Not far from the busy streets of downtown Saigon, there is a place where the city moves at a gentler pace. At Binh Tay Market, mornings begin with the sound of soup simmering, the rustle of fabric being measured, and neighbors greeting each other like old friends.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to explore this Chinatown Saigon market. What locals buy. What tourists often regret. What’s worth tasting. And how to explore Chinatown market Ho Chi Minh like someone who belongs here.
What makes Binh Tay Market special?
Binh Tay Market sits in the heart of District 6, right in the middle of Chợ Lớn, the largest Chinatown in Ho Chi Minh City. Built in the 1920s to serve the trading needs of both Chinese and Vietnamese communities, it remains one of the most authentic places to experience daily life in the city.
The market was funded by a Chinese philanthropist named Quách Đàm, whose generosity helped shape not just the building, but the community that grew around it. His statue still stands in the central courtyard, where locals come to light incense and offer quiet prayers. If you’re curious about his story, we’ve shared more about story of the richest man in Chợ Lớn.
Unlike more touristy markets in the city center, Binh Tay Market is where everyday life still unfolds naturally. Vendors speak Vietnamese, Cantonese, and Teochew. Most items are packed for practical use, not for show. You’ll see dried goods stacked high, fabric being measured by hand, and people greeting each other like neighbors.
Under its yellow-tiled roof, the market moves at its own pace. Shaded walkways, soft light, and familiar voices make this more than a place to shop. For many, it’s part of a daily rhythm that hasn’t changed much in generations.
How Binh Tay Market is organized
The outdoor wet market
Just outside the main hall, the market opens into a lively wet market. This is where fresh fish glisten on ice, vegetables are sold in baskets, and herbs are bundled by hand. It’s more chaotic than the indoor section, but full of life and movement.
This area plays a big role in the Binh Tay Market food scene, especially early in the morning when home cooks and restaurant buyers come for the day’s ingredients. You’ll find everything from fish sauce to fresh tofu. It’s not polished, but it’s the part of the market where you can feel the energy of daily cooking.
The indoor market
Step inside the main building and you’ll find a maze of tightly packed stalls. This is the core of the Binh Tay Market directory, where dried goods, herbal medicine, kitchenware, and fabric are neatly arranged by section. Each aisle has its own rhythm. One lane might be filled with spice vendors, while another sells fabrics stacked in soft waves of color.
Vendors here are often wholesalers who supply smaller stores across Ho Chi Minh City. You’ll see dried shrimp sold by the kilo, enamel bowls in stacks, and colorful fabrics used to make áo dài. This part of the Chinatown Saigon market is built for daily use, not for show, and it’s one of the best places to see how locals shop for real.
Even if you don’t speak the language, most vendors welcome questions. A friendly smile often leads to helpful answers and maybe even a sample or two.
The food court
At the center of the market is a quiet courtyard where the day starts early. Locals gather for breakfast, sitting on low stools around bowls of noodles, sticky rice, and grilled meats. The air fills with the smell of broth and fresh herbs as the market slowly comes to life.
This is where Binh Tay Market food feels most real. The dishes are simple and comforting, made by vendors who often know their customers by name. If you want to eat like a local, this courtyard is a good place to begin. It is calm, familiar, and full of flavor that tells its own story.
Binh Tay Market directory
You can find a simple Binh Tay Market directory map at the main entrance. It shows where each section is located, from kitchen tools and spices to fresh seafood and local snacks.
But Binh Tay Market isn’t just one building. While the main hall has two levels of covered stalls, the market stretches out onto the surrounding streets as well. Each area offers a different window into local life:
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Ground floor: Housewares, kitchen tools, dried spices, ceramics, shoes, hats, and jewelry.
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Upper floor: Dried food, snacks, candies, and ready-made clothing.
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Trần Bình Street zone: Fresh seafood, fruit, and vegetables.
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Lê Tấn Kế zone: Dried seafood, betel leaves, cooking oils, and spices.
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Phan Văn Khỏe zone: Fresh meat, tofu, river fish, frogs, and eggs.
You can use the map for orientation, but the best way to explore Binh Tay market is wandering. As you read through this guide, you’ll get to know the market step by step. Instead of rushing to find each zone, take your time and explore the market the way locals do.
