Binh Tay Market and Tour of Saigon's Chinatown (Chợ Lớn)
Binh Tay Market, located in Cholon, Saigon’s Chinatown, is one of the largest markets in the city. Here's how to visit: migrationology.com/2015/01/bin...
Other than eating full meals and snacks on street food, there are few things I enjoy doing more than visiting local fresh markets when I travel. One of the most famous markets in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) is the central Ben Thanh Market, but I liked Binh Tay Market even better. The market is located in District 5, about a 15 minutes taxi ride from central Saigon, and it cost us just 102,000 Vietnamese Dong to get there.
After reading about the Binh Tay market, I decided to go there in the morning in an attempt to see the outside market street, that was supposed to be a wet fresh market. Even though I got a little later start that I had hoped for, and arrived to the market at around 8 am, luckily the outdoor fresh market was still bustling and happening. There were all sorts of interesting fresh ingredients available, from fresh seafood and meat to vegetables and fruit - and I love the action and flow of all the markets in Vietnam. While walking around and taking photos in the market, I eventually talked to a lady who was selling desserts and her kindness talked me into buying a bag of her Vietnamese dessert, which she called bap. I bought it and then sampled it during breakfast.
Hot and tired after walking around the outdoor section of the fresh wet market, I headed into the market and went to the food court for some breakfast. There are a few different stalls to choose from, but I finally settled on one that looked very busy and that many people were eating at. At first I had no idea I was ordering fried instant noodles, but even though I didn’t know what I was getting, it was actually extremely good. The fried beef was especially good. After breakfast, I walked around the indoor section of Binh Tay Market for a few more hours, enjoying the quantity and variety of things available. I noticed that the things for sale were similar to that of Ben Thanh Market, but I think everything at Binh Tay Market was cheaper.
After finishing up at the market, we then headed to do a little exploring around Cholon (Chợ Lớn). Our first stop was at Cha Tam church, a Catholic church located within Saigon’s Chinatown. We were there for just a few minutes before making the long hot walk to Phuoc An Hoi Quan, a Taoist pagoda temple. From the outside street the temple looks like just a home, but inside it was incredibly ornately decorated. It was well worth a stop, and I don’t think that it’s visited very frequently by tourist in Saigon, so it was quiet and peaceful.
After a few minutes exploring Phuoc An Hoi Quan, we continued on to Thien Hau Temple (Chùa Bà Thiên Hậu), one of the more famous Taoist temples in Saigon, Vietnam, and in Chinatown. The temple was extremely old, and on the outside it looked dark and mysterious. The inside of the temple included a shrine in the front, and then the courtyard was filled with incense burning in coils from the ceiling. It was another interesting temple to visit.
Finally, we made the walk to a restaurant for a dish called bánh tằm bì that I was recommended to try. I had never tried it before. It was a dish of thick noodles with toppings all smothered in a thick coconut cream sauce. It was a little sweet, but quite good.
Binh Tay Market is an amazing market to visit and explore when you’re in Saigon, Vietnam. If you want to see the morning wet market, make sure you go in the early morning. Also, if you have time, don’t miss some of the temples in Cholon.
Thank you for watching, I hope you enjoyed this video.
The music in this video is from audionetwork.com
Produced by Mark Wiens and Ying Wiens: migrationology.com/blog & www.eatingthaifood.com/blog/
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Пікірлер: 433
Exploring Saigon's incredible Binh Tay Market and a quick tour of Chinatown (Chợ Lớn). Enjoy the video! #Saigon #HCMC #Vietnam
@Lilyhearts17
9 жыл бұрын
I love your videos. I think the dessert that you had was Che Bap which is sticky corn and coconut milk :)
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
Lilyhearts17 Thank you very much, ok great, I was totally wrong about that sticky rice!
