The architectural beauty of the market is nearly a century old.

After nearly 100 years of construction and development, Tan Dinh market has gone through many ups and downs of Tan Dinh land and Ho Chi Minh City. Tan Dinh market is included in the list of historical - cultural relics and scenic spots in Ho Chi Minh City for the period 2016 - 2020 (issued with Decision No. 923/QD-UBND dated March 7, 2017 of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee), belonging to the category of architectural and artistic relics.

Front of Tan Dinh market on Hai Ba Trung street.

According to the history of Tan Dinh market relics of the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City, the current location of the market was Phu Hoa market, in the old Phu Hoa village. From 1870 - 1880, Phu Hoa market was one of the important markets in the North of Saigon. In 1926, the French government rebuilt the market. The project was completed and inaugurated on July 26, 1927. The market is located in a beautiful location of Tan Dinh area, surrounded by four roads: Hai Ba Trung, Nguyen Huu Cau, Ma Lo and Nguyen Van Nghia; the market front faces South to Hai Ba Trung street.

The market's architecture impresses with its strong columns and beams, combined with delicate decorative details and harmonious colors. The market uses cement, iron, steel, bricks, stones, wood, and tiles with the main colors of earth yellow, white, green, and red. The building has a European style, with a reinforced concrete structure in the form of arches, tiled roofs, and modern facade motifs. The front and back facades of the market are similar, with a pointed tower architecture, highlighted by a column-beam system made of concrete. The brick walls are thick. The pointed, tall, and narrow wooden shutter windows are arranged alternately between the columns, contributing to the aesthetics and creating air circulation for the space inside the market.

The market has a pointed tower architecture, highlighted by a system of concrete columns and beams.

In the center of the facade is a round clock, above which is the inscription “TAN DINH MARKET”. Three square bell towers are arranged in the center and on both sides of the facade, which is a unique highlight of the architecture. Today, the market still preserves a bronze bell hanging in the bell tower in the middle. The ancient clock mounted on the front facade of the market has been removed by the Market Management Board, stored in storage, and replaced with a new clock.

In front of the facade, there is a dome roof to protect the sidewalk in front of the market from the rain and sun. Previously, the roof was covered with wooden bars, but over time the wooden bars rotted and were replaced with aluminum panels to increase durability and withstand the impact of climate and environment. The market roof has three floors: the first floor extends to cover the porch, the second and third floors cover the walls. The roof is extended with a system of long louvers to increase light and air circulation.

The market area is about 3,000m², including the main market house and the surrounding stalls. The market house is rectangular, stretching along the South - North axis, without walls, airy, modern concrete truss structure. The corridors are paved with neat tiles. The market house has 8 doors: 4 main doors in the four directions of South (door number 1), North (door number 5), East (door number 7), West (door number 3); 4 side doors are arranged symmetrically, from East to West, including: Door 8 and door 2; door 6 and door 4.

Tan Dinh is a place with a long history and bears the revolutionary mark through two resistance wars against France and the US. This is one of the cradles of the urban movement. Tan Dinh market traders, along with Da Kao market traders and Ben Thanh market traders, participated in rallies and demonstrations demanding reductions in parking fees and taxes, and financial and material support for the revolution. During the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, local people coordinated with the armed forces to prepare in many aspects, contributing to the final victory. Tan Dinh Ward was the first ward to gain power in District 1. In those victories, the efforts and spirit of Tan Dinh market traders are an indispensable mark.

Business culture, the foundation for the ancient market brand

With its solemn architectural and historical values, Tan Dinh market was recognized as an architectural and artistic relic (city level). This is the pride of the management team and hundreds of traders who have been with us for many generations. Mr. Le Quang Thien, Head of Tan Dinh Market Management Board, shared: "The market is not only a place for trading but also preserves historical, cultural and architectural values."

Tan Dinh Market currently has about 400 wholesale and retail stalls, with a variety of products from food, dried goods, fruits to clothes and shoes. The Management Board is oriented to deploy the model of "Standard stall - Friendly Counter" with the criteria of price listing, clear quality, and civilized service. Each product line will select typical products as specialties to attract visitors and tourists . Small traders arrange their business according to the motto "please customers when they come, please customers when they go".

The market's "Friendly Counter" model follows the motto "please customers when they come, please customers when they go".

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thoa, a trader who has been here for more than 30 years, said: “Tan Dinh Market is a place to make a living, a second home and a memory for many generations. Traders pledge to join hands to keep the market clean and beautiful, not encroach on the walkways, sell goods properly, list and sell at the right price; and actively convert to digital so that the market becomes more modern but still retains its traditional features.”

In addition to business activities, the Management Board and traders also participate in many community activities, including: Visiting poor households, families of war invalids and martyrs; giving charity meals to sick children; contributing to the construction of charity houses; establishing a fund to support women traders in developing their businesses... With many positive contributions, Tan Dinh market has achieved the standards of a civilized commercial market for many consecutive years, and a commemorative medal from the Organizing Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City 100 Interesting Things Program. Individuals, collectives of cadres, employees, and traders of Tan Dinh market have been awarded emulation flags, certificates of merit, and certificates of merit by the Prime Minister, Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, District 1 People's Committee...

Tan Dinh market meets the standards of a civilized commercial market.

In the coming time, Tan Dinh market will be preserved in a scientific way, prioritizing the maximum preservation of original architectural details such as the facade, dome and main structure. The Management Board also aims to upgrade the image of the market, in accordance with the title of city-level architectural and artistic relic, while creating convenience for shopping and attracting tourists, aiming at standards suitable for the title of city-level architectural and artistic relic.

 

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    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/doi-song/dau-an-kien-truc-va-ky-uc-do-thi-cho-tan-dinh-1013975