Vietnam: Ben Thanh Market Supermarket to the World
Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City! Formerly known as Saigon and to many locals, still known as Saigon. Although there are many landmarks in this metropolis, there is one that truly does stick out. I normally wouldn't write about a market or in Vietnamese "Cho", but this one is special and if you are travelling Asia on a budget, you will gain from reading this! It's in the heart of District 1 and within a few blocks, you will find everything from Vincom to Bitexco Tower. Make sure you come and spend some time here. The food is amazing and the market is FULL of trinkets and gadgets to buy. Keep your money safe and beside you as it is busy and bargain for everything. DO NOT PAY FULL PRICE!
Information: I honestly don't know much about the history about this market so I'll just give information about what to expect there. If you are spending a day in District 1, Ben Thanh Market is a great place to spend your time. Best time would be the night market but go from 2pm till 4pm inside and 6pm to 8pm for the night market. Those are estimates of best times and not market hours. Outside there is traffic EVERYWHERE. Everywhere is an understatement. Walk slowly across the street and do not run, basically give the motorists time to move around you while you cross the street. Inside, the aisle are generally very narrow but expect to spend hours looking at strange things and an assortment of clothes, purses, wallets, food, crafts, dishes and food. Must try some "Che" there if you are going to get some snacks.
Location: Heart of District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City. Ask any Taxi, Xe Om or driver to take you to Ben Thanh. Beside Cho Ben Thanh is a huge park that many Vietnamese students will want to practice english with you. When I say practice, they generally mean talk to a white person. Myself being asian, they generally will talk to a white person from Sweden with no english before they talk to an Asian who was raised in the States. I find that funny. The park will also host many small groups that are playing badminton, working out or doing Vietnamese "Vo" or Vietnamese Martial Arts. There is a massive turnabout in front of the market and if you stand in the middle, you can get some amazing photos. In the area exists shops, Saigon Square, Bitexco Towers, Sunwah Towers and Vincom 1 and Vincom 2. Basically anything tourist related is in a 4 block radius.
Transportation: From any hotel, just tell the Taxi driver or Xe Om (motorbike taxi) to take you to Ben Thanh. If you go in a group of 2 or more, taxis are cheaper and they provide Air Conditioning. Xe Oms are great individual transports but you need to hunt for a bargain.
Costs: Locals Do NOT Shop here. Ben Thanh is a Tourist trap. Of all the tourist traps in Saigon, Ben Thanh is the biggest. It's over priced and quality is below par for many products. Food is decently priced as it is everywhere. If there is one thing you need to do here, its bargain. Learn to walk away because no matter how cheap you might have gotten it, its still overpriced. Example, a knockoff Coach purse might "retail" for $100.00 but bargain it to $50.00 and you think its a deal. It's not. Bargain it to $20 and they will still sell it. Personally I've bought them for $15.00 for $100.00 priced items and even then I think they are still making a pretty penny or two. But Bargain, Bargain, Bargain.
Scenery: not much to say here except window shop and you will enjoy everything you see. The night market and night food is amazing. The Shrimps in the night market are massive and worth every cent. The vast array of colors and smells will overload the senses but keep some perspective and you will get through it.
Good luck and happy travellings!
-Rardina
