What to Buy in Vietnam
Vietnam Shopping
A good shopping session in
Vietnam
might start off with clothing, especially tailored suits and dresses made from
quality fabrics including silk. Many women tourists also buy ao dai to fit
their size.
These are the traditional
Vietnamese long blouse and pants made in light, floaty, material, perfect for
warm weather.
Many young local fashion
designers have learned to to take inspiration from both Vietnamese and Western
styles, making their designs more attractive.
What to Buy
Traditional conical
Vietnamese hats can be found everywhere, as well as such unique gifts as
slippers, shoes, and handbags made from traditional materials like silk and
bamboo. For those who love handicrafts, it is easy to find beautiful items such
as lacquer ware, vases, trays, rosewood boxes, wood-block prints, oil or
watercolor paintings, blinds made from bamboo, reed mats, carpets, ceramics and
leather work. For more valuable items such as art, antiques and jewelry, you
should know that some of these are subject to regulations governing the export
of antiques. Ask the dealer about this.
Also, when buying really
expensive items, get an expert to certify whether the item you plan to buy is a
genuine antique or an imitation; copy “antiques” are not uncommon in the
Vietnamese market. As for jewellery, although Vietnam is rich in gemstones, this
does not mean they are cheap, so be suspicious of “special” deals. It is wise
to shop for such items only at highly recommended outlets – the last thing you
need is to pay large sums for coloured glass.
How to Buy
Experienced visitors to Vietnam
recommend always driving a hard bargain when shopping in this country. Hard
does not mean aggressive, however. The trick is to bargain with a smile and to
be polite – this way, you will probably get what you want at a price with which
you and the dealer are both happy. If you have time to spare, it is always wise
to compare products and prices; don’t just buy the first item you see in the
first shop.
Many people will also tell
you that buying from street vendors is cheaper than buying in malls or markets,
but this is not always the case, so shop around. It is better to take your time
and enjoy searching for good Vietnamese souvenirs and gifts for your family and
friends.
Many tourists can’t help
but throw themselves head-first into shopping while in Vietnam. Why?
Probably the variety of quality goods and the tempting prices have a lot to do
with it. Many low-budget travelers considered Vietnam a heavenly place because in
many shopping situations they can bargain the prices down to as much as a third
of the original cost.
The list of Vietnamese
bargains is seemingly endless and features bespoke tailoring and the national
dress, the 'ao dai' from high-quality silk and many other types of material and
textiles while many shoppers cannot get enough of the local handicraft, art and
jewelry.
Ha Long Bay
Shopping
Where to Shop and What to
Buy in Ha Long Bay
Though there are limited
options for shopping in Halong
Bay, what is actually
available can be very interesting. Try the night market at Bai Chay Town. It is set up with many small
open-air stalls with good collections of Vietnamese products includes the
famous traditional Vietnamese silk dress (ao dai), lacquerware, chopsticks,
trinkets, ceramic tea sets, Vietnamese conical hats (nón lá) and dolls.
Experienced shoppers recommend bargaining hard to 30-50% of the original
offered price. Most shops accept US Dollars as well as the local currency,
Dong.
Another fun way of shopping
is from small floating shops. Local people row boats filled with goods such as
beer, vodka, cigarettes, potato chips, cookies and other snacks. Their small
boats are usually laden with goods in a very organised way and even if you're
not buying anything these vessels are fascinating to see and photograph.
It is important for
shoppers not to encourage vendors selling stalagmites and stalactites as they
should stay where they belong – inside Halong’s caves and grottos.
Hanoi Shopping
Where to Shop and What to
Buy in Hanoi
If you're particularly
enthusiastic about quality textiles, clothes and handicrafts, shopping in Hanoi will not
disappoint.
The city also has a good
range of day and night markets, both indoors and outdoors and you'll find that
night markets are more of a social than shopping occasion but that doesn't
preclude finding bargains at night.
There's a good arts scene
alive in Hanoi and let's face it; in a city this
size with a shopaholic population you're going to find a lot to buy but under
less stressful conditions than frenetic Ho
Chi Minh City.
Hang Bac Street
Hang Bac Street is one of the oldest streets
in Vietnam
and has its roots in silver making dating back to the 13th century when silver
casters where brought here from rural villages by request of Le Thang Tong.
Silver goods are still produced here today with most of the work being
completely original made by secret methods that have been passed down for
generations. This is a charming street to explore, rich in history and culture
in addition to jewellers selling beautiful Vietnamese pieces.
