Ben thanh street food market review
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Ben Thanh Street Food Market is a food court near Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City. The name ‘Ben Thanh Street Food Market’ is a bit misleading as little in the way of Vietnamese street food is sold there, however, they do have lots of stalls selling very tasty food and beer in a modern style food court. Show
Ben Thanh Street Food Market is open daily from 09:00 to 24:00 and admission is free although the food and beer is not. About Ben Thanh Street Food MarketBen Thanh Street Food Market was opened in 2015 and has been designed to cater mainly for tourists prepared to pay a bit more than usual for well presented food eaten in modern style food court. There are more than 20 different stalls selling both Vietnamese food and a wide range of international food. Customers order food at any of the stalls and then sit down at one of the long tables with other people and wait for the food to be brought to them. Some of the stalls also sell drinks, but a popular option is to go to the beer stall and buy a glass of draft beer. The Vietnamese food Ben Thanh Street Food Market is about double what you pay at street food stall in the city. The presentation however is better and the food is served in a proper dish as opposed to a plastic bowl. If you are concerned about food hygiene then you have a better chance of being safe eating at this market than eating on the street. The standard of what is on offer at Ben Thanh Street Food Market varies and does the level of investment operators have put into their stall. Some of the stalls, such as Gringo Tacos, are off shoots of well established restaurants in the city. Other stalls, such as the popular Get Bun which serves bao (steamed Chinese buns with fillings) are independent operations run by the business owner. Most popular international food types are sold at Ben Thanh Street Food Market; Italian, Thai, Indian, Chinese, American, Moroccan and BBQ are all available. The beer stall at Ben Thanh Street Food Market serves a variety of different beers on tap, both Vietnamese beers and imported beers. The market is a popular place for people come to drink in the evening time as well as to eat. A lot of effort has been put into the decor at Ben Thanh Street Food Market. In particular the walls around the dining area feature several street art style murals. Ben Thanh Market is one of the most popular attractions in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam! Centrally located in District One, this massive single story market complex has everything that you could imagine. From clothing and street food to knock off designer handbags and everything in between, this market is such an interesting place to explore. So is this famous Saigon market worth visiting, or is it just another tourist trap? Here’s everything you need to know! Ben Thanh Market is the largest of its kind in Ho Chi Minh, and one of the most historic attractions in the city. The original market dates all the way back to the 17th century with the current building constructed in 1912. Most travelers stay nearby in District One to be close to all the attractions. This makes Ben Thanh the ideal place to visit in the morning or early afternoon. The market is open from 7am until 6pm, and then spills out into an outdoor night market in the evening. Still, know that most of the action takes place earlier in the day. If you’re heading to Ben Thanh Market hungry definitely make sure you go before 3pm when the food stalls close! While the shopping section does cater to tourists, you will find a mixture of everything at Ben Thanh. Locals come here to pick up there meat and produce, or even enjoy a meal alongside travelers. → Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam: 15 Helpful Tips For First Time Travelers Quick Tips For Ben Thanh MarketHaggle: While there are signs that say “set price” know that it’s always negotiable. Since this is considered the tourist Ho Chi Minh market, the prices you’re being quoted will be typically higher than other places in the city. It’s perfectly acceptable to haggle here! Just keep in mind that this doesn’t apply at the food court. Watch Your Valuables: Ben Thanh Market is safe to visit. Yet, like any crowded area make sure to take care of your valuables. That could mean locking your backpack, using a fake wallet, or a money belt. If you don’t have any of these things you can easily pick them up at the Ben Thanh Market! Don’t Get Lost: There are dozens of small lanes that cut through this Saigon market making it easy to get disoriented. The food section is the only part of the market that stands out as different. Although you may want to stick together with your group, getting lost can be all part of the fun! Do a Loop Before Buying: It’s hard to understand how much shopping there is in Ben Thanh Market until you see it for yourself. While you might be tempted to buy some items immediately, be sure to take a loop first. Ask the prices on items so you get an understanding of what they’re going for. Then get a game plan before you try and buy! Shopping at the Ho Chi Minh MarketTrinkets: If you’re on holiday and looking to pick up anything in the tourist area this is the place! Traditional lamps, dining sets, and other antiques can all be found at Ben Thanh Market Vietnam. Clothing: The clothing section at Ho Chi Minh market is wild and definitely a place where you can switch up your style. Beyond the typical Vietnam tank tops, there is a large range of athletic wear, dresses, and more designer Adidas and Gucci then you’ll know