Binh Tay Market Saigon: China Town Market in Ho Chi Minh City

Binh Tay Market (Vietnamese: Chợ Bình Tây) is a major wholesale goods hub of Ho Chi Minh City. Goods here are distributed all over the country, even wholesale to Cambodia and many other countries. This oldest market in Ho Chi Minh City is a place that attracts many domestic and foreign tourists to visit. In 2015, Binh Tay Market was recognized by the Center for Relics Conservation under the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City, and by the Ho Chi Minh City Monuments Review Board as an architectural and artistic relic in Ho Chi Minh City.

• Location: 57A Thap Moui, District 6, Ho Chi Minh City
• Entrance Fee: Free of Charge
• Best for: family, friends, couple, solo
• Opening Hours: Daily 08:00 – 17:00

History of Binh Tay Market or Cholon Chinatown Market:

Binh Tay Market was built by a Chinese businessman named Quach Dam (also known as Thong Hiep) in 1928 and presented to the city government at that time, and was inaugurated in 1930. In return, Mr Quach Dam only asked to be built a few rows of townhouses around the market and placed his statue in the middle of the market when he died.

Street and market are built by famous contractor in Indochina - Tau Cuoc Company (Xang Company). Binh Tay Market was built in the style of Asian architecture but applies modern Western techniques and is considered one of the most beautiful markets in Saigon/ Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

What to Do and When is the Best Time to visit Binh Tay Market?

Unlike the Ben Thanh Market located in District 1, Binh Tay market mainly sells products to the local population with its extensive range of fresh fruits, vegetables, poultry, meat and seafood from regions in all over Vietnam.

Also known as Chợ Lớn Chinatown Market, Binh Tay Market is a two-storey building architecture along Thap Muoi Street. Visitors can also find an assortment of many handicrafts, lacquerware, and textiles that are being sold in bulk, though goods are not varied compared to other (more touristy) markets in the downtown of Hanoi nor Ho Chi Minh city. Along with the interesting historical and cultural aspect of Cholon China Town, this market is great for experiencing the local lifestyle and sampling unique mixture of Vietnamese & Chinese delicacies.

Beside popular breakfast spot amongst local people, there are plenty of food stalls that is selling Vietnamese staples in the market including pho noodle soup, goi cuon ( fresh spring rolls), and com tam (broken rice) as well as Chinese-influenced food such as banh bao (Chinese Dumpling), which are steamed buns stuffed with pork or chicken, onions, eggs, mushrooms, and vegetables. A courtyard in the market is set the middle, where you can also find a stone altar commemorating Quach Dam, Guangdong-born philanthropist.

How to Get There? Binh Tay Market is accessible within about 15-minutes by xe om (motorcycle taxi) ride / grab car / metered taxi from Downtown of Ho Chi Minh City. The best time to visit Binh Tay Market is in the morning as that’s when local people come for breakfast and shop for fresh ingredients and household supplies. You can also visit Binh Tay Night Market to experience life of Locals as this one of the Best Night Markets for Nightlife in Saigon.

Adventure Journey

See Also:

• List of Best Things to Do & Top Places to Visit in Ho chi Minh

• Best Local Restaurants That Should Not Be Missed in Saigon