Opening Hours: 10:00-20:00
Location: Hang Bac
Street, Hoan Kiem District
Hang Dau
Street
Shoe shoppers will be in
retail heaven with hundreds of shoe sellers lining Hang Dau Street. Western men may not find
much over size nine but there is plenty of choice in women’s shoes. Most of the
footwear consists of brand names made at Vietnamese factories that have been
rejected as seconds, making them a great purchase with usually only a small imperfection.
There are also plenty of fake reproduction bags where Hang Dau Street meets Lo Su.
Opening Hours: 09:00-20:00 (For most
stores)
Location: Northeast
Corner of Hoan Kiem Lake, near the Lo Su intersection
Hang Gai
Street
Personally tailored suits
made to measure from superb quality silk are best bought from a tailor on Hang Gai Street,
renowned for its quality and choice of craftsmen. Most stores take credit cards
and you should start bargaining at around 50% of the asking price and pay no
more than 70%. Suits can be ready in 24 hours and it pays to go to a better
quality store and avoid the market street traders to guarantee the best quality
silk. This is also a great street to buy rice paper products including
paintings, notebooks, lamps and cards.
Intimex Supermarket
Hanoi has its fair share of
niche gourmet retail outlets including Intimex which sells a good selection of
imported foodstuff and wines on its ground floor. There is also a department
store on the second level, small but well stocked - prices are fixed so there’s
no need to bargain.
Opening Hours: 07:30-20:30
Location: 22-23 Le Thai
To Street, West side of Hoan
Kiem Lake
Little Hanoi
The shopping area of
Little Hanoi covers Nha Tho Street or ‘Church Street’ and Xuan Dieu Street where more affluent
consumers and tourists seek chic souvenirs and unusual pieces of home
furnishings. There are also a few upmarket flagship shops in this area including
Burberry and Esprit largely due to the area’s proximity to a few five-star
hotels. Nha Tho Street is a good area to pick up silk, quality lacquer ware and
art. Xuan Dieu Street
is a great place to look for more quirky items including trinkets, propaganda
objects and cartoon memorabilia.
Opening Hours: 09:00-20:00 (For most
stores)
Location: Nha Tho
Street (close to the Cathedral) and Xuan
Dieu Street, Tay Ho
Pho Trang Tien
Pho Trang Tien is the
street to find art from the private galleries located between the Hanoi
Opera House and Hoan Kiem
Lake. Bargaining is expected here and art works worth looking out for
include those from the up and coming artists quietly making a name for
themselves in this great Old
Quarter location.
Opening Hours: 10:00-21:00
Location: Pho Trang Tien,
Hoan Kiem Lake
The Gourmand Shop
Exquisite wines from
across the globe, gourmet cheeses, fine chocolate and a variety of other
decadent deli treats to satiate the most refined palates. The Gourmand Shop is Hanoi’s vender of choice
luxury foods and wines.
Trang Tien
Plaza
Imported brand names
covering the world of fashion, apparel and electronic goods pack the
three-storey upmarket Trang
Tien Plaza,
attracting a young trendy local crowd. Most products are in the luxury bracket
at this thriving western-style mall with products including jeans such as Levis and Sony Cameras.
The mall is situated on the edge of Hoan Kiem
Lake and features a supermarket on the top floor.
Opening Hours: 08:00-21:00
Location: Southeast
Corner of Hoan Kiem Lake
Markets in Hanoi
Smaller than Dong Xuan and
offering a more select product range, Hang Da is the place to come for imported
wine, flowers, second-hand clothes and fabrics. Read
More...
Dong Xuan Market
Hanoi’s largest covered market,
Dong Xuan is usually found on most visitors sightseeing list. It’s a sprawling
traditional Vietnamese market best visited early or late in the day. There are
plenty of trinkets, bags, t-shirts, homeware, art and fake good galore in this
bustling, crowded space. The market is spread out over three floors with plenty
of hawker stalls inside and out; it’s an interesting place to visit in the
evening when it’s all lit up and certainly a great place to get some superb
holiday photos. Dong Xuan is a three-storey market located in
the Old
Quarter, 900m north of the Hoan Kiem
Lake.
Opening Hours: 07:00-21:00
Location: Dong Xuan Street, North
part of Old Quarter
Weekend Night Market
There are around Dong Xuan
Market morphs into a night bazaar at the weekend. This is much more a social
occasion than a shopping one and if you are seriously looking after bargains
with little time to spare perhaps this is not the best destination. Be wary of
pickpockets.
