BDATrip
Are you looking for a unique dining destination in Saigon? Do you wish to savor a variety of delicious, budget-friendly street foods? In this article, BDATrip introduces you to Ho Thi Ky Market, an excellent spot for tasty and affordable eats in Ho Chi Minh City.
Located in Ward 1, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Thi Ky Market is a famous destination spanning about 2,000 square meters. The market is divided into two main sections: a flower market and a food area. Established in 1987, the market is named after Ho Thi Ky, a heroic female martyr and a symbol of resilience during the resistance against the French.
The market operates from early morning until late at night, welcoming visitors at all times. However, the market’s atmosphere is most vibrant and diverse in the afternoon and evening, making it an ideal time to explore and enjoy its unique flavors. To avoid congestion and overcrowding, it’s best to visit outside of peak hours, specifically from 7 AM to 9 AM and 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
To reach Ho Thi Ky Market, you can choose from a variety of transportation options depending on your starting point and personal preference:
- Using personal vehicles like motorcycles or cars, Google Maps and other mapping apps can easily guide you. Just enter the market's address and follow the directions. Remember, Saigon streets are often congested, especially during rush hours, so consider leaving early or choosing a less busy route to save time.
- If you opt for a bus, routes such as 11, 18, 27, 28, 38, 45, 65, 69, 72, 139, 150 will bring you near the market. Convenient stops include Bach Khoa University, Nhi Dong 1 Hospital, the intersection of 3 Thang 2 and Ly Thuong Kiet, and the intersection of 3 Thang 2 and Nguyen Tri Phuong. From these stops, it's just a 5-10 minute walk to the market. Detailed information about schedules, ticket prices, and waiting times is available on buyttphcm.com.vn or the BusMap app.
- For taxis, Grab, Gojek, and other ride-hailing services, they offer convenience and speed. Simply enter the market's address in the app and choose the type of vehicle that fits your needs and budget. Fares for these services typically range from 10,000 to 20,000 VND/km, depending on the service.
When arriving at Ho Thi Ky Market by motorcycle or car, you can choose from the following parking areas to ensure the safety of your vehicle:
- Parking at 57 Ho Thi Ky: The largest parking area near the market, accommodating about 200 motorcycles and 50 cars. This area is equipped with security, surveillance cameras, and parking tickets. Parking fees are 5,000 VND for motorcycles and 20,000 VND for cars.
- Parking at 2 Nguyen Tri Phuong: A smaller parking area, with a capacity of about 50 motorcycles and 10 cars. Fully equipped with security and surveillance cameras, along with a parking ticket system, the parking fee is 10,000 VND for motorcycles and 30,000 VND for cars.
- Parking at 4 Ly Thuong Kiet: This parking area can accommodate about 50 motorcycles and 10 cars, but lacks security, surveillance cameras, or parking tickets, and is only managed by a caretaker. The parking fee here is 15,000 VND for motorcycles and 40,000 VND for cars.
Grilled pork and beef skewers, marinated with a unique blend of spices, offer a savory and mouth watering experience. Each piece of meat is carefully marinated with Móm Hí – a distinctive seasoning used by the Chinese community, among other spices. Skewered on bamboo sticks and grilled over charcoal, these skewers develop an appetizing reddish-brown color and a deliciously rich aroma. Enjoy them with bread, fresh vegetables, cucumber, and dipping sauce for a memorable culinary experience. Find this dish at stall number 5 in the food section of the market, priced at just 5,000 VND per skewer.
Bun Thit Nuong offers a sweet, refreshing, and flavorful taste. This dish combines fresh rice noodles with grilled pork, spring rolls, fresh vegetables, peanuts, and a signature dipping sauce. It's an excellent choice for hot summer days, promising a satisfying taste experience. Head to stall number 6 in the food section to find this deliciously authentic Bun Thit Nuong, managed by Mrs. Tien, known for her tender, sweet grilled meat, crispy spring rolls, and premium dipping sauce. The price is 25,000 VND per bowl.
Hu Tieu Oc, a famous Saigonese specialty, stands out with its unique combination of Hu Tieu - thin rice noodles, and a variety of snails including sea snails, apple snails, and others. The broth, made from pork bones, onions, garlic, fish sauce, and other spices, offers a sweet, rich, and aromatic flavor. The highlight of this dish is the perfect blend of delicious snails and the rich broth, complemented by fresh vegetables, chili, and lime. Enjoy Hu Tieu Oc at stall number 7 in the food section, managed by Mr. Tun, famous for his fresh, abundant snails and flavorful broth. The price is 30,000 VND per bowl.
Balut and quail balut, two popular street foods in Saigon, are excellent choices for those who love traditional flavors when visiting Ho Thi Ky Market. Both are prepared from duck and quail eggs, chosen after a specific incubation period, then boiled to perfection. When served, they are typically accompanied by Vietnamese coriander, green onions, salt, pepper, lime, and chili, creating a rich, sweet, and intense flavor profile, while also providing ample nutrition. Find these at stall number 8 in the food section, attractively priced at 10,000 VND per egg.
