Keep shopping trips in Vietnam fresh with stops at the best markets in Ho Chi Minh City. Discover day, night, and floating markets for everything from flowers and street food, to clothes and fabric.
There are many types of markets varying in sizes, themes, hours, and location throughout the town, but they have common denominators. Shopping in Vietnam is thrilling, as goods are bought differently here than in many western cultures. Many of them are geared toward local shoppers and are great ways to immerse and capture a glimpse into Vietnamese culture.
Many day markets stay open after the sun goes down, morphing into a more lively scene for the nighttime crowds. Most venues have a wide selection of street food options that are great for grabbing on the go while browsing the shops. Numerous stands sell similar items, so it’s best to shop around for the best prices.
When it comes time to purchase, try your bargaining skills by offering a lower number than what is listed or verbally provided. Often, the seller will give you a great deal if you act uninterested, but even if they don’t budge on the price, you’ll likely find the same item somewhere nearby. For those uncomfortable haggling, consider Saigon’s shopping malls for its set prices (albeit higher).
Here are some day and night markets in HCMC for food, clothing, fabric, and flowers, in random order:
Ben Thanh Market
Based in District 1, the Ben Thanh Market is one of the most popular places to go shopping in Saigon. Since its construction in 1914, this hub of shops and vendors has been a busy place for residents to purchase food and household items at reasonable rates.
Even though the current structure is from the early 20th century, these historic grounds have been used for trading and selling since the 17th century. The market building has withstood the test of time and seen many conflicts in the country but has managed to remain relatively the same all these years.
In the mornings, it’s a beehive of activity with locals buying fresh ingredients for their homes or restaurants. The entire market spans over 13,000 square meters and is home to over 1,000 shops selling various goods other than food. This noisy shopping area is also popular with tourists, as many different languages can be heard throughout the premises.
Ben Thanh closes down its indoor building in the evening and moves the vendors outside. Many food stands provide delicious dining options for market-goers, even cooking right on the scene. Dishes like grilled chicken and broiled meat waft smells through the air while visitors shop for household items, clothing, jewelry, and other trinkets.
Đ. Lê Lợi, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000
Binh Tay Market
Also named “Cholon Market,” the Binh Tay Market is a historical shopping area that sells fresh produce, textiles, handcrafts, lanterns, etc. Established in the 1880s and constructed in the 1930s, the current building has both indoor and outdoor shops.
Many stores in this building form a parameter around the outdoor center, which is empty and used as a worshipping area. As one of Ho Chi Minh’s busiest and most significant markets in the area, it’s usually crowded and bustling every day.
Being located so close to the city’s largest Chinatown, it’s not uncommon to hear Chinese spoken in the market. With over 600 shops and wholesale prices, it’s one of the best places in town to get a good deal.
57A Tháp Mười, Phường 2, Quận 6, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700900
Russian Market
Opened in 2000, Ho Chi Minh City’s Russian Market is one of a kind, uniquely themed with decor, music, signage, and merchandise from the Russian culture. This indoor shopping area is a great place to find winter clothes like NorthFace jackets and snowsuits and Eastern Europe’s iconic Matryoshka stacking dolls.
Popular Russian foods are also sold in the building featuring items like dumplings, canned peaches, and salted herring. The shops are usually jam-packed with stacks of products, so it might take some digging to find what you want, but shopkeepers generally will bargain with you.
328 Vo Van Kiet Street, Co Giang Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Saigon Square
Saigon Square is a multi-story indoor market with everything from coffee to souvenir t-shirts for sale. The inside of the building is kept pretty clean and is less crowded than other nearby markets, but it still has a large selection of items to buy.
Vendors selling in Saigon Square are very friendly and offer reasonable prices, especially for name-brand items like purses and shoes. The environment is a lot less chaotic than some bigger venues, making this the perfect place for a casual stroll with no stress.
77-89 Đ. Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
An Dong Market
Visitors looking to buy fabrics, clothing, and textiles will be pleased with the findings at District 5’s An Dong Market. This indoor shopping area has some of the best selections of these items in town and dried foods, woodwork, and jewelry with gemstones. Bulk foods are also usually a good deal, and there is a good eating area among the shops to stop for a quick snack.
Công trường An Đông, Phường 9, Quận 5, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000
Hanh Thong Tay Market
Set further away from the city center in District 12, Hanh Thong Tay Market is a local staple for shopping in Saigon. This indoor building is usually bustling with a younger local crowd looking to purchase clothing, shoes, phone accessories, and more at incredible prices.
There are also many dried foods and places to grab a bite to eat at Hanh Thong Tay Market, making it an excellent spot for some socializing, too. Being both a day and night market, this venue has extended hours and is open from early in the morning to late at night.
10/2 Quang Trung Street, District Go Vap
Ho Thi Ky Flower Market
The Ho Thi Ky Flower Market is one of the city’s biggest flower markets, as it’s the place to go to buy fresh cut roses, daisies, hydrangeas, lotuses, lilies, and more. Crowds are heaviest in the early mornings and late evenings, especially around national events like the Tet holiday. Strolling through the market is a relaxing experience, as the vibrant colors and fresh smells are delightful. Many local shop owners come here to purchase flowers for resale at their own places.
