Binh Tay Market Cholon Saigon

It seems fitting that Binh Tay Market located in Cholon, Saigon’s Chinatown, is the city’s largest market. In Vietnamese Cholon literally translates to big market.

Much of the commerce that takes place inside the two-story building is wholesale. It offers a much more authentic Vietnamese experience than the popular Ben Tanh Market in District 1 where aggressive hawkers sell goods catering to tourists such as designer knock offs and “I Heart Pho” T-shirts.

Located in Ho Chi Minh’s District 5 Binh Tay was built in the 1920s by a Chinese businessman. It’s easy to spend hours here wandering the different sections that feature in abundance just about anything one could need. 

And if you need to get a bit of air after navigating its narrow aisles stocked high with merchandise step into the courtyard with its landmark clock tower and take a seat. You’ll probably end up here by default as it’s easy to get lost.