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Binh Tay Market

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Bình Tây Market is a massive wholesale market and a cultural cornerstone located in District 6, the center of Ho Chi Minh City’s vibrant Chinatown (Chợ Lớn). Unlike the more tourist-focused Bến Thành Market, Binh Tay offers a more authentic and energetic glimpse into the daily commercial life of the city, dominated by its Chinese-Vietnamese heritage.

I. Historical & Cultural Significance

  • Chợ Lớn Landmark: The market is the definitive commercial hub of the Chợ Lớn area. It was built between and , funded by the wealthy Chinese merchant Quách Đàm, whose statue stands in the central courtyard.

  • Architecture: The design is a unique blend of Eastern and French architectural styles. It features a central courtyard that is open to the sky, surrounded by four wings of stalls. A distinctive clock tower sits prominently above the courtyard, making it a recognizable landmark. The curved, Chinese-style roofs are also notable.

  • Wholesale Trade: Binh Tay is primarily a wholesale market. It is the main distribution point for many goods, from spices, dried foods, and textiles to household goods, serving retailers across the Southern region of Vietnam. This trade focus gives it a distinct, bustling atmosphere.

II. Visitor Experience (What to See and Do)

  • Food Paradise: The market’s food court is a major highlight. Located mostly around the center and front entrances, it offers an incredible variety of authentic Vietnamese and Chinese-Vietnamese dishes, including regional specialties that can be hard to find elsewhere.

  • Shopping: Explore the vast collection of goods. Tourists often look for:

    • Dried Goods & Spices: Exotic spices, dried fruits, nuts, and traditional herbs.

    • Textiles and Clothing: While much is wholesale, you can find clothing, fabrics, and accessories.

    • Ceramics and Handicrafts: Household goods, ceramics, and small souvenirs.

  • Atmosphere: The true attraction is the sheer vibrancy and raw energy of an active, large-scale Asian market. Visit early morning to see wholesale trading at its peak.

III. Practical Information

DetailInformation
Address57A Tháp Mười Street, Ward 2, District 6, Ho Chi Minh City.
Opening HoursDaily, generally from 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM. (Some street food vendors outside may open earlier or later).
Entrance FeeFREE (VND 0). Access to the market is free.
Phone NumberA general public number for the market is not typically used for tourist information. Use the address for navigation.
Getting ThereLocated in District 6, about 8 km from District 1. Best reached by taxi or Grab (motorbike or car).

IV. Essential Travel Tips

  • Bargaining: Bargaining is expected, especially if you buy retail, but be aware that prices for goods are already low since it’s a wholesale market. Start at about of the initial asking price.

  • Cash is King: Bring small denominations of Vietnamese Đồng (VND), as most vendors do not accept credit cards.

  • Security: As with any crowded area, be mindful of your personal belongings and watch out for pickpockets.

  • Best Time to Visit: Go early in the morning (around ) to see the market at its most active and to beat the midday heat.

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Paul P.
15:53 22 Aug 25
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.
Bá Thuận P.
14:53 23 Jul 25
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.
Rose T
22:17 04 Jul 25
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.
Gérard D.
10:12 22 May 25
Local market with few tourist means you have more normal prices..
Busy place, central coutyard, toilets available if necessary.
Nice market.
J “Nobita” O
05:54 09 May 25
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.
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