Astrid Freja

2025-02-10

Having called Vietnam home for eight enriching years, I've gathered countless authentic stories that I'm now eager to share with you. As a VietAdvisor contributor, my passion lies in the freedom of discovery, allowing me to deeply immerse myself in Vietnam's rich, diverse cultures from north to south. Let my experiences help you forge a deeper connection with this extraordinary country.

Saigon, the “Pearl of the Far East,” captivates visitors not only with its skyscrapers and chic cafes but also with its unique market culture. Markets in Saigon are more than just places to shop; they are meeting points, places for cultural exchange, and where you can truly feel the vibrant pulse of the city.

If you’re looking for the best shopping deals and ways to save money, don’t miss this list of 7 budget-friendly Markets in Saigon. Get ready to get “lost” in a world of diverse goods at incredibly affordable prices!

This article is not just a simple guide to Markets in Saigon, but also a sharing of real-world experiences and heartfelt advice from a Saigon local who loves to explore.

New to Saigon? This first-timer’s itinerary will help you plan your days like a pro.

I. Ba Chieu Market

• Address: Bach Dang Street, Ward 14, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
• Opening Hours: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM (most stalls), some may stay open until later.

Ba Chieu Market is probably a familiar name to most Saigon residents. It’s known as a paradise for shopping for clothes and fabrics with all kinds of styles, designs, and materials. From “fake” designer clothes to unique designs, from cotton to silk, you can find it all here.

I remember when I was a student, every time I needed to buy clothes for going out or going to school, I would always wander around Ba Chieu Market. Prices here are quite reasonable, especially if you know how to bargain. My experience is to go early in the morning when the stalls are just opening, there are more beautiful items, and prices are easier to negotiate.

What to Buy at Ba Chieu Market?

• Clothing: T-shirts, jeans, dresses, jackets… in all styles.
• Fabrics: Fabrics for Ao Dai (traditional Vietnamese dress), fabrics for suits, fabrics for office wear…
• Accessories: Handbags, shoes, belts, jewelry…

Shopping Tips:

• Bargain: Don’t be afraid to bargain, especially when buying multiple items. You can start by offering 50-70% of the seller’s asking price, then slowly negotiate.
• Check Carefully: Carefully check the quality of the product before buying, especially the seams, zippers, and fabric quality.
• Be Careful: Ba Chieu Market is quite crowded, so be careful to protect your personal belongings from pickpockets.

What to Eat at Ba Chieu Market?

Ba Chieu Market is not only famous for its clothes but also for its many delicious snacks. I especially like the Banh Xeo here, the crispy crust, the full shrimp and meat filling, dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce is “absolutely amazing.” You should also try the Goi Cuon (spring rolls), Bun Rieu (crab noodle soup), Che (sweet dessert soup)… at the stalls around the market.

II. An Dong Market

• Address: An Duong Vuong Street, Ward 9, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
• Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

An Dong Market is the largest wholesale clothing market in Saigon. It is home to thousands of stalls with all kinds of clothes, from affordable to high-end, from Vietnamese to imported. If you plan to trade in clothes or simply want to buy in bulk, An Dong Market is a great choice.

An Dong Market has an area of approximately 25,000 m2 and is divided into 3 different areas: An Dong Market, An Dong Plaza, and An Dong Food. The market trades in many items originating from all over the world, but mainly from China, Thailand, and Japan. In addition to clothing being a famous item, An Dong Market also sells dried foods such as dried fish, dried beef, dried squid, bird’s nests, sea cucumbers…

Although it’s a wholesale market, you can still buy retail at An Dong Market. However, the prices will not be as cheap as when buying wholesale. My experience is to invite friends to go together to buy together, so you will be charged wholesale prices and save quite a bit of money!

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III. Hanh Thong Tay Market

• Address: Quang Trung Street, Ward 11, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City
• Opening Hours: 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Hanh Thong Tay Market is located at 10/2 Quang Trung Street, one of the busiest shopping streets in Go Vap District. This market is quite easy to find because it is located in a prime location in the district, opposite Hanh Thong Tay Church, which is also quite large in scale.

When mentioning Hanh Thong Tay Market, everyone in Go Vap knows this famous market. It is considered a popular fashion shopping center as well as a gathering place for many delicious restaurants that attract a large number of young people.

