What to See in Dan Sinh Market in District 1

Address: 104 Yersin, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1

How to get there:

Dan Sinh Market or Dan Sinh Neighborhood is surrounded by 4 streets: Yersin, Nguyen Thai Binh, Nguyen Cong Tru, and Ky Con, with an area of more than 5,000 square meters.

The map of Dan Sinh Market

Located right at the center of District 1, Dan Sinh Market is a convenient spot where you can easily find your way to it. Walking is a good way to get here if you stay in the backpackers' district or around the Ben Thanh roundabout; it is only 1 kilometer from the Ben Thanh Market.

Opening hours: 7 AM - 10 PM.

The History of Dan Sinh Market

Dan Sinh Market is one of the oldest markets until present. Dan Sinh Market was named after the neighborhood Dan Sinh which was derived from Yersin, the name of a bacteriologist who had taken part in the establishment of a research institute in Nha Trang and a medical school in Hanoi.

The neighborhood of Dan Sinh Market today is believed to be where the Kim Chung Casino was built on. At first, gambling in Vietnam was illegal but later legalized so that the French could control and collect taxes from the business. As opposed to the largest casino at the time, Dai The Gioi Casino, Kim Chung was the place mostly for middle and low-income to gamble their luck with the hope of changing their lives. The early 20th century was a prosperous time of gambling in Vietnam.

In the last year of the French army when in Vietnam, 1954, after a transfer of authority, Kim Chung Neighborhood had been renamed to Dan Sinh Neighborhood. And the people here started to sell military equipment to US soldiers. Dan Sinh Market was the source to find all kinds of antiques, from clothes to old car parts and used Zippo of US soldiers to old incense burners. Most of them are used items made in foreign countries. But when Vietnam trading opened to the world, people could get commodities from overseas more easily, and thus Dan Sinh Market eventually stepped into a period of decay.

The market is no longer the main source to find non-domestic goods, but it is still a place that brings memories of the old Saigon and sells a lot of antiques. If you are a collector of antiques or want to find some rare and unique items, Dan Sinh Market is the place you should check out.

What to Expect When Coming to Dan Sinh Market

You would be surprised by how Dan Sinh Market, after going through decades, still sells the same kind of commodity from its old glorious time. Machinery components, military supplies, and old items, everything is still there like things have never changed. You can find most of these things when coming through the No.3 gate on Yersin Street.

Despite the time passing by, Dan Sinh Market at present remains the products that have made this place famous

Dan Sinh Market is a nice place to visit on your adventure around Ho Chi Minh City. If you want to buy some camping equipment, cheap electrical equipment, or cool souvenirs, this is the place to be. The commodities sold at Dan Sinh Market come from anywhere in multiple categories. Some are fake while others are real; some are incredibly cheap while others are unbelievably expensive. But one thing in common is that all of these things were passed by many owners before they came to this market.

Military equipment has always been Dan Sinh Market's specialty

One of the items in Dan Sinh Market that can't be found elsewhere in military equipment and war memorabilia such as hats, boots, and supplies that American soldiers used during the war. In particular, these things were listed as souvenirs, therefore, the price would be the most expensive in the market. The price for a pair of boots is VND 2,000,000, VND 400,000 - 500,000 for a helmet, and VND 500,000 for a US soldier’s water bottle. Besides, you can easily find old pictures and memories of daily life in the past.

The market is also called the storage of old times

The image of a local market in Vietnam is a place that sells many kinds of things, especially delicious Vietnamese street foods, but when it comes to Dan Sinh Market, offers a different local feel. This destination is not suitable for an empty belly. But you can check out our private food tour for more cuisine options on our food adventure in Ho Chi Minh City.

Conclusion on What to See in Dan Sinh Market in District 1

Dan Sinh Market on a normal day

Although located in the center of District 1, Dan Sinh Market can be quite slow during the day. But if you are around the area, take an hour or so to explore Dan Sinh Market, and you will realize the history and lifetime that the traders here remain. Dan Sinh is the market of memory and nostalgia, a little corner for people of old Saigon.

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