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

  • Try fresh fruits in local garden

    Mekong Delta is famous with laden fruit orchard along the river. So, visiting some local garden and try some fresh and sweet fruits become one of the most popular thing that...

  • Go Backpacking Hai Van Pass by Motorbike

    Hai Van Pass had been selected as one of the most beautiful stretch of beach road in the world. Go backpacking Hai Van Pass by motorbike is an amazing experience that...

  • Take a boat trip to discovery Nha Trang's islands

    Discover Nha Trang with over 19 endowed islands by taking a boat trip is the best way to see all the beauty of Nha Trang .

  • 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...

  • Take a cruise along Huong river

    Huong river is a romantic and poetic river which crosses the capital city of Hue , in the central Vietnamese province of Thua Thien Hue. A trip to Hue would...

  • Drink a 'ca phe sua da'

    It’s not an overstatement to say that 'ca phe sua da' represents a unique aspect of Vietnamese culture, particularly in Saigon. The mere mention of the drink is...

  • 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...

  • Barbecue Your Own Dinner

    The barbecue garden provides a unique take on dinner – cook it yourself! Escape the chaotic streets in the lush garden restaurant, order your preferred dishes and cook...

  • Spend one night at Hang En

    Hang En is one of the most three largest caves in the world, only after Son Doong and Deer. Hang En was discovered in 1994 and rapidly became an impressive attraction in the...

  • 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...

Most popular tours

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