Recently I had the opportunity to take my mother on a brief vacation to Ho Chi Minh city. She was excited about the visit, as was I. Ho Chi Minh has a lot to offer tourists, from the Ben Thanh Market to the numerous historical sites. My mother was especially excited about the halal restaurants near the market. While on our trip we also took the opportunity to visit the Cai Be floating market. While a bit of a drive away from Ho Chi Minh, it was definitely an experience we wouldn’t have missed.
Ho Chi Minh is an exciting, vibrant, growing city. In 2016 it was estimated to be home to over 8 million people, or roughly 10% of the total Vietnam population. It is growing at such an exponential rate that city planners have started looking to expand their urban development. Taking that into consideration, it would not be a far stretch to assume that transportation is difficult in the area. Surprisingly, however, there was plenty of public transportation that was easy to maneuver. The city is serviced by a nearby international airport, trains, and canals. Privately, tourists can use buses, taxis, or motorcycle taxis. The city also has a metro system under construction that is scheduled to open in 2018.
Ben Thanh Market was a high priority on our to do list. Located in district one, its one of the oldest markets in operation. At over 100 years old, this market has been in existence long enough to witness many of the significant historical events that have taken place in Ho Chi Minh. The market is a top tourist site, mostly due to its historical significance. The market is featured in most travel guides, and has been featured in movies and travel shows as well. Probably one of the most recognizable aspects to the market is the clock tower on the south side. Ben Thanh Market is a great place to purchase knock-off designer items, clothing, dried goods, and more. The market features different shops at different times. The wet market is available early in the morning and features produce and meats. At around 8 am the shops open, and at 6 pm the night market opens. The night market offers much of the same variety as the morning market, but has clubs and restaurants nearby.
A few tips for navigating the market. The inner circle of vendors have fixed prices, so use their booths to get an idea of the value of the goods. Once you get into the inner market the prices will be 50%-60% more, so be prepared to haggle for a lower price. Visiting the market in the morning may get you a lower price, as many vendors believe that it is good luck to offer special pricing in the morning to their first customers. It is also a good idea to go in the morning for a more pleasant experience, as by the afternoon the vendors will have been dealing with rude customers all day. Also, the food vendors in the market have excellent prices, and amazing food. It may be slightly more expensive than you would find from a street vendor, but it is still very reasonably priced. There are several Halal restaurants nearby, Halal Saigon, Pho Muslim, VN Halal are a few.
Cai Be floating market
Sampan ride along Mekong River Delta
We took extra time to visit the Cai Be floating market while we were there. It is a bit of a drive from Ho Chi Minh, but what an experience to see how all of the different traders come out on their boats. While out there the different merchants hang whatever they are selling from a pole on their boat, so that the other merchants can see what they are offering. These are wholesale prices, and it is encouraged to interact with the different merchants. The market is busiest in the morning, so it is important to be there early. I would advise booking a motorboat tour online before you arrive, this way you have an experienced tour guide to help you navigate the floating market place.