what to do with. Coffee: Looking to make your own Vietnamese coffee? Well, Ben Thanh Market has you covered! Tins of coffee are stacked high at multiple stalls where you can pick out a pre-packaged bean, or scoop some loose ones for yourself! There’s also plenty of traditional cafe sua da’s to enjoy at the many food stalls. Flowers: From single stems to fully arranged bouquets, this is the spot to get your flowers! The colors will astound you and are a nice change from the other strange smells of the Ben Thanh Market. Fruit & Veggies: Besides the prepared food section, this is the yummiest part of Ben Thanh. Tropical fruits from around Asia are for sale at extremely low prices. The only better deal you’ll find for fruit is if you buy from locals on bicycles right outside. Meat and Fish: Get ready to plug your nose because the meat and fish sections are stinky! With actual food being so cheap in Vietnam there is no reason to buy anything from this area. Unless you’re strolling through to see what a skinned animal looks like, it’s probably best to skip this part of the Ben Thanh Market. Food at Ben Thanh Market VietnamOnto the good stuff! The food stalls are the holy grail of Ben Thanh Market. You can find everything from hot noodle soups to iced coffee and the best traditional Vietnamese dishes. Many travelers come here just for the shopping and have no idea there is great food to be enjoyed! Some stalls only serve one thing which makes your choice easy. Yet, others display their top dish on a sign but have a little of everything. One of our favorite soups in Vietnam is Bún bò Huế so we usually go directly to the stand we know has it. Don’t forget the drinks either! In the morning try a delicious Cafe Sua Da coffee. During the afternoon, a fruit shake is always nice to cool you down from the Ho Chi Minh market heat. → Love the food in Vietnam but not sure where to start your eating adventure? Consider jumping on a street food motorbike tour! Ben Thanh Market at NightWhen the sun goes down the indoor market closes, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop! Two parallel roads around the Ben Thanh Market are closed to traffic at night. Here you’ll find several rows of stands set up with similar clothing and souvenirs for sale. We prefer the actual Ben Thanh Market which open during the day. However, this is still a cool alternative if you miss out on the morning or afternoon. Is Ben Thanh Market Worth Visiting?We think so! If you’re staying in District One definitely make a stop by here. To be clear, we don’t recommend coming to Ben Thanh Market to actually go shopping. Since it is so popular the clothing and other trinkets will go for much higher prices than other places. We typically would stop into the Ho Chi Minh market for a quick breakfast or lunch before heading to other parts of the city. Even if you’re not eating or shopping, it’s still an entertaining place to explore and walk around. Ben Thanh Market is absolutely tourist. Yet, this historic symbol of the city is still worth seeing. → Start Planning: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay – Ha Giang – Tam Coc – Phong Nha-Ke Bang – Da Nang – Hoi An – Mui Ne – Da Lat – Phu Quoc Where To Stay In Ho Chi Minh CityUltra Luxury – Park Hyatt Saigon – In the upscale part of the city sits the beautiful Park Hyatt, which acts as a retreat from the buzz of Saigon. Swim in the outdoor pool, relax in your upscale room, and enjoy the special touches that come with a luxury resort. Fun Vacation – Fusion Suites Saigon – This hotel has a contemporary style and is completely unique to other places you will find in the city! Boutique Hotel – Chez Mimosa Petite – Bright and fun rooms that are great for travelers on a budget. Located close to the Fine Arts Museum the hotel offers free bikes to explore the city. Budget Travel – City Backpackers Hostel – Also, it’s just a quick walk away from Bui Vien Street so you are in the popular party area! Have any questions about this article or want to share your own tips for Ben Thanh Market Vietnam? Let us know in the comments below! Safe Travels, Brigitte & Jake Pin For Later ↓Vietnam Travel Planning*We receive a commission for purchases made through links in this post. This allows us to continue our travels and keep providing great content to our readers! Also, as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. What is Ben Thanh market famous for?Ben Thanh Market is the most famous shopping destination for tourists in Ho Chi Minh City. It is a nice place to buy local handicrafts, branded items, Vietnamese art and other souvenirs. In addition to shopping, this oldest market in the city is also an attraction in itself. When should I go to Ben Thanh market?When is the ideal time to visit Ben Thanh Market? If you want to shop around, the best time to visit the market is between 7:30 am and 6 pm. If you want to enjoy the bustling atmosphere of numerous food stalls on Phan Boi Chau Street next to the market, come after 7 pm. Is Ben Thanh a night market?Ben Thanh Night Market in Ho Chi Minh City As one of the most well-known and lively night markets in Ho Chi Minh city, Ben Thanh comes alive in the evenings, engulfing visitors in the enchanting ambiance of the city. What is the best street food in Vietnam?Street food in Vietnam: Your Top 10 dishes. Xoi — This savory sticky rice dish comes with any number of mix-ins (from slithers of chicken, or pork to fried or preserved eggs), but almost always with a scattering of dried shallots on top. ... . Bun cha — ... . Bot chien — ... . Banh mi — ... . Goi cuon/Nem ran — ... . Banh xeo — ... . Pho — ... . Bun bo nam bo —. |
