Ben Thanh Market, Ho Chi Minh City

Vi virus not much shop or people

As a foreigner, if you need to talk to the merchants in English or Chinese or any language, they will speak it to you at ease. They are also hospitable and some will even give you tips and guides. However some other merchants will attempt to rip you off. The ones in the central area ironically is cheaper and provide better offers than the inner ones but your mileage will vary. Didn’t feel THAT ripped off although probably this is a tourist trap area lol. Good range of products from food to drinks to clothes to souvenirs.

Crazy huge market, the food vendors serve up delicious food - very inexpensive. It's a tourist trap, tons of things you don't need. If your looking for knock off goods this is the place. I recommend when bartering negotiate 1/3 of what they're asking for a a start. If you don't get close to the 1/2 of the price walk away... I like it, fun to see and people watch :)

As people are saying, embrace yourself to bargain a lot. Don't fall for the first seller. Try to cut the price as low as possible and then say, I'm not sure, let me think, etc. When walking away they will definitely stop you and will accept your deal. HOWEVER, don't fall yet. Say, okay, I like it, but let me come back to you in 5 mins. Then walk around and explore what are other places saying. Places next to the entry and exits always asks for more than deeper inside the market. But most importantly - bargain, bargain, bargain. Don't believe a single thing they say about their lowest price and how "little" profit they will make of proposed price. Second of all, if you are a foreigner but understand Vietnamese, you will hear the sellers swearing a lot and being very rude. None of them are worth your sympathy, they work in the busiest market in town. Quality of products is so so. A photo of a swimming shorts I've bought.

No different from any Vietnamese market. One sees the same merchandise everywhere. My best guess is that most of it comes from China. The prices are good. The quality is questionable. A great place to visit on s rainy or very hot day!