The Historic Journey of a Traditional Market
My Binh Market officially became an integral part of Long Xuyen’s commercial life when the My Binh area was incorporated into the town on January 27, 1977. Prior to that, it was part of My Thoi commune in Chau Thanh district. According to historical documents, My Binh Market formed and developed as Long Xuyen city expanded from the 18th century, when the area began to become a population center.
In its early stages, the market operated on a small scale, mainly serving the essential commodity exchange needs of the local people. Over time, with the increase in population and urbanization, My Binh Market gradually expanded its scale and diversified its business lines, becoming an important commercial center of the city.
Back in the 1980s, the market consisted of small stalls with simple thatched roofs. Every early morning, people from the surrounding areas gathered here to trade and exchange goods. Since then, the market has changed a lot, but it still retains the characteristics of a traditional Western market.
Nowadays, My Binh Market is one of the 19 traditional markets in Long Xuyen city, making an important contribution to the trade and service system, which accounts for more than 80% of the urban economic structure. With over 200 stalls, the market offers a diverse range of products, from fresh food and vegetables to household items, meeting the daily shopping needs of thousands of local people.
However, after many years of operation, the market’s infrastructure has shown signs of deterioration and can no longer meet the needs of the people and traders. Realizing the importance of maintaining and developing the traditional market, on February 19, 2024, the People’s Committee of My Binh Ward officially started the project “Renovation and Repair of My Binh Market” with a total capital of over 3.5 billion VND from the city budget.
The project focuses on three main items:
Upgrading the electrical system and fire safety: Replacing the entire old electrical wiring system, installing automatic fire alarms and modern fire pumps to ensure absolute safety for traders and people.
Repairing structural materials: Replacing the roof, tiling the floor, and renovating the stairs in the market area to create a more spacious and cleaner shopping space.
Environmental treatment: Constructing a wastewater collection tank and upgrading the drainage system to thoroughly address environmental pollution and flooding during the rainy season.
The My Binh Market renovation project aims not only to upgrade the infrastructure but also to build a civilized and modern commercial space that meets the increasing demands of the people and contributes to local economic development.
The construction is expected to be completed after 150 days of construction, providing a safer and more civilized shopping space for traders and local people.
A Destination for Local Specialties
My Binh Market (Long Xuyen, An Giang) is a bustling traditional market where you can find many famous specialties of An Giang Province. Here are some specialties that you can easily buy and enjoy at the market:
Banh Xeo Nui Cam (Mountain Banana Pancake): A characteristic Western pancake with a crispy crust and a filling of pork belly, beans, and shrimp, served with fresh mountain banana leaves. This specialty is very popular and can be found at restaurants near My Binh Market.
Bun Ca Long Xuyen (Long Xuyen Fish Noodle Soup): A special noodle soup of Long Xuyen with a sweet and clear broth, delicious snakehead fish, served with water spinach, morning glory, and banana blossoms.
Com Tam Long Xuyen (Long Xuyen Broken Rice): A unique version of broken rice with sweet and savory pork belly, without grilled ribs like elsewhere, favored by locals and tourists alike.
Lau Mam An Giang (An Giang Fish Hot Pot): A characteristic hot pot with a strong flavor, with the main ingredient being fish from the same region, commonly found in the region’s markets, including My Binh Market.
Mam Chau Doc Specialty: A variety of fish sauces used for dipping raw vegetables or making hot pots, very characteristic and abundant, often sold in An Giang markets, including My Binh Market.
Xoi Phong Cho Moi (Cho Moi Inflatable Sticky Rice): Crispy sticky rice, usually served with roasted chicken or beef, is a famous specialty near Long Xuyen and sold in traditional markets.
Various Dried Products and Specialties from Thot Not: Thot Not palm sugar, Thot Not jelly, Thot Not cakes… are natural specialty gifts from An Giang’s Seven Mountains, available at local markets.
In addition, My Binh Market also offers other specialties such as beef sausage, dried fish, banana flower salad, beef seven courses from Nui Sam, and Tan Chau rice cake…, making it easy for you to enjoy and buy as gifts when visiting An Giang.
An Irreplaceable Socio-Economic Role
For the local community, My Binh Market plays a crucial role in providing food and essential commodities for tens of thousands of households in My Binh Ward and nearby areas such as My Long and My Phuoc. With more than 200 stalls, the market provides stable jobs for hundreds of local workers, from traders to cargo transporters.
According to a report by Long Xuyen City, the traditional market system, including My Binh Market, makes a significant contribution to the total retail sales, estimated at hundreds of billions of VND annually. The market also helps attract tourists, especially when combined with nearby attractions such as the Long Xuyen Floating Market, creating a unique cultural and commercial experience for visitors.
The traditional market system, like My Binh, is not just a commercial center but also a cultural heritage of the locality. Maintaining and developing traditional markets will contribute to preserving cultural identity and promoting socio-economic development in the city.
In the context of urbanization and the strong development of modern commercial channels such as supermarkets and trade centers, My Binh Market, along with other traditional markets, faces many challenges. However, with its unique role in the cultural and economic life of the local people, My Binh Market maintains its position.
The ongoing renovation project is a testament to the local government’s attention to preserving and developing the traditional market. With upgraded infrastructure and a cleaner, safer shopping environment, My Binh Market promises to remain a trusted destination for locals and tourists alike.
In the future, combining the preservation of traditional identity with the application of modern management models will be the key to the sustainable development of My Binh Market. At the same time, promoting the cultural and culinary values of the region will also help attract tourists, generating more income for traders and local people.
My Binh Market is not just a commercial center but also a cultural symbol of My Binh Ward in particular and Long Xuyen City in general. With the ongoing renovation project, the market is expected to become a safe and modern shopping space, contributing to local economic development and preserving the traditions of a historic market. In the context of strong urbanization, balancing development and cultural preservation will be the key to My Binh Market’s continued role in the socio-economic life of An Giang Province.
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