Ho Chi Minh City is a vibrant maze of colors, scents, and sounds – and its markets are where this energy comes alive. From lively food stalls to handcrafted souvenirs, the city’s bustling bazaars offer travelers a true taste of local life. In this guide, discover the most famous markets you simply can’t miss during your trip.
1. Ben Thanh Market
Ben Thanh Market is the most iconic marketplace in Ho Chi Minh City, and a cultural landmark that has witnessed the city’s evolution for more than a century. Located in the heart of District 1 (formerly), this bustling market greets visitors with a symphony of sounds, vibrant colors, and the unmistakable aroma of Vietnamese spices drifting through its aisles.
Stepping inside, you’ll find hundreds of stalls packed with handcrafted souvenirs, lacquerware, áo dài fabrics, leather goods, dried fruits, and local coffee. Vendors call out cheerfully, inviting you to bargain, a fun and essential part of the experience. The deeper you go, the more you’re immersed in the daily rhythm of Saigonese life, where tradition and modernity blend. It deserves a prime spot on any list of things to do in Ho Chi Minh City.
As the sun sets, the market transforms yet again with a lively night scene. Stalls spill out onto the surrounding streets, creating a vibrant night market ideal for a relaxed stroll, a bit more shopping, or a casual dinner outdoors.
Ben Thanh Market
2. Binh Tay Market
Binh Tay Market, located in District 6 (formerly) and known as the heart of Saigon’s Chinatown, offers a completely different atmosphere from the city’s central markets. Built in the 1920s with distinctive French and Chinese architectural influences, the market features a spacious courtyard, tiled roofs, and bustling corridors filled with local life.
Inside, visitors can explore a vast selection of wholesale goods, from dried seafood and spices to textiles, kitchenware, and traditional medicines. Unlike the more tourist-oriented Ben Thanh Market, Binh Tay provides a more authentic, everyday shopping experience where most vendors cater to locals. The food section is a highlight, offering flavorful dishes from the Chinese-Vietnamese community, including hearty noodle soups and steamed buns.
3. An Dong Market
An Dong Market is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most popular shopping hubs, especially loved for its wide selection of fashion, fabrics, and handicrafts. Located in District 5 (former), the market features multiple floors packed with clothing, accessories, leather goods, and tailored-made services at competitive prices.
It’s also a great place to explore premium fabrics, from silk and linen to high-quality embroidery, making it a favorite among designers and shoppers seeking custom outfits. Beyond fashion, An Dong Market offers snacks, dried fruits, and local specialties, perfect for travelers looking to mix shopping with a taste of Saigon’s culture.
4. Ho Thi Ky Market
Ho Thi Ky Market is the largest flower market in Ho Chi Minh City, famous for its vibrant colors and lively atmosphere day and night. Located in District 10, it feels like a miniature “flower village,” with fresh blooms arriving from Da Lat, the Mekong Delta, and neighboring provinces.
Visitors can stroll through narrow alleys lined with roses, orchids, lilies, and exotic tropical flowers at surprisingly affordable prices. In recent years, the market has also become a street-food hotspot, offering Cambodian snacks, grilled dishes, and refreshing desserts, making it an unforgettable blend of scent, flavor, and local life.
Ho Thi Ky Market
5. Tan Dinh Market
Tan Dinh Market, located near the iconic pink Tan Dinh Church in District 1 (formerly), is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s oldest and most beloved local markets. It’s best known for its impressive variety of fabrics, from vibrant cotton prints to premium silks, attracting both designers and travelers looking for custom outfits.
Beyond textiles, the market offers fresh produce, spices, clothing, and everyday household items, giving visitors a glimpse of authentic Saigon life. The surrounding streets are also filled with must-try street food stalls, making Tan Dinh Market a perfect stop for shopping, exploring, and tasting local flavors.
6. Ba Chieu Market
Ba Chieu Market, located in the lively Binh Thanh District (formerly), is a beloved local market known for its authentic, everyday Saigon atmosphere. Unlike the tourist-focused markets in District 1, Ba Chieu offers a raw and colorful look into local life, with stalls selling fresh produce, seafood, clothing, accessories, and household goods at very affordable prices.
The market is especially famous for its late-night food area, where visitors can enjoy traditional dishes like noodle soups, sticky rice, and sweet desserts. For travelers seeking a genuine, non-touristy experience, Ba Chieu Market is a charming and culture-rich stop.
