History of Ben Thanh Market

The original market  was created by early 17th century street vendors who gathered along the Ben Nghe (now Saigon) River. The town changed hands multiple times until Nguyen captured it for good in 1789. To solidify control, Nguyen successfully petitioned French priest, Pierre Pigneau de Behaine, to help build the Citadel of Saigon. The market was extremely busy and hundreds of boats, bobbing around in the harbor, combined to create a floating market.

Ben Thanh Market in the beginning of 20^th century

After  the French took over the Gia Dinh Citadel in February 1859, the city including the market was burned.  After consolidating power, the French rebuilt the market on Nguyen Hue Street which, at the time, was a canal. However, it was burned down in 1870 as the materials used to build the market were quite flammable.  The French decided to rebuilt a new market with metal frames that became the largest market in Saigon. In 1912 the market was moved to a new building and called the New Ben Thanh Market. The building was renovated in 1985.

Location of Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market retains a total area of 13,056m² , which is home to 1,437 pavilions, 6,000 small businessmen and 11 enterprises. The market is designed with 4 main entrances and 12 side doors emitting four directions. The south entrance (overlooking Quach Thi Trang Square) is with the symbol of three-side clock tower.

North gate of Ben Thanh market in Le Thanh Ton street

Inside is home to trading of clothing and dry food. The north entrance (on Le Thanh Ton street) is splendid with colorful fresh flowers and fresh fruits. The east entrance (on Phan Boi Chau Street) attracts tourists with cosmetics and colorful candies. The west entrance (on Phan Chu Trinh Street) houses footwear, handicrafts and souvenirs.

What can be found at Ben Thanh market?

In the market, you can find it easy to catch all sorts of items from budget to luxury, especially delicious food, all kinds of seasonal fruits, sweets, clothing (including the famous ao dai traditional Vietnamese dress), shoes, handbags, appliances, electronics and souvenirs… Thanks to abundant commodities, Ben Thanh Market deserves one of the biggest and most important markets in Ho Chi Minh City.

From late afternoon until late night, the shops inside the market are closed, but sidewalk restaurants around the market open and make it extraordinary lively area. Food stalls are set up around the sides of the market that serve many traditional food specialties of Vietnam at a reasonable price.

Restaurants and shops inside Ben Thanh market

Famous for the idea place for street foods, Ben Thanh Market brings you a chance to experience like a local. There a number of vendors and food stalls in the market food section that offers guests dishes freshly made to the order. You can try various kinds of local dishes like banh cuon, banh xeo (Vietnamese pancake), banh beo, cha gio, hu tiu, bun thit nuong, bun rieu, com ga (chicken rice), com tam (broken rice with pork), etc. and then down it with a ca phe su da (traditional Vietnamese iced milk coffee).…Especially, you should taste deep fried whole fish, seafood and cool beer at very cheap price.

Travel Tips

The market is full of a lot of people selling fairly similar thing. You should a few places before finally deciding on what you want.

Though quality of goods is quite good but price here is often inflated up to two or three times than the initial. It is better if you go at least three or four stalls to compare the prices, and see how cheap you can bargain. You can typically go lower than that starting price and pay between 1/3 or 1/4 of the starting price. You can go even lower

After you tell the seller your ‘lowest offer price’, they will disagree. Don’t be afraid to walk away. You can just walk a few stalls down and find the exact same item at a much cheaper price. Or you can be called by them with an acceptance of your price.

Foreign visitors are bargaining in shoes shops

You will have  “morning price” that is a little lower than the usual for the same good if you go to Ben Thanh market before 8.00 am. “Cool” price at the beginning of the day is for easier first transaction which is believed to bring about good luck to the sellers for the rest of the day.

Foreign visitors can communicate in English with most of the shop-keepers. Several sellers can also speak French, Chinese, Japanese or Korean. The sellers can recruit help from other people to answer your questions. Do ask them which can help you get the prices you want to pay.

If you don’t want to buy anything at all, then look for a moment and walk along. Don’t touch things and then put it down. This may anger the vendors.

Opening time at Ben Thanh market

The market’s daily routine usually starts at 4 a.m. with the opening of fruits stalls at the back gate.

The other gates open at around 8 a.m, close at around 6.00 pm

Ben Thanh Night Market open from 06:00 pm to 10.00 pm. Stalls set up on the streets to the east and west of the Ben Thanh market. Nearby is the famous Street food Market, where is s a great place to get some dinner before you come to hotel. You also find some clubs and bars nearby, or cafes and parks.

