Highway robbery in Halong's night market

Ha Long night market has been disappointing many visitors with exorbitant rates and poor service.

 

A variety of goods are for  sale at the night market but their prices are normally 2-3 times higher than that in other places.

As one of a few tourist spots in Ha Long City, the market has received more visitors since Ha Long became a new world wonder. However, many visitors, especially foreign tourists, have complained about being overcharged.

A variety of goods are for  sale at the night market but their prices are normally 2-3 times higher than that in other places.

Handicrafts are among the most expensive products. A hand-made ornamental boat costs between VND1,5 – 1,9 million (USD72-90), ornamental animals are priced from VND900,000 – 2 million (USD43-95), depending on quality and size.

Thanh Huong, a visitor from Nam Dinh Province said that, although there are plenty of products, visitors should only come to look because they will be cheated if they do not bargain well.

“The quality of the products on sale is also a problem. Many strings of pearls are made of plastic," Huong said.

The market is built to showcase the local products of Ha Long, but many of the goods including footwear, hats and glasses for sale are from China.

According to a reporters’ survey, these 'made-in-Ha Long' products can easily be found at many supermarkets in Hanoi at much lower prices. Big ornamental boats, for example, were found at VND 350,000 – 800,000 (USD14-38) at many supermarkets in Hanoi. A string of Ha Long pearl costs only VND 230,000 (USD11) at Dong Xuan Market, while they ask for VND 600,000 (USD28) at the night market.

P.A., a jeweler at Ha Long's night market said that their prices change according to the season. “We ask for higher prices during high season. We usually charge more for foreign visitors, who are our main customers. For example, we may charge VND 600,000 (USD28) to a foreign customer for this string of pearls, but maybe only half for a Vietnamese person."

According to Ho Anh Hoa, Vice Director of Thanh Nien MTV Company, which manages Ha Long night market, the same situation exists at every market.

“We also have an inspection board to help control overcharging, but we can't manage all the stalls in the market. We will create stricter regulations in the future to solve the problem," she said.