Ba Chieu Market
7. Xom Chieu Market
Xom Chieu Market, located in District 4 (formerly), is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most vibrant and locally beloved wet markets. Known for its lively energy from early morning to late at night, the market offers an impressive range of fresh seafood, vegetables, spices, and everyday goods at very affordable prices.
What truly sets Xom Chieu apart is its bustling street-food scene, where vendors serve delicious local dishes from Ho Chi Minh, such as bánh khọt, grilled seafood, and sweet snacks. For travelers seeking to explore the authentic, non-touristy side of Saigon, Xom Chieu Market offers an unfiltered and flavorful glimpse into daily life.
8. Russian Market (Saigon Square / Russian Market)
Russian Market, also known as Saigon Square, is where travelers go when they want stylish finds without the chaos of a traditional market. Set in a clean, air-conditioned indoor space in District 1 (formerly), it feels more like a compact shopping mall in Ho Chi Minh City than a street market.
Stalls are neatly arranged, showcasing trendy clothes, sportswear, footwear, and travel essentials at prices that invite a bit of bargaining. Many items come from export factories, making the deals surprisingly good. If you’re looking for a smooth, hassle-free shopping stop right in the city center, Russian Market is an easy favorite.
9. Dan Sinh Market (War Surplus Market)
Dan Sinh Market, often called the War Surplus Market, offers one of the most unusual shopping experiences in Ho Chi Minh City. Tucked away in District 1 (formerly), this market specializes in military memorabilia, vintage tools, camping gear, and replicas connected to the Vietnam War era.
Walking through its narrow aisles feels like stepping into a living archive, where collectors, history enthusiasts, and curious travelers browse everything from old helmets to lanterns and canvas bags. While not a typical tourist market, Dan Sinh is a fascinating stop for anyone interested in the city’s past and its enduring historical stories.
Dan Sinh Market
10. Ben Thanh Street Food Market
Ben Thanh Street Food Market is one of the most vibrant places in the city to sample Saigon’s modern street-food culture. Located just steps from Ben Thanh Market, this open-air food court gathers dozens of stalls serving everything from Vietnamese classics to creative fusion dishes.
Colorful lights, lively music, and the aroma of grilled meats and spicy noodles create an atmosphere perfect for casual dining with friends. Whether you’re craving phở, bánh mì, fresh juices, or international bites, the market offers an easy, fun, and flavorful stop right in the heart of District 1 (formerly).
11. Cho Lon Wholesale Market
Cho Lon Wholesale Market, at the heart of Saigon’s Chinatown in District 5 (formerly), is a sprawling commercial hub where energy never seems to fade. This massive wholesale market is known for its endless rows of goods – textiles, dried foods, household items, traditional medicine, festival decorations, and more – shipped in and out at an impressive pace.
Unlike retail-focused markets, Cho Lon is where businesses come to source products in bulk, creating a fast-moving, highly local atmosphere. For travelers, it offers a captivating look at the city’s mercantile spirit and the cultural blend that defines Ho Chi Minh City’s largest Chinese-Vietnamese community.
Cho Lon (or Big Market)
12. Tan Son Nhat Market
Tan Son Nhat Market, located just a short drive from Ho Chi Minh City’s international airport, is a lively neighborhood market known for its friendly, everyday atmosphere. It’s a great place to explore local life beyond the tourist routes, with stalls offering fresh produce, seafood, snacks, housewares, and affordable clothing.
Many travelers stop by before or after their flight to grab quick bites, sample local desserts, or pick up casual souvenirs. While not as famous as central markets, Tan Son Nhat Market offers a genuine slice of Saigon living – simple, energetic, and refreshingly local.
Read more:
>> 20 Best Restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City Worth Visiting
>> Chinatown Ho Chi Minh: History, Food, and Must-Visit Spots
Conclusion
Exploring Ho Chi Minh City’s markets is one of the most immersive ways to understand its culture, flavors, and daily rhythm. From historic landmarks like Ben Thanh Market to hidden local gems in District 4 or Chinatown, each market reveals a different layer of the city’s vibrant identity.
If you want to experience these places with ease, comfort, and expert guidance, HoaBinh Tourist offers curated Ho Chi Minh City tours designed for travelers who want more than just sightseeing. Our itineraries combine iconic attractions with authentic local markets, street-food stops, cultural stories, and seamless logistics – giving you a complete, worry-free journey through the city’s most dynamic districts.
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Whether it’s your first visit or a return to Saigon, let HoaBinh Tourist help you discover Ho Chi Minh City the way locals live it: colorful, flavorful, and full of unforgettable moments.
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