OpenTube

$800 Shopping Challenge: Saigon Market Hunt IV 🇻🇳

Harald Baldr

377,717 views

■ SAIGON, VIETNAM: WIth the Dong in freefall against the Dollar since my last Saigon shopping excursion, I figured the timing was perfect to once again go and buy some high quality shirts, wallets, watches and jewelry in my favorite Vietnamese market.

A strong Dollar however means ever more Dong for my buck! Can I run through them all? Or will I fail and end up exhausted with a surplus of Dongs?

In an effort to break my spending record and succed with this shopping challenge, I ended up having to expand the geographical area I'd buy items in and even branch out into the vintage watch niche and local Vietnam jade jewelry. Will The Northman fail or succeed as usuaL?

00:00 - $800 challenge introduction
01:50 - Bag vendor reunion
06:04 - Snake leather wallets
07:40 - $100 "Outrage Bonus" rule
10:18 - Famous wallet vendor
12:12 - Bulk wallet purchase for subscribers
15:52 - Market shop ownership and rent
21:12 - Linen shirts and pants
24:12 - Linen set bargaining
30:30 - Linen polo price deal
35:34 - Departure for new adventure
37:00 - Coconut break and subscriber meet-up
40:30 - Vintage watch dealer commute
44:03 - Upscale vintage watch shop arrival
47:50 - Rare 1970s Seiko and Omega watches
49:25 - 1973 Japanese Imperial Wedding anniversary watch
53:35 - High-end mechanical watch purchase
58:55 - Saigon "Book Street" tour
1:01:20 - North Vietnamese soldier’s war memoir
1:03:30 - Ideology and book translations in Vietnam
1:05:55 - Traditional fans and postcards
1:08:00 - Persistent rickshaw driver encounter
1:10:52 - Jade lotus and fish jewelry
1:13:45 - Carp fish and kitchen gods tradition
1:17:50 - Jade protection pendants and bamboo jewelry
1:21:50 - Final purchase: silver lotus leaf pendant
1:24:00 - Historic 19th-century post office visit
1:28:40 - Room tour and treasure reveal

■ More Vietnam Market Shopping Videos 🇻🇳

■ $200 Shopping Challenge Saigon: $200 Shopping Challenge: Saigon Market Hun...
■ $400 Shopping Challenge Saigon II: $400 Shopping Challenge: Saigon Market Hun...
■ $600 Shopping Challenge: Saigon VI: $600 Shopping Challenge: Saigon Market Hun...

■ Tokyo Market Hunt: Japan's Weirdest $300 Shopping Trip: Tokyo... 🇯🇵

instagram: TheNorthmanRedux

20 Comments

@sidbobs 6 months ago Pinned

The vendors know it's about to be a good day when the northman arrives flashing his dong!

@Chelsify 6 months ago

I'm 66 and disabled so I get to see the World through your awesome Videos Harald. Keep doing what you're doing!

@sweatycrabthailand4262 6 months ago

what does the whole world need right now?

A little beach

@HaraldBaldr Creator 6 months ago

- I've got 4 looooong vids from a new location in the making but they require some editing, mucho actually, and some Voicever work as I visited a historical place it has been 25 years since I read about and hence couldn't really make the place come alive with great facts and stories. So I'll have to do some studying and then spend days editing each vid before they are ready. Hence why I threw this market hunt up first as it was easy to string together in half a day 🫡

@WandererOps 6 months ago

The girl at the jewelry shop had a real talent for storytelling, which was pretty cool. It’s a good reminder for anyone in sales. If you can connect a story to the product, you’re probably going to be a lot more successful.

@psdco 6 months ago

1:11:02 I admire Vietnamese women like her, knowledgeable, sweet, and very professional. She clearly understands her products and presents them with confidence. Truly a bright and remarkable woman. 😍

@SaltyWalty1225 6 months ago

The dude selling bags absolutely loves you. See how he froze for a second like is it really him (reminds me of how Mama Z's husband was embarrassed when he wasnt sure if you was you)😂 you definitely brightened up his day!

@Nigelllllllllllllll 6 months ago

Haraldo, holder of the dongs

@JimzOnDroid 6 months ago

The backpack sellers are becoming channel regulars. They are so happy to see you! People remember you being so friendly with them. Good job Harold 👍

@Tsenngu 6 months ago

That watch dealer gets respect. You can see his passion about keeping alot of the watches for himself to enjoy his collection for a time before selling again. Even with all the fancy smart watches we use today there are some real nice vintage watches in that shop that a normal person can afford.

@beaccountable2 6 months ago

When the Jewelry lady asked "Are you filming now?" Dang, that's Harald's sister!

@nicoloas99 6 months ago

Harald, the market videos are honestly some of the best on YouTube. Watching you walk through the markets in Saigon feels like being dropped right into the middle of the real Vietnam — the sounds, the bargaining, the fresh food, the chaos, and the smiles from the vendors. Most travel videos show the tourist spots, but you show the heartbeat of the city.

Also, the way you confidently buy random things from the market and just roll with it always makes me laugh. One minute it’s a hat for the Northman , the next it’s some mysterious snack nobody watching has ever seen before.

If I ever visit Saigon, my entire itinerary will basically be:

1. Find a chaotic local market
2. Buy food I can’t pronounce
3. Sit on a tiny plastic chair and enjoy life

Thanks for showing the real side of places most of us would never experience otherwise. Keep the market adventures coming! 🥭

@leonidaszamora3439 6 months ago

I found harold during the time i was browsing about the capsule hotel. Fast forward after a couple years. I'm always hooked up with his video. This is what we need. 9-5 daily grind is not only depressing but also boring. Your video reminds us that we can also enjoy life by simply watching your favorite YouTuber explore the world and interact with people. Thank you and we are always looking forward to the next video. More power and good health to you Harald.

@kuyagords 6 months ago

The jewelry lady is a great salesperson. I love hearing the significance of something beyond just the appearance of it.

@unclejohnnicaragua 6 months ago

The yellow dress young lady is so pretty. The story teller girl selling the Jewelry

@birat058 6 months ago

Watching The Northman explore the markets of Ho Chi Minh City reminds me that peace doesn’t start with governments — it starts with people. Different languages, different cultures, but the same smiles, the same hospitality, and the same human spirit. If more people traveled, talked, and understood each other like this, the world would feel a lot closer to peace. ✌️🌏

@CallieInspires 6 months ago

The 'Thank you, sir' felt so genuine. You could really see the sincerity in the way they said it, it’s clear their gratitude toward you is real.

@ChantalEsther-mc2og 6 months ago

Hi harold , good to see you back. While the world is fighting, you bring happiness to people around .watching your video really brings a lot of reflection on how people like you do make other people's lives better .take care. I really admire you❤ keep it up. God bless you.

@rescon86 6 months ago

I’ve been watching you for years now. One thing I really respect is that you’ve always stayed grounded. You don’t pretend to have less than you do like some creators, but you’re not showing off either... You’re just honest. Also appreciate that you never rely on cringe jokes or putting others down. That’s rare on YouTube.

@awaywithpaul3423 6 months ago

I love when you go back to places and the same people are there. I’ve been watching you for so long I remember the first times you were there and it feels great to see old friends I’ve never even met! Love your work