Han Market in Da Nang: A Chaotic Shopping Trip
After a grueling descent from the Marble Mountains, I drank a sweet coffee right out front and finally regained some of my senses. I can say this now, but honestly, I just wanted to forget the trip and rest in my room. My friend, however, was riding the high of their "first trip in a while." Promising me that "there are no more exhausting schedules left," they didn't hesitate to hail a taxi straight to Han Market.
When I travel, I usually pack light from Seoul and buy a few local-style outfits to wear around once I arrive. I figured, 'Hmm... I didn't get to buy any clothes in Hoi An, so this is a pretty good deal.' But arriving at the market with that mindset was a huge mistake.
Even back in Seoul, I can't spend more than an hour shopping at a market. I have brands I like, sure, but usually, if you just do a quick lap, you'll spot a few pieces that match your vibe for the day, right? I never imagined we would spend two hours here haggling and picking out clothes. My friend had read on a blog about a vendor who speaks good Korean and sells at fixed prices, and absolutely refused to look at any other stall. Plus, Nike in Vietnam?! Waiting this long and fighting through the crowds just to buy knockoffs (though the material was admittedly good) makes me realize I'll never truly understand this guy.
Everyone is different, but to my eyes, that stall looked exactly the same as all the others. And if it's a "fixed price," how does it make sense that they give you a discount for buying more? You can literally just go to the stall next door, lowball them, turn around to leave, and they'll agree to your price. I just couldn't understand why he was picking things out so intensely. It's not because I was tired. Really. I just genuinely didn't understand.
What I bought was a red t-shirt with a star on the chest (the symbol of Vietnam and its national football team), an Ao Dai set, and a local-style bag. It took me exactly five minutes to buy them. I just went to the oldest-looking grandma and bought them, probably getting ripped off a bit in the process. But even if you buy like that, the difference is only 4,000 to 5,000 KRW, everyone! ㅠㅠ
We even came back the very next day to exchange sizes!!!!!!
To the guys out there: please brace yourselves before coming here. Make sure your phone battery is fully charged so you can play games for about two hours. There's nowhere proper to sit, and if a baby starts whining, you might actually panic.