Ben Thanh Market, Ho Chi Minh City

Where else to shop and to enjoy great bargain when you are in Ho Chi Minh city Saigon.... this is exactly the place that you may empty your purse. Most tourist will thing this is the only the place for shopping and enjoy free food testing such as local products like nuts, dried fruits, and fruits or local coffee which easily can be spot everywhere here. Besides Asian people love to bargain fabrics sold here with verity of type and design while the price was very cheap. But try to go in and feel the ambiance or the lifestyle of their local people here. It is not only for shopping but for me something that you may find here which where their people leaving in very harmoniously even in a very busy day to earn. It's not about earn alone but the relationship between them and the culture made you feel something about this famous local market. Open from 6 morning till 7 evening and left right of this building will bright with night market stalls after 7. Another way to enjoy tour here besides great bargain worth your exchange

Souvenir central. Per it's own signage, Ben Thanh Market seeks to project a friendly cultural image for tourists. After a good walk through it, I'd agree that they are attempting to achieve that goal. Especially compared against the surly hotel front desk manager I dealt with recently at my own hotel and various other service workers. If you're after various trinkets, coffee, a taste of popular dishes, or some clothes, this is the best place to accomplish that task. It has a little bit of everything for the tourist on the go. If you want more meaningful cultural experiences, you'll have to go to one of the many other great spots in Vietnam, but this is a great place to either start or finish a journey. Note that unless a sign says otherwise, all prices are negotiable. Try your hand at haggling. The worst they can say is no.

Busy market! If you like price negotiating then this market is perfect for you. If you would rather have a set price for items, the vendors on the outside of the market have set prices listed (no negotiating). We shopped both inside and outside and it honestly just depends on your mood. The market is HUGE and there is so much to see. Would recommend going if you have patience, the time to browse and an empty suitcase for all the treasures you can find to take back home. Also there are many food options in the market to try! Very cool place.

The first market we visited while in Vietnam. Such a great place! The people inside are wonderful, the hustle bustle. Everyone is friendly and ready to bargain (except for vendors that state that they have fixed prices). The clothes, the shoes, the souvenirs, the food! It's all here. It's not just a market for tourists, locals come here as well to buy materials and food as well. It's a really great way to submerge yourself into the atmosphere and culture of Vietnam. Great place to visit when in Ho Chi Minh.

Great market with some great prices. However, you need to work to get these prices. Shopkeepers will all inflate the price by a high margin. A general rule is the correct price will be anywhere from 50-70% of the original price. You will sometimes have to walk away from the stalls to get a better price and this is practised regularly. Even going past the stall you will get prices shouted at you with them drastically reducing it without even saying a word. The only advice I would give is to just be friendly and don't forget that they are human too and need to make a living. Don't be mean and approach them with a bad demeanor as this will get you nowhere, some people we saw seemed to be like this and it really sours the shopkeepers attitude. Overall the market has everything there with plenty of shows, clothes and food. Good for a days visit.