Ben Thanh Market: Hours, Night Market and Visit Guide
Ben Thanh Market's day market runs from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The street night market starts around 19:00. The market management said in September 2023 that it runs to 21:00-22:00; Tuoi Tre reported 24:00 in March 2024. Metro Line 1 starts at Ben Thanh station next to it.
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Ben Thanh Market’s day market runs from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Night stalls on Phan Boi Chau and Phan Chu Trinh streets start from 19:00.
Ben Thanh Market opening hours
| Part of the market | Hours |
|---|---|
| Day market | 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Night market, Tuoi Tre (March 2024) | 19:00 to 24:00 |
| Night market, market management (September 2023) | to 21:00-22:00 |
No current notice gives the night-market closing time, so plan to leave by 22:00.
The gates and what each side sells
The market is accessible through 4 main entrances and 12 sub-entrances. They are on Phan Boi Chau, Phan Chu Trinh, Le Thanh Ton Streets and Quach Thi Trang Square.
The day market sells textiles, souvenirs, handicrafts, fresh produce, seafood and spices. The southern gate is given over to garments, textiles, clothing, shoes, jewellery and cosmetics.
The northern gate is where people find fresh fruits, fish and poultry. Food vendors there sell dishes like pho, broken rice, bun bo hue, bun thit nuong, banh beo, grilled seafood and desserts.
The market has nearly 1,500 booths and more than 6,000 small businesses. The guide recommends negotiating prices to avoid paying excessive amounts.
The night market
The night market sells jewellery, handicrafts, souvenirs and food. It is on the streets of Phan Boi Chau and Phan Chu Trinh. Tuoi Tre (March 2024) reports 19:00 to 24:00; the market management said 21:00-22:00 in September 2023.
What to see at Ben Thanh Market
The building combines Indochinese and French architecture, with a clock tower at the front, wooden vaulted ceilings and open sides. The market has a total area of 13,056 m2.
Food hall
The food hall serves dishes including spring rolls, grilled pork noodles, crab paste noodle soup, Hue beef noodle soup and Hanoi pho. Food vendors are on the northern side.
A short history
In 1912 the market moved into the building people know today.
Who it suits (and who should skip it)
- Souvenir shoppers: the market sells handicrafts and souvenirs by day and by night.
- Early risers: the day market opens at 6:00 AM.
- Evening visitors: the night stalls open at 19:00.
- Visitors who dislike haggling: the guide recommends negotiating prices.
- Metro riders: the market is adjacent to Ben Thanh station.
How to get to Ben Thanh Market
The market is in Ben Thanh Ward. The ward was formed by merging Ben Thanh Ward, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, part of Cau Ong Lanh Ward and the rest of Nguyen Thai Binh Ward.
Metro Line 1 has 14 stations, starting with Ben Thanh. The market is adjacent to that station. MAUR said in 2020 that exit 3 is on Phan Chu Trinh Street, next to the market. See Metro Line 1 for fares and hours.
From Tan Son Nhat Airport, take bus 152 to Ben Thanh Market. See Tan Son Nhat Airport to the city for the other options.
Ben Thanh, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Open Ben Thanh Market in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
When to go and how long
Arrive at 6:00 AM for the day market. The market welcomes more than 10,000 visitors per day. For the night stalls, arrive from 19:00.
Nearby and how to combine it
Independence Palace is at 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Ben Thanh Ward, the same ward as the market. It is open 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
The War Remnants Museum is at 28 Vo Van Tan Street, Xuan Hoa Ward. It is open 07:30 to 17:30 every day, and its ticket counter at the Vo Van Tan gate closes at 17:00.
For one day, start at the palace from 7:00 AM, reach the museum before its ticket counter closes at 17:00, then finish at the night stalls from 19:00. The tours hub lists more sights.
Ben Thanh, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Before you go
- Plan for the day market from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
- Come after 19:00 for the night stalls.
- Negotiate prices, as the guide recommends.
- Pick a gate by what you want: the southern gate has clothing and textiles, the northern gate has fresh produce and food vendors.
- Ride Metro Line 1 to Ben Thanh station, which is adjacent to the market.
- Leave the night stalls by 22:00, the latest closing the management gave.
Photos and clips uploaded to Google Maps (Ben Thanh Market on Google Maps (opens in a new tab)) by Kaew-Go-Round, Melissa Abache, Gemma Cope.
Step by step
- Pick the timeCome from 6:00 AM for the day market, or after 19:00 for the night stalls.
- Get thereRide Metro Line 1 to Ben Thanh station, which is adjacent to the market, or take bus 152 from the airport.
- Choose a gateThe southern gate has clothing and textiles; the northern gate has fresh produce and food vendors.
Not confirmed: Night-market closing time: the market management said 21:00-22:00 in September 2023, and Tuoi Tre reported 19:00 to 24:00 in March 2024. No current notice was found, so plan to leave by 22:00.
Common questions
What time does Ben Thanh Market open and close?
The day market runs from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. So at 7:00 PM the day market is closed and the night stalls are starting.
What time does the Ben Thanh night market start?
Tuoi Tre (March 2024) reports 19:00 to 24:00 daily, and the market management said 21:00-22:00 in September 2023. It is on Phan Boi Chau and Phan Chu Trinh streets.
What do the stalls sell?
The day market sells textiles, souvenirs, handicrafts, fresh produce, seafood and spices. The night market sells jewellery, handicrafts, souvenirs and food.
How do I get to Ben Thanh Market by metro?
The market is adjacent to the Ben Thanh station of Metro Line 1. Ben Thanh is the first of the line's 14 stations.
How do I get to Ben Thanh Market from the airport?
Take bus 152 from Tan Son Nhat Airport to Ben Thanh Market.
Do I need to bargain at Ben Thanh Market?
One guide recommends negotiating to avoid paying excessive amounts.
Is there food at Ben Thanh Market?
Food vendors sell dishes like pho, broken rice, bun bo hue and banh beo.
Which ward is Ben Thanh Market in?
The market is in Ben Thanh Ward.
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