Ben Thanh Market was formally established after the French took over the
Gia Dinh Citadel in 1859. The market got its name Ben Thanh because the
market was originally located near a wharf (ben) of the Gia Dinh
Citadel (thanh). In 1870 however, fire destroyed the market. The French
rebuilt a new market with metal frames that became the largest market in
Saigon. In 1912, the mayor of Saigon ordered the construction of a new
market for the city on marshy land called Le Maraise Boresse.
This market was named the New Ben Thanh Market. Ben Thanh Market was
repaired in 1975 and underwent a major renovation ten years later in
1985. While many aspects of the market were changed during the
renovation, the famous clock tower on the main entrance, which is a
landmark symbol of HCMC, was left unchanged.
