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Terrace Cafe @ Saigon Center
Nice big roads inside and outside the city
War Remnants Museum
River bargebargaining
The thing I enjoyed most about HCMC was the shopping and bargaining. Whether visiting Ben Thanh Market, Cholon, other markets or even street stalls, if you are not Vietnamese, you will be quoted the tourist price. Look at the item and decide what you would like to pay. That will be your midpoint between what they are asking and what you will offer.. Ask "how much", but ask in Vietnamese. They will be happy you took the trouble to learn a few words in their language and warm up to you. For example: The shopkeeper wants 400,000 dong (about 25 u.s. dollars). You decide that you would be happy if you got it for about 17 usd, or about 280,000 dong. T his is your midpoint between 400,000 and 160,000, which is what you offer. She wants 400,000, roll your eyes, let your jaw drop, act incredulous, and say "mac qua" pronounced "mack qwawh" which means "too expensive". She will probalblly find this amusing, and also be impressed that you know FOUR words in Vietnamese. Then you offer 160,000. She will have a handheld calculator just for such negotiaions. .She will act as if you want to confiscate her house and take her first born child, but she will make a counter offer. Whatever she comes down, you go up by an equal amount. Do not be surprised as you approach the midpoint if she stops coming down. She is testing your determination. Repeat your last offer and say "final offer". As she looks at the number on the calculator, smile and say "Da, da. Cam on." - pronouced "Da, da, Kam uhn" smile broadly. She will usually take this offer. If she counters again and is very close, go ahead and let her have the extra fifty cents. If it is a little more that that, ask for a small gift from her to compensate, a small change purse or fan, or a pair of nail clippers. Everyone is happy.
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