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
-
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...
-
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 .
-
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...
-
Sapa Museum
The museum is housed in an attractive stilt house with a static exhibit upstairs which runs uninspiringly through the history of the Sapa region before moving on to some...
-
Learn About Traditional Medicine
A visit to the FITO museum is quite the experience. In this ornate house, you’ll be guided floor by floor and learn all about the traditional methods used to treat...
-
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...
-
Bike tour to countryside
Bicycles can be hired all around Hoi An but if you want to have a safe and active Hoi An cycling tour then you will need to be guided by an local expert. This is the best...
-
Visit a French Cafe
The best part of the French influence has survived in Hanoi… the food. I love that in Hanoi you can walk around one corner and eat a bowl of Pho, but also treat...
-
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...
-
.jpg)
Shopping in Halong
Shopping is an essential part for any tourists. From shopping, tourists can learn more about culture and society of place that they visit, as well as bring home some nice...
Destinations
Most popular tours
-
Saigon Tour by Vintage Vespa
Price from: 90 US$
-
Saigon Street Food
Price from: 35 US$
-
Bac Ha Trekking Tour
Price from: 290 US$
-
Sunny Paradise
Price from: 1.510 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