Ho Chi Minh City, formerly named Saigon, is a well-known tourist destination that you should not leave out of your travel list in Vietnam. The city is home to numerous attractions, including the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, and the War Remnants Museum. Besides the landmarks, strolling to the bustling streets, vibrant markets, and sampling delicious street food are what you have to do here.

The local markets in Ho Chi Minh City offer a wide range of unique and affordable goods, including fresh produce, handicrafts, textiles, clothing, souvenirs, and more. Tourists can find items that are not typically available in tourist areas, making it an excellent opportunity for shopping for authentic Vietnamese products.

Many local markets in Ho Chi Minh City feature food stalls and street vendors selling a variety of Vietnamese street food and local delicacies. Strolling through these markets allows visitors to sample authentic Vietnamese cuisine, including popular dishes like pho, banh mi, spring rolls, and fresh tropical fruits.

Here are several popular local markets in Ho Chi Minh that you need to visit at least once, during your stay.

Location: Hai Ba Trung Street, Ward 8, District 1

Opening Hours: 6 AM to 6 PM, Daily

Ben Thanh Market is one of the most famous landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It's not just a market; it's a bustling hub of activity, commerce, and culture. Situated in the central business district, the market is easily accessible and serves as a focal point for both locals and tourists.

Ben Thanh Market is well known for having a wide selection of products. You may find practically anything here, from clothes, fabrics, and accessories to souvenirs, handicrafts, and traditional Vietnamese things. It is especially well-known for its silk, lacquerware, ao dai (traditional Vietnamese clothes), and regional specialities like coffee, spices, and dried fruits.

Back then, Ben Thanh Market was first situated close to the Ben Nghe River in the 17th century, and it has a long and colourful history. With the expansion of the city, the market was relocated to its present site in the centre of District 1. Now, the market captures the energy and soul of Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon. Its distinct environment is influenced by the sights, sounds, smells, and hustle and bustle. It's a great site to learn about Vietnamese culture and get a glimpse of city life.

Location: 57A Thap Muoi Street, Ward 2, District 6

Opening Hours: 2 AM to 10 PM, Daily

Another well-known local market in Ho Chi Minh City is Tan Dinh Market, which is situated in District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Although it is not as well-known worldwide as Ben Thanh Market, it is nonetheless very important to the local population and provides a distinctive dining and shopping experience.

Built in the early 1900s, Tan Dinh Market was originally designed to serve the shopping needs of the locals living in the areas around it. It has developed throughout time into a thriving market with a large selection of products and services. Visitors can find everything from fresh produce, meats, and seafood to clothing, textiles, household items, and handicrafts.

Tan Dinh Market is known for its culinary selection, where patrons may savour a wide range of Vietnamese cuisine and street food treats. There is plenty for every appetite, including fiery beef noodle soup (bun bo Hue) and broken rice with grilled meats (com tam). Local favourites include hearty bowls of pho and delicious banh mi sandwiches.

Location: No. 34 – 36, An Duong Vuong Street, Ward 9, District 5

Opening Hours: 7 AM – 6 PM, Daily

An Dong Market, also known as An Dong Plaza, is a well-known shopping destination located in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This local market is situated in District 5 of Ho Chi Minh City, which is known for its vibrant atmosphere and large ethnic Chinese community. The market's central location makes it easily accessible to both locals and tourists.

The market is known for its wide selection of products, which includes textiles, fabrics, handicrafts, apparel, accessories, and footwear. This market is especially liked for its various selections of retail and wholesale apparel, with many vendors providing an extensive range of designs and sizes at affordable costs. Visitors can explore multiple floors filled with shops and stalls selling fashionable apparel and accessories for men, women, and children.

Location: 52 Ho Thi Ky Street, Ward 1, District 10

Opening Hours: 24 hours

Ho Thi Ky Flower Market is a vibrant, busy market situated in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's District 10. Known as "flower street" in Saigon, Ho Thi Ky Street is where the market is located. It is a well-liked site for both locals and visitors because it is conveniently accessible from several locations throughout the city.

