1. Do people in your country enjoy going to open-air markets that sell things like food,clothes, old objects?

Yes they do. Open-air markets are open every day even during holidays around Vietnam, so we have the habit of going to local markets almost every day. For adults, they get used to waking up really early in the morning, then heading to the market as early as possible. The reason is that local produce, like vegetables, and meat is freshest in the morning, especially vegetables might have just been harvested just the previous day. But keep in mind that if you want to buy clothes, it is best to go in the afternoon as the shoppers will consider that you bring bad luck to her store if you don’t buy anything for them right in the early morning.

2. Do you think young people feel the same about shopping at markets as older people? Why is that?

Well, I think the young don’t like shopping at markets as much as the elderly do. Young people incline toward malls/shopping centers to local markets for different reasons, like, there is a wide assortment of items accessible, so they can find all the international and local brands under one roof, which makes it easier to compare different products and buy one that matches their budget and preference. Besides, the young generation is ready to pay more than the street shops to get better quality products. On the contrary, the elderly prefer local markets where they have access to more organic produce at a more reasonable price compared to those in supermarkets, and this gives them the chance to mingle with their neighbours.

3. What do you think are the advantages of buying things from shops rather than markets?

Well, the first benefit is better product quality. For example, we can buy cheap, low-quality clothes at the market but after only a few wears they may fall apart or lose their shape, whereas most of the clothes we purchase in shops are, while more expensive, generally made better, from good fabrics that last longer, to the stitching, so clothes that you spend more are designed to last. Another advantage is food safety and hygiene /ˈhaɪdʒiːn/. Food at markets like vegetables, fruits, and meat offered for sale are kept at outdoor temperature, and they could be left uncovered on counters, or chilled or frozen foods have been left out of the refrigerator or freezer, so poor storage can lead to unhygienic food. In contrast, food at grocery stores is often kept at appropriate temperatures to keep them clean and fresh, so we don’t have to worry about food spoilage /ˈspɔɪlɪdʒ/.