Dec - 26 - 2025
Markets in Ho Chi Minh City offer a thrilling journey in Vietnamese culture, commerce, and cuisine. Navigating the bustling markets in Saigon can be overwhelming, but this guide provides everything you need to know to shop, eat, and explore like a local. We'll take you from the iconic halls of Ben Thanh Market, perfect for first-time visitors, to the specialized fabric paradise of Soai Kinh Lam, and the fragrant, 24/7 chaos of the Ho Thi Ky Flower Market. Prepare to dive into a world of vibrant sights, tantalizing smells, and unbeatable bargains. This GTrip list covers the city's most essential markets, ensuring you won't miss a thing on your adventure.
1. Ben Thanh Market
- Address: Saigon Ward (formerly Ben Thanh Ward, District 1), Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM daily
As the most iconic market in Ho Chi Minh City, Ben Thanh Market is a must-visit for any traveller. Located in the heart of former District 1, this bustling landmark is the perfect introduction to the city's dynamic market culture. During the day, its aisles are packed with vendors selling a massive array of goods. You can find everything from local handicrafts and souvenirs, such as lacquerware, conical hats, and ceramics, to textiles, clothing, and high-quality Vietnamese coffee. The central area features a vibrant food court where you can sample classic Vietnamese dishes like pho, banh xeo, and fresh spring rolls. Remember that bargaining is expected here, so start by offering around 50% of the initial price and negotiate with a friendly attitude.
Ben Thanh Market is a vibrant cultural and shopping hub in Ho Chi Minh City, offering diverse local goods, traditional cuisine, and an authentic glimpse
2. Binh Tay Market
- Address: 57A Thap Muoi, Binh Tay Ward (formerly Ward 2, District 6), Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Nestled in the center of Ho Chi Minh City's Cholon (Chinatown), Binh Tay Market is the city's largest wholesale hub. Designed in an elegant Chinese architectural style, it offers a more authentic and less tourist-centric experience than Ben Thanh Market. This is where local business owners come to stock up on goods, and the atmosphere is electric with commerce. While it’s a wholesale market, many vendors sell individual items. It is an excellent place to find a wide range of products at local prices, including dried goods, spices, preserved fruits, and kitchenware. The market is less about souvenirs and more about daily life, making it a fascinating spot for photographers and those wanting to see the real engine of the city's trade.
3. Kim Bien Market
- Address: 41 Kim Bien Street, Cho Lon Ward (formerly Ward 13, District 5), Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Kim Bien Market is one of the most unique markets in Ho Chi Minh City. It is famously known as the "chemical market" and is the primary source for a vast range of industrial and consumer chemicals. While this may not be a typical tourist stop, it's a fascinating glimpse into a highly specialized corner of the city's economy. Beyond chemicals, Kim Bien is a massive wholesale hub for plastics, phone accessories, toys, and party supplies. If you're looking for cheap electronics, phone cases, or miscellaneous gadgets, this is the place to go. The sheer variety and volume of goods packed into its narrow alleys are a spectacle in themselves, showcasing a raw and unfiltered side of Saigon's commerce.
Kim Bien Market is a bustling wholesale hub in Ho Chi Minh City, famous for chemicals, electronics, and affordable accessories
4. An Dong Market (An Dong Plaza)
- Address: 34-36 An Duong Vuong, An Dong Ward (formerly Ward 9, District 5), Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
For fashion lovers and aspiring designers, An Dong Market is an essential destination. This large indoor market is a wholesale fashion mecca, specializing in clothing, textiles, and accessories. While it serves many local boutique owners, it's also open to retail shoppers looking for a bargain. The ground floor is dedicated to general foodstuffs and packaged goods, but the upper floors are where the magic happens. Here you will find aisle after aisle of clothing, shoes, handbags, and fabrics. An Dong Plaza, a newer building connected to the market, offers a more air-conditioned and boutique-style shopping experience. It's a fantastic place to bargain for trendy items or find unique materials for custom-made clothing.
5. Ho Thi Ky Flower Market
- Address: Alley 52 Ho Thi Ky, Vuon Lai Ward (formerly Ward 1, District 10), Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: open 24/24
Awaken your senses at Ho Thi Ky Flower Market, the largest and oldest wholesale flower market in Ho Chi Minh City. Operating 24 hours a day, this iconic market is a riot of color and fragrance, especially in the early morning hours when florists from all over the city arrive to buy their daily stock. The narrow alleys of Ho Thi Ky Flower Market are overflowing with a stunning variety of flowers, such as roses, lilies, orchids, and chrysanthemums, all sourced from Da Lat and other regions. It is a dream for photographers and anyone who appreciates natural beauty. Beyond flowers, a section of the market has become a famous foodie destination, known for its delicious and authentic Cambodian street food. Visiting Ho Thi Ky Flower Market offers a vibrant, sensory-rich experience that feels worlds away from the city center.
Ho Thi Ky is Ho Chi Minh City’s largest flower market, bursting with color, fragrance, and a lively mix of flowers and street food for a vibrant, sensory experience
6. Russian Market Saigon
- Address: 328 Vo Van Kiet, Cau Ong Lanh Ward (formerly Co Giang Ward, District 1), Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
An eclectic and unexpected entry on the list, the Russian Market offers a shopping experience unlike any other in Ho Chi Minh City. Housed inside an air-conditioned building in former District 1, this market caters to the niche demand for cold-weather clothing. For locals or expats planning trips to colder climates, this is the go-to spot. The market is famous for its extensive selection of winter gear, including down jackets, thermal wear, boots, and scarves at very competitive prices. As its name suggests, you can also find a selection of Russian goods, such as matryoshka dolls, imported chocolates, and vodka. It’s a practical and fascinating market that solves a unique problem for residents of this tropical city.
