The market has nearly 1,500 booths with more than 6,000 small businesses selling wholesale and retail items from consumables to luxury goods.
[2] Ben Thanh Market is situated in the center of Ho Chi Minh in Bến Thành Ward, District 1.
As a former floating market, the surrounding canals offered the convenience for boats to pick up and drop off items for trade.
Throughout the years, the market underwent major renovations to both the exterior and interior, but the overall architecture remained with its iconic bell tower in the foreground.
The original structure included a wooden thatched roof which would later be destroyed by fire in 1870 was rebuilt to become called "Les Halles Centrales".
The Eastside also offers edible goods that are packaged such as dried seafood and poultry, roasted peanuts, candied fruit, coffee beans, tea, fish sauce, herbs, and spices.
Apart from being a major hub for the network of city buses, the market is adjacent to the Ben Thanh Station of the HCMC Metro, with Line 1 opening on 22 December 2024.
Line 1, the completed stretch, connects the market with Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Suối Tiên Park and Eastern Bus Terminus in District 9 (now is Thủ Đức).
Tan Son Nhat International Airport is located within the city limits and only 7 kilometers from the market.
From the airport, the market can be easily accessed by taxis (Vinasun/Mai Linh), Grab, motorbike, bike, or bus.