Taka Plaza at Central Market in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Taka Plaza is the older shopping identity associated with the underground retail market beneath September 23 Park at 4 Pham Ngu Lao in central Ho Chi Minh City. The site is still an active shopping and food destination, but the public-facing complex is now branded Central Market. That distinction matters because some current directories mark “Taka Plaza” as permanently closed even while Central Market at the same address is open, the official Central Market website still carries a dedicated Taka Plaza page, and recent visitors continue to use the Taka name for the basement shopping section. For practical purposes, travelers should navigate to Central Market, then look for the underground retail area historically known as Taka Plaza.

The location has always been part of the appeal. It sits under September 23 Park on the edge of the Pham Ngu Lao backpacker district, within easy reach of Ben Thanh Market, central District 1 hotels and the Bui Vien area. Unlike a traditional open-air market, the shopping area is below ground and air-conditioned. That makes it useful during the hottest part of the day or during heavy rain, when street shopping can become uncomfortable. The entrance can be less obvious than a conventional mall façade, so visitors should look for Central Market signage around 4 Pham Ngu Lao and use the park-side or street-level access down to the basement.

The retail mix remains market-like rather than mall-like. Current and recent listings describe many small stalls selling clothing, shoes, bags, cosmetics, souvenirs and inexpensive fashion items. A current 2026 directory still describes the complex as having more than 200 stalls, while recent visitor comments emphasize everyday clothing and a different selection from Saigon Square. The setting is therefore better for browsing small vendors than for finding major international fashion brands. Prices are often inexpensive, and some shoppers report that vendors are less aggressive than at more tourist-heavy markets, although bargaining can still be possible depending on the stall.

Food is a major part of the experience. Central Market’s operator currently promotes Soho Town, the food-court section inside the underground complex. The official site describes a 1,500-square-metre dining area with Asian and European food, while the current Soho Town page lists the food court at the same 4 Pham Ngu Lao address. Recent visitors also mention a clean, air-conditioned food court that is easy to use as a break between shopping. Individual stalls change, so it is better to expect a broad choice of Vietnamese and regional Asian food than to plan around one specific vendor unless you have checked that stall separately.

The naming history can be confusing when researching the place online. Older travelers commonly knew the underground market as Taka Plaza; later sources also use Sense Market, while Central Market is now the principal name shown by the current operator and on current map results. The official Central Market website still maintains a Taka Plaza page, which supports the idea that the Taka identity remains part of the same commercial lineage rather than referring to an unrelated shopping centre. At the same time, some modern apps have closed the old Taka listing rather than updating its name. That is why a search for “Taka Plaza” can produce both closure notices and current visitor reviews from the same physical address.

Current operating evidence supports visiting the complex rather than treating it as closed. Google Maps currently shows Central Market at 4 Pham Ngu Lao as open, with a 22:00 closing time and the phone number +84 28 3836 4062. A recent 2026 guide to the underground market also uses 10:00–22:00 daily, and a recent traveler guide gives the same schedule. The operator’s Soho Town page publishes a slightly earlier closing time for the food court, 21:30, while an older official article says food stalls stop accepting customers from around 21:30 even though the wider market may continue until 22:00. For planning, 10:00–22:00 is the best overall market schedule, but food should be ordered earlier.

The market is particularly useful for visitors who want an alternative to Ben Thanh Market. Ben Thanh has far greater historic and architectural significance, but Taka Plaza/Central Market offers a cooler and more controlled environment. Sellers are grouped into basement stalls, the food court provides seating, and visitors do not have to spend the whole visit exposed to traffic and weather. The trade-off is atmosphere: this is a modern commercial market, not a heritage market building. Travelers looking for historic architecture should prioritize Ben Thanh, while those looking for inexpensive browsing and food in air-conditioned surroundings may find Central Market easier.

Recent visitor evidence is still visible. A December 2025 review on a travel-shopping platform described Taka Plaza as a basement-level shopping area with a clean food court and simple fashion. A 2026 independent guide likewise describes Central Market as an active underground complex mixing shops and food. These accounts support current use of the site, but they also show why the old and new names coexist. The most accurate visitor advice is to treat “Taka Plaza” as the familiar legacy name for the shopping component inside today’s Central Market rather than as a separate mall to hunt for elsewhere.

Payment practices vary by stall. Current directory data suggests cards and mobile payments are accepted in parts of the complex, but small independent vendors may still prefer cash. Carrying smaller Vietnamese dong notes is useful for low-cost purchases and food. Do not assume every stall has the same return policy, fitting facilities or fixed-price approach. Check an item carefully before buying, especially inexpensive clothing, luggage or accessories, and ask whether the displayed price is final before paying.

A typical visit can be short or extended. Allow around one to two hours if you want to browse several rows of stalls and stop for food; shoppers actively comparing clothes or souvenirs can easily stay longer. The basement setting also makes the market a convenient midday stop between nearby central attractions. Because the surrounding Pham Ngu Lao and Ben Thanh area is busy, walking or ride-hailing is usually simpler than trying to park a private vehicle unless you have confirmed the current parking arrangement.

Accessibility is partly documented but not fully verified. A current shopping-directory profile marks Taka Plaza as having a wheelchair-accessible entrance and parking, and the modern underground complex uses escalators and other vertical circulation. However, the exact step-free route from street level to every retail and food area was not independently confirmed during this research cycle. Travelers who depend on lifts or barrier-free toilets should contact Central Market before visiting.

The key to visiting successfully is to use the current name when navigating while recognizing the old one when you see it. Search for Central Market at 4 Pham Ngu Lao, enter the underground market below September 23 Park, and you are effectively visiting the shopping environment long associated with Taka Plaza. The destination remains useful for budget fashion, souvenirs and an air-conditioned food break in District 1; only the branding has become more complicated than the visit itself.