Travel tips

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Photo: Collected

When exploring Ben Thanh Market, many a time tourists find their favorite items, knowing that the prices are exorbitantly high. So, why not try bargaining? For tourists from Western culture, the concept of fixed-priced items is so familiar that bargaining seems to be an embarrassing idea. In fact, bargaining is nothing new in Eastern culture; after visiting a few markets, you almost start to limber up at the prospect of haggling your way through amazing bargains. Here are some tips to help you negotiate your way through the market and make the most of your experience visiting Ben Thanh Market.

Tags: tourist attractions, shopping, markets, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

How To Get To Ben Thanh Market?

Ben Thanh Market is located on Le Loi Street, Ben Thanh Ward, and is situated fairly central in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

The exact directions to the market depend of course on where you’re staying but as long as you’re central in Ho Chi Minh City, you can easily walk to the marketplace. It is definitely within walking distance of most of the tourist attractions in  Ho Chi Minh City so once you start to do some sightseeing, make a note to visit the market.

Source: Scooter Saigon Tour

Shopping inside the market will require you to practice 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.

Below are some tips

1. Do not buy the first thing you see

The market is full of a lot of people selling fairly similar things so get a sense of the price in a few places before finally deciding on what you want. If you find a place that particularly catches your attention – make a note of where it is.

Source: Collected

The market is not the ‘biggest market’ but it’s fairly easy to get lost here – which is probably not a bad thing as you’ll most likely end up finding another bargain elsewhere but try to keep an eye out for marker to help you negotiate back to where you need to be.

2. Do not pre-determine a fixed price in your head before you start to bargain

Your price will typically end up either being too high or too low. After checking out a few places, you’ll get a sense of what their starting prices are.

You can typically go lower than that starting price and pay between 1/3 or 1/4 of the starting price.

I’m sure you can go even lower than this but by this point, I figure I’m only saving myself pennies (which would mean more to them than it would to me) so I just let it go.

3. Smile, laugh, and generally be nice

People always respond to positivity here and it makes for a more pleasant experience for both of you.

Source: Freepik

It’s a market after all and there’s no need to take things so seriously especially if you’re just visiting as a tourist.

4. Think about your luggage weight and size limits

It’s so easy to get carried away with items that you ‘just had to have’ only to get back to your hotel and find out that it doesn’t even fit into your luggage or is too heavy to take with you.

You’ll just end up disappointing yourself when you have to leave it at the hotel/hostel/airport.

5. Be prepared to walk away from a deal

This actually gives you more power and in most cases, will get you called back by the seller with an acceptance of your ‘lowest offer price’.

Don’t be afraid to walk away – if you get too attached to the item, you lose the power whereas you could just walk a few stalls down and find the exact same item at a much cheaper price. 

Source: Collected

Only walk away when you know that you’re happy with the price you’ve asked for as when they call you back, it’s typically to accept that price.

6. Ask questions

Even if they can’t answer them (perhaps out of not knowing the answer of out of language barriers), the sellers can recruit help from other people to answer your questions.

In any case, this keeps the conversation flowing and helps create a better rapport which can help you get the prices you want to pay.

7. When told the first price; give out a slightly shocked look

Haggling is sometimes like a game or some kind of dance so this surprised look you will wear is all part of it.

Subliminally, it sets the tone and lets the seller know their price isn’t quite right for you.

Source: Freepik

You don’t even need to think about what price it is – it’s always going to be higher than what you should pay so practice your ‘surprised look’ at home before you venture out bargain hunting!

In short, 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.

 

Reference: Vietnam Local Guide, Hand Luggage Only

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Life is developing, traveling abroad is no longer too strange for Vietnamese people. In addition to passports and air tickets, currency issues are also one of the top concerns when exiting.

To exchange money safely and effectively, you need to keep the following in mind:

1. Choose a reputable currency exchange location

It is recommended to exchange money at banks, gold shops or licensed money changers. These locations often have competitive exchange rates and low conversion fees. You should avoid exchanging money at small, unreputable money changers because it can be scammed.

2. Exchange rate comparison

Before exchanging money, you should compare exchange rates at different locations to choose the best one. You can use online exchange rate calculators or currency converter apps to compare rates.

 3. Bring identification

 When exchanging money at a bank or gold shop, you need to bring identification such as an identity card or passport to verify your identity.

4.      Thorough cash checks

 When receiving cash after redemption, you should double-check it to make sure it is not torn, devalued or tampered with.

 5. Redeem only the required amount

 You should only exchange the amount needed for the trip to avoid loss. You can use a credit or debit card to pay when shopping overseas.

