The Ho Thi Ky Flower Market in Saigon flower market is definitely worth a trip. Unlike the Hanoi flower market which is a dedicated space just for the flower vendors, this one is in a mixed-use residential neighborhood. Though it is busiest in the early morning, there is still a lot going on in the late after around blue hour. After shooting the market you can head right next door to the Ho Thi Ky Street food market which opens around 6:00pm for all sorts of street food all in one area.
The market is spread across several blocks, centering on Ho Thi Ky Street and branching into numerous narrow alleyways. These alleys provide some of the best photo opportunities.
The main street can be hard to shoot with lot’s of traffic and tight spaces. It’s a combination of motorbikes and small trucks during delivery hours, while the side alleys accommodate foot traffic. Flowers are displayed in plastic buckets, creating lively walls of color along every pathway. Specially designed three-wheeled motorbikes, modified to transport flowers, are a common sight.
The market is organized into informal sections based on flower types. The outer edges typically feature vendors selling tropical flowers like orchids and lotus, while the inner sections specialize in imported flowers such as roses, lilies, and chrysanthemums. Several areas are dedicated to floral supplies, including vases, foam blocks, ribbons, and packaging materials.
The market operates in distinct phases throughout the day. The pre-dawn hours see the arrival of flowers from Da Lat and other growing regions, with wholesale transactions dominating the early morning. As the day progresses, the market shifts to retail sales, though the volume decreases greatly after mid-morning.
One advantage of going during the late afternoon around sunset is you get the great light and lots of activity and afterwards you can go to the Ho Thy Ky food street right next door. There you’ll find lots of great street photo opportunities and some nice dinner options with an emphasi on seafood (Hai San).
Ho Thi Ky Flower Market Address: Ho Thi Ky Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Hours: 2:00 AM – 8:00 PM daily