Ho Chi Minh City Shopping
Where to Shop and What to
Buy in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi
Minh City is a fun place to shop for bargains. Some goods
can be unique and fascinating – old propaganda posters, for example; we found
one that exhorted people to plant garlic for export.
Clothing includes silks
and hand-woven fabrics with a reputation for high quality. Vietnam is also
famous for handicrafts including bamboo ware, ceramics and lacquer. There
are, too, all the usual holiday souvenirs such as T-shirts and beaded handbags
at prices that are hard to beat.
10 Amazing Fashion
Boutiques in Ho Chi Minh
The Best Clothes Designers
in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh is truly a
shopping paradise, whether you are looking for bespoke fashion, local silks or
even handcrafted lacquerware. As the world becomes one big shopping mall of
international brands, Ho Chi Minh retains its love of boutique fashion and one
off collections – and all at a fraction of what you might pay for any of the
European or Japanese brands. Here are our top 10 picks of the best fashion
boutiques in the city:
Vincom Center Shopping
Mall
The Largest Shopping Mall
in Ho Chi Minh City
With more than 250 shops, Vincom Center is Ho Chi
Minh City’s biggest shopping mall – so big in fact, that they have separated it
into two separate buildings just across the street from each other. Vincom
Center A is housed in a delightful French styled period building connected to
The Continent Hotel, while Vincom Center B is just behind it, occupying the
first five storeys of a modern, glass-fronted skyscraper. If you are looking
for international products then this should be your first stop as this is where
most international luxury brands have their flagship stores, right in the
tourist heart of the city. There are also some convenient restaurants and cafes
serving food from most regions including many international franchises. Vincom Center
Vincom Center A: 171 Dong Khoi, District 1
Vincom Center B: 72 Le Thanh Ton Street, District 1
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 22:00
Tel: (+84 8) 3936 9999
Saigon Square Shopping Mall
Ho Chi Minh Shopping
Anyone
looking for bargains while in Saigon should
head to Saigon Square
on the corner of Nam Kỳ Khởi and Le Loi in District 1. This shopping arcade is
packed with stalls on two levels selling fashion, accessories and jewellery –
be aware of forgeries though, and remember the old adage that if it seems too
good to be true it probably is. Even though it’s always bustling with shoppers,
Saigon Square
is air conditioned and under cover so it is far more pleasant than shopping in
the nearby Ben Thanh Market and it’s generally accepted that prices are far
better here.
Shops and stalls in Saigon Square are
seemingly placed haphazardly around the mall so the best thing to do is just
stroll along the aisles looking for something that takes your fancy. Bargaining
is expected here and as it is so close to the tourist heart of Ho Chi Minh,
prices are initially inflated. If there is something you have your eye on, shop
around and enquire about prices as it is fairly easy to find different shops
selling similar items. Just consider what you would be willing to pay for an
item and bargain accordingly.
Hoi An Shopping
Where to Shop and What to
Buy in Hoi An
For most people who visit
Hoi An, the two main shopping allures are the Central or Riverside Market and
the plethora of cheap tailors downtown.
With the sheer number of
tailors available Hoi An is definitely a buyers' market and the visitor who
doesn't bargain down the price of a suit or silk shirt is really missing out.
Of course, many other items are on sale in Hoi An and the ancient charm of the
town makes an afternoon or evening out shopping a delight.
Tailors speak both French
and English – most stores are open from 08:00 to 21:00
Hoi An Central Market
Resting on the banks of
the Thu Bon River,
bustling Hoi An Central Market is certainly worth a look for its authentic
slice of Vietnamese life. The market is busy throughout the day with locals
bargaining hard alongside tourists so its best to arrive first thing in the
morning. The negotiating over fish usually starts around 07:00 as the fishermen
drop their catch off and the market vendors and local buyers dive in to get the
best fish. Be warned that it can get very messy, nevertheless it's certainly a
sight not to be missed.
Inside the market there
are also plenty of live ducks and chickens tied together and ready for sale
alongside row upon row of Vietnamese cooking ingredients. The smell can get
quite strong as the day heats up and the market will also become a lot busier
and louder as the day progresses. If you want to avoid this, then head to the
east side and the large shed type building which houses the tailors and all
manner of Asian silk and textiles.
Good to Know
As a tourist browsing
round Hoi An Central Market you can expect plenty of stall holders pushing
their wares on you quite hard, the best course of action is to simply smile and
continue on your way. When you do decide to make a purchase then remember that
the first price you will be told will be over inflated, you should then offer
around half and then work up to a price that you are both happy with. Be
prepared to walk away and you might be surprised by the fair price you are then
offered.
