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
-
Ride a cyclo through Hue City
Enjoy a leisurely cyclo ride through Hue , the former Vietnamese capital, including Hue Imperial Citadel —a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cyclo ride is the...
-
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...
-
Kite Surfing
Kite surfing is one of the most famous adventure sports in Phan Thiet. Phan Thiet is an ideal place for kite surfing from November to March with strong winds to enjoy this...
-
Go Snorkeling in Phu Quoc
Snorkeling is one of the most popular activities in Phu Quoc because of the beautiful and diversified coral. It is a great opportunity for you to discover the colorful...
-
Visiting Coi Nguon Museum
Traveling to Phu Quoc , you not only enjoy the outdoor activities on the beach but also you can visit many historical relics. And Coi Nguon museum is a private famous museum...
-
Explore Vietnamese History BEYOND the War
Vietnam is and should be known for more than the terrible war, which is where the Museum of Vietnamese History comes in. See gorgeous artefacts from the many regions of the...
-
Enjoy listening " Don ca tai tu" in Bac Lieu
Bac Lieu is the hometown of Cao Van Lau who is a famous musician in unique folk art form “ Don ca tai tu”. If you have a chance to travel to Bac Lieu, you...
-
Take a Cyclo Ride
Not the most efficient method of cruising through the city, but a very old and popular way of experiencing Saigon .
-
Expand Your Understanding of Vietnamese War History
If you’ve read my blog, you all know that war tourism isn’t my thing. That said, traveling as a couple means compromises, and I don’t regret learning more...
-
Go Fishing in Ba Be Lake
Go fishing in Ba Be lake is an interesting and relax activities in Ba Be lake. You can enjoy this outdoor activity with local people on Doc Moc boat which is a unique boat...
Destinations
Most popular tours
-
Hoa Lu – Tam Coc Day Tour
Price from: 33 US$
-
Visit Bat Trang & Le Mat Traditional Village
Price from: 25 US$
-
Halong Bay Cruise 1 Day
Price from: 43 US$
-
Central Coast Vietnam
Price from: 2.014 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