Ho Chi Minh City: Ben Thanh Market and Tax Department Store get a new look to welcome the Year of the Horse 2026.

Ho Chi Minh City is entering the final stages of renovating its central area ahead of the Lunar New Year 2026. Two iconic locations, Ben Thanh Market and the former Tax Department Store site, are undergoing intensive construction, promising to become cultural spaces and attractive destinations for residents and tourists alike during the New Year.

Ben Thanh Market: Revitalizing a century-old landmark.

Ben Thanh Market, a prominent location in traditional Tet (Lunar New Year) photo shoots, will undergo a comprehensive renovation this year. While its distinctive architecture, over 100 years old, will be preserved, the walls will be repainted and the lighting system will be replaced with more modern technology to create a striking nighttime ambiance.

Ben Thanh Market gets a new look to welcome the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026.

Ben Thanh Market boasts a new look and colors that evoke the spirit of Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year).

Notably, the square in front of the market is undergoing rapid renovation. The buildings opposite are also being repainted in a coordinated manner, creating a seamless and eye-catching overall landscape. This is predicted to be an ideal location for young people to take photos in traditional Vietnamese ao dai dresses during Tet (Lunar New Year).

Young people take Tet (Lunar New Year) photos in front of Ben Thanh Market.

The facade of Ben Thanh Market is a favorite spot for young people to take photos during Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year).

Tax Department Store: From an empty plot of land to a vibrant flower park.

Another eagerly anticipated change is taking place at the former Tax Department Store site (135 Nguyen Hue). After a long period as a dusty, empty plot of land used for outdoor events, the area will be completely transformed to welcome the Year of the Horse. The old corrugated iron fence will be removed and replaced with a spacious flower park.

The former Tax Department Store area is currently being renovated.

Transforming this prime piece of land into a green space not only eliminates the sterile concrete surfaces but also connects the Nguyen Hue and Le Loi road axes. This is one of nine plots of land in the city center that the city has opened up to create green spaces, acting as a new "green lung" where people can rest while participating in festivals and events.

New green space in the city center.

Experience a modern spring outing in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.

With thorough and coordinated preparations, the center of Ho Chi Minh City is expected to be significantly more vibrant during this Tet holiday. The renovation of iconic landmarks combined with the expansion of public spaces will not only improve the quality of the urban environment but also provide residents and tourists with ideal settings to enjoy and capture the moments of spring.

Ho Chi Minh City prepares spaces for spring outings to serve the people.