This market is generally a wholesale market that sells flowers to event organizers, florists, and other vendors in the city. However, people are permitted to buy flowers individually for themselves in modest amounts. From popular kinds like roses, lilies, and daisies to exotic blooms and tropical plants, the market provides an amazing assortment of flowers.

Location: 10/2 Quang Trung Street, Ward 11, Go Vap District

Opening Hours: Day Market opens from 4 AM to 6 PM, Night Market opens from 6 PM to 7 AM

Hanh Thong Tay Market, also known as the "Hanh Thong Tay Wholesale Market," is a well-known market in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. With a large selection of goods and a pivotal role in the city's retail sector, Hanh Thong Tay Market is a major hub for Ho Chi Minh City's textile and clothing trade. This market is worth visiting whether you're a visitor looking to take in the lively spirit of a Vietnamese wholesale market.

Going to Hanh Thong Tay Market is a great way to experience the vibrant energy of a traditional Vietnamese market. A window into local trade and daily life in Ho Chi Minh City is provided by the sights, sounds, and smells of the market.

Location: 141 Bach Dang Street, Ward 2, Binh Thanh District

Opening Hours: Day Market opens from 8 AM to 5 PM, Night Market opens from 6 PM to 6 AM

Ba Chieu Market, also called Ba Chieu Market or Ba Chieu Traditional Market, is a local marketplace located in Binh Thanh District of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Unlike larger tourist-oriented markets, Ba Chieu Market caters primarily to local residents, offering a wide range of everyday goods and essentials.

The market is known for its fresh produce section, where vendors sell a variety of fruits, vegetables, meats, and seafood. Visitors can find a wide selection of locally sourced ingredients for cooking and meal preparation. In addition to food items, Ba Chieu Market offers a range of household goods and daily necessities.

Location: 328 Vo Van Kiet Street, Co Giang Ward, District 1

Opening Hours: 9 AM to 6 PM, Daily

When we talk about the "Russian Market" in Vietnam, we usually mean the Ho Chi Minh City marketplace, which is formally called the "Hoa Binh Market," or "Chợ Hòa Bình" in Vietnamese. The market earned the nickname "Russian Market" due to its popularity among Russian expatriates and tourists during the late 1980s and early 1990s when Vietnam began opening up to international visitors. During your visit, you may find Russian-speaking sellers and buyers, which is adorable.

This local market is known for its diverse array of goods, including clothing, textiles, accessories, footwear, handicrafts, and souvenirs. Visitors can find a mix of locally made products and imported items, with a focus on affordable fashion and casual wear. Some vendors may offer items catering to Russian tastes, such as fur hats, matryoshka dolls, and Soviet-era memorabilia.

Location: 06 Vo Van Ngan Street, Truong Tho Ward, Thu Duc District

Opening Hours: 5 AM to 7 PM, Daily

Thu Duc Market is situated in Thu Duc District, one of the outer districts of Ho Chi Minh City. It serves the local community and surrounding neighbourhoods, providing a convenient shopping destination for residents. This one is primarily a local market, catering to the everyday needs of residents living in the district. While it may not be as well-known as some of the larger markets in the city, it offers a diverse range of products and services. Like many traditional Vietnamese markets, Thu Duc Market features a section dedicated to fresh produce, meats, seafood, and other grocery items.

Location: 104 Yersin Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1

Opening Hours: 7 AM to 6 PM, Daily

Dan Sinh Market has a variety of items that will appeal to history buffs, collectors and cultural enthusiast tourists. This market provides a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam's past and present. The historical significance and cultural resonance of this market make it a memorable destination in Ho Chi Minh City. It offers visitors the opportunity to purchase unique and unconventional gifts. Visitors can find various war relics, memorabilia and collectables from the Vietnam War era. This includes items such as helmets, canteens, dog tags, patches, and other military equipment.

The local markets in Ho Chi Minh City are distinctive by their own attractions. One is more interesting for its fashion selection, another with dynamic and cultural areas, and the other with culinary options. Traveloka would be delighted to assist you with booking activities, flight, and hotel or everything you need if you want to visit Ho Minh City at any time. Hurry up and visit Traveloka to secure your ticket before it's gone!