Was there ever a bustling marketplace called Chợ Đũi? Many older residents still remember it. It thrived around the 1930s. It was nestled between the present-day Lê Văn Duyệt and Trần Quý Cáp streets. Chợ Đũi in Ho Chi Minh City was more than just a market. It was a vibrant hub, a melting pot of commerce and community. It was a popular gathering spot before the shows at the nearby Nam Quang theater. Students from Trường Trung học Trương Sơn and Trường Tần Vẫn often frequented the area. Chợ Đũi held a special place in the city’s heart.
Chợ Đũi’s origins trace back to the early 19th century. Its name, meaning “embankment” in Cantonese, reflected its location near the Saigon River. Early maps place it near the intersection of Chasseloup Laubat and Thuận Kiều streets, which today are Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai and Cách Mạng Tháng Tám streets. Chợ Đũi began as a “minor” market, likely specializing in a specific type of woven mat. Over time, the market’s boundaries shifted. It expanded to encompass a larger area, eventually including the Vườn Văn Tần and Cách Mạng Tháng Tám neighborhood and the area around Huyện Sỹ’s house, sometimes referred to as the Chợ Đũi house of the Chợ Đũi community. It stretched towards Phạm Ngũ Lão. The name “Chợ Đũi” was even inscribed on the northern wall surrounding the train station. As the city developed, Chợ Đũi’s footprint shrank. Today, the area is a commercial district with banks, shops, and modern buildings.
Though the physical market has vanished, its memory lingers. The poet Tạ Ký, a Chợ Đũi regular, immortalized the market in his melancholic verses. He lamented the loss of old friends and the changing times. His student, Petrus Ký, remembered him fondly as a teacher and scholar of Vietnamese literature. Tạ Ký captured the essence of Chợ Đũi in his collection “Drinking at Chợ Đũi.” He described the bustling shops on Trần Quý Cáp street and the lively demi-bars on Lê Văn Duyệt, hinting at a more risqué side to the market. He mentioned simple culinary delights like grilled scallops and crab claws with salt, green mango with chili salt, star fruit, and papaya. For a more substantial meal, one could find stir-fried noodles with beef or pork. “Everything requires money to be enjoyed,” he wrote.
Chợ Đũi was more than a place of commerce. It was a place where writers and artists gathered, where stories were shared, and where the spirit of the community thrived. While the market itself is gone, its memory lives on in the hearts of those who remember its bustling energy and vibrant atmosphere. The name Chợ Đũi may no longer grace maps, but its legacy continues to shape the cultural landscape of Ho Chi Minh City.