Binh Tay Market is a working wholesale market in Cholon, Ho Chi Minh City’s Chinatown, at 57A Tháp Mười. Its yellow, Chinese-influenced building has a clock tower and a central courtyard, while the surrounding aisles and streets sell produce, spices, textiles, household goods and more. Come to see local trade up close, browse for goods or pause at the food area for Vietnamese-Chinese dishes. Many stalls focus on bulk sales, so this is a better stop for market life and architecture than for a dedicated souvenir shop.
A market built for Cholon
Binh Tay Market is in Cholon, Ho Chi Minh City’s Chinatown, and is also known as Cho Lon Market. It grew into a major trading centre for the city and nearby areas, with a strong focus on wholesale business. The market serves local shoppers and traders, so some stalls sell goods in quantities that may not suit someone looking for a single item.
The market’s history is tied to Chinese businessman Quách Đàm, who financed its rebuilding in the 1920s. A shrine in the central courtyard commemorates him. The site’s past is also reflected in its architecture, which combines Chinese-influenced design with French-era construction.
Details in the building
The market occupies a large, two-storey building with a distinctive clock tower. Its exterior and roof carry decorative details associated with Chinese architecture, including curved rooflines and dragon and phoenix motifs. Inside, the stalls form tightly packed aisles, and the building’s entrances and exits are marked with ornamental designs.
The central courtyard gives the market a more open space among the rows of shops. Look for the shrine there, as well as the garden area. The contrast between this quiet centre and the active trading aisles is one of the defining features of a walk through the building.
What you’ll find inside and outside
Stalls sell a wide range of goods, including spices, dried foods, seafood, textiles, clothes, bags and household items. Fresh produce, meat and seafood are part of the market’s trade too. The mix varies across the building and the lanes around it, and many sellers cater to wholesale buyers. You can browse without needing to buy, but check quantities before settling on an item.
The market extends beyond its indoor aisles. Streets nearby, including the area by Phan Văn Khỏe Street, have more food and produce sellers. A food area at the back serves local dishes, with options such as bún bò Huế, bánh bao and grilled meats. The setting is a practical chance to combine a look around the market with a meal.
Planning a visit
The early morning is a useful time to see the wholesale side of the market in action. Around 8 AM, trading activity is at its peak. The building can feel cramped in the narrower aisles, so take care as you move through them and leave room for people carrying goods.
Binh Tay is primarily a working market, not a shop arranged around tourist souvenirs. Some sellers specialise in bulk goods, and bargaining is not a reliable way to lower a price. If shopping is not your main reason for going, focus on the building, courtyard and surrounding lanes, then choose a dish at the food area.
FAQ
Where is Binh Tay Market?
It is at 57A Tháp Mười in Cholon, Ho Chi Minh City’s Chinatown, in District 6.
What should I see at Binh Tay Market?
Look for the clock tower, Chinese-influenced roof details and the central courtyard with its shrine to Quách Đàm.
What can you buy at Binh Tay Market?
Stalls sell goods including spices, dried foods, seafood, textiles, clothes and household items. Many sellers focus on wholesale quantities.
When is a good time to visit?
Arrive around 8 AM to see the morning wholesale trade at its busiest.