Ben Thanh market on Tet holidays

During TET holiday (Lunar New Year), Ben Thanh Market is open, however not all the stalls are open. It will also be less crowded.

Nearby Ben Thanh Market

It is easy to walk from Ben Thanh to Bui Vien, which is the backpacker street or Walking Street (Nguyen Hue) as well as and other famous tourist sites of the city such as the City Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Opera House, War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace, etc.

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Coming to Cu Chi Tunnels, visitors will understand the reason why the tiny Vietnam country gained its independence and victory.

History of Cu Chi tunnel

The earliest tunnel appeared in 1948 in two communes of Tan Phu Trung and Phuoc Vinh An. It was built by  the Viet Minh during the war against the French. They dug short and simple structured sections to conceal documents, weapons, hiding soldier’s operating in enemy territory. Each village built its own tunnels. As the result, tunnels was connected to become a complex system, due to transportation demand.

Later, it spread to the communes.  Around 1961 – 1965, Cu Chi Tunnels system was improve  with total lengths over 200 km. Not only to lurk, it was  an accommodation, combat, medic, meetings of guerrillas.  Southern communes of Cu Chi completed the axis tunnel route called the “backbone”. Then, the agencies and units developed branch tunnels connecting with the “backbone  to establish continuous tunnels among the communes and the regions.

Structure of Cu Chi tunnels

Cu chi tunnel has with 3 separate levels, namely the first floor of about 3m underneath the ground, the next one of about 5m, and the bottom one deeper more than 8-10m. The tunnels are between 0.4 to 1m wide, just enough for a Vietnamese person to walk along by bending or dragging. It is said that even if an American soldier succeeded in getting into a tunnel, he wouldn’t have come out alive. However, parts of the tunnels have been modified to accommodate visitors.

The tunnel system runs squirming in the ground, from the “backbone” (Main Street) spreading numerous branches. There are many branches to Saigon River, so in emergency case, they could cross the river to the base of Ben Cat (Binh Duong).

The upper soil layer is between 3 m thick and can support the weight of a 60-ton tank and the damage of light cannons and bombs. It was home to the firing post, ventilation shaft and plenty of traps. At the second level was the kitchen and dormitory, which is able to resist small bombs. The underground network provided meeting rooms, sleeping quarters, commanding rooms, hospitals, and other social rooms.

Along the tunnel, there are vents, which are disguised and carved up the ground with many secret doors. Initially, there were a number of inlets and ventes that were found by dogs as dogs sniffed. However, afterwards, people in the tunnels used US soap in the basement and ventilation doors, so the dogs could not detect them.

Countless doors are structured as combat, sniper gun placements very flexibly. Around Cu Chi Tunnel was covered by the bunkers, many nail holes and mine left (called dead area). Anti-tank land mines and cluster bombs were used against wheels helicopter shooting down, to destroy and prevent military enemy approaching.

Life in Cu Chi Tunnels

Even as the area above ground was razed by American cluster bombs, the locals lived a normal life inside. The tunnels were home to schools, hospitals and even the birthplace of many kids. People spent days in the tunnels and came out only at night to scavenge for supplies or take care of their crops.

Sometimes, during heavy bombings, they had to stay underground for days on end and lived on only boiled taro and tea. They were suffering from sickness, infection and the scarcity of water, food and proper medical treatment. Malaria was the second biggest cause of death after the casualties of battles. However, their life was romantic with songs, dance and theatrical performances.

Visiting Cu Chi tunnels

Today two sections of the tunnels are open to the public. The Ben Dinh tunnels remain unlit and unreconstructed, making it difficult for larger westerners to negotiate. However, The Ben Duoc tunnels are renovated. You can see bunkers, hospitals, kitchens, and trap doors plus the actual command room where the Tet Offensive was planned.

How to get to the Cu Chi Tunnels from Ho Chi Minh City

Cu Chi tunnels is 40 km from Saigon center to the North-West, you can reach the place by car, motorbike, bus or speed boat.

By car or motobike

To Ben Duoc Tunnel

From the Post Office of Ho Chi Minh City, you drive along Le Duan. Turn right along Pasteur street to meet Tran Quoc Toan, turn left toNam Ky Khoi Nghia street, turn right and go straight on Nguyen Van Troi Street and continue to Hoang Van Thu – Republican – Truong Chinh – An Suong crossroad. From An Suong crossroad, long 22 County Highway through 12 District, Hoc Mon, Cu Chi overpass to about 2 km, turn right along Nguyen Thi Ranh street, to Nhuan Duc intersection, to turn left and go through Nguyen Thi Ranh street to Highway 15, turn left about 4 km to Ben Duoc Tunnel.

