
great post bro. And the pictures are very beautiful.. Thanks for share
Thanks @sourovafrin, always appreciated.
welcome brother :)
why don't you vote your own comment bro?? You will get reward.
I do, but I wait until I'm powered up. :-)
oh i see. i was just wonder seeing voting others but not ownslef. btw thanks bro.
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