What to buy at Binh Tay Market
Local spices and dried goods
Among all the Chinatown markets in Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Tay Market is one of the best places to shop for real cooking ingredients. Inside the covered rows, you’ll see vendors selling sacks of star anise, cinnamon bark, and dried shrimp. These spices are sold by weight, often without fancy packaging, just as locals prefer.
Alongside the spices are lotus seeds, dried mushrooms, and other preserved ingredients that show up in soups, stews, and herbal teas. Most of them are sold in bulk, stacked in plastic baskets or scooped into simple bags. The scent in this part of the market is warm, earthy, and full of cooking memories.
Scattered among the spice stalls, you’ll find local snacks like salted plums, dried mango, jackfruit chips, and preserved tamarind. These are favorites in Vietnamese homes. Most vendors are happy to measure out a small portion if you want to try a little of everything before choosing what to take home.
Affordable household items
As you move deeper into Binh Tay Market Saigon, you’ll see enamel bowls, bamboo trays, wooden utensils, and plastic containers used in kitchens across Vietnam. These items are not made for tourists. They are sold for everyday use. The kind of spoon you’ll find here is likely the same kind someone uses to stir soup just a few blocks away.
Travelers often pick up a few of these tools to take home. They are simple, light, and easy to pack, but they hold a sense of place that lasts longer than a postcard.
Traditional fabrics
One quieter corner of the market is dedicated to fabric. Rolls of cotton, silk, and brocade stand upright in soft waves of color. Locals use these to make áo dài, table cloths, and altar covers. Vendors will cut fabric by the meter and often help you choose what fits your need or taste.
If you are looking for Binh Tay Market clothes, this is also the place to find simple everyday wear like loose cotton tops and patterned house pants that reflect daily Vietnamese fashion.
Some travelers bring back small pieces of fabric as gifts or souvenirs. Others buy a few meters to tailor their own outfits later on. And if you’re looking for inspiration on what to make with Vietnamese fabrics, this guide to traditional dress might give you a few beautiful ideas.
What not to buy at Binh Tay Market
Things tourists often regret buying
It’s easy to be drawn in by the colorful stalls at Binh Tay Market Saigon. Many travelers pick up souvenirs that seem charming at first but don’t hold up later. These often include lacquerware that peels, chopsticks in plastic wrap, or wooden crafts made in bulk.
Locals rarely buy these things. They pay attention to small details like weight, texture, and how a vendor speaks about the product. The most meaningful souvenirs are not always perfect. They are the ones that feel like part of daily life. A single spoon, a cloth pouch, or a tea cup chosen with care often carries more memory than a packaged set.
How to spot tourist traps
Tourist-focused stalls are often near the market entrance. They may feel too tidy, with similar products repeated across vendors. If someone calls out to you before you even stop, or if nothing is priced, it’s good to be cautious.
In contrast, local stalls tend to be quieter. The vendor might be folding fabric, arranging herbs, or chatting with a regular. They may not speak much English, but their focus is on their work. If you ask a friendly question and they explain slowly or with care, you’re in the right place. At Binh Tay, the best finds often come from taking your time and trusting what feels genuine.
How to explore Binh Tay Market like a local
Best time to go
Binh Tay Market opening hours is around 6 AM and stays busy until late afternoon. The best time to visit is between 7 and 9 AM, when vendors are setting up, breakfast stalls are steaming, and the atmosphere feels local and unhurried. Avoid midday if you want to skip the heat and the crowds. Morning is when the market shows its most authentic side.
How to get there
Getting to Binh Tay Market Ho Chi Minh is easy, and there are a few ways to do it depending on how you want to experience the city:
- By taxi or ride-hailing app
This is the easiest and most convenient option for most visitors. Use Grab (similar to Uber) and type in “Binh Tay Market” or “57 Thap Muoi, District 6” as your destination.
- By bus
A very budget-friendly option. Take a bus to Cholon Bus Station, then walk about 5 minutes to the market. Keep in mind that signs may be in Vietnamese, so using Google Maps or a navigation app is helpful.
- By bicycle with a local guide (best for cultural experience)
If you’re looking for a cultural experience, join our Trails of Quach Dam cycling tour in Ho Chi Minh City. This ride takes you through quiet alleyways, floating wharves, and morning markets, arriving at Binh Tay just as it comes alive. Along the way, you’ll taste tropical fruits, meet local vendors, and hear stories you won’t find in guidebooks.
