The history of formation of the market is associated with the history of formation, Saigon - Cho Lon, Saigon and now Ho Chi Minh City. In the period before 1859, since the ceremony of Most Maid Nguyen Huu Canh Lap Gia Dinh in 1698, the city of Saigon began to be born.
In this young urban area, the market is the first thing to appear to satisfy the business needs of Vietnamese and Chinese people. From Gia Dinh central area is the area of Ben Thanh market running along the road along the channels of a series of markets formed such as Ben Soi Market, Tan Kieng Market, Cay Da Market Market, Thi Nghe Market, Thu Thiem Market, Night Market ...
Due to the interlaced river and canal, the market in Saigon was almost close to the river and river wharf to facilitate the circulation of goods. This has brought a very typical trading characteristic of Saigon that "on the wharf under the boat", the same way of living "plays to the wharf" ...
So, if you want to immerse yourself in the true way in Saigon, go to a market to see that life closely and honestly. Because the most characteristic or unique personality of Saigon people is rich and generous, and both of these things, both in the market.
As an unconscious habit, every time I arrived in Saigon, I went to the small street called Ton That Dam, quietly lying in the heart of the lavish, splendid district 1. That street is the old background of a market built on the older background of a section of Ben Nghe River. That is the original Ben Thanh Market.
In 1914, Ben Thanh market was built in the current position, however, Saigon people still love the old market, so they did not break the "new old new". Therefore, this place still gathered trade, and called each other by the name of the old market, and it was not until 2021, the old market disappeared completely.
Despite being vanished by the "Thuong Hai Tang Dien", on the background of the old market, it is still sparkling with the past of a market of imported goods from Nha Rong wharf nearby, before spreading everywhere, bringing the name "rich house market".
In the golden age, this place is "money, silver land", but it is also the place to reflect the most powerful Saigon personality. Sellers, buyers look calm with money, do not despise but do not take that as the head, just gently buy and sell, no need for fangs and tricks.
So, when the decline is, that temperament is still preserved, whether in the pumpkin rows of temporary corner or the burden of Fresh Spring Roll - the duck cake has just stopped by the call of patrons. Just eat and drink for delicious, do not worry about the price, because here people are only used to selling to each other, slashing what to do. That temperament is like a diamond piece, though broken but still sparkling.
From the old market to the new market (Ben Thanh market) only a few hundred meters, but from Ben Thanh market to Cho Lon is a historic strawberry tank. The road of Tran Hung Dao connects two new - old centers of Saigon, witnessed the formation of Saigon - Cho Lon, and then only Saigon.
But on the other end of the road, it is still Cholon - Cultural, Economic and belief center of the Chinese community of Minh Huong (migrated after the Ming Dynasty was killed by the Qing Dynasty) and the Chinese people (migrated from 7 Phu Phuc Chau, Tuyen Chau, Chuong Chau, Huy Chau, Guangzhou, Trieu Chau, Quynh Chau).
A very special point of Cho Lon is that although this is the living space of the largest Chinese community in Ho Chi Minh City in particular and in Vietnam in general, Cho Lon is not a "ship street", like the form of China Town in cities around the world.
Cho Lon was shared between the Chinese and Vietnamese community, continuing to show an open and generous spirit to share the place of settlement of Saigon people. The generous personality of Saigon people has easily tolerated exile migration lines for political events or livelihoods.
Since then, Cho Lon has formed in the "good land of birds and birds", convenient for trading and trading. Here, Cho Lon formed a new market model as a market street, with the whole market area of a commercial area, specialized in each street. This form is associated with the type of market in river and canals such as Binh Dong wharf to create a diverse and large -scale trade complex.
The development of Cho Lon is also the development of Saigon throughout its history, turning this place into "Hon Ngoc Vien Dong" and is the largest economic, financial and trade center in Vietnam.
