Jeff - Trigger Happy
Ben Thanh Market, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
From my rush and short trip to Vietnam.
Since its birth in the early 19th century, Bến Thành Market has seen its share of disasters.
In 1859, a French canon destroyed the market and resulted in its location being moved from Saigon River to Tổng Nha Ngân Khố (Treasury) on Nguyễn Huệ Avenue.
In 1870, a fire destroyed a large part of the market.
In 1911, the market was intentionally demolished for safety reason and construction began on the present location. The work finished on March 1914 and the inauguration lasted three days. With the second new location, Bến Thành was also known as Chợ Sài Gòn or Chợ Mới (New Market) while the old location with only few remaining stores being called Chợ Cũ (Old Market).
Bến Thành Market is a square building with four gates that look onto Quách Thị Trang Plaza, Phan Bội Châu, Phan Chu Trinh, and Lê Thánh Tôn Streets. The side that looks onto the plaza has a tower with three clocks, all made by Citizen and none showed the correct time. Since the last interior makeover in 1985, the clocks seem to work properly most of the time, so kudos for the new regime.
With over 3000 stalls in the market, there is nothing you cannot find in this oldest and busiest market in Vietnam.
Ben Thanh Market, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
From my rush and short trip to Vietnam.
Since its birth in the early 19th century, Bến Thành Market has seen its share of disasters.
In 1859, a French canon destroyed the market and resulted in its location being moved from Saigon River to Tổng Nha Ngân Khố (Treasury) on Nguyễn Huệ Avenue.
In 1870, a fire destroyed a large part of the market.
In 1911, the market was intentionally demolished for safety reason and construction began on the present location. The work finished on March 1914 and the inauguration lasted three days. With the second new location, Bến Thành was also known as Chợ Sài Gòn or Chợ Mới (New Market) while the old location with only few remaining stores being called Chợ Cũ (Old Market).
Bến Thành Market is a square building with four gates that look onto Quách Thị Trang Plaza, Phan Bội Châu, Phan Chu Trinh, and Lê Thánh Tôn Streets. The side that looks onto the plaza has a tower with three clocks, all made by Citizen and none showed the correct time. Since the last interior makeover in 1985, the clocks seem to work properly most of the time, so kudos for the new regime.
With over 3000 stalls in the market, there is nothing you cannot find in this oldest and busiest market in Vietnam.