Must-try foods at Binh Tay Market
The Binh Tay Market food is part of the heartbeat at Binh Tay Market. Before fabric stalls open, the courtyard is already full of steam, grill smoke, and morning chatter. Many vendors have been cooking here for decades, serving food that regulars return to every day.
Here are a few must-try dishes:
- Bánh mì by Ms. Loan (Vietnamese baguette)
Right in front of the market entrance, this small cart sells fresh bánh mì sandwiches every morning from 5:00 to 9:00 AM. Prices range from 15,000 to 25,000 VND (about $0.60 to $1 USD). Expect crispy bread, homemade fillings, and a loyal local crowd. - Bánh canh cua Châu Lan (Crab noodle soup)
This stall has been around for over 40 years. The soup is rich and thick with crab, served with soft tapioca noodles. It’s a popular breakfast dish, especially among older locals. A bowl usually costs around 35,000 to 40,000 VND ($1.40 to $1.60 USD). - Buffet-style rice stall by Ms. Nguyet
This local favorite offers over ten home-cooked dishes daily. You serve yourself from trays of braised pork, vegetables, and fried tofu, then pay by portion. A typical plate costs 35,000 VND ($1.40 USD). The stall has been open for more than 17 years, and you can even watch the food being prepared on-site. - Chè near the front of the market (Vietnamese sweet dessert)
Chè is a refreshing, colorful dessert made with coconut milk, beans, jelly, and more. If you want help choosing the right one, check out our guide to Vietnamese desserts in Saigon. - Phá lấu by Mr. Quang (Organ stew)
This dish features pork or beef organs slow-cooked in a spiced coconut milk broth. It’s bold in flavor, loved by locals, and definitely worth trying if you’re up for something new. A bowl costs about 25,000 VND ($1 USD).
Binh Tay Market food offers a chance to eat like a local without needing a guidebook. If street food is part of why you travel, we’ve shared more of our favorite local spots in this guide to Vietnamese street food in Saigon.
Binh Tay Night Market
As evening falls, Binh Tay Night Market brings a softer rhythm to the day. From around 5:30, the space in front of the main gate becomes a small street food hub. More than ten food carts line up, offering noodle soups, grilled skewers, and Vietnamese snacks.
Locals, especially young people, stop by for a quick meal or a casual hangout after work. The pace is slower than the daytime market. While a few stalls still sell everyday goods, most of the attention turns to food. It’s not as crowded as Ben Thanh’s night market, which makes it a more relaxed place to enjoy street food with local families.
Binh Tay Market vs Ben Thanh Market: Which is better?
Ben Thanh Market sits in the heart of District 1 and is easy to reach. It’s popular with tourists, packed with souvenirs, snacks, and clothes. The atmosphere is lively, and bargaining is part of the fun. At night, it turns into a busy street food market that stays open late.
Binh Tay Market, by contrast, is tucked away in District 6, inside Cholon. It’s larger, more spacious, and built to serve locals. This is where you’ll find bulk spices, everyday kitchen tools, traditional fabrics, and simple Binh Tay Market clothes sold to neighborhood regulars. The food here is not staged for tourists. It’s the kind of food locals actually eat.
If you’re after something convenient and energetic, Ben Thanh is a good stop. But if you want to see how Saigon shops beyond the surface, Binh Tay offers something deeper. Visiting both gives you a fuller picture of the city.
Continue exploring hidden corners of Saigon with Jackfruit Adventure
Binh Tay Market is just one part of a much larger story unfolding inside Chợ Lớn (Chinatown). This neighborhood is filled with everyday moments that don’t ask for attention but reveal themselves when you slow down.
A few streets from the market, Cha Tam Church offers a quiet space to reflect among old walls that have witnessed generations pass through. In the evening, Phung Hung Market becomes a local street food spot where grilled skewers and cheerful conversations fill the air. You can find more of these quiet treasures in our guide to exploring Chinatown.
And if you’re ready to see a side of Saigon that few travelers do, our Saigon’s Off-the-Beaten-Path cycling tour takes you through smaller neighborhoods, past riverside homes, and into places that aren’t on typical maps.
The best places aren’t always marked on a map. They start with a shared dish, a glass raised among strangers, and a smile that turns into something familiar. And sometimes, they remember your face the next time you pass by.
If you’re searching for that kind of connection here in Vietnam, we’d be happy to ride with you.
