Over the past few days, the facade of Tan Dinh Market on Hai Ba Trung Street in Tan Dinh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, has been renovated with vibrant mural paintings.

The old walls have been transformed into lively artworks inspired by urban life, recreating the culture of old Saigon - Gia Dinh and highlighting the historical identity of the century-old market.

According to the Tan Dinh Ward People’s Committee, the project, titled “Tan Dinh Market - Urban Heritage,” stretches around 45 meters and illustrates the formation of the area, the development of trade and the market’s cultural significance in urban life.

The paintings also depict the market’s familiar trading sections, including fabrics, food and fruit stalls.

The project is part of a series of activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of Saigon - Gia Dinh officially being renamed after President Ho Chi Minh on July 2, 1976, as well as the first anniversary of Tan Dinh Ward, established on July 1, 2025.

Linh Trang and Phuong Uyen, both from Phu Dinh Ward, visited the market to take commemorative photos and were surprised by its colorful new appearance, which feels both modern and nostalgic for old Saigon.

During their visit, the two young women also tried making traditional wooden clogs by hand at one of the market stalls.

Each pair costs around VND240,000, or about $9.40, and customers can take part in every step, from choosing the straps to hammering the nails to complete the product.

“This is the first time we’ve made wooden clogs ourselves, so it feels really special,” Linh Trang said. “We not only got to explore and take photos but also had a chance to learn more about traditional culture connected to one of Ho Chi Minh City’s oldest markets.”

Mai Thanh, a vendor who has worked at the market for more than 20 years, said she still handcrafts wooden clogs at her stall every day.

Whenever visitors want to try the experience, she gladly guides them through the process without charging extra fees.

According to Thanh, the market’s new appearance is expected to attract more tourists for sightseeing, shopping and cultural experiences.

Duong, a tourist from Hanoi, said he was impressed when passing by Tan Dinh Market and decided to stop for photos. “The atmosphere here is lively and very characteristic of Saigon at night,” he said.

Outside the market, food stalls and eateries become especially busy in the evening.

Tan Dinh Market was built in 1926 and inaugurated in 1927.

Designed by the French company SIDEC, the market covers around 3,000 square meters and includes a large central hall aligned along the north-south axis, surrounding corridors and a three-tier roof system designed for natural ventilation and lighting.

The market has since been recognized as a city-level architectural and artistic heritage site.

Today, the market houses around 400 stalls selling a wide range of products, including fresh food, dried goods, fruit, clothing and footwear.

Among its most famous sections are the fabric stalls and food court.

Nguyen Hue