Here are some tips for exchanging money while traveling:

  • If you plan to travel to multiple countries, you can exchange money to an intermediate currency such as USD or EUR. You can then exchange the intermediary currency to the currency of each country when you get there.

  • You should exchange currency at least 1-2 weeks before departure for the best rate.

  • If you exchange money at the bank, you should visit the bank during office hours for quick and convenient service.

  • If you exchange money at a gold shop, you should go to a reputable, branded gold store to ensure cash quality.

 

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What is travel insurance?

Before learning about travel insurance companies, we need to understand the overall concept of this type of insurance.

Travel insurance is a type of insurance chosen by many customers. This travel insurance is an insurance used to cover expenses and accidents arising during the customer's travel and vacation. Currently, travel insurance is provided in 2 forms: insurance when traveling domestically and insurance when traveling abroad.

Why buy domestic and international travel insurance?

Today, many people have been choosing travel insurance when traveling domestically and internationally. However, people have a lot of questions about which company to buy travel insurance from or which insurance company is the best today.

Travel insurance helps insurance users avoid large losses related to travel expenses. When choosing to use travel insurance, users will not have to worry about expenses or problems arising. Travel insurance will cover all travel losses for you such as cancellation of air tickets, late baggage, loss of documents while traveling, etc.

Top 17 reputable travel insurance companies in Vietnam:

This list includes lists of insurance companies in Ho Chi Minh City, lists of insurance companies in Hanoi and lists of insurance companies in Da Nang.

  1. Bao Viet Travel Insurance

  2. Bao Minh Travel Insurance

  3. Which is the best insurance company today: Pacific Cross Insurance Vietnam

  4. BIC Travel Insurance

  5. PVI Travel Insurance

  6.   Liberty Travel Insurance Company

  7.  Vietinbank Travel Insurance

  8. PTI Travel Insurance

  9. AIG Travel Insurance

  10. Chubb Travel Insurance

  11. Pjico Travel Insurance Company in Vietnam

  12. HSBC Travel Insurance

  13. AAA Travel Insurance

  14.  ACE Travel Insurance

  15. BIDV Travel Insurance Company

  16. Vietjet Travel Insurance

  17. VNI Travel Insurance

Source: Pacific Cross

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Photo: Collected

Can Vietnam visas be extended? What should I do if I want to stay longer in Vietnam when my visa expires? Those are some questions that tourists are concerned about.

Overview

Visa extension for foreigners in Vietnam means that foreigners who already have a visa and are temporarily residing in Vietnam for a legal purpose want to extend the temporary stay period. The application for visa extension can be carried out in person or online via the National Public Service Portal and the Ministry of Public Security public service portal.

There are many types of Vietnam visas with many different purposes, including some common types of visas that foreigners can ask for an extension when the visa expires. Common visa types are commercial and business visas (DN 1, DN 2), investment visas (DT 1, DN 2, DT 3, DT 4), labor visas (LD1, LD2), family visit visas (TT), tourist visas (DL).

You can extend your visa for a period of 1 month to 3 months, for multiple entries or single entry, and for all types of Visa in Vietnam.

Individuals need to be sponsored by an agency or organization to be able to extend their visa.

Instructions for online visa extension applications for foreigners

1. Conditions for online visa extension via National Service Portal

  • Foreigners must be temporarily residing in Vietnam; Passport is still valid
  • Have documents proving that staying in Vietnam is necessary and has a legitimate reason
  • Enterprises and organizations sponsoring foreigners must register for electronic immigration accounts.

2. Visa extension registration process for foreigners online via National Service Portal

Step 1: Visit the National Public Service Portal website and log in with your registered and approved account

Select the online application section on the menu bar and enter search information with the keyword "Extension" and under "Immigration Management"

Select the item Extension of temporary residence for foreigners in Vietnam (carried out at the Municipal level)

Select Submit application

Step 2: Fill in the information required by the online system

With the declaration forms, download the file with the information of the sponsoring company as well as the information of the foreigner and then digitally sign to complete the application.

Step 3: Deliver the passport to the Immigration Department according to the system's instructions

Step 4: Pay the fee according to the instructions of the Public Service Portal when the application is received and the fee is applied

Normally the fee will be applied after the passport is delivered to the Immigration Department and the passport and documents are received. The immigration agency will impose a fee and then the registrant can access the online payment system.

Step 5: Check visa extension results online. During the process of the application being considered for processing, the applicant can check the status of the application using the application code.

 

Reference: visadatviet.com, www.xuatnhapcanh.com.vn

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