In Southern regions, xà bông usually colloquially refers to "laundry detergent" instead of "soap". If you go to a general store asking for a xà bông, they would give you laundry powder. You should be more specific by asking for a xà bông tắm(literally “soap for bathing”) if you want a real soap, and for a xà bông giặt(literally “soap for laundry”) if you want detergent.
