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 Free Walking Tour
One of my favourite ways to acclimate to new cities is to do a walking tour, preferably a free one! Trails and Tales or Saigon Free Walking Tours will teach you a little...
-
Windsurfing
Windsurfing is an adventure sport on the beach and appeared in Phan Thiet for a long time. If you have a chance to enjoy this sport, you will be very excited and have an...
-
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...
-
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...
-
Enjoy mud bath at Thap Ba Hot Springs
If you want to find somewhere to relax and have fun, going to mud baths should be preferred. Sitting in a tub of mud feels as odd as it sounds, but it has become 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...
-
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...
-
Exploring Bac Lieu salt fields
The salt fields in Bac Lieu have existed for a long time and provide a huge of salt for the Mekong Delta . The salt fields are divided into squares and rows with full...
-
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...
-
Wander around Hanoi Old Quarter
Hanoi Old Quarter is one of the most ancient and historical attractions in Hanoi. Visiting Hanoi , you should spend time wandering around the Old Quarter to feel the...
Destinations
Most popular tours
-
Best of Vietnam
Price from: 1.455 US$
-
Treasures of Vietnam
Price from: 1.105 US$
-
Northern Vietnam Discovery
Price from: 330 US$
-
Hanoi Street Food Discovery
Price from: Contact
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