7. Tan Dinh Market
- Address: 336 Hai Ba Trung, Tan Dinh Ward (formerly District 1), Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Located near the famous "Pink Church", Tan Dinh Market is a bustling local market that offers a more relaxed atmosphere than Ben Thanh Market. It was built in 1926 and retains its classic architectural charm. While it sells fresh produce, meats, and household items, Tan Dinh Market is most renowned for its extensive selection of fabrics and textiles. It is a favorite spot for those looking to have clothes custom-tailored, especially the traditional Vietnamese ao dai. You can find a wide range of materials, including silk, cotton, and linen, at reasonable prices. The market also has a popular food section where you can try many delicious local snacks and dishes. It’s the perfect place to combine a bit of shopping with a cultural and culinary tour.
Tan Dinh Market, near the Pink Church, is a charming local hub known for fabrics, tailor-made ao dai, fresh produce, and tasty street food
8. Ba Chieu Market
- Address: No. 39 Dien Hong Street, Gia Dinh Ward (formerly Ward 1, Binh Thanh District), Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Ba Chieu Market is a large, traditional market in the former Binh Thanh District that offers a truly local shopping experience. It's less frequented by tourists, meaning you'll get authentic interactions and more local prices. The market is divided into several areas, selling everything a local household might need such as fresh meat and vegetables to clothing and kitchenware. However, Ba Chieu is arguably most famous for its vibrant night market, which comes alive as the sun sets. The surrounding streets fill up with food stalls offering a mouth-watering array of Vietnamese street food. It's also a great place to hunt for secondhand clothing, with a large section dedicated to "si-da" (pre-loved) items where you can find unique and vintage pieces for a steal.
9. Hanh Thong Tay Market
- Address: No. 10/2 Quang Trung Street, Thong Tay Hoi Ward (formerly Ward 11, Go Vap District), Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: All day
When night falls, Hanh Thong Tay Market transforms into one of the city's most popular shopping destinations for young people and bargain hunters. While it operates as a standard market during the day, its reputation is built on its lively night market. It is famous for its incredibly cheap fashion, including clothes, shoes, and accessories, that follows the latest trends. The prices are so low because many items are factory overruns or locally produced. The atmosphere is loud, crowded, and full of energy, with vendors calling out their deals. In addition to shopping, the market is a paradise for street food lovers, with countless stalls selling popular snacks and drinks. It's a chaotic but fun experience, perfect for anyone on a tight budget.
Hanh Thong Tay Market is Saigon’s lively “fashion capital” loved for its trendy, affordable clothing and energetic atmosphere that reflects the city’s youthful vibe
10. Tan My Market
- Address: 258 Tan My Street, Tan My Ward (formerly Tan Phu, District 7), Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 6:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Located in the modern, expat-heavy former District 7, Tan My Market offers a glimpse of a more contemporary Vietnamese market. While it functions as a typical local market, it is generally regarded as cleaner and more organized than some of its older counterparts. It is the primary market for residents of the Phu My Hung area and is an excellent place to shop for high-quality fresh produce, meat, and seafood. You can find everything needed for daily cooking, from exotic fruits to fresh herbs and spices. The market is surrounded by food stalls and eateries, making it a great place to enjoy an authentic, affordable meal while watching local life unfold.
11. Soai Kinh Lam Market
- Address: 481 Tran Hung Dao, Cho Lon Ward (formerly Ward 14, District 5), Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
For anyone with a passion for textiles, Soai Kinh Lam Market is a non-negotiable stop. Known as the "fabric paradise" of Ho Chi Minh City, this market is the city's premier wholesale hub for fabrics. Located in former District 5, it is a labyrinth of stalls, each one dedicated to a specific type of material. If you're looking for luxurious silk, traditional brocade for an ao dai, simple cotton, or vibrant prints, you will find it here in abundance. Each shop often specializes in just one type of fabric, creating a dazzling display of colors and textures. It is the main source for tailors and designers across the city. Even if you don't plan to buy, a walk through this colorful, bustling market is a unique and visually stunning experience.
Soai Kinh Lam Market is a vibrant wholesale hub offering silk, brocade, cotton, and colorful textiles for tailors, designers, and visitors alike
12. Minh Phung Market
- Address: 122 Minh Phung Street, Binh Tay Ward (formerly Ward 2, District 6), Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Minh Phung Market is another wholesale-focused market located in the industrious former District 6, close to Binh Tay Market. It stands out for its specialization in low-cost, mass-produced clothing and accessories. This is not the place for high fashion but is the engine room for budget apparel sold in smaller markets across the region. Its primary focus is on jeans, t-shirts, and casual wear, sold in large bundles to other retailers. For the intrepid shopper, it’s a place to witness the sheer scale of the city's garment trade and potentially find some incredible bargains, especially if you are willing to buy in bulk. Exploring Minh Phung Market provides a raw, behind-the-scenes look at the commerce that clothes the city’s populace.
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Markets in Ho Chi Minh City are the lifeblood of the metropolis, each offering a unique window into Vietnamese culture and daily life. From the lively halls of Ben Thanh Market to the fabric-filled corridors of Soai Kinh Lam and the fragrant bustle of Ho Thi Ky Flower Market, every market reveals a different, fascinating side of Saigon. This GTrip – Vietnam Travel Agency guide has equipped you with essential insights to explore the city’s best markets with confidence. So grab a reusable bag, practice your bargaining smile, and dive into the rich, sensory experience of shopping in Saigon. We hope your journey is filled with great finds and unforgettable local moments.
