The project includes repainting the façade, refurbishing the roof, and upgrading the surrounding sidewalks and greenery to establish new visual highlights for the festive season. Teams of workers used cranes on Wednesday to clean the exterior walls and restore the building's original color scheme.
The refurbishment is being executed under a formal city decision to provide the market with a refreshed appearance for residents and visitors. Originally built in 1912, the market occupies a total area of approximately 13,000 square meters. The site is bordered by Phan Boi Chau, Phan Chu Trinh, and Le Thanh Ton streets, along with Quach Thi Trang Square. As one of the most recognizable landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City, the market consistently draws large crowds of both locals and tourists.
The market roof is being repainted in a deep red tone and is expected to be completed later this week.
The roof sections beneath the market's arches are being repainted white. "Everyone is working to stay on schedule to give the city's iconic market a fresh look for Tet," said Ha Quoc Sinh, 50 (L).
In addition to Ben Thanh Market, several nearby buildings of high architectural value, such as the more than 110-year-old headquarters of Saigon Railway Transport Joint Stock Company, commonly known as the Hoa Xa building (pictured), and the house at 181 Ham Nghi Street, have also had their exteriors repainted in their original colors to maintain overall visual harmony.
The square in front of Ben Thanh Market will see traffic markings and pedestrian paths repainted, along with upgrades to green spaces. Other sites, including Turtle Lake (Ho Con Rua), Phu Dong Intersection, and streets such as Nguyen Hue, Dong Khoi, Ham Nghi, and Hai Ba Trung, are also undergoing refurbishment, with completion scheduled before Feb. 10 using private investments.
About a month ago, Le Loi Boulevard, nearly one kilometer long and adjacent to Ben Thanh Market, along with the buildings lining the route, was also refurbished to create a more orderly and attractive appearance. Photo by Thanh Tung
