Vietnam720: Ben Thanh Market or Cho Ben Thanh in Vietnamese by Nina from Miss Adventure in Vietnam. This is part 2 of her 2 parts coverage on Saigon top tourist attractions. Read Part 1 here

Nina: For the second part of Cho Ben Thanh, I wanted to cover the interior of the market. There is a variety of wares from clothes to trinkets targeted at tourists and more food! The market is somewhat divided based on what vendors are selling (clothes, food, fabric, etc.) but you can always find something that does not quite fit. I really enjoy taking pictures here of rows or bins of one element; however, some vendors get testy and insist on no pictures.

Ben Thanh Market

I have already sufficiently covered the eating and drinking quarter. I should probably get back to the Cho Ben Thanh Challenge…!

Ben Thanh Market

Hmmm! I’m planning to bring home Vietnamese peppercorn.

Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market

This is pretty much the “Snack Shack”: candies, cashews, candied fruit, beef jerky,…

Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market

I find these bags of rice and beans beautiful! They would make lovely pictures in a kitchen!

Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market

There is still fresh food to be found inside the market.

Ben Thanh Market

This lady sells sliced corn to make che bap (corn based Vietnamese dessert) or corn spring rolls!

Ben Thanh Market

You can also stop over for a manicure in the market!

Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market

This picture is not exciting nor appetizing. However, I like being able to buy fresh bun (rice vermicelli). The same vendor also sells different rice papers.

Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market

This vendor specializes in fresh bamboo and pickled greens.

Ben Thanh Market

Lots of dried shrimp and fish. I’m not sure if the lights are for seeing purposes or to keep the shrimp dry?

Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market

Mam (fremented fish and shrimp) galore! If only this was a smell-o-blog!

Ben Thanh Market

Jars of coffee and tea.

Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market

I always come to this Chinese vendor. I was so excited to buy fresh baby corns since I’ve only had the canned stuff!

Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market

She also has a great variety of mushrooms and I love mushrooms! Unfortunately some look better than they taste. On top is fresh nam thong kho (so flavourful! not sure if they’re the same as shitake but they’re so heartier). Second is nam dui ga – literally chicken thigh mushrooms. Third are oyster mushrooms. The last one I don’t know the name but they are very common; I actually like the canned ones better than the fresh ones.

Ben Thanh Market

They also sell lap xuong with chunks of peppercorn that I used to make fried rice. I’ll have a post about food I have cooked here!

Enough with the food. As I mentioned, there is more than food at Cho Ben Thanh. I still have not bought much in terms of touristy knickknacks. I will have to start shopping for gifts soon! It’s hard though when you see these things everywhere; they just don’t feel as special anymore!

Ben Thanh Market

The beauty product row: perfume, shampoo, etc.

Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market

There are many fabric vendors targeting both tourists and locals. The colourful fabric is to make ao dai (Vietnamese dress). You can even get your clothes made here!

Ben Thanh Market

The West side of the market targets tourists but don’t believe the sign and still try to negotiate!

Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market

 Lacoste or Ralph Lauren shirts anyone?

Ben Thanh Market

Pretty bejewelled slippers.

Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market

Wooden statues and chopsticks.

Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market

Those fruit on the left are fake. The fruit picks are so kitschy I might have to get some!

Ben Thanh Market

Colourful silk lanterns.

Ben Thanh Market

Cute figurines wearing Vietnamese costumes.

Ben Thanh Market

Stuffed elephants from Sapa.

Read Part 1 here. If you enjoy this post, consider leaving a comment below.