Cruising through Market Friday Challenge | The back alleys of Thai Binh Market

Hi everyone.. This is yet another extended post on Thai Binh Market in Saigon, Vietnam. The thing is, I had recently found out about this local market that sells both wet and dry provisions. It is located near Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão and many of the locals come here to buy their daily provisions. About 2 weeks back, I decided to check out this market since I pass by this street everyday on my way to work.

You can check out more from my previous post HERE

And last weekend, I decided to do my once a week grocery shopping here but also to get some exercise as well. According to Google Maps, it takes me approximately 15-20 minutes if I walked but 6 minutes if by car or motorbike. Since I haven't marked many steps in the last week, I thought I should get some exercise in the early morning. Okay.. 6.30am isn't that early since the sun is already up and many people were already on the streets - taking their morning walks. I finally realised that the street parallel to my apartment actually has a good walking path which is excellent for jogging.

Though I wasn't jogging, I did my part of speed walking which is what I prefer. I reached the market in 15 minutes and found it already crowded with both buyers and sellers. I tried to stay true to my market list but there were just so many things. I walked around and bought my vegetables & beancurd. I was about to head back when I reached to a somewhat back alley of the market.

One thing about Vietnam is that it's not what's on the Main Streets that one should look out for. Instead, it's those behind each alley that one will find the most interesting and affordable items. And this refers to restaurants, bars, hotels and etc. This is the back alley which I so happen to come across - call it curiosity 😆 I'm really glad that I'm such an explorer at least for wet markets if not I wouldn't be able to find such treasures in this city.

I bought vegetables, prawns, squid, pork and some fruits as I walked along this street. The prices are pretty affordable if I may say so myself. I even noticed an elderly Caucasion man buying fish from one of the stalls.

This is the only photo which I took - an old lady scraping vegetables by the side of the street. Such scenes are very common in most wet markets and no matter how many times I witness this, I never get bored of it. It's like a whole new experience every time. In some way, I feel like I'm getting very localised, guess there is some positive side to this whole awful pandemic that is happening around the world.

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This is an inspiration from Denise @dswigle to join the #MarketFriday Challenge! If you haven't followed her yet; please do so now as she is one of those genuine encourages with a true heart and soul to support people on HIVE!

This is the one tag and weekly challenge that I try to make a point to join; not to mention that I'm also a fanatic when it comes to sight seeing or shopping in any form of market - indoors, outdoors, food, textile, accessories and etc.

It is always interesting to see the different markets around the globe!
There's so many different cultures and beauty in this world and the more we travel and open up our eyes, the more we gain.

It's easy to participate :

1. Go to the market! Any market will do! Food, Clothing, Plant or Animal, if you wish. You can go to the zoo or an art auction. Anywhere or anything that you pay money for a service.
2. Take pictures! Be creative (or not)
3. Tell us a little bit about the market, what brought you here?
4. Post the picture(s)
5. Don’t forget to hashtag it! #MarketFriday by @dswigle
6. Minimum 250 words

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