A Battle of Two Must-Visit Markets in Ho Chi Minh City: Tourists Love Ben Thanh, Locals Prefer An Dong

Reported by Chen Zi-Yin / Special Feature

When traveling to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, besides authentictraditional pho,crispy duck leg noodles, anda variety of unique coffee shops, there's also an absolute "shopping" itinerary you can't miss. Within the city, there are two major hubs for street vendors: Ben Thanh Market and An Dong Market. However, according to local guide Xiao Tan, the slightly farther An Dong Market is more worth visiting because it offers cheaper prices and better shopping options, and locals mostly go to An Dong Market to purchase daily necessities. The two markets may seem similar, but they're actually quite different. Travelers planning to shop in Ho Chi Minh City can refer to the following comparison compiled by ETtoday Eastday Travel Cloud.

Ben Thanh Market (Chợ Bến Thành):
Features: Saigon-era architecture, the largest market in Ho Chi Minh City, mostly handicrafts and souvenir shops
Pros: Located in the city center, next to the Department of Transportation
Cons: Many tourists, slightly higher prices


▲ Ben Thanh Market is the most popular among tourists.

Located in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, Ben Thanh Market is not only in the city center but also the largest market in the area. Built in 1914, it is a building preserved from the Saigon era. The entire market has four entrances—east, west, south, and north—with the main southern gate located on a roundabout in the city center. The large clock on the south gate has also become a landmark, and the market faces the Department of Transportation. Because it's right in the city center, most tourists will definitely visit here to shop for souvenirs.

Ben Thanh Market offers everything from fresh produce and snacks to handicrafts, fabric shops, and souvenir stores. While prices are certainly cheap for Taiwanese travelers, it's important to note that this is a popular tourist market, so prices are still higher than those at local, non-tourist stalls. Before "buying," remember to "bargain"—start with at least a third off.

 
▲ Ben Thanh Market has a wide selection of dry goods, groceries, and local specialties.

▲ Ben Thanh Market has many handicraft shops; actress Helen Thanh Đào also comes here when she visits her hometown.

In the evenings, there are also night market stalls around Ben Thanh Market, with prices similar to those in the daytime market. The goods mainly include clothes, bags, handicrafts, and souvenirs. At night, you can stroll around, shop for small items, and experience the local "night market life."

An Dong Market (Chợ An Đông)
Features: The locals' favorite market, the new An Dong Market is similar to Taiwan’s Wufenpu and ideal for clothing shoppers
Pros: Cheaper prices compared to touristy Ben Thanh Market, most vendors speak Chinese
Cons: A bit farther from the city center, narrow aisles in the old An Dong Market, hot and stuffy in summer

 
▲ An Dong Market has both old and new sections; the left image shows the old market, the right the new one. (Photo / Reporter Chen Zi-Yin)

"This is the market we locals actually love to go to." An Dong Market is located a bit farther away in District 5, about a 15-minute bike ride from District 1. Situated in the Cholon Chinatown area, most vendors at An Dong Market can speak Chinese, making shopping and bargaining more friendly and easy. An Dong Market is divided into old and new sections. The old An Dong Market is a six-story building, with vendors starting business at 6:30 AM and closing at 6:30 PM. The basement also sells snacks, souvenirs, daily necessities, coffee, tea, canned goods, and local specialties. Starting from the second floor, there are mostly fabric shops, clothing stores, shoe and bag shops, but the aisles between floors are quite narrow, making shopping less comfortable.



▲ % Seasonal... market... various types of... clothing categories... (Image / Reporter Chen Zi-Yin)

The new An Dong Market is much brighter. The first floor is a hub for silver jewelry and wooden carvings, while the second floor is packed with clothing stores—from women’s, men’s, to children’s wear—creating an atmosphere similar to Taiwan’s Wufenpu. Many other regional clothing stores also source their stock from here, so early in the morning you’ll see people carrying bags upon bags of goods to resell. Xiao Tan says that although An Dong Market is relatively cheaper, it’s best to start bargaining from 50% off to avoid vendors taking advantage of tourists.

 
▲ The bright first floor of the new An Dong Market has plenty of silver jewelry shops, while the second floor resembles Taiwan’s Wufenpu. (Photo / Reporter Chen Zi-Yin)


Ben Thanh Market (Chợ Bến Thành)
Address: Intersection of Le Loi, Ham Nghi, Tran Hung Dao Avenues and Le Lai Street
Phone: (84-8) 38292096
Business Hours: 07:00–18:00

Ben Thanh Market (BEN THANH)
Address: 34-36 An Duong Vuong, P.9, Quận 5, TP. Ho Chi Minh
Business Hours: 06:00–18:00