Take a peek at what Saigon’s iconic Ben Thanh Market looked like 90 years ago

By Di Vy   March 3, 2018 | 11:39 pm PT
There weren't any motorbikes buzzing around Saigon's most famous market in the 1920s.
Ben Thanh Market was a rendezvous of street vendors by the Saigon River in early 17th century before French colonial powers took over Saigon in 1859 and developed it into a true market that was made from brick and wood with thatched roof.

Ben Thanh Market was a rendezvous for street vendors by the Saigon River in the early 17th century before French colonial powers took over in 1859 and erected a solid structure with a thatched roof.

The market is named Ben Thanh (pier and citadel) for lying near a pier of the Saigon River and the old citadel of Saigon that was destroy by French people.

Ben Thanh (pier and citadel) was given its name due to its proximity to the Saigon River and the old citadel that was destroyed by the French.

In the early 20th century, Ben Thanh Market was also known by the name Moi (New). The market was rebuilt and a grand opening ceremony was held in March 28, 1914, gathering 100,000 people, including those from nearby provinces, for three days.

The market was rebuilt in the early 20th century and a grand opening ceremony was held on March 28, 1914, gathering 100,000 people over three days.

Cyclo is the most common transport mean in Saigon back then, when motorbike was still a complete stranger.

The cyclo was the most common means of transport in Saigon back then, when the motorbike was still a complete stranger.

The two roads along the market used to be a depot until 1940 to transfer passengers between Saigon and other cities and provinces in the south.

The two roads along the market were used as depots until 1940 to transfer passengers between Saigon and other cities and provinces in the south.

Ben Thanh Market has 4 main doors and 12 smaller doors. The eastern and western doors is 96 meters apart and the distance is 136 meters between the southern and the northern doors.

Ben Thanh Market had four main entrances. The eastern and western doors were seperated by 96 meters, while the southern and the northern doors were 136 meters apart.

Vendors inside the market.

Vendors inside the market.

And in front of it.

And outside the front.

A street vendor is seen behind the market.

A street vendor behind the market.

Until today, Ben Thanh Market remains of one of the most visited places in Saigon.

Until today, Ben Thanh Market remains one of the most visited places in Saigon.

 
 
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