Market scenes in Southern Vietnam over one hundred years ago

Bustling scenes of Ben Thanh, Binh Tay, and Cau Ngang markets from over one hundred years ago are currently featured in an exhibition of old photographs in Ho Chi Minh City.

An exhibition titled "Tien Nhan Lap Cho" is currently underway in Ho Chi Minh City, offering a glimpse into the vibrant market life of Southern Vietnam over one hundred years ago. Held on 27/9, the event showcases photographs of iconic markets like Ben Thanh, Binh Tay, and Cau Ngang from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Among the featured locations is Cho Lon, the historic "big market" district, which developed between the 17th and 19th centuries. Its formation was driven by the influx of the Chinese community, who settled and established a prosperous urban center there.

Co-organized by the National Archives Center II, Nep Xua Cultural Center, and Hoi Quan Cac Ba Me, the exhibition aims to introduce audiences to the urban landscape and daily activities of a bygone era.

Mot goc cho Ben Thanh. Cho xay nam 1912, co tong dien tich khoang 13.000 m2, gioi han boi cac truc duong: Phan Boi Chau - Phan Chu Trinh - Le Thanh Ton - Cong truong Quach Thi Trang. Day la mot trong nhung cong trinh bieu tuong cua TP HCM, thu hut nguoi dan, du khach.

Historical images show rickshaws bustling around Ben Thanh market. According to author Nguyen Hanh in "Di San Sai Gon - TP HCM", published by NXB Tong Hop TP HCM, these vehicles became widespread in Vietnam by the late 19th century. By the early 20th century, Saigon alone had nearly 400 hand-pulled rickshaws. While common rickshaws featured iron wheels, rubber wheels were reserved for officials. The pullers, often barefoot, typically wore distinctive "kep nep" shirts and "non gu" hats.

Cho Cau Ngang, Tra Vinh thap nien 1920.

Ms. Cu Thi Dung, Head of the Document Value Promotion Department at the National Archives Center II, explained that the photographs were sourced from various archives and private collections. The series of old market photos specifically comes from a postcard collection generously donated by collector Nguyen Tan Thanh.

Mot goc khac cua cho Cau Ngang.

Cho Chau Doc hon 100 nam truoc, nay la diem du lich noi tieng, chuyen ban cac mat hang dac san mien Tay.

Cho Tan Dinh nam tren duong Hai Ba Trung, phuong Tan Dinh, TP HCM, la mot trong nhung ngoi cho co lich su lau doi. Noi day tung duoc xem nhu vua kinh doanh vai vun lon va re nhat thanh pho. Nhung nam 1950-1960, hai ben hong cho co bai dau xe hoi, phia sau la ben xe ngua.

Cho Binh Tay, con duoc goi la Cho Lon (moi), do thuong gia nguoi Hoa Quach Dam bo tien xay nam 1928 theo ky thuat cua Phap. Kien truc hinh bat quai la net doc dao cua ngoi cho, gom 12 cong, ben trong co hoa vien rong rai de khach ngoi nghi. Nam 2017, TP HCM xep hang khu cho la di tich cap thanh pho de gin giu, bao ton.