See more: 10 hidden photo Check-in locations in Saigon

What I love most is the bustling and vibrant atmosphere at Hanh Thong Tay Market. Young people gather to shop, eat, and chat happily. This is an ideal place to unwind after a stressful day of work or study.

IV. Kim Bien Market – Saigon Market Famous for Chemicals

• Address: Van Tuong Street, Ward 13, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
• Opening Hours: 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Kim Bien Market is a long-standing and famous wholesale market in Ho Chi Minh City. The market was established in the 1960s and is one of the popular and familiar shopping destinations for people in the city and neighboring areas. Kim Bien Market initially operated as a place to exchange and trade dollars and military supplies.

However, after 1975, the market adjusted its operations by allowing small traders to rent stalls to expand their businesses and sell a variety of different items. With a vibrant, bustling, yet still simple atmosphere, Kim Bien Market has become a cultural symbol of Ho Chi Minh City and an attractive destination not only for locals but also for domestic and foreign tourists.

Kim Bien Market is famous for selling chemicals, flavorings, household goods, packaging… at very cheap prices. However, you need to be careful when buying chemicals here, as there are many types of hazardous chemicals with unclear origins.

I often go to Kim Bien Market to buy household items, such as buckets, basins, baskets… The prices here are much cheaper than in supermarkets. In addition, Kim Bien Market also has many types of packaging and nylon bags in all sizes, suitable for those who do business online.

You might be interested in: All Ho Chi Minh City Tours from Travel companies

V. Dan Sinh Market (Iron Market)

• Address: Yersin Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
• Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Dan Sinh Market, also known as Iron Market, specializes in selling electronics and old military items. This place is a “paradise” for those who love antiques and unique items.

I once went to Dan Sinh Market to find an old film camera. There are many types of film cameras here with all brands and prices. However, you need to have knowledge about cameras to be able to choose a good one.

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VI. Ban Co Market

• Address: Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, Ward 3, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
• Opening Hours: 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Located between Nguyen Thien Thuat and Cao Thang streets, Ward 3, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Ban Co Market has long been a familiar destination for “second-hand” enthusiasts in Saigon. The unique feature of this market is the interwoven and overlapping alleys like a chessboard. Therefore, anyone who comes here for the first time will easily get lost if not careful.

Ban Co Market is not exactly a large market, but it is a famous “snacking spot” for students. This place has countless delicious and cheap snacks, such as Pha Lau (offal stew), Bot Chien (fried dough), Goi Kho Bo (beef jerky salad), Banh Trang Tron (mixed rice paper)…

I remember when I was in school, every afternoon after school, my friends and I would flock to Ban Co Market to “sweep” all the snacks. The prices here are very student-friendly, with just a few tens of thousands of dongs, you can have a full stomach.

VII. Xom Chieu Market

• Address: Xom Chieu Street, Ward 15, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City
• Opening Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Xom Chieu Market in District 4 is home to more than 500 large and small eateries with a variety of delicious dishes that make foodies fascinated. There is a rumor that you only need to bring about 200,000 VND to enjoy all the attractive dishes in this culinary paradise.

When mentioning Saigon’s culinary paradise, no foodies do not know about Xom Chieu Market, also known as Market 200. This market is located right in the center of District 4, adjacent to Le Van Linh, Dinh Le, Le Thach, and Le Quoc Hung streets in Ward 12, usually opening from 5 pm to late at night.

Saigon Market is called the “snacking paradise in District 4” with countless stalls and attractive dishes. When wandering along the roads of the market, the attractiveness through the aroma and color of the inviting dishes, you will surely find it hard to resist. Moreover, with cheap prices regardless of weekdays or holidays, the taste does not change over the years, this place has become a place where young people often come to hang out and snack.

Find out where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City for the best experience

VIII. Advice

Going to Markets in Saigon is an interesting experience, but there are also certain things to keep in mind. Always be careful to protect your personal belongings, bargain reasonably, and carefully check the quality of products before buying. Most importantly, enjoy the bustling atmosphere and feel the vibrant pace of life in Saigon! I wish you a fun and economical shopping experience! If you find this article useful, don’t forget to share it with your friends and relatives!

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