Ben Thahn Market is chaotically beautiful. It is where locals buy their day today goods and sell their produce. You can shop, eat and be merry at the Ben Thahn Market.
Where is it
Tucked away between the intersection of several streets (Le Loi, Le Lai and Tran Hung Dao), Ben Thahn Market is in close proximity to many Ho Chi Minh City hotels. You can reach it in under 20 minutes from hotels such as the PARK ROYAL Saigon.
Opening hours
The day market sellers stay open from 6 am to 6 pm and the restaurants and cafés come to life from 6 pm and stay open until 10 in the night.
Bargaining power
Now, let us look at the inner workings of the market. You’d better avoid buying goods from the outer ring of the market, where they usually have fixed prices. Unless you are extremely squeamish about haggling, you should simply use the outer ring shops to get an idea about the prices. Here is a rule of thumb to bartering. Aim to pay around 40 percent of the originally sited price. But avoid bartering about small amounts and save your breath for hefty purchases.
Safety first
Now, for a word of caution. Petty crime is rife in Ho Chi Minh city and especially in crowded areas such as the market. Wear your backpack across your chest and steer clear of flashy clothes and chunky or precious jewellery. You can buy various items from silk, ethnic baskets to sportswear at the market. Happy shopping!
