Ben Thanh Market, Ho Chi Minh City: Four-Gate Visitor Guide
Contents
Ben Thanh is a traditional market in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, established in 1914. Four main gates open onto four streets, and the south gate carries the three-sided clock tower that faces Quach Thi Trang Square.[1] The opening festival ran from 28 to 30 March 1914 and drew 100,000 people.[2]
Choose a gate by what you want to browse
Each gate leads to a different part of the market. Use the table as a starting point, then follow your nose through the stalls.
| Gate | What you find there |
|---|---|
| South, main gate (Quach Thi Trang Square) | Three-sided clock tower; fabrics and dried foods.[1] |
| North gate (Le Thanh Ton Street) | Flowers and fruit.[1] |
| East gate (Phan Boi Chau Street) | Cosmetics and sweets.[1] |
| West gate (Phan Chu Trinh Street) | Footwear, handicrafts and souvenirs.[1] |
Things to Do
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Plan a focused visit
Start under the south gate clock tower and pick the sections that match your interests rather than trying to cover every aisle. Add time if you want to shop or eat. Compare similar items, and confirm the item, quantity and total price before you pay.
Check the route and hours before setting out
Ben Thanh Central Station, an interchange of four metro lines, stands at Quach Thi Trang Square, right at the market’s south gate.[3] Opening hours differ between food stalls and shops, so check the signs at the gate you use.
For more stops around the city, use our Vietnam travel guide.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Ho Chi Minh City Portal: Tham quan & Du ngoạn, city visitor listing. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- [2] Ben Thanh Market Management Board: Giới thiệu về chợ Bến Thành. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- [3] Ho Chi Minh City Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR): Ben Thanh Central Station project profile. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ben Thanh is a traditional market established in 1914, with four main gates and a three-sided clock tower at the south gate. Each side has its own specialities, from fabrics and dried foods to flowers, sweets and souvenirs.
The south gate has fabrics and dried foods, the north gate flowers and fruit, the east gate cosmetics and sweets, and the west gate footwear, handicrafts and souvenirs.
Allow longer if you plan to shop or eat. Start at the south gate clock tower and choose the sections that interest you.
Hours differ between food stalls and shops. Check the signs at the gate you use before you plan around a specific opening or closing time.
Ben Thanh Central Station, an interchange of four metro lines, stands at Quach Thi Trang Square, next to the market’s south gate.
Compare similar items, and confirm the product, quantity, currency and total before you agree to buy.
