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
-
The adventure activity - Canyoning in Dalat
Canyoning in Da lat is a kind of famous adventure activities and it is one of the most things to do when traveling to Dalat.
-
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.
-
Brush up on your Bargaining
Unless you see a stickered price on the souvenir you’re eyeing up, the price is probably negotiable. Remember your poker face, keep a limit in your head and be prepared...
-
Explore the Mosaic Wall
We discovered the mosaic wall from our taxi, zipping along the Yen Phu major roadway. It was a patchwork quilt of ceramic tiles creating little scenes, both from history and...
-
.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...
-
.jpg)
Dining in a cave
Coming to Halong Bay, you should never miss a unique activity, dining in a cave. There are few cruises offering this feature on their trips. The crew members will prepare a...
-
Experience as a fisherman in Mekong Delta
Mekong Delta has a complex river and canal so there are many floating village and fishing village. Catching fishes as a fisherman in their village is one great experience...
-
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...
-
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...
-
Take a Cooking Class
I’m a big believer that one of the best souvenirs you can take home from your travels is a new skill. Being able to cook some of your favourite dishes when you get home...
Destinations
Most popular tours
-
South Vietnam Hideaway
Price from: 1.710 US$
-
Saigon Street Food
Price from: 35 US$
-
Scenic Vietnam
Price from: 1.120 US$
-
Cu Chi Tunnels by Speedboat
Price from: 84 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