Ben Thanh Market, a symbol of the bustling Saigon, is not only vibrant during the day but also puts on a lively and dazzling show when night falls. If the daytime market is a traditional shopping paradise, Ben Thanh Night Market transforms into a unique world of street food and entertainment, attracting visitors from everywhere. Are you ready to explore this legendary night market? Let “Du lịch khắp thế gian” (Travel Around The World) be your guide with the most detailed handbook to discover Ben Thanh Night Market at night, ensuring a complete and memorable experience in Saigon!
What Makes Ben Thanh Night Market Special?
Ben Thanh Market is already famous as one of the oldest and largest markets in Saigon. But when night descends, this market becomes even more enchanting than ever. Gone are the busy scenes of buying and selling from daytime; Ben Thanh Night Market turns into a bustling pedestrian street, filled with sparkling lights and the enticing flavors of street food.
The most special feature of Ben Thanh Night Market is the blend of traditional and modern vibes. Visitors can enjoy authentic Vietnamese dishes, shop for exquisite handcrafted souvenirs, and feel the vibrant, youthful atmosphere of Saigon at night.
Ben Thanh Night Market is not just a place for eating and shopping, but also a unique cultural space. Here, you can easily encounter street vendors, performing street artists, or groups of young people gathering and chatting. All of these create a colorful and lively picture of Saigon at night.
Ben Thanh Night Market Opening Hours and Location
Ben Thanh Night Market starts operating from around 7:00 PM every day and lasts until late at night, usually until 10:00 PM or 11:00 PM, depending on the number of visitors and the day of the week. The busiest times are on weekends, holidays, and during the Tet holiday.
Regarding the location, Ben Thanh Night Market is not located inside the main market building but is set up on both sides of the market, on Phan Boi Chau and Phan Chu Trinh streets. These two streets become pedestrian streets in the evening, exclusively for night market activities.
Getting to Ben Thanh Night Market is easy by various means of transport:
- Motorbike, car: You can park your vehicle at parking lots around the market or on nearby streets. However, during peak evening hours, finding parking can be a bit difficult.
- Bus: Many bus routes stop near Ben Thanh Market; you can look up routes that suit your itinerary.
- Taxi, ride-hailing apps: These are convenient and quick transportation options, especially if you are not familiar with Saigon streets.
- Walking: If you are staying near District 1 center, walking to Ben Thanh Night Market is also an interesting option, allowing you to enjoy the Saigon street scenes at night.
Ben Thanh night market illuminated with colorful lights
Exploring Ben Thanh Night Market Cuisine: What to Eat?
Ben Thanh Night Market is truly a street food paradise with countless delicious dishes, from traditional Vietnamese cuisine to diverse international flavors. Strolling around the night market, you’ll be overwhelmed by hundreds of tasty dishes, attractively displayed, ready to conquer the taste buds of every diner.
Here are some suggestions for dishes you must try when visiting Ben Thanh Night Market:
- Grilled seafood: Grilled seafood stalls are always a favorite destination for many people when coming to the night market. Fresh seafood is grilled directly over charcoal, fragrant and hot, served with special dipping sauces, guaranteed to be irresistible. Popular grilled seafood dishes at Ben Thanh Night Market include grilled shrimp, grilled squid, grilled octopus, grilled scallops, grilled snails, and more.
- Grilled skewers: Besides grilled seafood, grilled skewers are also very popular at Ben Thanh Night Market. From pork, beef, chicken, to various vegetables, all are richly marinated and grilled fragrantly. This dish is perfect for enjoying with friends.
- Street snacks: Ben Thanh Night Market is also a gathering place for countless attractive street snacks. Here, you can find grilled rice paper, spring rolls, banh xeo (crispy pancake), bột chiên (fried dough), ho lo nuong (grilled sausage), phá lấu (offal stew), various types of sweet soup (chè), smoothies, and fruit juices. Each dish has its own unique flavor, making you want to try everything.
- International cuisine: To meet the diverse needs of international visitors, Ben Thanh Night Market also has many stalls selling international dishes such as pizza, pasta, sushi, takoyaki, Thai and Korean dishes. You can easily find familiar dishes or try new flavors.
