Authorities plan Ben Thanh Market changes on 26 October
Published on 10/31/2026 at 10:27 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSReorganisation and visitor access
- A plan from Ben Thanh Ward Public Service Supply Center was reported on 26 October 2026.
- Sections 3 and 4 are proposed for consolidation, while a nighttime food street remains under planning.
- Construction at the present market site began in 1912 and ended in March 1919.
- Two public restrooms have recently opened for vendors and visitors.
Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City outlined a reorganisation plan for Ben Thanh Market on 26 October 2026, covering stalls, products and infrastructure at the traditional market. The changes concern how visitors encounter food, souvenirs and other goods in one of Vietnam’s best-known retail sites.
Authorities outline Ben Thanh Market reorganisation
The plan was reported by Tuoi Tre after comments from Ngo Van Ha, director of the Ben Thanh Ward Public Service Supply Center. It proposes bringing fresh food stalls from Sections 3 and 4 into one area, where vacant spaces and below-capacity trading have been identified.
The space released by that arrangement is intended for confectionery, coffee, souvenirs and other products linked to the market’s role as a tourist destination. The proposal is part of wider changes to stall arrangements and product categories, rather than a closure of the market. The 26 October plan also includes further infrastructure proposals from the market management unit.
Sections 3 and 4 shape the visitor plan
Ben Thanh Market has already extended its evening access, compared with its earlier closing pattern, according to the report. Two public restrooms have also recently opened for vendors and visitors, giving the current changes a practical effect beyond the proposed stall moves.
A nighttime food street is planned near the market, with authorities reviewing traffic routes along Phan Chu Trinh and Phan Boi Chau Streets. The proposal places food businesses mainly on the side facing the market, while leaving space for nearby residents. It is also intended to work alongside the metro line without disrupting transport.
The report links the plan to the market’s position in central Ho Chi Minh City and to the needs of local shoppers and international visitors. That connection matters for a traveller because the proposed changes concern the market interior, its surrounding streets and the way different types of goods are arranged, not only its appearance.
A 1912 construction start still shapes the market
The present market has a long urban history. VietnamPlus reports that the French colonial government decided in 1911 to move the earlier waterfront market to its present location. Construction began in 1912 and continued until the end of March 1919.
The market has operated continuously at that location since construction ended, and its retail offer includes food and a broad range of goods. The historical building therefore remains the fixed setting for the 2026 reorganisation plan. The market history places the current proposals within a site that has served Ho Chi Minh City shoppers for more than a century.
Visiting Ben Thanh Market: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The reorganisation plan was reported on 26 October 2026 and concerns Ben Thanh Market in central Ho Chi Minh City.
- The market remains the venue for the proposed stall changes, while the nighttime food street and further interior improvements are still plans rather than completed works.
- Sections 3 and 4 are the areas named for the proposed consolidation of fresh food stalls.
- Phan Chu Trinh Street and Phan Boi Chau Street are the surrounding routes being reviewed for the proposed food street.
- Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam, and the national currency is the Vietnamese dong.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Ben Thanh Market
What changed at Ben Thanh Market on 26 October 2026?
Authorities outlined a plan to reorganise product categories and stalls, including the proposed consolidation of fresh food stalls in Sections 3 and 4.
What is planned near Ben Thanh Market?
A nighttime food street is planned near the market, with traffic arrangements under review for Phan Chu Trinh and Phan Boi Chau Streets.
Where is Ben Thanh Market and how do you get there?
Ben Thanh Market is in central Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The reported plan says the proposed food street would be coordinated with the metro line.