@chilam0129
9 жыл бұрын
Mark Wiens I don't know who take you to Chợ Lớn but this China town has much more food that's worth for you to eat than that stir fried instant noodle with beef. It's not even a Chinese Vietnamese food. If you have a chance to come back to Saigon again please check out for more signature Chinese Vietnamese food such as: - Mì Xào Giòn (Deep Fried Crispy Egg Noodle In Pork and Seafood Sauce). - Há Cảo/Xíu Mại (it's some dumpling and a kind of Dim Sum) - Cơm Chiên Dương Châu (Stir Fried Rice with Egg, Shirmp and Chinese Sausage) - Hủ Tíu Mì Hoành Thánh (Noodle in Won Ton Soup) - Sủi Cảo (Pork and Shirmp Dumpling in Pork Soup) - Cá viên chiên/đậu hủ chiên (Deep Fried Fish Ball and Tofu) - Khổ Qua Cà Ớt (Bitter Melon/Chillies/Tofu Stuffed with Fish Paste in Pork Soup).
@aaronbchau
9 жыл бұрын
Mark Wiens You look a little hot. :)
@khoatran-pc6tb
9 жыл бұрын
Mark Wiens the noodle tasted like instant noodle because it IS instant noodle
I did not sleep today been watching your videos.... I've finish the Korea and India Episode and I'm now in Vietnam. More country to count. I may not have the opportunity to travel to different countries right now like u. but u definitely inspire me to travel and learn other culture and find great food. you inspire me to work hard. godbless you always.
@manoyski3555
5 жыл бұрын
No passport?
Hello Mark, I was born and raised in Chợ Lớn, China Town in Saigon. I lived in California since 1972. Thank you so much for this video, it brought back nice and warm memories.
Brings Back wonderful memories of Cho lon My partner has family still in Vietnam and we go there regularly for holidays and weddings . Just a wonderful place Mark Thank you
Thanks for always taking us to lovely food journeys! Keep it up, Mark!
Mark, I really enjoy watching your videos and coming along on your journeys. I like to say you are a breath of fresh air due to your bubbly personality and always smiling. Big hugs & Aloha
Been trying to watch all your food videos Mark. They are so good. Love the head movement and facial expression when you eat something delicious.
Aww.. my old country cant wait to see you again! Thank you Mark for sharing with us
New York next week, Thailand in April, Saigon NOW on bucket list!! Thanks :-)
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
Great to hear that Paula Matthey, great plans, have a good trip to New York.
Lots of food to eat here very nice country big country beautiful colour cloths thank you for sharing your beautiful video enjoy your holiday thanks
slmt dtng , mrk you re so fortunate to travel to Vietnam , the ho chi minh city ,always so mesmerizing for the travelers .
you make me miss my country .. i don't know when can i come back to visit my country Vietnam.. so busy working here and daughter is in school..
Very nice market...also foods are very yumm.Enjoyed the video !!
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
Thank you Barnali's Kitchen
Slowly working my way through all your videos. I love this one as you show more of the place you are visiting. You have been to some amazing places.
I never enjoy your videos. Just watch them over and over again. You are officially on my bucket list. Thanks Mark and company.
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
Thank you See Canon
i feel happy after watching your videos .. one of my favorite channel
Thank you so much Mark for this amazing wonderful video and I pray blessings to everybody involved in the video and everybody and everything and the great everywhere… Thank you Angels and the Universe!! I love you all. 🙏☮️🫶🏼🎂💖🦉🍀🥳😇🌞🤓🤠🤟🏽💐
Loved the reliefs on the 2nd temple. Old stuff always gets my attention when traveling. The market looked like fun to explore, especially the food court.
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
Perdomot that was a the highlight of the temple for me as well.
There are some beautiful ladies and they are very active, and so much of motorbikes as always! great video!
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
Thank you Chrysanths
You can gauge how much Mark likes the food by three measures: 1. How long he closes his eyes, 2. How big he smiles and 3. How far he tilts his head to the right (our left)....lol
@audreydehaarte8092
4 жыл бұрын
Looool...😂 exactly
are you having beer with breakfast? love it! i didn't think you were the type, you know it's noon somewhere on the planet! Bon apetit.
