Nestled at the end of alley 311/27 on No Trang Long Street, Binh Thanh District, the weekend market sells old and used items. Spanning 1,000 square meters, the market features approximately 100 stalls.
Over the years, this location has become a cultural hub, recognized as one of the top 100 interesting things to see or do in Ho Chi Minh City by the Department of Tourism in December, based on the votes of more than 100,000 individuals.
During weekends, the market buzzes with activity as tourists come to explore, shop, and enjoy coffee.
Visitors can find an extensive collection of ancient items, ranging from ceramics, war memorabilia, watches, documents, to jewelry, sourced from various corners of the globe.
Beyond the Vietnamese stall owners, there are four foreign vendors participating in the antique market.
Aaron (L) from Ukraine has been operating his stall with his wife for nearly a month, specializing in European jewelry and antiques. The 30-year-old, who arrived in Vietnam just two months ago, explained that he had to close his hometown antique shops due to war.
Similarly, John Allsop, a British national residing in Vietnam for eight years, manages a stall selling antiques sourced from France.
While each stall caters to a specific field, such as jewelry, money, audio equipment, or bronze accessories, some stalls stand out for selling old coins from Vietnam and other countries. Prices are negotiated based on factors like the object's origin, age, and uniqueness.
The market extends its offerings to include used items like glasses, shoes, electronic devices, and daily essentials. Many sellers mentioned that their main goal is to have a space for connecting with like-minded individuals who share similar interests, rather than prioritizing profits.
Dominique (R), a 60-year-old French resident of Vietnam for four years, appreciates the market's atmosphere and visits to explore its offerings for the second time.
Jacques Hubert expresses interest in a metal dragon at a shop but lacks the necessary funds to make a purchase.
Jefferson from America captures the essence of the antique coffee space through photography, praising the place for its interesting environment and the availability of unique items not easily found elsewhere.
In addition to antiques, the upstairs space caters to guests' coffee and dining needs. At the start of the year, the shop adopts a Lunar New Year theme, adorned with apricot blossoms, cherry blossoms, and lanterns.
