Haggling for the best bargains and searching through stalls for the perfect product is all a part of the Vietnamese market experience! I found myself bartering for souvenirs and snacks during my time at the market. Our hosts advised us on accurate prices and many of the vendors accepted U.S. dollars. The experience was new to me as most prices are fixed in the U.S. However, they are usually marked up by 70 percent overseas. Haggling plays a large role in the lives of the Vietnamese and is an integrated aspect of many cultures, including India. We visited markets centered around both locals and tourists.
A majority of Vietnamese food is sold at local wet markets, where buyers come early to purchase fresh food daily. There are supermarkets that are slowly gaining popularity. I had the chance to tour both a traditional market and a modern grocery store. Popular products included sea food, poultry, rice and fruit. Imported products such as American cereals were typically more expensive. The markets proved that Vietnam's reputation for fresh, healthy food was true!
The fresh fruit in Vietnam is delicious! No visit is complete without sampling dragon or star fruit!
Fresh meat was sold in open markets, which is not something you typically see in the U.S.
More seafood products!
In the Asian marketplace our guide pointed out American soybeans. Just goes to show how far American agriculture extends!
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