VietNamNet Bridge – Eco Box is a distinctive flea market in HCMC because old containers are used as stalls to sell goods instead of canvas tents as seen at normal markets of this type.

A view of Eco Box flea market at night

Located on the outskirts of HCMC, the flea market is open from Fridays to Sundays, and attracts a large number of people, particularly youths. Through the containers and materials used at the market, the founder wants to help raise public awareness of environmental protection.

“Eco Box was launched with an aim to create an entertainment venue and call for people, especially young people, to pay more attention to protecting the environment,” the market’s founder Hoang Tuan Anh said.

Explaining why old containers were chosen for the flea market, Anh told the Daily that containers are more unique and durable than canvas tents. Second-hand containers can be used up to 20-50 years.

Visitors to Eco Box may be impressed by lines of containers with each painted with flags of different countries. The idea is to make the venue friendly to people from different nations.

On sale at 45 containers of Eco Box are mostly fashion, accessories, food and hand-made products. At the flea market, there are also free music and art shows staged by young local artists.

The food counters near the stage sell food and drinks to customers to enjoy at tables made from reused fuel barrels.

Eco Box is located at 99 N1 Street, Son Ky Ward, Tan Phu District. It is close to Aeon Mall Tan Phu Celadon.

A customer inspects small bonsai trees on sale at the flea market       An area for kids to play and pose for photos at Eco Box       Young people enjoy food and drinks at small tables while watching a music performance at Eco Box           Customers select clothes

Minh Nga

SGT