Binh Tay Market

Bình Tây Market, also known as "Chợ Lớn" (Big Market), is very big like the name suggests, with a total of around 1200 kiosks. The surrounding area is historically known as Chợ Lớn City or Ville-de-Cholon during French colonization, which thrived on the arrival of Chinese merchants via Tàu Hủ and Hàng Bàng Canals, and the Sài Gòn River. It really highlights how major of this place is. The market has strong Indochinese architecture. Its builder, Quách Đàm, had Chinese heritage, like many of the residents here. The market was built the Western way but in the Chinese style. The Chợ Lớn area is basically Saigon's Chinatown. As a local, I highly prefer Bình Tây Market over the touristy Bến Thành Market. Bình Tây is way bigger, has spacious balconies, and is an actual market for people. This means reasonable prices for actual goods, like a normal market. It also has a garden in the middle - how unorthodox for a legit market - where people pay respects for Quách Đàm. If Bến Thành Market is already on your list, Bình Tây is a must-go - with better prices, more spaciousness, an equally great historical architectural value, and not as touristy as Bến Thành (there are still tourists there, but many more locals). You won't regret visiting it.

Not such a delight for an Indian because we have very similar busting daily markets of our own. So the experience is very similar. But I can imagine what a haven this place is for visitors from non-Asian countries. Essentially a local market selling everything from food, fresh produce, dry food products, clothes, accessories, home products, and more!

Binh Tay Market, located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City’s Cholon (Chinatown) district, is one of the city’s most authentic and atmospheric markets. Originally built in the 1920s by a wealthy Chinese merchant, the market is a striking example of French colonial architecture blended with Chinese design elements. Its yellow-painted façade, tiled roofs, and central clock tower give it a distinctive presence, while the interior bustles with life from dawn until dusk. For photographers, Binh Tay Market offers a rich tapestry of scenes. Inside, narrow aisles overflow with goods — spices, dried fruits, teas, textiles, and household items — creating a vibrant maze of colors and textures. Natural light filtering through the roof openings creates dramatic contrasts of shadow and glow, ideal for candid shots. Outside, street vendors line the surrounding area with fresh produce, steaming food stalls, and lively crowds, making it a perfect place for capturing street photography. Early morning is the best time to experience the energy at its peak, while avoiding the heaviest crowds later in the day. The market also has a historical and cultural dimension: it reflects the deep Chinese influence on the city’s identity, and its central courtyard, with a small temple dedicated to a Chinese deity, adds a spiritual layer to the otherwise bustling atmosphere. Overall, Binh Tay Market is not just a place to shop, but a sensory and visual journey through Ho Chi Minh City’s multicultural heritage. For travelers and photographers, it’s an unmissable opportunity to capture the vibrant pulse of everyday life in Cholon.

This is a market to visit if you want something that is removed from something as touristy as Ben Thanh market. This is definitely an older part of HCMC. The market is well-organized by areas (housewares, shoes, foods, etc). The aisles are very tight. English is touch and go. Prices are a lot lower than Ben Thanh. There's really no haggling, as we learned. Walking on the outside of the market, you'll see the livestock and fresh produce. Definitely, something to behold.

Local market with few tourist means you have more normal prices.. Busy place, central coutyard, toilets available if necessary. Nice market.

The stalls are very packed with wholesale merchandise and closely side by side, not much space to move around and see or buy stuff. The stall vendors also like not interested to sell to walk-in customers as they mainly sell in large quantities to smaller resale retailers, mainly goods from china. Also very stuffy and hot, there is also a line of stalls selling food and drink.

June 2025: local market with prices half of the touristy Ben thanh market. Took a bus ride from near Ben thanh market to binh Tay and the ride itself was a treat!

Similar to Ben Than market but cheaper. Sandals, purses, etc. A lot of tiny wholesellers - good place for shop owners.