![[Photos] Inside a Ben Thanh Devoid of Tourists, Forlorn Kiosks and Mass Closures](https://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2020/07/08/ben-thanh/benthanh-7h.jpg)
Saigon
The Remarkable Tale of Ben Thanh Market
Large markets have been the cornerstone of many Vietnamese neighborhoods for over a century. When Saigon was still a collection of small towns, central markets acted as vital commerce centers where locals sold everything from tomatoes to blankets. While the dynamics of shopping in Vietnam have changed a great deal over the last 20 years, these markets still serve as important commercial arteries, especially outside of District 1. In this series, we’ll take a closer look at the history of these important buildings starting with the big boy, Ben Thanh Market.
