Russian market in downtown Saigon causes controversy, what does the HCM City Department of Culture and Sports say?

Recently, the opening of the Russian market, The Box Market in the area of ​​Nguyen Van Binh Book Street and the location next to the Ho Chi Minh City Post Office has been met with mixed opinions. A representative of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports said that there had been 2 working sessions with the relevant parties.

Russian market area seen from the entrance gate of Nguyen Van Binh street

Photo: LX

On the afternoon of October 9, at a press conference on the socio -economic situation in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Hoi - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City shared information related to the Russian market. The Department said that there had been 2 working sessions with relevant parties on opening the Russian market at the Ho Chi Minh City Telecommunications building (125 Hai Ba Trung, Saigon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City).

According to the Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City, the units are allowed to trade in items that are not prohibited by law, but must ensure harmony with the development of cultural space. Because this location is in the core area, adjacent to relics and works on the list of relic inventories such as the Ho Chi Minh City Post Office , Notre Dame Cathedral...

Mr. Ngoc Hoi added that in the coming time, the Department will continue to coordinate with the Department of Industry and Trade of Ho Chi Minh City and the People's Committee of Saigon Ward on this case and inform the results as soon as possible.

Russian Market, The Box Market not open after controversy

The Box Market gate leading to Nguyen Van Binh Book Street is closed.

Photo: LX

According to the previous announcement, from October 1, 2025, Nga Market will move to 125 Hai Ba Trung (Sai ​​Gon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City), replacing the old address at 328 Vo Van Kiet (now Cau Ong Lanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City). At the same location, there is also The Box Market shopping area, which is advertised to open for "trial" sales from September 18.

According to our records, the Russian Market gate leading to Ho Chi Minh City Book Street, located at the Autumn Book Store, is locked. The "Russian Market" sign on the wall of the building on Nguyen Van Binh Street has been covered with a tarp, but the "Russian Market" sign is still there at the entrance to the building.

Similarly, The Box Market in the area on Nguyen Van Binh Book Street is also not operating. The stalls inside are covered with tarpaulins. On The Box Market's fanpage, there is a notice "temporarily closed to complete operational items and will reopen as soon as possible".

In recent days, the opening of the Russian market, The Box Market at the Ho Chi Minh City Telecommunications Building has caused controversy. Many opinions say that the arrangement of business activities here is inappropriate. Because Nguyen Van Binh Book Street is considered a prominent cultural space in Ho Chi Minh City, and the Ho Chi Minh City Post Office is a famous architectural work, listed as a work and a site for relic inventory.

On October 6, the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City held a meeting to record opinions from relevant parties. At the meeting, Mr. Do Ngoc Hung - representative of Ho Chi Minh City Telecommunications said that Ho Chi Minh City Telecommunications leased business premises to units based on legal grounds.

Mr. Hung added that Nga Market is just a brand name used by the leasing unit, and does not reflect the nature of its operations as a traditional market. However, after receiving public opinion, the unit requested the partner to remove the misleading sign.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Nhut - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City, said that people assume that the building managed by Ho Chi Minh City Telecommunications is a cultural space, so doing something different will attract public attention and reaction. Although this building has not been classified as a relic, it is located in the core area adjacent to the heritage, so any activity needs to consider the impact on the general cultural landscape of the area. Mr. Nhut said that he will synthesize the opinions to report to the board of directors of the department and send them to the leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cho-nga-tai-trung-tam-sai-gon-gay-tranh-cai-so-vh-tt-tphcm-noi-gi-18525101012540906.htm