Cholon Binh Tay

Cholon, as its translation indicates, has always been one large market. For nearly 300 years this is where locals have been coming to shop. The streets are lined with vendors hawking food, spices, and questionable medicinal remedies. During the American War, the stretch existed as a black market, overrun by Western soldiers bartering for U.S. Army-issued goods.

At the centre of it all lies the actual, physical shopping centre, Binh Tay Market, which is the usual starting point for any traveller passing through. Binh Tay is a massive structure that's in its final phases of renovation and restoration. It was first built in the 1800's and since that time has served as the city's largest wholesaler. The two-storey building houses vendors peddling everything from handcrafted goods and textiles, to dried fish and fresh produce. Food stalls serve up traditional favourites and are frequented far more often by locals than tourists.