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

  • Marvel at the Madness of Traffic

    The roads are crazy. You know it and I know it. Get an aerial view from Highland Coffee. Best time to go is half an hour before sunset. You’ll get some amazing...

    Read more

  • Hanoi Street Food

    Hanoi is famous for not only having a lot of beautiful, stunning, cultural and historical landscapes but also owning many special and delicious dishes which are only served...

    Read more

  • 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...

    Read more

  • Try Not To Get Hit By a Scooter – No Joke!

    Crossing the streets in HCMC is seriously no joke and is an experience in and of itself. Just look up “crossing the street in Vietnam” on YouTube and you’ll...

    Read more

  • Explore Vietnamese History BEYOND the War

    Vietnam is and should be known for more than the terrible war, which is where the Museum of Vietnamese History comes in. See gorgeous artefacts from the many regions of the...

    Read more

  • War Remnants Museum

    Again, war tourism is not my thing, but the War Remnants Museum was fascinating. Unlike other sites where I found there was a pride at loss of life, the War Remnants Museum...

    Read more

  • 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.

    Read more

  • 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...

    Read more

  • Spend one night at Hang En

    Hang En is one of the most three largest caves in the world, only after Son Doong and Deer. Hang En was discovered in 1994 and rapidly became an impressive attraction in the...

    Read more

  • Exploring Thoi Long craft village

    Each region has unique culture, lifestyle, tradition and craft that express the characteristic of local people. Thoi Long craft village is one of the most famous craft...

    Read more

Destinations

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