Tourists, impressed by the quality of the goods they have bought from Ben Thanh market and several souvenir shops in Ho Chi Minh City, could not help but return to make additional purchases. And each time they come back, they buy in larger quantities. Trading at Ben Thanh Market have been occurring for nearly 100 years, making it not only one of the oldest markets in Ho Chi Minh City but also a popular must-visit places for travelers. As the largest retail market, a wide range of products are available in the market. With around 1,470 booths selling regular-range to upper class products including clothes, shoes, textiles, souvenirs and food items, shoppers will simply be spoilt for choices. Tourists that make bulk purchases are mostly Japanese, South Korean, and Malaysians.

Mostly, they begin with regular small purchases. But after a wonderful experience from the bought goods, they tend to return at a more frequent basis to place large orders. Take for example, Dang My Van who sells footwear, bags, and handicrafts on downtown Dong Khoi Street. She said the Japanese and South Korean customers have returned to her shop after customers who gave her items away as gifts claimed that the recipients spoke so highly of the goods received. She recently received an order for US$20,000 worth of woven handbags from a South Korean tourist. Tourists who buy in bulk mostly intend to re-sell the items back home. Prices from these stalls can be very attractive and makes a lot of room for profit. According to Ly Thi Tuyet Mai and Vo Thi Kim Trang, both selling fabric at Ben Thanh market, Malaysian customers come by often to buy hundreds of pieces of fabric for resell. They also noticed how the buyers largely prefer Vietnamese fabric over Chinese-make. But some large purchases are simply for gift-giving purposes. Some tourists come by to Ben Thanh market simply to hunt for quality souvenirs they can bring back home and give away to family and friends.

Among the most sellable gift items are footwear. One booth owner in the market claims she sells several hundred pairs of sandals each day, and that a large percent of his buyers are from Southeast Asia. According to the deputy manager of Ben Thanh market, Duong Thi Mai Lan, some 10,000 shoppers come by everyday. 90 percent of the visitors are foreign tourists. With around 70 percent of the goods being sold under wholesale orders, business is so much alive here.