What Goods Are Considered Bargains In Saigon?

[buzzer]

Hi,

I'm going to Saigon for just 4 days to take care of my visa requirements for Thailand. I'm also going to meet a guitar manufacturer there that I've dealt with before, to see if we can work out some kind of business deal before I return to the states in a couple months.

Is Vietnam noted for anything they do well, and cheap? I'm thinking on getting my teeth worked on in Thailand, but if Vietnam is better, I'm flexible.

I'm also looking for 6 amplifiers for a 6.1 home audio system. The ones I've found here are either low quality or high price. I might pick up a HD digital movie camera, but don't know if it's cheaper here, there, or wait til I get back to the states.

Any particular shopping areas in Saigon worth checking out?

Thanks,

Buzzer

[RickBradford]

Try this magazine.

Silk is good, tailoring is good, medical/dental is extremely good.

The whole city is a bazaar, and in its way, much more compact than Bangkok. Everything you could possibly need is within a short taxi-ride (although the traffic gets worse every day).

The Ben Thanh market is the central bazaar, and has almost everything.

[hanno]

I do not know about the cost in Thailand, but I had two implants done in HCMC last Monday and paid USD 1,700 for the implants (but NOT the crowns that will go on top) as well as full anesthetics in an excellent clinic.

Personally I hate Ben Thanh market, way to much hustling and a lot of the stuff is rubbish. And if you are not an expert on silk, expect to get ripped off. I think the time for bargains in HCMC, or indeed Vietnam, has gone.