Ben Nghe vs. Ho Thi Ky
Vietnam is a street food paradise, and when it comes to Saigon, the options are endless. During our trip, we set out to compare two of the city’s most well-known food streets: Ben Nghe Street Food in District 1 and Ho Thi Ky Food Street in District 10.
Our interest in these two places came from different sources—our friends who traveled with us in Vietnam told us about Ben Nghe, while Ho Thi Ky caught our attention from watching Sonny from Best Ever Food Review Show. Both food streets had their own unique appeal, but we wanted to find out which one suited our foodie style best.
What makes them special in Saigon’s street food culture?
Ben Nghe and Ho Thi Ky both showcase Vietnam’s love for street food but in very different ways. Ben Nghe is in a prime location in District 1, making it a more modern and tourist-friendly spot, offering both traditional dishes and fusion-style street eats. On the other hand, Ho Thi Ky, known as a flower market by day and a food haven by night, provides a more local experience, with authentic Vietnamese and even Cambodian-inspired dishes.
For us, the appeal of food streets is the ability to order from multiple stalls and eat “family-style”—trying a variety of flavours in one sitting. So, which one came out on top? Let’s dive in.
Meet the Contenders
Ben Nghe Street Food (District 1)
📍 Location & Atmosphere:
Located in the heart of Saigon, Ben Nghe Street Food offers a mix of old-school vendors and trendy new-age street eats. It’s a lively spot with beautifully designed interiors, including art wall murals and light displays that add to its charm.
Images: ©NomAddictDuo
👀 First Impressions:
As soon as we stepped in, we noticed that it was crowded with tourists rather than locals. Most of the Vietnamese people we saw were working behind the stalls as vendors. The setup was more structured, almost like an indoor food market rather than a traditional street food scene.
🍽️ What caught our attention first?
- Cyp immediately got excited when he spotted rice paper rolls (fresh spring rolls).
- I, on the other hand, had my eyes set on a full fish or lobster—something that felt like a treat!
The reel from Ben Nghe’s official page, which I’ve added below, perfectly captures its vibrant atmosphere
Ho Thi Ky Food Street (District 10)
📍 Location & Atmosphere:
By day, Ho Thi Ky is known as Saigon’s largest flower market, but by night, it transforms into a street food paradise. Unlike Ben Nghe, which is more of a plaza with stalls, Ho Thi Ky felt more like what a food street should be—rows of small carts lining the narrow streets, creating an authentic, lively vibe.
Images: ©NomAddictDuo
👀 First Impressions:
- Compared to Ben Nghe, Ho Thi Ky gave us a more immersive street food experience.
- Seeing vendors selling food out of little trolley carts instead of set-up stalls reminded me of the markets in the Philippines, where my parents would take me as a child whenever we visited.
Below is a fantastic reel by @sabaydara, who explains in French with English captions what to expect at the Ho Thi Ky Food Market
The Food Battle: What’s on the Menu?
🍜 Ben Nghe: We didn’t have any specific dishes in mind when we arrived. We usually walk around, take in the options, and then pick three dishes to share. That night, we ended up trying:
- Pork Banh Mi (classic but always a must!)
- Fresh Spring Rolls (1 beef & 1 shrimp)
- Grilled Lobster 🦞 (because why not?)
🍢 Ho Thi Ky: This time, we came with a mission! After watching Best Ever Food Review Show, we already knew what we wanted to try:
bánh khọt (vietnamese mini pancakes)
Bánh Khọt are crispy, bite-sized Vietnamese pancakes that are topped with shrimp, scallions, pork mince and sometimes mung beans, they’re fried until crispy on the outside yet soft inside. Served with fresh herbs, lettuce, and a fish sauce dip.
ốc nhồi thịt (snails stuffed with pork)
Large snail shells are filled with a savoury mixture of minced pork, mushrooms, and aromatic herbs. The stuffed snails are then steamed with lemongrass, imparting a fragrant aroma. They’re typically served hot with a ginger-infused fish sauce for dipping.
Images: ©NomAddictDuo
Everything else we got was based on wandering around and seeing what piqued our interest—the best way to do street food, in our opinion!
Images: ©NomAddictDuo
Taste & Quality
Ben Nghe:
- The banh mi had good flavor, but having tried our fair share, this one felt too empty in comparison.
- The fresh spring rolls were fresh! The peanut sauce made it extra good.
- The grilled lobster was juicy! While it wasn’t really seasoned, the green spicy sauce that came with it took it to the next level!
On the right is a YouTube short of Cyp & I trying the food we mentioned and includes our ratings of each dish
Ho Thi Ky:
- The sea urchin was a surprise—creamy, slightly briny, but so good with the right toppings.
- Banh Khot had an amazing crispiness on the outside with a soft, flavorful center.
- The pork snails? Unexpectedly delicious! The fish sauce dip brought all the flavours together perfectly.
On the left is an IG reel we made at Ho Thi Ky of what we ate and how much it totalled up to
Prices 💰 & Portions 🍽️
Comparing the two food streets, Ho Thi Ky gave us more bang for our buck, while Ben Nghe felt more geared toward tourists—meaning higher prices. That said, when we converted the costs of what we ate and compared them to seafood prices in Canada, France, and Australia, both spots were unbeatable in value.
For example, in Sydney, lobster costs around $80-$130 AUD per kg year-round (source: Sydney Fish Market). Meanwhile, in Vietnam, we got a whole lobster for just 320k VND (~$19.65 AUD)—a steal in comparison! Regardless of the location, both food streets offered generous portions for the price, making it easy to try a variety of dishes and share.
Atmosphere & Experience
💡 Which street has a better foodie vibe?
It really depends on what kind of foodie you are!
- If you love immersing yourself in local culture and trying authentic dishes, Ho Thi Ky is the place to be.
- If you prefer a more comfortable, curated experience with both traditional and fusion dishes, Ben Nghe is a great choice.
- If you’re new to Vietnamese street food and want guidance, food tours at both locations can help with ordering and sharing the history of the dishes.
Final Verdict: Which One Wins?
For us, Ho Thi Ky was the winner because we love embracing local culture and figuring things out on our own. Many vendors spoke enough English to explain the dishes and prices, and when they didn’t, we used Google Translate.
But if you’re someone who prefers a mix of fusion and classic dishes in a more structured setting, Ben Nghe is a great option too!
Bonus Tips & Recommendations
🔥 Must-Try Dishes:
- Ben Nghe: Fresh seafood—especially the grilled lobster! 🦞
- Ho Thi Ky: The sea urchin for something unique.
⏰ Best Time to Go:
- Both are best in the evening when all stalls are open and buzzing.
💡 Local Tips:
- For budget-friendly seafood, Ben Nghe is worth a visit.
- If you want unique and unexpected dishes, Ho Thi Ky is the place to go!
Which food street would you try first? Let us know in the comments! 🍽️✨
