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Binh Tay Market
The recent renovation of Binh Tay Market, Ho Chi Minh City, has finished, and the vendors have relocated back to the market properly.
That meant I needed to go back to Binh Tay Market to see what they had changed and to enjoy breakfast in the expansive food hall.
I also took the chance to make a video of the market, which you can see here. You should watch the video first and then return to the post.
Chinatown in Saigon, or Ho Chi Minh, is a large area and is more integrated into the cityscape than in other cities. In subsequent visits, though, I have witnessed the Chinese influence through temples, distinct Chinese architecture, and plenty of Chinese restaurants.
When you arrive at Binh Tay Market, you are immediately met with the impressive clock tower that lords over the market’s entrance. The clock tower and the rest of the market have been here since 1930 and has been an important trading hub for the Vietnamese and Chinese alike.
Clock Tower at the entrance to the market
Binh Tay Market vs Ben Thanh Market
Binh Tay Market is the central market in Chinatown and also acts as a wholesale market, with many stalls selling in bulk at lower prices than the better-known Ben Thanh Market in District 1.
Given it isn’t really within walking distance of District 1, you won’t find many other tourists here, and although I’ve read it’s popular with some tour groups, I didn’t see any on the day I was there.
Bên Thanh market is more retail-oriented and has a higher amount of tourists.
I started my visit with a walk around the market perimeter, where there was a throng of motorbikes, either dropping off cartons of goods to the stalls or being loaded up with goods ready for delivery elsewhere. It’s quite an organized chaos, and I had to be careful not to get in the way of some motorbikes. It is also where many vegetable and fruit stalls are located.
Organised chaos of motorbikes
Collecting an order
Some impressive box carrying skills.
Fruit and vegetable vendor outside Banh Tay Market
After walking around outside for a while, I needed to escape the sunshine, so I headed inside and straight into the “wet” section of the market, where meats and fish are sold. The stalls there are typical of all Vietnamese markets, selling all parts of the animals and leaving nothing to waste.
Meat stall
Mincing the leftovers
A giveaway you’re in a Chinese influenced market – duck and pork!
Don’t trip over
Eating at Binh Tay Market, Saigon
The large food hall serving Vietnamese cuisine, such as Com Tam and Pho, is close to the “wet” section, where I enjoyed a bowl of Bun Bo Hue and an iced black coffee. Bun Bo Hue is made with rice noodles, beef, pork sausage, herbs and spices, and a broth with a salty, sour, and spicy flavor profile. A delicious Vietnamese dish.
A fiery bowl of Bun Bo Hue is a perfect kickstart to the day.
After breakfast, I took off to explore the remainder of the market. The market is laid out in sections, and there is a map at the front to help navigate, but I was happy to wander around for a while without taking too much notice of where I was.
There are many stalls selling an extensive array of foods, and although I can’t name them all here, they include nuts, sweets, rice, noodles, and dried mushrooms, as well as pre-prepared salads, fruits, and pickled vegetables.
Pickled vegetables
Do you like nuts?
Plenty of different rice options
Another giveaway that you’re in a Chinese influenced market – lots of stalls selling dried mushrooms
A colourful display of dried fruit
I headed upstairs to where most of the clothing stalls were located. The walkways there are very tight, where many young and old ladies are cramped into tight spaces, with the only chance of being cooled down coming from strategically placed oscillating fans.
This part of the market is quite a contrast from the busier ground floor. The heat is, in places, quite oppressive. There is very little noise, the pace is very slow, and I didn’t see any customers in some sections.
A much slower pace upstairs
I put my conical hat down here somewhere
Needing a rest and fresh air, I found myself in a shady spot sitting in the market’s central courtyard. Interestingly, there is an alter to Quach Dam, also known as Thong Diep, who provided the financing for the market when it was built. You can read an interesting story on Quach Dam’s life here.
The alter to Quach Dam
I enjoyed my time at Binh Tay Market immensely. There is a large variety of goods on offer, and it has a terrific eating section and a lovely courtyard to visit when you need a rest.
If you’re interested in seeing a large market in Saigon without the accompanying hassle of Ben Thanh Market, I highly recommend visiting Binh Tay Market.
Binh Tay Market Address: Binh Tay is located on the edge of District 6, about a 15-minute taxi ride from central District 1.
Binh Tay Market Opening hours: As with all markets of this type, the “wet” sections open very early, and the rest of the market is open throughout the day.