A vibrant display of street food at Ben Thanh night market
Suggested dishes to try:
- Bun Rieu (Crab Noodle Soup): Bun rieu in Ben Thanh Market still retains its traditional, rich flavor, with fragrant crab paste, sour and light broth, served with fresh raw vegetables.
- Banh Canh Cua (Crab Thick Noodle Soup): Banh canh cua at the night market is also an excellent choice, with chewy noodles, fresh sweet crab meat, thick and hot broth.
- Che (Sweet Soup): Che stalls at Ben Thanh Market offer a variety of types, from green bean sweet soup, red bean sweet soup, corn sweet soup, to Thai sweet soup, khúc bạch sweet soup (panna cotta sweet soup). You can enjoy a cool glass of sweet soup to cool down after strolling around the market.
What to Buy at Ben Thanh Night Market?
Not only famous for its cuisine, Ben Thanh Night Market is also a shopping destination for souvenirs and unique handicrafts. The stalls sell a variety of items, from clothes, shoes, bags, fashion accessories, to handicrafts, souvenirs, and local specialties.
Some shopping suggestions at Ben Thanh Night Market:
- Souvenirs: Ben Thanh Night Market is an ideal place for you to buy souvenirs for friends and family. Here, you can find gifts imbued with Vietnamese identity such as conical hats (nón lá), ao dai (traditional long dress), khăn rằn (checkered scarf), handicrafts (ceramics, bamboo and rattan weaving, lacquer paintings), and local specialties (dried squid, pia cakes, tea, coffee).
- Clothes, fashion accessories: Clothing and fashion accessory stalls at Ben Thanh Night Market are quite diverse in designs and styles, with affordable prices. You can find t-shirts, jeans, dresses, bags, shoes, jewelry, etc. However, product quality may not be uniform; you should check carefully before buying and bargain to get the best price.
- Handicrafts: If you love handicrafts, Ben Thanh Night Market will not disappoint you. Here, you can find exquisite, unique products made by the skillful hands of Vietnamese artisans.
Tourists shopping for souvenirs at Ben Thanh night market
Shopping tips at Ben Thanh Night Market:
- Bargain: Most stalls at Ben Thanh Night Market tend to overcharge, so don’t hesitate to bargain to buy products at the best price. Usually, you can bargain down to about 30-50% of the seller’s asking price.
- Check products carefully: Before buying any product, you should carefully check the quality, design, size, etc., to ensure the product is not faulty and meets your needs.
- Keep personal belongings safe: Ben Thanh Night Market is often very crowded; you should be careful to keep your personal belongings safe, avoiding pickpocketing or theft.
Tips for Exploring Ben Thanh Night Market at Night
To have a complete and memorable trip to explore Ben Thanh Night Market at night, keep these useful tips in mind:
- Ideal time: Ben Thanh Night Market is open every night, but the best time to visit is around 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM. At this time, the market is brightly lit, the atmosphere is lively, and the stalls are fully set up.
- Comfortable clothing: Since you will have to walk quite a bit to explore the night market, choose comfortable, cool clothes and suitable shoes for easy movement.
- Prepare cash: Although some stalls at Ben Thanh Night Market may accept card payments, cash is still the most common payment method. You should prepare some cash for convenient shopping and eating.
- Go with friends or family: Going to Ben Thanh Night Market with friends or family will be more fun and safer, especially if you are female or traveling alone.
- Enjoy the night market atmosphere: Don’t just focus on shopping and eating; take time to feel the vibrant, bustling atmosphere of Ben Thanh Night Market. Watch the crowds passing by, listen to the vendors’ calls, and laughter; you will feel the characteristic rhythm of Saigon at night.
Conclusion
Ben Thanh Night Market is not just a market but also a cultural symbol, an attractive tourist destination not to be missed when visiting Saigon. With diverse street food, abundant goods, and a lively atmosphere, Ben Thanh Night Market will surely bring you unforgettable experiences. Spend an evening exploring Ben Thanh Night Market to fully feel the beauty and vitality of Saigon at night!