Visiting Central market in Ho Chi Minh , Vietnam

It’s the middle of the night here. Once again, I find myself writing after waking up from sleep. I actually wanted to write today’s journal entry a few days ago, but I was too tired and sleepy at the time. Anyway, I just want to wish everyone a good morning, good evening, or good night — wherever you are in the world right now.

Give me few minutes to make some coffee to make myself fresh.

I'm back with a 3-in-1 coffee I brought from Vietnam. Today, I’d like to share part of my journey and some photos taken at the Central Market during my recent visit to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

On the first day of my trip, I stayed in District 1, which is not very far from the Central Market. I ended up visiting the market twice and bought some clothes and shorts. Each item cost around $4, which is incredibly cheap considering the AAA-grade quality of the materials. I still regret not buying more at the time!

CENTRAL MARKET , HO CHI MINH , VIETNAM

Imagine walking through an open space with no one else around. I was confused at first — the place was marked as a market on Google Maps, but all I could see was an empty landmark. It wasn't until I found an entrance on the other side that I discovered the market was actually underground. To my surprise, the market had been right beneath where I had been walking the whole time.

I think "TAKA PLAZA " was another name for this Central Market. I was so excited to go down into the market that I completely forgot to take a picture of the Central Market sign at the entrance. The photo above was actually taken after I finished shopping.

This photo was taken from the internet

THE ENTRANCE

As you walk down into the market, you can immediately feel the air conditioning — a welcome relief from the heat outside. I believe many people also come in just to enjoy the cool air and take a break.

There was a wide variety of items for sale, especially clothing, bags, shoes, and more. While it’s smaller than other markets like Ben Thanh Market, I found it easier to shop here. The prices were reasonable, and the quality was good, as I mentioned earlier. In contrast, many items at other markets were of lower quality, which made it harder for me to find things I actually liked.

THE FOOD COURTS

Haven’t I mentioned many times before that Vietnamese coffee is the best? Well, it truly is one of the best coffees I’ve ever had in my life — and not to mention, it’s incredibly affordable. It’s not just the coffee, either; the other drinks and food were also great. I guess I feel that way because the flavors really suit my taste.

After walking around for quite a while, comparing shops and trying to find the best items, we found a food court right inside the same place. What stood out was how uniquely decorated it was — the design was on another level.

There were lots of food options around, and seating was free and open. The only downside was that it was a bit pricier compared to other spots, but still much cheaper than what we’re used to back home. We didn’t end up having dinner there, though, because my wife had already decided we’d eat somewhere outside the market.

I highly recommend visiting this place if you ever come to Vietnam in the future.
Thank you for stopping by — I hope you enjoyed this little virtual journey with me.
Thanks again, and see you in the next adventure!