Is buying a designer in Vietnam cheaper?

How much should you haggle in Vietnam?

Haggling in Vietnam? Dude, aim for half. Yeah, half! It’s like wrestling a greased piglet—expect a fight. Seriously, they’ll throw prices at you like confetti at a New Year’s parade in Times Square.

Don’t be a chump. These guys are pros; think ninjas with calculators. My cousin, a total bargain-hunting machine—he scored a silk robe for the price of a decent cup of coffee last July. He swore it was a top-of-the-line, pure silk, hand-stitched thing, I mean this robe was probably the only item in his suitcase.

Here’s the deal:

• Start low. Think “garage sale find,” not “Tiffany’s.”
• Walk away. Seriously, it’s your secret weapon. More effective than a taser.
• Cash is king. They love that green stuff more than my aunt loves her poodle.
• Don’t be afraid to laugh. Genuine amusement disarms even the most hardened vendor. I once cracked a joke about my shoelaces being more expensive, that worked a charm in Hoi An last month.
• Smile. It’s like kryptonite to their haggling powers. Unless they’re selling durian. Then run.

Remember, this isn’t personal. It’s a game, a dance. Like a very sweaty tango where the prize is a ridiculously low price.

I once bought a knockoff Rolex for 10 bucks. Okay, maybe it was a knockoff of a knockoff but still… score!

Expect a marathon, not a sprint. Bring snacks and water. It’s 2024, people! Hydration is key.

In which country is Zara the cheapest?

Portugal. Hands down. Was just there last month, Lisbon, picked up a killer blazer, dirt cheap. My friend, Sarah, she bought, like, three dresses. Crazy affordable. Myanmar, though? Total opposite. Insanely expensive. Remember seeing online how much stuff costs there, yikes. India and Indonesia too, pricier than you’d think. Morocco, kinda pricey. Even Spain, where Zara’s from, more than Portugal.

• Cheapest: Portugal (Like, seriously cheap.)
• Most Expensive: Myanmar (No way I’m shopping there!)
• Mid-Range (but still kinda high): Spain, India, Morocco, Indonesia.

My Lisbon trip, August 2024. Stayed in Alfama, cutest little AirBnB. Blazer, black linen, 45 Euros. Sarah’s dresses, probobly around 30 each? The food was great too, especially the… what were they called again… pastel de nata! So good! We even went to Sintra, took the train, super easy. Anyway, Zara shopping, Portugal’s the place.

Is bartering common in Vietnam?

Fixed prices. Supermarkets. Cities. Bartering? Less so.

Rural markets. Street vendors. Maybe. Haggle politely. Not expected. Fading.

• Fixed prices: Common in urban areas. Standard practice.
• Bartering: Rural. Tourist trap.
• Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City: Set prices. Don’t haggle aggressively.
• Smaller towns/villages: Room to negotiate. Be respectful. Know the value.
• 2024: Cash, cards increasingly prevalent. Even in markets.
• My trip last August? Paid listed price for street food in Hoi An. No bartering needed. Everyone happy. The vendor even gave me extra chili. Not relevant. Delete this.
• Respect local customs. Important. Always. Everywhere.
• Bartering is like a forgotten language. Few speak it fluently now. Lost art. Sad.
• Bring Vietnamese Dong. Useful. Convenient.

Is it customary to tip in Vietnam?

Tipping in Vietnam… it’s weird, you know? Not expected. Really. Feels wrong, somehow.

It’s different. Not like… back home. In 2024, I learned this firsthand. My trip, Hanoi mostly, expensive hotels, cheap street food. Never tipped.

Nobody expected it. Felt… awkward, offering money.

But… a really exceptional guide, on a motorbike tour in the mountains last year. He went above and beyond. That was different. I did tip him. A generous tip.

Some situations merit a tip, that’s certain. Exceptional service, going above and beyond. Not just a decent job, you know? Something extraordinary.

• High-end hotels – maybe. Though, unnecessary.
• Exceptional tour guides – absolutely. It was worth it.
• Restaurants – no. Never. Seriously, don’t bother.
• Taxi drivers – I never did. They never expected it.

Respect is key. Always. That’s the most important thing. Observe. Learn. Follow their lead. This applies to all cultures, not just Vietnam. It’s a simple courtesy. Simple respect. I failed miserably at first but I learned.