5 Reasons why you must visit local markets in Vietnam – Seeing Vietnam

You'll meet Vietnamese people in their element. There will be vendors who work hard to make ends meet and are really good at their job. There will be locals who haggle with vendors. The atmosphere is going to be energetic and enticing. Most apartments in Ho Chi Minh City are located near the famous Cho Xom Chieu market which is one of the largest markets in the city. Buy your food raw from vendors and get them to cook your authentic local fare on the spot. You'll get to catch a deeper look into the country's way of life.

Vietnamese markets are vibrant and filled with a variety of interesting goods including fresh vegetables, tropical fruit, herbs and even household items. You can buy your own Ao 'Dai, a conical hat and even a landscape painting to take back home. Some markets house shoes, various gadgets, electronics and souvenirs all in one area. The Saigon Square located not too far from many accommodation options such as the Somerset Ho Chi Minh City is a great place to find good deals for most things under the sun.

If you are in need of a bit of retail therapy, local markets offer an enticing opportunity to do so without breaking the bank. You can find a local tour guide to help you bargain like a local. But remember to respect the vendors' right to make a decent earning. You can actually buy a lot of items from souvenirs, accessories, clothing items and even exquisitely crafted artefacts for bargain prices at local markets.

Vietnamese markets are scattered with street food vendors dishing up local cuisine. You can sit at a low table on stools to take succulent mouthfuls of noodles topped with beef and dip crispy spring rolls in nuoc cham sauce. Dong ba market Thua Thien-Hue is a particularly good place for foodies. Try the Banh bo (colourful sticky rice with a sweet on top) during Lunar New Year. Don't skip on sampling sour shrimp and crispy pancakes. You can quench your thirst with Vietnamese iced coffee or even beer. Ben Thanh market in Ho Chi Minh City is yet another food lover's paradise. Try some vermicelli with pork or sweet taro pudding.

The exhilarating range of hues and sceneries you'll capture on your market visits will blow away your friends and family back home. Tropical fruit and veggies sold at these markets alone are picture-perfect. Vendors proudly displaying their goods or bargaining with customers tell great still life stories. You can capture entire rows of souvenirs and low tables set with your favourite Vietnamese fare to take the memories back home.