I am so Impressed with this video, Mark. It allows this 70 yr/young guy to be an armchair traveler. I didn't visit the Chinatown while in Bangkok because . . . well, I guess I ran out of time. I'll have to investigate more Vietnamese food since we have a small Vietnamese restaurant four blocks from our home. BTW, what time was it in the morning when you shot this video? Also, you mentioned the people smiling at you . . .why not??? . . . .you have such an infectious smile, it is truly catching. That is a gift from God~!!!
Hi Mark Wiens! Just want to thank you for inspiring my bf and I in trying new foods and eating lots of chilly while we are at it. We enjoy all your videos and watch it before we go to bed just so that we can discuss what we want to eat tomorrow. Haha.
Another excellent vid Mark. You captured the traffic perfectly - without getting hit which is a bonus !! lol. The Binh Tay market has really improved since the 90's... in cleanliness especially. It was a good place to get backpacks back then. I really like Chinese food - which is always available in Cholon. But in Saigon, there are few places that offer Chinese food. Yeah you can get drinks and other foods throughout Vietnam in those little plastic bags. They tie them off at the top with a rubber band after inserting a straw for a homemade "to-go" container. Even for coffee sometimes.
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
***** Thanks Mal, haha there were definitely some close calls. Good to hear the market has been cleaned up a bit!
@Yogirliej4dee
8 жыл бұрын
+Mark Wiens oh, that's not good! Love your vids, your parents must be happy you do what you love! :)
Wonderful video Mark :) loved the temple tours and also the food of course, those spring rolls looked so fresh and delicious! Great to see the smiling taxi driver and you share a joke too! Ryan.
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
Thank you Ryan Darcy
Background voices.....Remined Me a lot of South Viet Nam...Thank you Mark !
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
Hoi Vinh Thank you Hoi for watching
Will try this market out on my visit to HCM next week. Thanks for the very helpful and insightful video, Mark!
I like how the spice stalls are set out. Really. Everything is nice.
I am so glad you finally made it to Saigon!!!!
Another awesome video! My mouth was drooling lol. Great variety of shops!!!
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
Thanks JSKA980405
Marvellously delicious n inviting to visit Vietnam. CHEERS!!!
I love your videos and always support you from 🇺🇸 Thanks for visiting VN . ❤💖❤😘
Hi Mark, love your videos. I'm from Vietnam and it's lovely watching your journeys there. And yea, Che Bap is a sweet dessert made from corn :)
Mark Wiens I've been watching your videos for some time now and I absolutely LOVE the look on your face when you take that first bite of food. I can tell you really enjoy it!
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
Thank you very much illustriouslaz, really appreciate it.
Best presenter on You Tube, always fun and entertaining. Thank you .
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
Steve Campbell Thank you very much Steve
Mark just finished his breakfast and was ready for lunch instantly haha. You are real food lover mate...
Thanks for uploading this, Mark. The information from this video and your website helped me a lot on my presentation about Binh Tay market :)
seems like you're a natural at crossing the streets..I've been back 3 times and still get nervous as hell everytime lol
Great ! It one of the Big Wholesales Market in South VN.
thank you for this video Mark! This brings back memories for my dad
Had dinner just now, but feeling hungry after watching this
Mark, next week I am applying for my passport finally...Once in my hand..I will be making plans for my trip to Thailand and Saigon. Your videos have helped me so much on what to expect..I can't wait to get there...thanks for your awesome videos... p.s the food is amazing!
I love Vietnamese food. Pho & Spring roll r my fev. Thanks 4 sharing Mark.
I am totally enjoying all your videos.
Awesome video Mark. I will be visiting HCM end of the year and your video helps me with what to expect a great deal! Thank you so much.
Thanks for the Video Mark. I just added some more places to my to do in Saigon list.
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
Thank you Josias Lopes, when will you be going to Saigon?
@josiascrlopes
9 жыл бұрын
I should arrive on the 11th of January until the 13th. Then I'll do all the way up into Hanoi by train with a couple of stops on the way, Hoi An, Hue, Danang, Nhi Binh.... It's gonna be some cool 3 weeks...
