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This is Ben Thanh Market — the symbol of Saigon during the final days of the year near Tết.

Ben Thanh Market has long been one of Saigon's most famous landmark. The market has been in existence since the French occupation. The original market was located on the shores of Ben Nghe River by ancient fort Gia Dinh. Its proximity to the fort and the river where merchants and soldiers would land was reason for its name (Ben meaning pier or port and Thanh meaning fort). In 1859, when the French invaded Saigon and overtook fort Gia Dinh, Ben Thanh Market was destroyed. It was rebuilt shortly thereafter and remained standing until it was moved to its present location in 1899.

Almost a century ago, in 1907, the construction of Ben Thanh Market was approved by the city council. Construction was under way in 1912 and it was completed in 1914. During World War II, the market was bombed by the Allied forces and heavily damaged. It was given a revamp in 1950. The market has four main gates and 12 subordinate ones. The main gates are named after their directions-east, west, south and north.

Ben Thanh Market may be Saigon’s greatest temple to mammon but it is far from its only one so it is strongly recommended to wander around some of the many markets that line the streets of this bustling city even if you don’t plan on buying anything, it will still give you a fantastic insight into Vietnamese life. This place is listed under Patricia Schultz's "1000 places to see before you die" so make sure you won’t skip it.


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