Ben Thanh Market — Attraction in Ho Chi Minh City

Been here across 3 out of 6 days of my stay in Ho Chi Minh. Definitely a must visit if you are here in the city, especially if you're looking for a bargain on knock-off luxury/well-known brands like apparel, handbags and so on.

Read a few short reviews on Google which simply states that things are expensive without elaboration. Here are a few points to note based on my pre-trip research and personal experience:

1. Bargaining is the name of the game here so never take the first price given by the seller as the potential transactional price. A counter-offer from the buyer (you) is always expected and hence no one will get offended if you counter offer them, unless you low-balled way too much. A general rule of thumb is to counter-offer between 1/3 or half of the initial offered price (depending on item) and work your way from there.

2. Those who complain that things are too expensive either didn't do their research prior to visiting the place, or just couldn't bargain in an effective manner. While most goods here are mass-produced and are knock-offs, do keep in mind that the sellers have to make a living as well, and naturally no one would sell their goods if the price hits below the bottom line. If you can't get a satisfactory price, just walk away as many other vendors would be selling the same thing. But if the price you offer gets rejected by every vendor selling the item, then perhaps your offered price is way too low for them to make any profit.

3. One or two vendors have marked the prices of their items with the words "Fixed price", which is pretty self explanatory. That being said, you can always try to bargain for a slightly lower price if you buy in bulk, but don't get offended if they don't nudge. Otherwise, as long as there is no price (or "Fixed Price") marked on an item, it is very safe to assume that the price is open for bargaining.

4. Do take note that certain items (e.g. football jerseys) have different qualities despite all of them being knock-offs, from those immediately discernable to be fake from a distance away to those that you can't tell apart from the real deal. Hence the price difference.

5. Ben Thanh Market is a popular tourist spot, and hence it is entirely possible you can get the same thing at a slightly lower price elsewhere. However, it is also the largest congregation of such vendors so if you factor in the time, effort and money (on transport) to find that lone shop which sells for maybe 5-10% cheaper than in Ben Thanh, one might come to realise that there are no real savings.

All in all, bargaining over prices by itself is a sport which some enjoy (even more so than the cheap prices), and if you go to Ben Thanh with this mindset and some research done, it will definitely be an enjoyable experience.

But if haggling over prices/browsing knock-off goods is not your thing, just skip the whole place entirely and leave more walking space for the...

Ben Thanh Market is a bustling and iconic destination in Ho Chi Minh City, well-known for its vibrant atmosphere and diverse offerings. Ben Thanh Market is a great place to explore local culture and shop for souvenirs, clothing, handicrafts, and fresh produce. The market is packed with a wide range of items, from traditional Vietnamese goods to trinkets and souvenirs. Many visitors enjoy the lively environment and the chance to haggle for better prices. However, the market can be quite crowded, especially during peak hours, which might be overwhelming for some. The quality of items varies, and while you can find some great deals and unique products, it’s important to inspect items carefully before purchasing. Prices are generally negotiable, and a bit of bargaining is expected. Some tourists find that prices can be higher than in other local markets due to the market's popularity with visitors. The market has a range of food stalls offering local Vietnamese street food, such as pho, banh mi, and fresh fruit. Many guests appreciate the opportunity to sample local flavors in an authentic setting. The food is usually fresh and tasty, but cleanliness can sometimes be an issue, so it’s a good idea to choose stalls that appear well-maintained. The market’s vibrant and chaotic atmosphere is part of its charm, but it can also be a bit overwhelming due to the crowds and the heat. The cleanliness of the market varies; while some areas are reasonably tidy, others can feel a bit cluttered and less clean. Service at Ben Thanh Market can be hit or miss. Vendors are often friendly and willing to negotiate, but some might be pushy, especially if they sense you’re a tourist. Being prepared for a bit of a hustle and practicing polite bargaining can help improve your experience. Its central location makes it easily accessible, and it’s a popular spot for both tourists and locals. It’s a good place to get a taste of local life and shop for unique souvenirs, but it might not be ideal for those looking for a quieter shopping experience. Overall, Ben Thanh Market is a must-visit for those wanting to experience the lively pulse of Ho Chi Minh City and pick up some local goods. While the crowded and sometimes chaotic environment might not be for everyone, it offers a vibrant glimpse into Vietnamese culture and a chance to find some interesting items and delicious...

My complete and honest review of Ben Tahn Market. Please read before you go

Recently visited Ben Tanh Market during my recent visit to Vietnam, and I have a few things to say

-firstly the market was huge, there were so many place to shop and mostly every shop was selling the same products -some shopkeeper’s were extremely rude to tourists (and were ripping them an extreme price) for the same product you could find at another store. When we visited, we were looking around for bags and went to multiple stores to find the base prices for the bag, one of the shopkeeper quoted us a very high price (double than what others were offering) and when I mentioned other shops are selling it for way less, she literally shooed us away, and acted so disrespectful. But we had only mentioned that her price was higher than other shops for the exact same replica product (and we said this only as she was asking us why we were walking away)

We also came across another shop owner who was selling chocolates and candies, coffee etc. we were planning to buy in bulk as we wanted to take it back home. We had never seen the same chocolates before so we asked her if she could give us one to taste before we buy in bulk, we even offered to pay her for the taster as we understand some might not be comfortable to give tasters for free. She was extremely rude to us, and told us no to the tasters despite offering her money for it. Right next to this mean lady, was another store where an aged lady was working, she was so kind to us and was happy to give us as many tasters as we liked. She brought us chairs to sit down and taste, later we bought around 1 million worth of chocolates and coffee from her, and in the end she even picked up a few more and gave it to us for free.

So my take on this is, if somebody is not willing to sell something to you, then go to another store, there are plenty of stores and nicer people !

I’ve also attached a photo of her shop for reference.

Also, I didn’t want to mention this, but many shopkeepers were racist to people of colour, so please don’t tolerate it from any of them! They are here to do...