Hi Mark , You make a right choice when decided to go to Vietnam . There's so many good food here and beautiful landscape . U such a nice and friendly person . The expression when u eat Vietnamese foods is priceless . U kinna introduced our culture to the world . thanks u for that . thumbs up . Hope u come back soon ^3^ we always welcome u
Wow! Another very enjoyable video. Your information is very informative and useful.
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
Thank you Alice Pham
Mark, I Like All Your Video. Very Usefull information. Thanks Mark.
I had ever lived there for a long time. But I still like to see your video now. You speak English well. I support you.
You are lovely person I love your videos
Looks a fantastic place Mark! I can watch your videos all day!! Beautiful tradition dishes expertly discribed by your good self that I can almost taste :) Ryan.
5:02 DAT FACE he makes whenever he eats! I can't help but laugh at it lol! No offense man, you're still awesome. :)
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
Thank you very much *****
@OneUponADime
5 жыл бұрын
Its the tasty face!
I love my country Vietnam. Good job Mark!!
love the videos Mark.....you visited places id like to go...totally forgot to look you up after bizarre food till i saw the rerun! ✌🖒
Those spring rolls looked yummy.
Awesome touring around the market, thanks for sharing.
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
Thank you for watching Thomas Xiong, glad you enjoyed it.
Your dessert was Che Bap - Corn dessert. That market looked amazing. I need to go there if I ever get to go to Vietnam. Correction WHEN I go to Vietnam. =]
@linited
9 жыл бұрын
Actually everything looked amazing. The incense coils and green oranges were new to me. Love it.
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
Hey linited ok cool, thanks for sharing, yah now that I think of it, I could definitely taste some corn. Hope you can go to this market next time.
@linited
9 жыл бұрын
It might have been a corn dessert that had tapioca which I find to be less corn-y haha. Sorry I'm a serial commenter.
love your vids Mark!
The quality of your video is really impressive!!! It has been 5 years, but i thought it was made 2 or 3 years ago 👍🏻👍🏻
Great video Mark ! keep up the good work. Cheers
Great video! That food looks wonderful at Banh Tam Si Dong Thap!
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
Thanks Will Hooper
Omg you passed by my house, the one opposite to Thuan Kieu plaze, the 3 skyscrapers! I really wish to see you Mark, wow!!!
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
Haha, great to hear that Hoang Yen nguy, next time I'll stop by!
Love this video Mark. Definitely interested in the full version of the coconut noodles just to see the amount of peppers you added. Oh and yes, very cool taxi driver.
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
Thank you Tosh T, other video coming soon, and he was a very nice taxi driver!
Hello I love your videos, amazing 👍👍👍👍
Keep it coming Mark , I look forward to these videos so when I do travel I know what spots to hit
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
Renegadeproject Thank you
Love your vids Mark. Have tried lots of restaurants featured in your vids. They are great !!!
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
Anna C Thank you Anna
Hey Mark! That last noodle dish is usually served with a fish sauce on top to counter the sweetness! So its a sweet, salty, and creamy dish. I love your videos btw! And yes we all want to see your wife do a food review! (:
Good video Mark!like always With respect Mr.Molina!
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
Thank you Linzey Molina
Beautyful market! Tasty food
Here because of your appearance on The Best Ever Food Review Show, and your vids are quite good :)
GREAT VIDEO MARK
Fantastic Video Mark. I envy you so much to go where you are going. Pray I can fallow your foot steps. great food as always. keep it going. mark
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
Thank you very much midala40
the church is so ornamental and the temple is beautiful.
Great video man, thanks for sharing all the sights and different kinds of food there.
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
Thank you Riz2336
Wonderful job, thanks Mark!
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
Thank you *****
Why you always smile when you appear in this video 😂 I love that
U are awesome mark and I love your enthusiasm about good.I hope to share a meal with u one day and much respect from a Vietnamese Canadian.
