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Hi everyone.

Before you embark your lovely adventure today, let me introduce myself.

I am Ut spelled Ut.

I am more than happy to be your companion today to explore our beautiful city, Ho Chi Minh.

Well, I've been up so early this morning to be here at this fresh flower market hall - Ho Thi Ky.

So, let's explore.

Every day trucks arrive from provinces across the country, including Hanoi, Mekong Delta, and Dalat, delivering a dazzling array of flowers, some blooms even journey from Japan, Thailand, and China.

Arriving between four and five AM - breathing live into this bustling market.

From eight to around eleven AM, locals join to select flowers for their personal use.

We are so lucky today because I have found Mr.

Sinh, our expert of the region of the city Ho Chi Minh.

Here comes him.

Hi everybody.

Let me share with you about this market.

The wholesale market was established in 1987.

It has a evolved into a cultural epicenter within Ho Chi Minh City.

The local people call this market as a little Dalat because Dalat is the central highland city.

Oh.

Where the climate and the soil is very suitable for growing flowers.

Got it.

Because it's diverse range of fresh flowers, it boasts different colors, styles, and fragrances.

Being a wholesale flower market, the prices here are very much affordable for everybody.

In the last three decades, this market has become a primary hub of flower distribution in Ho Chi Minh City and southern region - Mekong Delta.

Have you seen this flower before?

Wow.

Okay.

It looks beautiful.

Let's get this.

This is the chrysanthemum, but it is purple color.

Yeah, thank you.

It's beautiful.

You like it?

Yes.I will get some for you.

Look at this beside the fresh flower.

Wow.

This market's also for floral tools, supplies. (Beautiful )and accessories.

Look at this.

Yeah.

Everything you need for flower decorations.

This is...

This is made of bamboo.

Yeah.

This, this is handmade.

Oh, this is beautiful.

Love this.

Lemme tell you another secret.

Please.

In Vietnam, the flower profound significance is to convey love.

Wow.

Celebratory...

Tokens of respect.

Yes.

Each flower with it's unique color, carries symbolic meaning - be it for wedding, funeral. shop opening. (Right) A donning home altar.

Wow.

A lot.

This is the largest wholesale market. (Okay).

So it is the local best choice for flowers for any occasion.

And with that, we've not only explored this beautiful flower market, but also discovered the significance of flowers of Vietnamese culture.

So let's continue our journey through Ho Chi Min City and learn more about its beautiful traditions and history.

Yes, of course.

So, Sinh, What's next?

What can we see?

We stand here amidst the traditional Chinese style shop. ...

Alright.

It is essential to appreciate the historical significance of this place as a vibrant center of Chinese and Vietnamese culture.

Got it.

Yes.

As this store - shop the regular residents of the area.

Alright, so when the visitors, come here, please maintain a respectful demeanor.

Because this is the actual home - It's not a commercial area.

Got it.

This is a beautiful plain between Vietnamese and Chinese culture.

Wow.

Here's fascinating.

Yeah, let's go.

Thank you.

Okay.

This apartment is over 100 years old already.

Do you like it?

Yes.

I like it because it is a tradition.

I like it too.

It is a beautiful plain between Chinese and Vietnamese culture.

Yes.

It's nice.

Every corner of this alley reflects the influence of Vietnam's Northern neighbors.

Alright.

Chinese characters are done. on the facades' of the restaurants.

Right.

Where delightful dishes like pork dumpling soup are served.

Yes.

The Buddhist houses peer through open furniture of many houses. further illustrating the rich cultural history of this place.

Right.

Certainly.

It's so fascinating to see this blend of cultures in the heart of the city like this.

I love it.

It's beautiful.

Well, now we are at Ben Thanh Market.

Let's follow, send our guide to know more about this market.

Yes.

We at the west gate of Ben Thanh market, It is a cherished symbol of Saigon City.

It is one of the oldest structures surviving.

This market is open all year round from six I am to six pm, but when the main market closes, it will transform into the night market.

In this market, you will find everything from everyday essentials to luxury.

That means everything.

Would you like to go in?

Please.

Can't wait.

Let follow me.

Please go.

Oh, look at this.

What are those?

This is Vietnamese ladies lụa gấm.

Oh, what do you call it? ...traditional dress of our lady.

What do you call it?

We call them Ao dài.

Long dress, right?

Yeah.

It's simple.

Right?

But it's very uh, feminine.

Very much.

It's beautiful.

Elegant.

The market has four different entrances. (Yes.) North, south, east, and west.

Got it.

You go different direction, you buy different things.

What are they?

You go to the south entrance, You have garments, clothes, textile.

Yeah.

If you go to the northern entrance, you find flowers, vegetable, ries, and food.

Cool.

Like, pancake, spring rolls or beef noodles.

Wow.

If you go to the east side, you find dry fruit. or you find nuts. (Right).

A cashew nuts, coffee or tea.

You go to the west entrance, you find ceramics. art and woodwork.

So this market has diverse goods.

Everything.

I have a question- Why do you call this Ben Thanh market?

This market was built between the harbor and the citadel.

Ben is harbor. (Got it.) Saigon Harbor.

Got it.

And Thanh is the wall.

Wow.

The wall of the garden citadel.

So this market was actually built by the French from 1912 to 1914.

So this is like the oldest market in the city.

This market welcomes around 10,000 visitors a day.

That's a lot of people.

Yes.

Lemme share with you this - One of the most striking features of Ben Thanh market is its unique colonial design.

Make it an outstanding construct to the modern building of Saigon.

Got it.

Because it is an over 100 year old building, So Ben Thanh market has been renovated a few times. (Really?) But it still maintains its strong French architecture influence.

Wow.

Look at that.

Yeah.

It is still very clear.

See the color?

Okay.

Everything is still original.

Yes.

Still beautiful.

Let me introduce for you tropical fruit. (Yes.) This is dragon fruit.

This is pink outside, but inside it has white, fresh.

It's nice.

Very good for the summertime.

Give me some.

Wow.

This is...

This looks fascinating.

Mango.

Oh, smell it!

It's beautiful.

Yes.

It's really good.

Watermelons and orange.

Yeah.

I ask for a combination.

Okay.

To eat it?Yeah.

Okay.

Very good.

Yeah.

So we try it.

So in every market in Vietnam, the back of the market is the food court.

Okay.

So where you find most dishes in the country, because the businessman in this market, they have no time to cook. (Yes.) And for the buyers here, food is available for them.

They can have food anytime.

And they come back to shop.

And this is for you too.

So what's your favorite?

My favorite?

Yeah.

Oh, I love pancake.

I love mango.

Yeah.

I love dragon fruit. (Wow.) How about you?

Let me try the fruit first and then I will tell you.

I probably will go to your second favorite pancake.

Yeah.

Okay.

Check it out.

Check it out.

Yeah.

Pancake, spring roll, beef noodle served.

They all good?

It's yummy.

That looks good.

Yeah.

Okay.

So like, like here we have...

So now, please have some tropical fruit. (Right.

I like that.) So what you have is mango, you have papaya, you have chestnut, you have jack fruit.

How's this?

Fantastic.

Yeah.

Really good.

This is local fruit.

Hmm.

Is it good?

Way so good.

Sinh.

Thank you so much for this beautiful day of this city.

My pleasure.

There you have it.

A historic and vibrant Ben Thanh Market - A true treasure trove of commerce, culture, and heritage.

And I have believed that you have enjoyed this glimpse into its fascinating story.

And then thank you so much for joining us on Viking TV.

If you really want to see these places on your own, please join us on our many Viking journeys to Asia.

Thank you very much.

Bye-Bye.