To Ben Dinh Tunnel

From Ben Thanh Market, you drive along the August Revolution street to Bay Hien intersection; through Truong Chinh to mist An overpass intersection. From An Suong Crossroad, along 22 County Highwaythrough District 12, Hoc Mon, Cu Chi overpass to about 2 km turn right along the street Nguyen Thi Ranh, through Nhuan Duc intersection, along Ba Thien Street to 15 provincial road, turn right around 2km, you will get to Ben Dinh Tunnel.

By bus:

At this time, we can take the bus to Cu Chi tunnel by the lines as below:

To Ben Duoc Tunnel

Take the bus number 13 in Ben Thanh market to Cu Chi bus station. And then, take bus No. 79 Cu Chi (Cu Chi – Dau Tieng) to Ben Duoc Tunnel.

Take bus Cho Lon 94 in Cho Lon market to Cu Chi bus station. And then, take bus No. 79 to Ben Duoc Tunnel.

To Ben Dinh Tunnel

Take the bus number 13 in Ben Thanh market (Ben Thanh – Cu Chi) to An Suong bus station. And then take bus No. 122 (An Suong – Crossroads Tan Quy) to Tan Quy bus station. From Tan Quy bus station, take the bus number 70 to Ben Dinh tunnel.

Take the bus number 94 in Cho Lon market (Cho Lon – Cu Chi) to An Suong bus station. And then, take Bus No. 122 (An Suong – Crossroads Tan Quy) to Tan Quy bus station. From Tan Quy bus station, take the bus number 70 to Ben Dinh tunnel.

Finally, make sure you go early in the morning so you have enough time to explore before the buses stop running for the day.

By waterway (boat):

Currently, there are travel companies which open Saigon river travel tour by boat from Bach Dang Wharf to Cu Chi tunnel, such as:

*TRAVEL SERVICE SAIGONTOURIST CO., LTD

Address: 45 Le Thanh Ton, District 1 Ho Chi Minh City.

Phone: (028) 38279279

Departure time: At 07h20 AM

* LESRIVERS CO., LTD

Address: 02 Ngo Duc Ke Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Phone: (028) 38275000

Departure time: at 07h00 AM and 1h00 AM

*TOURISM GREEN RIVER CO., LTD

Address: No. 5/1 Au Co, Ward 9. Tan Binh District. Ho Chi Minh City.

Phone: (028) 39393920

Departure time: At 08:00 AM.

* SAIGON RIVER TOUR

Address: 10B Ton Duc Thang Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Phone: (028) 62909410

Departure time: At 08:00 AM

Opening time and entrance ticket prices:

Both Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc entrances have the same operating hours, however, have different entrance fees.

Opening hours: 8 AM to 5 PM everyday

Entrance ticket:
Ben Dinh: VND 110,000/ person
Ben Duoc: VND 90,000/ person

Services in Cu Chi Tunnel

• Sport Defense Shooting
• Paint shooting
• Swimming Pool
• Swan Pedal, kayaking
• Single, double Bicycles
• Camping Picnic
• Ben Duoc Restaurant & Ben Dinh Restaurant
• 4D cinema
• Souvenir shopping
• Trams

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History of War Remnant Museum

War Remnants Museum location set in 28 Vo Van Tan St, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City. In the Nguyen Dynasty, it is Khai Tuong Pagoda, which is built to mark the birth place of Ming Mang King. In period of French Colonial, Indochina war destroyed the pagoda and they constructed villa to stay and relax. Then, French Government used this villa for Saigon Medical University headquarters. After 1975, the museum is under control of Vietnamese government with name Exhibition House for US and Puppet Crimes. In 1990, its name changed to the “Museum of American War Crimes”. Following the normalization of diplomatic relations with the United States and end of the US embargo, it became War Remnant Museum.

Highlight exhibit in Museum

The War Remnants Museum preserve more than 2000 documents, artifacts and pictures of Vietnam War. There are 1,500 documents, artifacts and pictures with 8 regular special exhibitions and many mobile exhibitions to serve the public topics. For examples, American soldiers slaughtering, torturing, imprisoning, spraying toxic chemicals, bombing the North. Artifacts such as airplanes, cannons, tanks, guillotines and two tiger cages here follow the same size as the Con Dao prison. There are galleries on: Southwest border war, Northern border protection war, Truong Sa archipelago, conspiracy of hostile forces.

