A Reddit post has become an unexpected financial gospel for India’s cost-conscious tech buyers, and not without reason. One user, operating with the precision of a budget traveller and the clarity of a CFO, flew to Vietnam, bought a MacBook, vacationed for 11 days, and returned home having spent less than the MRP of the device in India.
Man Buys MacBook Outside India; Reddit Post Goes Viral
His story, shared on r/macoffer, reads like a case study on how to navigate global pricing disparities, use tax laws to your advantage, and extract the most out of a rupee in 2025. The mission was to avoid India’s punitive pricing on Apple devices, inflated by import duties and GST. The chosen workaround: purchase the laptop in Vietnam, where the same models are significantly cheaper and tourist VAT refunds are a legitimate, functioning incentive.
So he ran the numbers, booked the lowest round-trip fare he could find, packed his bags, and headed to Hanoi. Once there, it wasn’t just about clicking “buy.” He researched certified Apple resellers that could issue VAT-compliant invoices, a non-negotiable if you want your refund processed at the airport. The MacBook he wanted cost ₹1.85 lakh in India, even with bank discounts. After the refund in Vietnam, he paid ₹1.48 lakh. The savings were approximately ₹36,500. That’s not just a discount, that’s the cost of an international round-trip flight and a couple of nights at a decent hotel.
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His Hanoi Itinerary
He stayed 11 days there, worked remotely and ate his way through Hanoi’s street food scene. And when the numbers were tallied, the entire trip, including flights, stay, food, transport, and the MacBook, came to ₹2.08 lakh. Post-refund amount was around ₹1.97 lakh. If you subtract the cost of the laptop, his Vietnam vacation cost ₹48,000. That’s less than a weekend getaway in Goa during the season.
His post has lit up the subreddit, as it showed smart planning, a little logistical patience, and an eye for value in buying a MacBook outside India. The ripple effect is already visible: comments are full of people planning the same for the next iPhone release, with Vietnam and Dubai as top contenders.
What this user demonstrated wasn’t just how to save on a MacBook. He offered a blueprint on how to be street smart while enjoying your own share of luxury.
Cover Image Courtesy: u/shuict/Reddit
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