Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City is a paradise for shopaholics and food enthusiasts when coming to Vietnam. Despite countless large-scale commercial centers appearing, traditional markets still seem to be the soul of the city. Hundreds of unique items, attractive food and drinks with unbelievable prices are waiting for you at the famous markets in the city.

Ben Thanh Market

This 100-year-old market is located in the city center, the front of the bell tower at the South gate used to be the symbol of the city in the last century. This is also a typical market for the trading culture of Saigon and Southern people. The market has about 3000 stalls selling fresh food, seasonal fruits and cuisine from many regions. The most prominent are still Southern dishes and Saigon style sweet soup. At night, the market is also very lively with more than 100 stalls selling souvenirs, fashion clothes and street style food. Definitely come here, you will be full when you leave. The small traders at the market all speak fluent English, they often jokingly refer to the way they speak English as "Vietlish".

Address: Quach Thi Trang Square (South Gate / Main Gate), Le Thanh Ton Street (Northgate), Phan Boi Chau Street (East Gate), Phan Chu Trinh Street (West Gate), District 1.

Operating time: 05:00 – 23:00 every day (night market runs from 19:00)

Binh Tay Market

Built in 1928, the market is a crowded trading center of the overseas Chinese community in Cho Lon. The market has 12 entrances with more than 2,000 stalls specializing in wholesaling spices, confectionery, fashion clothes and household items at attractive prices. In the middle of the market is a large and airy yard, so that buyers can stop and rest. Small traders at the market can speak both Vietnamese and Chinese. Coming to Binh Tay market, visitors can just admire the ancient architecture, learn the history of the market and shop at reasonable prices.

Address: No. 57A, Thap Muoi Street, Ward 2, District 6.

Operating hours: 02:00 – 23:00 every day (night market runs from 19:00)

Tan Dinh Market

This ancient market was built in 1926, located on Hai Ba Trung Street, opposite Tan Dinh Church. Indigenous people often come to the market to shop for top quality items, from food, household items, spices to fashion clothes and fabrics. The goods at the market are extremely diverse, especially the food is very fresh. Near the market, there is a famous classic-style 81 coffee shop on social networks and a pancakes shop 46A Dinh Cong Trang street that is still famous to this day.

Address: No. 314-336, Hai Ba Trung Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1.

Operating time: 05:00 – 23:00 every day (food activities take place from 18:00)

Ba Chieu Market

The market is located in the center of Binh Thanh District, next to the Tomb of General Le Van Duyet, so locals are used to calling the Tomb of Ba Chieu to refer to this area. The market is famous for its dozens of stalls selling used items (old genuine clothes and shoes) with surprisingly affordable prices. In the morning, the stalls at the market mainly sell food, spices and household items, but in the evening, this is a "used items paradise" of many clothes, shoes, and fashion accessories for sale at extremely affordable prices.

Address: No. 40, Dien Hong Street, Ward 1, Binh Thanh District.

Operating time: 05:00 – 23:00 every day (night market runs from 19:00)

Ba Hoa Market

The market is located deep in Tran Mai Ninh Street, Tan Binh District. Although there are only about 20 stalls, this place is known as "miniature Quang Nam" in the heart of Saigon. Many attractive rustic specialties such as steamed beef tripe with ginger, Hoi An mussels, Stir-fried apple snail with coconut, Stir-fried pork tripe with turmeric, central pancakes, etc. are available for sale in the late afternoon at the market with affordable prices. You should try walking in the market to be immersed in the small food stalls crowded with diners and feel the bustling sound intact with the dialect voice of the authentic and friendly Quang people.

Address: No. 99, Tran Mai Ninh Street, Ward 11, Tan Binh District.

Operating time: 05:00 - 18:00 every day (food activities take place from 15:00)

Ho Thi Ky Flower Market

The market is hidden in Le Hong Phong apartment building, District 10. The stalls at the market wholesale and retail flower arrangement materials and hundreds of colorful flowers imported from everywhere, most especially in Da Lat city. The market operates day and night, the atmosphere is always filled with fragrance. Inside the market, there is also an attractive food street with more than 100 stalls selling all kinds of food and drinks with the taste of many other provinces. Besides, the restaurant of Co Ut tray sweet soup, Tu Xe beef noodle soup and Uncle Tu's snail noodle soup are all very popular with locals and tourists coming to the market.

Address: Alley 52, Ho Thi Ky Street, Ward 1, District 10.

Hours of operation: 00:00 – 24:00 every day (food activities take place from 17:00)

Soai Kinh Lam Market

The old market located on Tran Hung Dao Street, District 5, is a paradise of fabrics. The market is named after the sign of a famous Chinese restaurant next door. Each stall at the market only sells a separate fabric, from cotton spandex to brocade and premium silk. You just need to ask any stall about the type of fabric you want to buy, and the merchants will happily direct you to the stall that specializes in selling that fabric.

Address: No. 481, Tran Hung Dao B Street, Ward 14, District 5.

Operating hours: 08:00 - 18:00 every day

Bottles Market

The bottle market is located on the campus of Cao Minh cafe at alley 255/47, No Trang Long street, Binh Thanh district. The stalls in the market specialize in selling a variety of second-hand and antique items. A vinyl record player, a tea set or a Zenit mechanical camera from the Soviet era can be found here. The market opens early on Sunday, buyers are free to admire and bargain without fear of disturbing sellers.

Address: Alley 255/47, No Trang Long Street, Ward 13, Binh Thanh District

Operating time: 09:00 - 14:00 Sunday