For a different experience, don't miss the quail balut in tamarind sauce. This dish starts with boiled quail balut, which is then stir-fried with tamarind, sugar, fish sauce, and other spices, creating a unique sweet and sour flavor with a spicy kick. Quail balut in tamarind sauce is available for 15,000 VND per portion, sure to satisfy your taste buds.
Cambodian dessert, a harmonious blend of fresh fruits like mango, pineapple, papaya, banana, grapes, and strawberries, is a refreshing choice. The fruits are finely chopped, then mixed with sugar and condensed milk before being topped with crushed ice. This dessert stands out with its sweet, cool flavor and visually appealing array of fruit colors. An ideal choice for cooling off and enjoying natural flavors, Cambodian dessert is available at stall number 10 in the food section, managed by Mrs. Huoi, known for her delicious, fresh, and reasonably priced desserts. The price is just 15,000 VND per bowl.
Cambodian Noodles, also known as Bun Tu Xe, is a distinctive dish from Cambodia. Made with fresh noodles, ground pork, mushrooms, carrots, onions, and garlic, all carefully seasoned with fish sauce and other spices, then stir-fried and mixed well. Cambodian Noodles offer a sweet, tender, and aromatic flavor, usually served with fresh vegetables, chili, and lime. This dish is available at stall number 15 in the food section, reasonably priced at 20,000 VND per portion.
Peach tea, a signature Cambodian refreshment, is made from a harmonious mix of black tea, fresh peaches, sugar, and crushed ice. This tea wins over patrons with its distinctive sweet and sour peach flavor, offering a refreshing and rejuvenating sensation. Peach tea is an ideal choice for hot summer days, providing a cool and sophisticated taste. Available at stall number 11 in the food section, managed by Mr. Tun, known for his delicious, fresh, and affordable peach tea, always ready to serve customers with top-notch quality. The price is just 10,000 VND per glass.
Hao Moi Ben, a unique snack in Chinese cuisine, is made from a blend of flour mixed with water, salt, cooking oil, and a delicate mix of seafood like shrimp, squid, and fish. The mixture is thoroughly blended, then deep-fried until crispy, and cut into bite-sized pieces. Hao Moi Ben impresses with its rich seafood flavor, crispy texture, and aromatic fragrance, usually enjoyed with a sweet and sour dipping sauce that enhances the flavor. Find this dish at stall number 14 in the food section, affordably priced at just 15,000 VND per portion, an unmissable choice for those who love the rich diversity of Chinese cuisine.
After exploring the rich culinary offerings at Ho Thi Ky Market, you can continue your Saigon adventure by visiting some nearby famous tourist spots. Here are three exciting suggestions:
- Notre Dame Cathedral: An architectural symbol of Saigon, the Notre Dame Cathedral was built from 1877 to 1883 with unique gothic architecture. Featuring a sand-colored exterior, beautiful statues, stained glass windows, and a large clock, the cathedral is not only a place for worship but also a tourist attraction. It is located about 4km from the market, easily accessible by various modes of transport.
- Saigon Central Post Office: This is an ancient architectural structure built from 1886 to 1891 in the Renaissance style. The post office stands out with its light yellow color and decorations, including paintings, maps, clocks, and beautiful sculptures. It serves as a post office and a popular spot for sightseeing and souvenir shopping. The post office is about 4km away from the market.
- Ben Thanh Market: Constructed from 1912 to 1914 in French architectural style, Ben Thanh Market is a bustling shopping destination and an emblem of Saigon. It's characterized by its yellow color and decorative signboards, clocks, and sculptures, offering a wide range of goods from clothing, shoes, to food and local delicacies.
After a day of exploring Ho Thi Ky Market and indulging in local cuisine, finding a nearby place to rest is very convenient and time-saving. Here are three hotel options near the area:
- Ngoc Lan Hotel: A 3-star hotel located at 293 Ly Thuong Kiet, District 11, with 50 rooms equipped with modern amenities like air conditioning, TV, refrigerator, desk, bathtub, hairdryer, and more. The hotel features a restaurant, bar, meeting room, gym, and services like laundry and airport shuttle. Ngoc Lan Hotel is about 1km from the market, making it convenient for walking or motorcycle travel. Room rates range from 500,000 to 800,000 VND per room per night, depending on the room type and booking period.
- Hoang Phu Hotel: Situated at 19 Nguyen Tri Phuong, District 5, Hoang Phu Hotel is a 2-star option with 30 rooms offering full amenities. It has a restaurant, bar, meeting room, and other utility services. The hotel is about 2km from the market, easily accessible by various transportation means. Room rates are approximately 300,000 to 500,000 VND per room per night.
- Ha Do Hotel: As a 4-star hotel located at 83 Ly Thuong Kiet, District 10, Ha Do Hotel offers 100 luxurious rooms with amenities such as a restaurant, bar, meeting room, gym, swimming pool, spa, and more. Just 3km away from the market, it's an ideal choice for those seeking a high-end restful experience. Room prices range from 800,000 to 1,200,000 VND per room per night, depending on the type of room and the booking time.
Ho Thi Ky Market is an attractive dining destination in Saigon, where you can discover a variety of delicious, unique, and affordable street foods, from traditional Vietnamese dishes to international cuisine. Wishing you and your family a delightful visit!
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