Foreigners are very exciting with War Remnants. If they go to Ho Chi Minh, they never ignore it. Most of them (especially American) go to gain the most accurate view of the scars of the decades of war Vietnam has endured.

Outside the grey building, there shows 114 artifacts including military vehicles and weapons used in the Vietnam War. Visitors have strong impression about those artifacts. They may not have chance to see aircrafts (bombing, fighter, and Chinook CH47 helicopter), tanks, fighter plane, single-seater attack aircraft, and conventional bomb. However, the most talked- about exhibits at museum is guillotine on the left of the hall. The French brought this machine to Vietnam during French Colonial period to repress revolution war. Then, the Old Saigon used this machine to execute patriots after the Geneva Agreement. After the liberation, they placed this murder machine here to prove the colonial war crimes. The museum also has tiger cages, which on the left side of the main hall. South Vietnamese Government used this cage to keep political prisoners. The cages are very tiny but possibely keep up to 14 people at a time.

Inside War Remnant Museum, the main exhibits are:

Historical Truth:

A room having photos, panels of information and facts about the America-Vietnam War, which many American do not know.

Requiem:

The photos collection of War Crime in Vietnam taken by 134 international journalists who were killed during the Vietnam War.

Vestiges of War Crimes:

Another room with propaganda showing the mistreatment of civilians during the war.

Vietnam- War and Peace photos collection:

is taken by Japanese Photographer Ishikawa Bunyo. This contains more than 250 pictures that show the effects of war on soldiers and civilians. Most of people spend time to visit this exhibit.

Agent Orange in the war

It is the most highlight of War Remnants Museum. American used chemical weapons to prevent the Liberation Army of South Vietnam from marching on forward. The Chemicals bombs wiped out the natural resources and the people as well. Moreover, strong pesticide and chemical spray make many children become disabled, homeless, etc. Many pictures show disabled children.  They become disabled because their parents were contaminated with Agent Orange during the war.

International Support for the Vietnamese People:

posters and letters from government over the world opposed American War in Vietnam.

War Remnants Museum ticket price

Adult: VND 40,000 per ticket

Children:

• Under 6 years old: free
• From 6 to 12 years old: 50% adult price

Vietnamese disables: free

Opening hours

From 7:30 am to 18:00 pm in all days including National holidays.

Get into War Remnants Museum

The War Remnants opens daily (including holidays) from 7:30 to 12:00 in the morning and 1:30pm to 6:00pm. But the best time to visit Museum is in the morning to avoid tourist traps after Cu Chi tour in the morning. The War Remnants Museum Price is only 40,000 VND (about 2usd) for entrance. It is located in the centre of Ho Chi Minh City, so it is very easy to visit museum by taxi, motorbike even walking.

To have deeply learn and understanding about museum, you should take a Ho Chi Minh city tour with a professional guide to explain to you the history, meaning of documents as well as artifacts.

Nowadays, to attract more number of tourists, they offer some activities with different topics such as culture and cuisine. You can enjoy wartime dishes such as: tapioca, rice gravy, banh tet, banh vung, etc.

It draws about 500,000 visitors annually; account for 70% tourist to the museum is foreigners according to Christina Schwenkel. Visitors said that even they know about Vietnam War but they cannot image heavy devastation and horrible consequences.  They usually silently stand in front of a photo with confusing feeling. That proves the terrible war.

Visiting the War Remnants Museum with Children

With this display, many travellers are shock with the truth. Many photographs show human remains, corpses, wounded and maimed villagers, and napalm victims. Therefore, children are advised to not visit war remnants due to disturbing experience for most people.

Apart from War Remnants, you can stop at Cu Chi Tunnels, which is related to the Vietnam War to see the doughtiness of Viet Cong. This is very useful to link with War Museum. You should visit Cu Chi in the morning then take time visit War Remnants in the afternoon along with Independence Palace. After that, it is the best time for you to see some pagodas and market in Ho Chi Minh City to see revival of Saigon people after effect of war.

