Vietnam: The Ben Thanh Market
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Sharing a postcard of Ben Thank Market in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam...I've been to the city once but unfortunately I wasn't able to see this market inside but I saw the outside building because we went around the area and the tour guide doesn't bring us there.
Ben Thanh Market is a big marketplace in the downtown area of HCMC, it is located in District 1 and we just stayed in Majestic Hotel in District 1. In Vietnamese langauge Ben means "wharf", and Quy Thanh means "turtle citadel" and it is one of the earliest surviving structures in Saigon. Today is considered one of symbols of HCMC, popular with tourists seeking local handicrafts, textiles, áo dài, and souvenirs, as well as local cuisine.
It is started as an informal markets during the early 17th century street vendors that are gathering around the Saigon river, so the market was developed and formally established by the French colonial powers after taking the Citadel of Saigon in 1859. Unfortunately, the market was destroyed by firs in 1870 and rebuilt to become Saigon's largest market. Unril it was moved into its new building in 1912 and they called it New Ben Thanh Market to distinguish over its predecessor and in 1985, they renovated the building.
I wish I was able to see the market inside and I am sure there will be a lot of good buy. Well, hope to visit the place again someday and if that happen, I will make sure to go inside the market and go shopping, hehehe, after all it is just 6hours away by bus from Phnom Penh.
Anyway, are you busy making eggs for Easter Egg Hunt tomorrow? I am and also doing some preparation for tomorrow's Easter Sunday, we will just have it in our house in the morning then off to some Australian-way Eastern Celebration at Cambodiana Hotel in the afternoon, which is organized by the Australian business community...must be fun. We are all excited!
Also, this is the last card that a friend Zarah of Postcards Crossing scanned, thanks to her kindness...postcards and stamps that I've shared from April 2, 2011 until this one was done by her and it is very much appreciated!
Enjoy your weekend, everyone!
Ben Thanh Market is a big marketplace in the downtown area of HCMC, it is located in District 1 and we just stayed in Majestic Hotel in District 1. In Vietnamese langauge Ben means "wharf", and Quy Thanh means "turtle citadel" and it is one of the earliest surviving structures in Saigon. Today is considered one of symbols of HCMC, popular with tourists seeking local handicrafts, textiles, áo dài, and souvenirs, as well as local cuisine.
I wish I was able to see the market inside and I am sure there will be a lot of good buy. Well, hope to visit the place again someday and if that happen, I will make sure to go inside the market and go shopping, hehehe, after all it is just 6hours away by bus from Phnom Penh.
Anyway, are you busy making eggs for Easter Egg Hunt tomorrow? I am and also doing some preparation for tomorrow's Easter Sunday, we will just have it in our house in the morning then off to some Australian-way Eastern Celebration at Cambodiana Hotel in the afternoon, which is organized by the Australian business community...must be fun. We are all excited!
Also, this is the last card that a friend Zarah of Postcards Crossing scanned, thanks to her kindness...postcards and stamps that I've shared from April 2, 2011 until this one was done by her and it is very much appreciated!
Enjoy your weekend, everyone!
This postcard reminded me of my two days in Saigon. The New Ben Thanh Market is a really a nice place to indulge in shopping. Lots and lots of fabulous and cheap stuff to buy.
I miss eating at Pho 24 near the market. :)
If I will be given a chance and a travel money, I would love to visit Vietname and other Asian countries. It is just rich in history and I would love to try their food too.