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

  • Take a boat trip in Ninh Binh

    The best ways to enjoy the scenery in Ninh Binh  is to take a boat trip. The main kicking off points for boat trips are Tam Coc and Trang An or Thung Nham, although...

  • Take a Cooking Class

    Visiting Hanoi , you have a chance to taste special and delicious food of this place and explore stunning and beautiful landscapes. Taking a cooking class to know how to...

  • Discovery Mekong Delta by boat

    The best way to discovery Mekong Delta is taking a boat and go around to see the local life and daily activities in the river and canals. Moreover, you can also enjoy the...

  • Make Up Your Own Mind About the Hanoi Hilton

    Hoa Lo Prison, better known to Westerners as the Hanoi Hilton, is definitely a polarizing and confusing place. All the signage and displays point to the prison having been a...

  • 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...

  • Take part in the ostriches and elephant ride activity

    There are many interesting outdoor activities for your choice in Dalat with various kind of activities as adventure activity, relaxing activity, etc.  One of the most...

  • Soak in the hot springs of Binh Chau

    Binh Chau hot springs is an attractive destination in Vung Tau and famous for not only domestic tourists but also foreign tourist. Traveling to Binh Chau, you have a chance...

  • 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...

  • Enjoy a dog racing in Vung Tau

    Traveling to Vung Tau on weekends, you’ll have an opportunity to enjoy a dog racing and it only takes place in Vung Tau. Dog racing was introduced to Vietnam and...

  • Puku 24 Hour Cafe

    If you’re venturing out to Sapa , chances are you’ll be arriving back from an overnight train at the godawful hour of 4:30 in the morning. You can’t check...

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