Aside from flower shopping, there is a large variety of Cambodian products for sale in the market. A community of people from Cambodia reside nearby and bring their foods and items to sell here, making this an excellent place to sample two cultures in one location. This is one of the few markets open 24/7.
Hem 52 Ho Thi Ky, Ward 1, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City
Dan Sinh Market
Also known as the “war surplus market,” the Dan Sinh Market in District 1 is a paradise for military buffs. There are some authentic and many replica war items for sale, such as hats, jackets, and patches. A lot of camping goods and industrial machines are sold here for great prices, too.
Vintage and souvenir items like maps, magnets, zippo lighters, and other random war things can be discovered at “Steven’s Shop” in the market. Overall, this is a fun place to walk through and peek at the various stands, as you never know what antique treasure you’ll find.
The market’s history dates back to the early 20th century, when it started as a place to buy produce. The building outside there today was constructed in 1954, although it continued to sell food. During the American war, it was a location used for gambling, but after the conflict concluded, it became a store for industrial items and machines. Over the years after that, it started selling military memorabilia but didn’t thrive until tourists started coming back to the country in the 1990s.
104 Yersin, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Ba Chieu Market
Built in 1942 and located in the heart of the Binh Thanh District, the Ba Chieu Market is one of the city’s oldest shopping areas. This large indoor market has an area of 8,465 square meters/91,116 square feet and attracts so many people for very affordable prices.
The most common products sold here are fruits, vegetables, clothing, shoes, and small household goods. This market is bustling both day and night, providing an exciting atmosphere for tourists wanting to explore authentic Vietnamese life.
Bach Dang Street, Ward 1, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
Tan Dinh Market
Conveniently set in District 1, Tan Dinh Market is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s oldest and most significant markets. It first opened in 1926 and features a lot of French-style architecture and has been one of the most popular places in town to shop for decades.
Even though Tan Dinh has a reputation for being slightly more pricey than other markets, it still has many vendors selling quality products and food. One of the most popular items to buy here is áo dài fabrics, offering many design options. Other household items, clothing, and produce are also sold here.
48 Ma Lo Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Ba Hoa Market
Set in the Tan Binh District, the Ba Hoa Market is famous for its Quang Nam food selection. Central Vietnamese dishes like thuan cakes and crispy dry pancakes are found here, one of the only places in Ho Chi Minh City. Other popular things to buy include black sugar, fish sauce, dried potatoes, jackfruit salad, and Vietnamese sweet soup. Some small household items are sold here too.
Trần Mai Ninh, Phường 12, Tân Bình, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000
Thu Duc Market
Thu Duc Market is a large wholesale market to the east of downtown Saigon. It specializes in fresh produce and dried goods, mostly ingredients for cooking and household items. The large variety of things is what attracts people to come to check it out, although it is more of a shopping area for locals. This market is always busy, so it’s best to take public transportation, such as taxis or ride-sharing to avoid needing parking.
1 Vo Van Ngan, Thu Duc district
Kim Bien Market
Kim Bien Market in District 5 sells a mixed bag of items ranging from food to electronics. Other small products like phone accessories, toys, cosmetics, and even chemicals can be found at different stalls for very low prices. This bustling market is open daily from early morning until about 9 pm.
37 Vạn Tượng, Phường 13, Quận 5, Hồ Chí Minh 749000
Ky Hoa Night Market
One of Saigon’s largest outdoor night markets is Ky Hoa Night Market, where over 250 stalls are placed throughout the area. Many vendors sell the same items, such as souvenirs, t-shirts, shoes, jewelry, and knick-knacks. This is an excellent place to sharpen bargaining skills and stroll under the lit-up tents. One of the specialty items at this market is peach blossoms, most commonly found during the Tet holiday.
Thong Nhat Stadium, 138 Dao Duy Tu, Thanh Binh
Cai Be Floating Market
In addition to day and night markets, Southern Vietnam is known worldwide for its floating markets. Whether you visit one on your own or with an organized tour, they are unique and worth adding to the itinerary.
Cai Be is the closest floating market to downtown Ho Chi Minh City, located about two hours away. The trip is completely worth the while, not only for the interesting environment but the abundance of fresh seafood and fruit. Mangoes sold at this floating market are some of the best in the region. Most floating markets are early morning venues, but Cai Be is open later than the rest and is doable even if you leave from Saigon after waking up.
Cái Bè, Cái Bè District, Tien Giang
Annual Floating Flower Market in Ho Chi Minh City
Each year near Tet, a unique flower market opens up in District 8 along Ben Binh Dong and Nguyen Van Cua streets. Over 500 boats set up shop and sell beautiful plants, ornamental trees, and large varieties of flowers from the Mekong Delta region. It’s quite a sight to see, as the entire waterway is lit up with vibrant color to create a stunning atmosphere.
In addition to buying flowers, events like boat decorating, food making, and photograph taking contests happen to contribute to the festivities. It’s a unique event that anyone traveling to Saigon during this holiday should witness first-hand.
Pedestrian Bridges No. 6, Ward 14, District 8, Ho Chi Minh City
Saigon’s markets are exciting places to explore, with great deals at each one. If you’re looking for something specific, ask a local which area has the best variety. Markets are not only good for shopping, but for meeting others and creating contacts along your travels.
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