VietNamNet Bridge – More than 1,440 stalls selling thousands of goods at Binh Tay Market in HCM City’s District 6 reopened on Wednesday (November 15) after a two-year period of repairs and upgrades to the facility. 

The area for selling fabric at Binh Tay Market in HCM City’s District 6. — VNS Photo Ngoc Diep An image of Binh Tay Market in the 1960s. — Photo baomoi.com

The Binh Tay Market, which is nearly 90 years old, had badly deteriorated, with exposed steel beams, damaged walls and leaking roof. 

The market was closed in late 2016 and renovation began last December at a cost of VND104 billion (US$4.5 million).

A temporary market was built nearby to help traders continue their activities.

More than 1,000 traders who moved out during the restoration have returned to the market.

The market’s original architecture has been retained.

The market now has new public toilets, standby generators, security camera systems, information rooms, cable and telephone lines, Internet connections, and fire safety systems.

Covering a 28,000sq.m area, the market is the largest wholesale market in the city and an attractive tourist destination.

Binh Tay Market retains its original architecture after a two year period of repair. — VNA/VNS Photo Its roof is covered by yin-yang tiles, depicting the images of dragons and phoenixes. — VNS Photo Ngoc Diep

The renovated market has 700 stalls on the ground floor and more than 740 stalls on the first floor.

It offers a wide range of goods such as screws, shoes, canned food, handbags, plastic bags, cloth and hats, incense and candles, household plastic products, glazed terracotta and porcelain products, fabrics, knives and scissors, steel and aluminum products, sugar-coated and preserved fruit, sealing wax and raincoats. 

Built in 1928, Binh Tay Market was donated to the city by a Chinese businessman named Quach Dam.

The market was designed by a French architect who used traditional Chinese architectural style. 

Its tower has four clock faces with two dragons. Its roof is covered by yin-yang tiles, depicting the images of dragons and phoenixes.

Last year, Binh Tay Market was officially recognised by the city’s People’s Committee as a city architectural relic. 

More than 1,440 stalls featuring thousands of goods in Binh Tay Market, one of the largest wholesale markets in HCM City. — VNS Photo Ngoc Diep A statue of Quach Dam was built inside Binh Tay Market after his death. Traders and visitors often light incense or offer fruits to show their respect for him. — VNS Photo Ngoc Diep The tower with four big clocks is considered the symbol of Binh Tay Market. — VNS Photo Ngoc Diep Foreign tourists visit Binh Tay Market, a tourist attraction in HCM City. — VNS Photo Ngoc Diep

Source: VNS