Ho Chi Minh City Shopping Tips by Blatherwick

Name of Shop: Binh Tay Market

Cho Lon means "big market" and the Binh Tay Market is the largest market in Saigon's Chinatown. Much like Ben Thanh Market, the aisles are full of just about anything that you would need for the modern Vietnamese life. However, the prices are generally cheaper than Ben Thanh.

At the center of the market is a courtyard garden for you to escape the craziness of the shopping.


What To Pay: Depends on your barganing skills. Generally, for items without a price tag you should pay at least 50% of the first price that they say.

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Address: DL Hau Giang about 1 km SW of Chau Van Liem
Directions: Get on a moto or a taxi to get there. The market is actually in District 6 but is only 1 block away from District 5.

Name of Shop: Ben Thanh Market

The tower of this market has served as one of the symbols of Saigon since 1914. Everything that your typical Saigonese person uses, wears, or eats can be found in this place. "Come on down! If you want it, we've got it!" Stalls nearby sell inexpensive food.


What To Pay: You'll probably pay a little bit more here than at other markets. A good rule is that you should pay at least 50% of the quoted price for an item without a price tag.

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Address: Le Loi Roundabout
Directions: At the intersection of Le Loi, Ham Nghi, Tran Hung Dao and Le Lai streets, District 1.

Name of Shop: Dan Sinh Market

This market is also known as the War Surplus Market. If you need fatigues or dog tags then this is the place to get them. You can even get gas masks and field stretchers. The vendors will try to get you to buy "souvenirs" from the war such as zippo lighters, dog tags, and shell casings. These are mostly fake. Basically anything real and worth buying from the American/Vietnam War was taken long ago.

The funniest exchange I had was with a guy that said that he had Vietnam's highest medal for sale at $35. He said it was real. I know that only around 14 of these medals have been awarded and I know that they go to people such as Brezhnev, Ho Chi Minh, General Giap, etc. Thus there was no possible way that this thing was real. The guy was trying so hard though.



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Address: 104 D Yersin

Name of Shop: Cho Hoa Binh

I came across this market while wandering around the west end of District 1 and the east end of District 5. I'm not quite sure of where exactly it is but it seemed like a decent local market. I really like the architecture of this place and the fact that it wasn't touristy at all.



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