The new Ben Thanh Ward was established on the basis of merging Ben Thanh Ward, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, and part of the area of Cau Ong Lanh Ward and Nguyen Thai Binh Ward of the old District 1.
Ben Thanh Ward - " culinary center" of Ho Chi Minh City
After the merger, Ben Thanh ward became the "multi-functional center" of Ho Chi Minh City when it converged Ben Thanh market, Bui Vien Western street and modern metro station. Culturally, the ward is also considered the "culinary center" of Ho Chi Minh City with countless famous restaurants. Let's find delicious restaurants in Ben Thanh ward!
Ben Thanh Market food court, Ben Thanh ward, crowded with domestic and international tourists in late June 2025
PHOTO: CAO AN BIEN
In the new Ben Thanh ward, diners can hardly ignore a popular eatery known as the "most expensive" sidewalk grilled pork noodle shop in Ho Chi Minh City. The shop is located on Nguyen Trung Truc street and has been opened by Vo Thi Thu Van (54 years old) and her husband for nearly 30 years.
Famous as it is, Mrs. Van’s family’s noodle shop is not only visited by locals but also attracts many tourists and overseas Vietnamese. Mrs. Thu Van confided that this noodle shop was opened 25 years ago, when she and her husband first moved from Ben Tre to Ho Chi Minh City to start a business.
At that time, she sold noodles, and her husband, Mr. Quoc Anh, did all kinds of jobs such as goldsmith, motorbike taxi driver... to earn money to support their life and raise their children. When the shop first opened, there were few customers so the couple had a hard time.
Mrs. Thu Van's famous grilled pork vermicelli dish
PHOTO: CAO AN BIEN
Gradually, with the special flavor of grilled pork noodles and the unique secret, the good reputation spread far and wide, the restaurant was supported by more and more customers and created the reputation as it is today. Currently, each full bowl of noodles at the restaurant costs 70,000 VND, which is a bit higher than the average price of ordinary restaurants.
The grilled pork vermicelli dish here has pickled shallots added. This special ingredient is combined with a sweet and sour dipping sauce made according to Mrs. Van's own recipe. Pouring the dipping sauce and pickled shallots into a bowl of vermicelli filled with grilled meat and spring rolls, served with bean sprouts, pickles, peanuts, scallion oil... is a "perfect" combination according to many diners.
Pho 2000 where the US president visits to enjoy
On the wall of Pho 2000 restaurant on Le Thanh Ton street, there are always pictures of VIP guests who have come to eat there, such as former US President Bill Clinton, former Japanese Prime Minister Murayama Tomiichi...
That is the famous restaurant of Mr. Alain Tan's family (Huynh Trung Tan). Accordingly, in November 2000, the pho restaurant at 1-3 Phan Chu Trinh was unexpectedly visited by US President Bill Clinton to enjoy and highly praise.
Famous Pho 2000 visited by US President
PHOTO: NVCC
"Since Pho 2000 opened near the North Gate of Ben Thanh Market, an American friend who works at the consulate has been coming here to eat almost every week. One day, this friend asked to meet me. When I asked why, this friend said: "I like your pho restaurant, I've eaten here many times, my staff also come here often. I have a few American friends, they are very careful, especially about food hygiene and safety, and I want to bring them here to eat.
If you allow, before I bring them here, I will ask someone to come to the restaurant to take samples for testing. Is that okay?". Hearing this friend say that, I felt comfortable and normal, saying if you want to check, then check", Mr. Alain Tan recalled the special opportunity that led to the US President coming to eat here.
After that, because he was busy with the opening of a restaurant in the US, and his son was about to enter university there, Mr. Alain Tan and his wife returned to the land of the free for a while.
At this time, US President Bill Clinton unexpectedly visited Pho 2000, when the restaurant only had his mother-in-law and staff. Luckily, everything went smoothly because the restaurant was well-organized by the owners, operating well even without them.
Pho 2000 Restaurant welcomes many famous politicians
PHOTO: NVCC
Pho is a favorite dish of many diners.
PHOTO: CAO AN BIEN
After that visit, Pho 2000, which was already famous in Ho Chi Minh City, became even more famous. Although it was opened in 1999, the restaurant was named Pho 2000 because the owner wanted his restaurant to have a special mark as humanity was about to enter a new century.
Next to Pho 2000 is the famous Ben Thanh market in Ho Chi Minh City. There is a unique food court here that attracts many diners from near and far to eat with a variety of choices, especially traditional Vietnamese dishes. In addition, Ben Thanh ward also has a nearly half-century old bun rieu stall located next to the famous Ben Thanh market...
In the new Ben Thanh ward, what are your favorite restaurants? Please share with Thanh Nien Newspaper in the comment section below.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/phuong-ben-thanh-co-bun-via-he-mac-nhat-tphcm-pho-2000-tong-thong-my-ghe-thuong-thuc-185250630090433557.htm
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