The story
Ho Thi Ky grew out of the Petrus Ky area, which housed Vietnamese refugees from Cambodia in the 1970s. It is now the city's largest wholesale flower market, running around the clock, plus a maze of food alleys that get busy from mid-afternoon. More than a hundred vendors sell grilled skewers, Cambodian-style sweet soups, Pahok fish noodle soup and mini hotpots at street prices.
A long-established flower market, likened to a 'little Da Lat'. It now also hosts a street food cluster.
What to order
Cambodian Pahok noodle soup
Pahok sauce, snakehead fish, vermicelli and lemongrass
Cambodian sweet soup
Pumpkin, egg and durian versions
Grilled beef skewers
A cheap grill-stall staple
10,000₫Grilled cheese skewers
A popular grill-stall snack
20,000₫Local tips
Come before 18:00 or after 21:00 to avoid the heaviest crowds.
Compare prices across stalls before buying.
Look for the Cambodian dishes, such as Pahok noodle soup and sweet soups. They reflect the market's origins.
For flower photos, go before 10:00 when fresh stock is out.
Say it in Vietnamese
“Cho em một phần giống mọi người hay gọi, ít cay nhé.”
One portion of what everyone usually orders, not too spicy, please.Plan your visit
Opening hours
Late afternoon to evening
When to go
Most atmospheric late afternoon into evening
Avoid Tet and public holidays unless you want peak crowds. The flower market is at its busiest then.
Getting there
In former District 10, about 4 km from central District 1. The main food alley is hem 52 Ho Thi Ky, reachable from Le Hong Phong, Tran Binh Trong, Ly Thai To and Hung Vuong. Motorbike parking was reported at 5,000–10,000₫ near Ho Thi Ky Elementary School. A taxi from downtown costs about 50,000–70,000₫.
Open in Google Maps →Good to know
Crowded
The alleys get very crowded. Keep phones and wallets secure, since guides warn about theft.
- Bargain politely if at all; aggressive haggling is frowned upon.
Where this comes from
History and details come from named press or official sources. Hours and prices can change — travelers help keep them current.
- VinWonders – Ho Thi Ky Food Street · Operator · 2025 · vinwonders.com
- Vietnam Airlines travel guide – Cho Ho Thi Ky · Official · vietnamairlines.com
- Ghien Sai Gon – Cho dem Ho Thi Ky · Traveler reviews · 2026 · ghiensaigon.com
- VietNamNet – A bustling Cambodian market in Saigon · Press · 2017 · vietnamnet.vn
- Vietnamese press (research report) · Research
