Saigon Antique Market - a delightful nostalgic weekend destination.

Nestled deep within a small alley off No Trang Long Street (Ho Chi Minh City) lies a market that only opens on weekends but is always bustling with both domestic and international tourists. This is the Saigon Antique Market, a unique space that attracts those passionate about antiques or seeking to relive nostalgic memories.

Saigon Antique Market: A delightful nostalgic weekend destination.

Located at 311/27 No Trang Long Street (Binh Loi Trung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City), Saigon Antique Market has become a familiar weekend destination for antique enthusiasts from all over the country.

According to Mr. Tran Gia Tuan, a person who has been associated with the market since its inception, the market has had a long journey of nearly two decades, starting around 2006-2007. "The market's creation stemmed from the love of Saigonese people for old values, from those who always wanted to preserve the memories of the past, from old clocks and antique cups to war relics," Mr. Tuan said.

This is the stall of Mr. Tran Gia Tuan, who has been associated with the market since its inception.

According to Mr. Tran Gia Tuan, initially, this place was just a meeting point for people to show off their valuable items. Gradually, collectors came, creating the first buying and selling transactions. From small tables, the vendors gradually added display cabinets, forming a market with more than 100 fixed cabinets and 150 tables set up every weekend.

Saigon Antique Market is a place where all things old are displayed, bought, and sold.

With hundreds of stalls stretching from the entrance and covering the entire grounds, visitors entering this market feel as if they've stepped into a fairytale land filled with antique items, some of which are hundreds of years old. The market operates from 6 am to 5 pm on Saturdays and Sundays, attracting 200-300 visitors on Saturdays and potentially up to 800-1,000 on Sundays.

Saigon's antique market is not just a place for buying and selling, but also a cultural highlight, attracting tourists from both within and outside the country.

Mr. Tuan proudly said: "Coincidentally, this place has become a tourist attraction, a highlight of Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City. This is one of the most famous markets in Vietnam, not just in Ho Chi Minh City."

Saigon's antique market displays a wide variety of items, offering visitors a rich selection.

What makes antique markets so appealing is the diversity of items and the stories behind them. Here, visitors can find hundreds of thousands of antiques, from ceramics and war relics to watches, Zippo lighters, old documents, televisions, music players, paintings, and even jewelry. These items come from all over the world , including Vietnam, China, Europe, Japan, the United States, and Australia.

A small corner brimming with nostalgia at Saigon Antique Market.

One of the standout booths is the exhibition space dedicated to the Oc Eo - Funan culture by Mr. Dong Ho Nguyen. When visitors come to see it, Mr. Nguyen is always happy to share his passion and knowledge about this unique culture of his homeland.

Mr. Nguyen stated: "In Vietnam, there are three ancient cultures: Oc Eo, Sa Huynh, and Dong Son. My space focuses on the Oc Eo - Funan culture."

Mr. Nguyen's booth displaying his Oc Eo - Funan collection is located in the Saigon Antique Market.

“My collection is basically quite complete for a private collection. The distinctive strength of the Oc Eo culture is its jewelry, with ancient beads dating back 2,000 years. Or the characteristic Kendi vases, which were used in Hindu rituals – the main religion of the Oc Eo culture. These artifacts date from the first to the seventh centuries,” Mr. Nguyen further shared.

Mr. Dong Ho Nguyen shared about his cherished collection.

Saigon Antique Market is not only for collectors but also a spacious and family-friendly playground. With an entrance fee of 50,000 VND, visitors can exchange it for a drink or a snack. A special highlight is the live music program from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, creating a cheerful and relaxing weekend atmosphere.

The atmosphere at Saigon Antique Market is cozy and full of nostalgic charm.

Ms. Hong Ngoc, a visitor residing in Ho Chi Minh City, shared: “Although I’ve known about this market for 6 years, this is the first time I’ve had the chance to visit. I find it quite nostalgic and feel like it brings back many memories of my grandparents.”

Honestly, it's impossible to say I particularly like one item, because I just want to buy everything I see here. But I was especially impressed with the antique watches. The atmosphere at the market was very cheerful, and the music suited me perfectly.”

Ms. Hong Ngoc (right) and her relatives are engrossed in admiring the antique items.

Besides that, the market also has other attractive activities. Saturdays are a playground for classic car enthusiasts. The upper floor of the market also has a cafe designed with a "very chill view". This is a space where customers can enjoy drinks, listen to live music, and admire the nostalgic atmosphere from the upper floor.

The Saigon Antique Market only operates on weekends. On Saturdays, the main area is dedicated to classic car enthusiasts, while Sundays are entirely devoted to buying, selling, and trading used and antique items.

More than just a place for buying and selling, Saigon Antique Market is also a cultural space, an attractive tourist destination, and a weekend getaway where generations can connect with each other.

According to VNA

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/cho-do-co-sai-gon-diem-den-hoai-co-thu-vi-cuoi-tuan-a461504.html