Ho Chi Minh City Shopping Tips by tampa_shawn

I NEVER thought I’d make this recommendation! If you’re like me you’ll want to LIMIT THE READING MATERIAL YOU BRING INTO VIETNAM

The reason I am saying this is twofold.

1) I found very little time to read while I was in Vietnam. Even when I needed to unwind I found myself looking out my window or chilling in a café watching the action on the street rather than picking up a book. In fact, I didn’t read a single book my entire time in Vietnam (I cannot say this about any other country I have visited)

2) Local children in the big cities sell a wide variety of books at inexpensive prices…so buy your books from them…they cost less than you’ll pay at home AND most of the children selling things on the street are doing it to supplement the families meager income so they can afford to go to school.

Tourist areas in Saigon and Hanoi are filled with children carrying several feet of books in their arms. If they don’t have a book you want ask for a catalogs and take a seat… They talked me into buying 7 books…one I bought just for the title, “There is no Toilet Paper on the Road Less Traveled”

Underprivileged children, Land mine and agent orange victims are all on the street trying to make a living. So buy your bottled water, travel guides, books, post cards and tiger balm from them and make their life a little better. It may cost you a few cents more but it will make a big difference in their lives.



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