Haggle for bargains in Ben Thanh market
Ben Thanh market is one of the more exciting places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City. It’s a chance to truly get stuck in with the locals and test your bargaining skills. It’s a very different experience if you get used to fixed priced items that the idea of bargaining never comes to mind but after visiting a few markets, you almost start to limber up at the prospect of haggling your way through amazing bargains.
Ben Thanh market, located in District 1 across from the bus station, is probably the best known. It is especially popular in the evening and at night, when food vendors set up stalls and locals and tourists alike gather to eat and shop.
Ben Thanh is possibly more regulated, so you may have to worry less about knock-offs or price gouging. That said, you should always be wary of knock-offs and gouging.
Shopping inside the market will require you to practise the art of bargaining and, as they commonly deal with unsuspecting tourists, the vendors at Ben Thanh are pros. A common practice is to inflate prices to double or triple their actual value, meaning you must work the price down to get a reasonable deal. A quick tip in bargaining at Ben Thanh is to cruise the outer ring of the market, where all stalls are fixed priced and most items are actually marked with a price tag. This will give you a good idea of what a moderate price will be when you go inside to haggle.
Bartering is the way to shop here, so jump right in, offer a price that you think is fair, and have fun. Be extra careful if prices are absent or not clearly marked – that goes for everything, everywhere, every time.
See more
-
Wander around Hanoi Old Quarter
Hanoi Old Quarter is one of the most ancient and historical attractions in Hanoi. Visiting Hanoi , you should spend time wandering around the Old Quarter to feel the...
-
Take a Free Walking Tour
One of my favourite ways to acclimate to new cities is to do a walking tour, preferably a free one! Trails and Tales or Saigon Free Walking Tours will teach you a little...
-
Reunification Palace
Also known as the Independence Palace, this building marks, for many, the end of the Vietnam War. Free tours with an English-speaking guide can be arranged in the lobby.
-
See Dalat from the cable cab
Dalat cable car attracts many tourists by an interesting journey to enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the city from the cable car as : Xuan Huong lake , Tuyen Lam lake, Truc...
-
Feed Your Hunger with Pho
Ah, the national dish. A good bowl of Pho solves any trouble. You can have the dish made vegetarian (although I’d question the broth) or with your choice of meat. Almost...
-
Learn How Women Do It All at the Women’s Museum
Let’s just say that the Vietnamese Women’s Museum blew my mind. What I didn’t realize going into it was how drastically different many of the minority...
-
Diving and snorkeling
Nha Trang has a long and beautiful beach with the most colorful and beautiful coral reef and high biodiversity. Nha Trang is one of the best and most affordable...
-
Cycling in Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh is cycling heaven. Here you will have chance to get insights into rural Vietnam on your bikes. The countryside is a living museum that gives...
-
Notre Dame Basilica
With its French inspiration, all building materials for the Notre Dame Basilica were even brought over from France. Whether you simply view it from the exterior or take a trip...
-
.jpg)
a Sapa homestay
When travelling to Sapa you’ll be faced with an array of treks to choose from and one decision you’ll need to make is whether to do a trek that includes a...
Destinations
Most popular tours
-
South Vietnam Getaway
Price from: Contact
-
Mai Chau hill tribe day tour
Price from: 33 US$
-
Cu Chi Tunnels by Speedboat
Price from: 84 US$
-
Visit Tho Ha Traditional Village
Price from: 23 US$
Business info
Vietnam Local Guide
- Address: 18th Floor, VTC Online Tower, 18 Tam Trinh Str.,Hai Ba Trung Dist., Hanoi, Vietnam
- Email: info@vietnamguider.com
- Phone: (+84) 0904989890
- Hotline: (+84) 0904989890