Bến Thành Market facts for kids
Iconic clock tower of the Bến Thành Market
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| Location | Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam |
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| Coordinates | 10°46′23″N 106°41′54″E |
| Address | Le Loi, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1 |
| Architect | French |
| Environment | Urban |
| Days normally open | Everyday |
| Number of tenants | 6,000 (Approx) |
| Total retail floor area | 13,056 m² |
Bến Thành Market (Vietnamese: Chợ Bến Thành) is a super famous market in the heart of Hồ Chí Minh City, Vietnam. It's in District 1, which is a busy part of the city. This market is one of the oldest buildings still standing in Saigon (the old name for Ho Chi Minh City). It's a really important symbol of the city!
Lots of people, both locals and tourists from all over the world, love to visit Bến Thành Market. It's open every single day, all year round. The market usually opens its doors around 6 AM and closes at 6 PM. But the fun doesn't stop there! After 6 PM, the day market changes into a lively night market that stays open until 10 PM.
Every day, more than 10,000 visitors come to Bến Thành Market to shop and explore. There are almost 1,500 small shops, called booths, inside. More than 6,000 small businesses sell all kinds of things here. You can find everything from everyday items to fancy goods. While some sellers might take other money, most prefer Vietnam's own money, called the Vietnamese đồng.
Contents
History of Bến Thành Market
The story of Bến Thành Market began a long time ago, in the early 1600s. Back then, it wasn't a formal market building. It was just a place where street vendors would gather near the Saigon River to sell their goods.
How the Market Grew
In 1859, the French took control of the area. They decided to build a proper market. This first official market was unfortunately destroyed by a fire in 1870. But don't worry, it was rebuilt and became the biggest market in Saigon!
Then, in 1912, the market moved to a brand new building. This is the building you see today! People started calling it the "new Bến Thành Market" to tell it apart from the older one. The new building was made with fireproof metal, making it very strong. It quickly became the most important market in the city.
The name "Bến Thành" has a special meaning. "Bến" means "harbor" or "port," and "Thành" means "citadel" or "fortress." This name shows how important the market was, being close to both the river and the old city fortress.
Modern Changes
In 1985, the market building got a big makeover. It was updated to keep up with the city's growth and modern style. Even with all these changes over the years, Bến Thành Market is still one of the oldest and most famous buildings in Ho Chi Minh City.
Where is Bến Thành Market?
Bến Thành Market is right in the middle of Ho Chi Minh City. It's located in an area called Ben Thanh Ward, in District 1. The market sits at a busy crossroads where four streets meet.
- The main entrance (South side) is on Le Loi street, near the Quach Thi Trang roundabout.
- The North side is on Le Thanh Ton street.
- The East side is on Phan Boi Chau street.
- The West side is on Phan Chau Trinh street.
The market was first built near the Saigon River. This was super handy because boats could easily bring goods to sell and pick up items to trade. Later, in 1912, it moved to its current spot, which is also a great location in District 1.
What You Can Find at the Market
The market has four main entrances, and each one helps you find different types of items. It's like a guide for shoppers!
Day Market Fun
- The South gate is where you'll find clothes, fabrics, shoes, jewelry, and makeup.
- The North gate is full of fresh fruits, fish, and poultry. This is also where you can find many food stalls selling delicious Vietnamese dishes. You can try famous foods like pho (noodle soup), broken rice, bun bo hue (spicy beef noodle soup), bun thit nuong (grilled pork with noodles), banh beo (steamed rice cakes), grilled seafood, and yummy desserts.
- The East side offers packaged foods like dried seafood, roasted peanuts, candied fruits, coffee beans, tea, and spices. These make great souvenirs!
- On the West side, you'll mostly find arts and crafts, including beautiful ceramics.
Night Market Magic
When 6 PM rolls around, the market transforms! Vendors set up brightly lit stalls on the streets outside, Phan Boi Chau and Phan Chu Trinh. They sell similar items to the day market, but there's a bigger focus on food.
Some street stalls even become mini restaurants with tables and chairs. Many local people come here after work to eat. It's also great for tourists because many places offer menus in English.
Market Building Style
Bến Thành Market covers a huge area of about 13,056 square meters. This 100-year-old building has a special design that mixes Indochina styles. It really stands out among the newer buildings in Saigon. Even though it's been updated many times, its overall look, especially the famous clock tower, has stayed the same.
Because the market was built during the French Colonial Era, it has a strong French influence. Experts say that French architects helped design some of its unique features. For example, the way the building faces and the banners along the roof were designed to help keep the market cool naturally.
Getting to the Market
The Tan Son Nhat International Airport is only about 7 kilometers away from the market. You can easily get to Bến Thành Market from the airport by taxi, ride-sharing apps like Grab, motorbike, bike, or bus.
Right across from Bến Thành Market is the main Saigon bus station. This market is also becoming a major hub for the new Hồ Chí Minh City Metro system. Ben Thanh Station will connect several metro lines. For example, Line 1 (which is being built now) will link the market to Suối Tiên Park and Long Binh. Other lines will connect Bến Thành to different parts of the city, like Tham Luong and Cholon.
See also
In Spanish: Mercado Ben Thanh para niños
