Be careful with street vendors in Vietnam!

Were you ripped off by street vendors in Vietnam ?
If yes, I am sure you felt so bad. This happens not only to foreigners but also to Vietnamese like me.

I can tell you some of my bad experience.

One time, I went to the Old Quarter to meet some of my Indian clients. We went out to Hang Dao street, the lady in the group asked me the name of some fruits that vendors mix and sell on the street. I guessed she wanted to try, so I asked the vendor for the price of Dracontomelon, she said 25,000 VND/ 100 gram. I said: Give me 200 gram. Quickly, she gave me a bag includes Dracontomelon and Mango and said it is 100,000 VND. I told her, I dont need to buy that much but she started to shout 100,000 VND. I didn't want to argue with her, so I paid and leave. Remind myself that I will never buy such things again the Old Quarter. Other times, when I go there, foreigners keep feeling curious about the mix fruits but I told them my experience, so I am not going to buy again.
Another time, I was in the Old Quarter to escort a big group of Indonesian and felt so hungry, I found shrimp cake look so tasty sold on the Street, I ordered two and ate there. While I was eating, some other came and asked for doughnut, the seller said NO, I wondered why she refused to sell. Later on, I learnt that they say NO to those who want to buy just one doughnut.

The next day, I went out with 2 tour leaders of the group, we all felt tired and hungry after a hard day, we wanted to find something to eat, so we ordered Shrimp Cake again, to my surprised, she increased the price. I told her, I ate here yesterday night, why today she increased the price. She couldn't say anything and paid me back the balance. We walked away, then we found ripe mango, when we were holding the mangoes and see which ones to take. All of a sudden, I found the mango disappear from my hand, ran to the seller's hand, she scolded at me and said: I don't sell it. If you want to buy it, you must take it quickly, you cant choose. We said: well, it is fine. We wont buy it and never buy it.

Yes, these are only some of my bad experience to the vendors. I just want to share with you so you can avoid. If you would be in the same case, please just forget about them. I am sure that if they keep this manner, their business will go down and disappear. Except some of the bad people, Vietnamese people are so friendly and helpful.

Tips for dealing with streets vendors in Vietnam: 

+ Look at vendors' face to see if you can trust them or not.
 + If you are interested in the goods, ask for the price. If the price sounds reasonable, you could try. + Do count Vietnam Dong carefully as Vietnamese Currency uses huge numbers. Everyone is in millionaire in Vietnam.
+ Do not accept FREE things from strangers on the street. After you take it, they will force you to pay money.
+ Do not take time with them, if you do not like to buy, just say Thank you/ Cảm ơn and leave.

We wish you a safe and wonderful  holiday in Vietnam!