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Foundation and History

Independence Palace is a famous historical witness which passed though the two fierce wars against the French and American colonists. The Palace name originally is Norodom Palace and Palace of Indochina Governor General. It launched during period of 1868 and 1871 by French. Officially using as home command centre of Governor General. After 1954, the palace was under control of Old Saigon government – Ngo Dinh Diem and rename as Independence Palace. In 1962, it is heavily destroyed by bombs so it was replaced by a new building. After liberation day in 1975, President Duong Van Minh and members surrendered without condition. Independence Palace becomes historical witness of Vietnam like Long Bien Bridge in Hanoi.

Architecture

After demolished by bombs, Reunification Palace was designed by Ngo Viet Thu and it had features mixing between Western and Eastern styles. It becomes a must- see place when you take part in Ho Chi Minh City. This architecture retained until now and is a witness of history. The palace lay on an area of 120,000m² with a surface area of 4,500m². It has a basement, 3 main floors, 2 mezzanines, one terrace, and one upper floor with total 95 rooms. Each room decoration based on its function, including 33 room guest houses, 2 exhibit rooms, and many entertainment services like tennis courts, octagonal house.

Independence Palace overview from the high

On the first floor of Reunification Palace, there are the cabinet meeting room and the banquet room, the home, reception, and workplace for the President of Republic of Vietnam on the second floor, entertainment room in the third floor, and the fourth floor is ballroom for parties. Because it is visible intact so tourist can see most of areas of palace.

Highlight of Independence Palace

However, the design of the complex is not as appealing to tourists as all the historical events related to this building. Inaugurated in 1966, the new palace quickly became the major headquarter of Saigon government. It is quite proud to say that Independence Palace witnessed many significant historical events, especially the rise and fall of other 3 presidents of Southern Vietnam. Wandering around its rooms, visitors may see various important moments in the past of Vietnam like the valuable artworks.

Tank No. 390 run over Independence Palace gate on April 30, 1975

For examples, oil painting depicts the landscape of Vietnam in banquet room; the water color painting “Vietnam nation” in State-reception room; “Binh Ngo Dai Cao” painting depict the peace of the country in the 15^th century; 2 precious lacquer paintings was made by artist Nguyen Gia Tri theme “Lotus” and “Ke cuc”. The building now becomes a museum, where visitors can view the F5E fighter plane. Consequently, it bombed the palace on 8^th April 1975 and tank 390 got into the palace on Liberation Day. Thanks to its historical events, the Palace is more and more attractive to tourist over the year.

Visit Information

Its current address is at 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. It is really easy to to recognize it from the far. The reason why is that the front gate of Independence Palace borders three-way intersections. It includes Huyen Tran Cong Chua Street in the back, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai on the right, Nguyen Du on the left. Famous and located right in the city centre so you can take motorbike, taxi. Or you simply take a walking to visit Reunification Palace from centre of Ho Chi Minh city.

UH1 helicopter on the top of Independence Palace

The Independence Palace opens daily including holidays from 8.00 am to 11.00am as well as 1 pm to 4 pm.  You can buy tickets at the main gate with the rate of VND 40,000 (approximately US$ 2) per visitor. You may be also required to be checked for security reasons. In addition, you should visit Independence palace with a professional guide to learn more. And you will have deep understanding about history, art work of this Palace. You can take Ho Chi Minh City tour or Cu Chi and Ho Chi Minh tour to compare historical sites. If you do not take tour in advance, guided tours are available in English, Japanese, French, and even Chinese at the gate of Reunification Palace.

1 day in Saigon Tour

With Independence Palace, you should spend about 2 hours to visit and take photos. It is very nice. But you are advised to visit other famous and must-visit destinations for Ho Chi Minh City trip in one day. It does not waste your time. For examples, nearby Independence Palace is Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica- showing the influence of French civilization and Christianity over Saigon without entrance fees. A popular place you should not miss if you pass through Independence Palace is Saigon Central Post Office. This Old Office is still retained architecture of French Colonial. Make sure you will have deep picture in Saigon Post Office if you like to take photos.

Saigon City Tour

After that, very close to Reunification Palace, it is a green park with lush trees, which gives you a cool place to walk around and relax. Then, you can take taxi to go to War Remnants Museum to see historical truth in the period of Vietnam-American War. Do not ignore big market to shopping in the late afternoon or enjoy street food at walking street near the Independence Palace.

After all, the historical value and originality of its architecture make the Reunification Palace one of the most interesting sites in Ho Chi Minh City. Independence Palace has become to “must-see” point for tourists who have a chance to take part in Ho Chi Minh City travel. It also plays important role to promote Ho Chi Minh tourism to the world.

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