My Australian friend paid $47 for a pair of shoes at Ben Thanh Market that I got for $13

But when I went there myself, I got to buy three pairs for only VND1 million ($39).

Despite living and working in HCMC, I have only visited Ben Thanh Market that one time, when I was showing the friend, a business client from Australia, around the city's most famous spots.

When we reached the market, I warned him that there was nothing special there and that prices were notoriously high, but he insisted on coming in.

Foreign visitors at Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo by VnExpress/Ha Giang

After walking around, he decided to buy a few pairs of internationally branded shoes as gifts for his children. The vendor initially asked for VND1.8 million per pair. Since I had already told him to bargain, my friend cautiously offered 30% less, bringing the price down to VND1.2 million. To his surprise, the vendor agreed immediately.

He then proudly showed me his purchase, convinced that he had scored a great deal. Curious, I asked to see the shoes. One look and I patted his shoulder, laughing—it was a knockoff. And for VND1.2 million a pair, he had overpaid.

Wanting to prove my point, I walked around the market alone, searching for the same shoes. As a local, I easily bargained and got three pairs for VND1 million, which was less than 20% the vendor's original asking price.

My friend was shocked at how much prices were inflated for foreign customers at the market.

Nowadays, anyone can check prices online in seconds. If vendors at Ben Thanh, and other traditional markets, keep overcharging, they will eventually lose all their customers and go out of business.

It's great that foreign tourists want to visit Ben Thanh Market. So why not offer fair and reasonable prices to benefit both vendors and customers? That would strengthen Vietnam's reputation and encourage more visitors to shop. Otherwise, people will keep browsing but rarely buy anything anymore.