Hey :) i love ur videos :) thank you so much am going to HCMC in 2 weeks and u've helped me so much ^_^
I really like the way you enjoy the food. 20/9/2019. vietnams
Hi Mark, I really hope that you are still in Ho Chi Minh city when you see my comment. Please definitely try Bún bò huế and Bún mắm, I think you will LOVEEEE them. I'm not really into sweet food like you, and I do believe that you will love the food I suggested. I have more food and places for you to try if you need to :) Have fun in Vietnam.
Great work Mark. Takes alotta balls to video tape random people/vendors even in my home city. Must be that much more awkward walking around a city you dont know, in a foreign country where you dont really speak the language. Good on ya man.
Your video makes me hungry everytime
Ban Tam Bi is one of my favorites!
good food and video very nice😋👍💯😍💖
Awesome as usual!
Enjoyed the video nice market
Oranges are green, only in Vietnam. (they're called "cam sành" btw)
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
Andy Nguyen Tran Great, thanks for sharing Andy
great video:) the food looks delicious, keep it coming man!
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
Diovany Cera Thank you Diovany
Mark, I love your videos. I do have an observation though - since you are just “filming” the entire event,it looses out on the details as to what are the ingredients and more importantly the recipe. To me this becomes a whirlwind exercise and the viewer is left with very few details. I was wondering if some effort can be made to put subtitle s or even better sit with these chefs after their selling routine and put the detailed ingredients and recipe on the comments section.that would really help the viewer to make these dishes. BTW what a life you and your wife have chosen - I envy you both on visiting and enjoying these exotic locations and tabulating these journeys and more so meeting the locals. You are very lucky! Regards, Baljit
7:13 they are so ferocious! LMAO Great video Mark!
Ahah this taxi driver made me smile, so awesome as always Mark ! Keep it up, always enjoyable to see you discovering new things, food or places like this market ! (sorry for my english) ! Have a great day, Respect from Paris !
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
Thank you very much Rouliov, no don't worry, you wrote very well! Our taxi driver was so friendly and kind.
Love this place Mark
Amazing Market!!! :D
Damn, I am having gastroentritis and my doctor advised me to have light meals. But after watching this video, i feel like digging sraight into a bowl of pork noodles! Nice video mark!
Thank you Mark, For the interesting video of Binh Tay Market and temples' tour. You didn't give the street name of the restaurant you went for the banh tam bi. Hope you don't forget to mention the name of street when you post it again on your blog. I hope to visit Binh Tay market on my next visit to HCMC in July 2015, I went there in October 2014 a month before your visit. Thanks again!
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
johnnkh Hey, John, sorry about that. I'll be posting a full video and article about that place shortly. Glad you're going to visit HCMC next year.
That beef THOOO!!!!! You made me laugh so hard when you said that
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
Haha, COPIADEMESSI 10 that was good stuff!
It's also not easy walking here in Manila.haha :P I think this trip was very exciting for you. I worked in a noodle manufacturing company as QA before. I totally agree when you said the noodles are like instant noodles. It totally looked like one!!! Great video once again Mark! :)
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
Thank you Jara Villanueva. Oh yes, parts of Manila is a hard city for walking in as well, with traffic and uneven / nonexistent sidewalks.
@huythanhnv
9 жыл бұрын
Jara Villanueva i can confirm to you that noodles are absolutely instant noodles. they're packed in dozen and mostly used for hot pot or "xào" like the video because they're pretty cheap.
@jaravillanueva2163
9 жыл бұрын
Huy thành yeah, I thought so too. Which country are you from?
@huythanhnv
9 жыл бұрын
I'm from Vietnam.
Looks incredibly friendly there :)
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
Hey Ritu Makhija I was blown away by the kindness of many of the people in Saigon, amazing.
hi mark the noodles at the 1st stop looked really good, and I see what you are saying about walking there. that place needs some sidewalks lol. great vid thx :)
@MarkWiens
9 жыл бұрын
xcessive2008 Thanks, haha yes, it's not overly walker friendly, but still fun!