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
-
Discovering Hue by bicycle
Hue is probably the best city in Vietnam for cycling. There is less traffic than the other major cities and the people of Hue are in less of a hurry.
-
Kayaking in Halong Bay
Kayaking is a kind of paddling, using a kayak to move across water. With thousands islands and isles, calm tides, clean, and emerald green water, Halong Bay is ideal for the...
-
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...
-
Diving and Snorkeling in Con Dao Island
Con Dao is the best place for diving and snorkeling because there is a diversified marine ecosystem with 1,300 species of marine creatures and the colorful coral.
-
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...
-
Trekking Bach Ma National Park
Bach Ma National Park is one of Vietnam’s most famous areas of outstanding natural beauty, a dream destination for those interested...
-
.jpg)
Visit Halong Bay by helicopter
Halong bay is famous for its beautiful caves and limestone karsts attracting thousands of tourists all over the world. There is no better way to see the aerial view of the bay...
-
Trekking to Son Doong Cave
Son Doong is the largest natural cave in the world. The majestic and monumental landscape of Son Doong Cave is considered as the great wall of Vietnam. Trekking to Son Doong...
-
Get Custom Made Clothes
A top to-do item for many visitors is to have custom clothes made before they leave. Phan’s Custom Tailor is a very popular destination for suits and other items of...
.jpg)
Destinations
Most popular tours
-
Signature Vietnam
Price from: 2.220 US$
-
Discovery North of Viet Nam
Price from: 460 US$
-
Cooking Experience in Hanoi
Price from: 36 US$
-
Vietnam beach vacation
Price from: 1.250 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