HCM CITY — Its official name is Lê Hồng Phong Market, but for decades people have been calling this market in HCM City’s District 10 “Cambodian Market” simply because it sells certain products from Cambodia.

After turning into alley 374/51 on Lê Hồng Phong Street, it is easy to find the market since Cambodian colours can be seen all over the place.

The market dates back to the 1970s when Vietnamese-Cambodians were forced to flee Cambodia due to civil war. They returned to Việt Nam and set up the market together, according to a vendor named Tư Xê.

These days, Cambodian Market has expanded with locals getting in on the act, but its true Cambodian soul is still preserved by around 15 stores run by the children and grandchildren of the families that fled Cambodia more than 40 years ago. — VNS