Many tourist guidebooks in Vietnam highlight Le Cong Kieu Street as a great place for visitors who enjoy rummaging for one-of-a-kind trinkets or nostalgic items.
Le Cong Kieu Street always attracts
tourists and antique hunters to the bustling quarter
tourists and antique hunters to the bustling quarter
At just 100 meters long, Le Cong Kieu Street in Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, is perhaps one of the shortest streets in Ho Chi Minh City.
It is one of the most well-known streets, however, thanks to its bustling flea-market atmosphere.
Antique hunters and tourists can find everything from souvenir stamps, coins and pipes, to bronze and stone statues, wooden tables and even altars.
According to locals, the street used to be very quiet.
About 30 years ago, however, a group gathered on the pavement and began selling old bowls, plates and other ceramic products.
Over time, the street sellers began to trade other antiques.
Le Cong Kieu Street is now a HCMC institution and is especially popular with foreign visitors.
With so much interest, and in particular because of increasing tourism, the municipal authorities decided to make Le Cong Kieu Street a legal antique market in an attempt to promote tourism services.
As a result, much of the street’s former disorder on the pavement was turned into a bevy of beautiful shops.
Le Cong Kieu Market is now known by many as a great place to hunt for valuable antiques.
Though most products are not the real deal, a skillful eye and shrewd knowledge of antique artifacts can produce some great finds.
From time to time, locals will sell off prized heirlooms to those lucky enough to spot them.
Ancient artifacts have also been unearthed during underground digging in the area and then sold at the market.
Whether they buy antiques, imitations or just a couple of small souvenirs, customers at Le Cong Kieu Market enjoy the thrill of the hunt when it comes to collecting treasures from the past.
“I think more than 80 percent of the products are imitations,” said Isabelle Furve, a regular Le Cong Kieu Market customer.
“However, it doesn’t matter because the shapes and colors are beautiful. They look classic. I love it.” And if you’re patient, says Furve, you can come away with some real bargains.
“I have come to this market every week over the past few years. I have sometimes even bought real antiques,” she said.
John Smith, a tourist from New Zealand remarked, “Look at the enamel and the decorations on [this] bowl! Aren’t they beautiful? I have a collection of ceramic bowls and this is the newest to add to the collection. It is an imitation, but not many people have it.”
Antiquing is a hobby that has seen a steady increase over the last few decades, which has only contributed to the popularity of Le Cong Kieu Street.
More bustling and lively than ever, the market is a terrific way to explore Vietnam’s past and perhaps find a memento or two.
It is one of the most well-known streets, however, thanks to its bustling flea-market atmosphere.
Antique hunters and tourists can find everything from souvenir stamps, coins and pipes, to bronze and stone statues, wooden tables and even altars.
According to locals, the street used to be very quiet.
About 30 years ago, however, a group gathered on the pavement and began selling old bowls, plates and other ceramic products.
Over time, the street sellers began to trade other antiques.
Le Cong Kieu Street is now a HCMC institution and is especially popular with foreign visitors.
With so much interest, and in particular because of increasing tourism, the municipal authorities decided to make Le Cong Kieu Street a legal antique market in an attempt to promote tourism services.
As a result, much of the street’s former disorder on the pavement was turned into a bevy of beautiful shops.
Le Cong Kieu Market is now known by many as a great place to hunt for valuable antiques.
Though most products are not the real deal, a skillful eye and shrewd knowledge of antique artifacts can produce some great finds.
From time to time, locals will sell off prized heirlooms to those lucky enough to spot them.
Ancient artifacts have also been unearthed during underground digging in the area and then sold at the market.
Whether they buy antiques, imitations or just a couple of small souvenirs, customers at Le Cong Kieu Market enjoy the thrill of the hunt when it comes to collecting treasures from the past.
“I think more than 80 percent of the products are imitations,” said Isabelle Furve, a regular Le Cong Kieu Market customer.
“However, it doesn’t matter because the shapes and colors are beautiful. They look classic. I love it.” And if you’re patient, says Furve, you can come away with some real bargains.
“I have come to this market every week over the past few years. I have sometimes even bought real antiques,” she said.
John Smith, a tourist from New Zealand remarked, “Look at the enamel and the decorations on [this] bowl! Aren’t they beautiful? I have a collection of ceramic bowls and this is the newest to add to the collection. It is an imitation, but not many people have it.”
Antiquing is a hobby that has seen a steady increase over the last few decades, which has only contributed to the popularity of Le Cong Kieu Street.
More bustling and lively than ever, the market is a terrific way to explore Vietnam’s past and perhaps find a memento or two.
Reported by That Son
Source : Thanh Nien Daily
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