The 3,000 VND doughnut that costs 30,000 by the lake

Around Hoan Kiem Lake, snacks from roving baskets run 20,000–30,000 VND (~$0.80–1.20) per item — the same doughnut or piece of fruit costs 2,000–3,000 VND in a shop. One documented 2025 case: a tourist charged $16.50 for ten doughnuts. The pitch is warm and chatty; the markup is the product.