Characteristics: Ben Thanh market is very familiar with Vietnamese people and international tourists after their visits to Ho Chi Minh city.
Before the French invaded Saigon in 1859, there was a small market located in the marshy land which was adjacent to Ben Nghe River (Bến Nghé = Nghe Wharf) and close to Saigon city. From its origin of location, it has the name of combination of Ben and Thanh (Wharf and City = City Wharf). The market was built in brick, wood frame and thatch roof. In 1870, the market was partially burned. In 1911, the old market was demolished; a new one was built more spacious and large, being completed in December 3, 1914.
After 1975, the Ben Thanh Market was invested to make it larger and more fascinating than it had been. In 1985, Ben Thanh market was repaired the entire inside and outside; only the front image of the clock tower was remained the same. The image of Ben Thanh market with the clock tower is often used as a symbol of Ho Chi Minh city.
Ben Thanh Market is now a large shopping center not only of Ho Chi Minh City but also of the southern provinces.
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