Ngọc Diệp

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

An image of Bình Tây Market in the 1960s. — Photo baomoi.com

The Bình Tây 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 VNĐ104 billion (US$4.5 million).

Bình Tây Market retains its original architecture after a two year period of repair. — VNA/VNS Photo

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.

Its roof is covered by yin-yang tiles, depicting the images of dragons and phoenixes. — VNS Photo Ngọc Diệp

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.

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.

More than 1,440 stalls featuring thousands of goods in Bình Tây Market, one of the largest wholesale markets in HCM City. — VNS Photo Ngọc Diệp

Built in 1928, Bình Tây Market was donated to the city by a Chinese businessman named Quách Đàm.

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

A statue of Quách Đàm was built inside Bình Tây Market after his death. Traders and visitors often light incense or offer fruits to show their respect for him. — VNS Photo Ngọc Diệp

The tower with four big clocks is considered the symbol of Bình Tây Market. — VNS Photo Ngọc Diệp

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

Its roof is covered by yin-yang tiles, depicting the images of dragons and phoenixes. — VNS Photo Ngọc Diệp

More than 1,440 stalls featuring thousands of goods in Bình Tây Market, one of the largest wholesale markets in HCM City. — VNS Photo Ngọc Diệp

A statue of Quách Đàm was built inside Bình Tây Market after his death. Traders and visitors often light incense or offer fruits to show their respect for him. — VNS Photo Ngọc Diệp

Foreign tourists visit Bình Tây Market, a tourist attraction in HCM City. — VNS Photo Ngọc Diệp

Last year, Bình Tây Market was officially recognised by the city’s People’s Committee as a city architectural relic. — VNS