Opening Hours: daily from 06:30 and is
best visited early starting with a walk by the docks to watch the fish arrive
before you enter
Location: Nguyen Hue
and Tran Phu on the Thu Bon River
Remarks: It's a good
idea to wear closed shoes as the floor in the market can get damp and sticky,
especially if you are visiting the fish section.
Da Nang Shopping
Vietnam is famous for high
quality silk and clothes products including hand-woven fabrics. The country is
also famous for handicrafts including bamboo artifacts, ceramics and
lacquerware. If you are keen on shopping in Danang, you can start your shopping
day at Danang Supermarket. It is located in the centre of the city, near the
railway station. The shop sells jewelry, interior decorations, electrical and
mechanical appliances, books, clothing and shoes.
Hue Shopping
Where to Shop and What to
Buy in Hue
A must-buy item in Hue should include the
Vietnamese Nón lá, the conical-shaped hat made by woven palm leaves.
The hat has been around
almost as long as the country and is worn by men and women everywhere. The lighter
the hat is the more elegant the look.
In Hue especially, the hat makers insert poems
into the weaves and the poem can only be seen when the hat is held up to the
sunlight, making it even more special
Where to Shop in Hue
Dong Ba Market
Dong Ba market is on the
north bank of the Perfume
River, not far from where
the Hue
Citadel sits.
It has hundreds of stalls
selling almost everything from clothing, house-ware items to souvenirs and all
at reasonable prices. You will also find local food, fruit and Vietnamese wine
sold here
Posh Boutiques
There are some really cool
posh boutiques located near the junction by Trang Tien Bridge. To be exact, they are located
between Duy
Tan Hotel and Trang
Tien Bridge.
They are all tastefully decorated and usually accept credit cards.
The Gift Shops at the
Pilgrimage Hotel
These gift shops are
outstanding. Divided into four types of crafts, silk/fabric, woodwork, ceramics
and rattan/wicker, they feature an assortment of tasteful, traditional and
local crafts. There are also local craftsmen on hand to demonstrate their work.
The quality of the merchandise is good and the selection and prices are
reasonable.
Nha Trang Shopping
Where to Shop and What to
Buy in Nha Trang
Nha Trang may not have the
sleek designer shops of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, but there is still
plenty of opportunity to shop in a much more laid-back atmosphere than in the
big cities. Try the daily market on Doc
Lop Street and the small shops in town for some
terrific local artwork. Have some clothes made for you at one of the many
tailors in town. Near the port are lots of little shops selling seashell
souvenirs.
Outside of established
shops and supermarkets always remember to bargain and never pay the asking
price.
Anh Tai Wood Carvings
Beautiful wood carvings
can be found at this family business. Observe the artisans at work.
Address: 100 Tran Phu Street
Tel: +84 58 381 5976
Artful Gallery
Owned by French
photographer Thiery Beyne, who has been living and taking pictures of Vietnam for the
last 15 years. At the Artful Gallery (there’s also a café attached) you can
find all his work, limited editions and original black-and-white prints, of his
impression of the country he now calls home.
Address: 20A Nguyen Thien That
Tel: +84 126 376 1020
Bambou
Bambou is a popular
French-run T-shirt shop in the heart of the backpacking area of Biet Thu. There
are other branches all over Vietnam
and quality is the byword here. These shirts are earning cult status so go for
one, or two.
Address: 15 Biet Thu Street
Tel: +84 58 391 0774
Dan Market
Need to replenish your
vitamins intake? Then Dan Market is the place you want to visit, either to
stock up on the variety of tropical fruits on sale here or just to browse and
take photographs. The juice section of the market is popular with tourists for
its young coconuts and smoothies.
Forty Thieves Clothing
Forty Thieves Clothing is
located in a Deep Blue dive centre and sells totally original gear. It is open
from 07:00 until 21:30 selling ginko biloba T-shirt with original design. 100%
cotton.
Address: 66 Tran Phu Street
Kim Quang
When the local painter Kim
Quang, who is confined to his wheelchair, wanted to try his hand at painting
T-shirts, he came up with fun cartoon characters and some unique designs. You
can find a very special gift of a painted T-Shirt at Kim Quang. He is to be
found in his small shop near the Sailing Club.
Address: 72-74 Tran Phu Street (within the Sailing
Club)
Tel: +84 58 382 6528
My Village
My Village stocks gift
items made from bamboo, fabric, glass and mother of pearl. Most popular are the
brightly coloured sets of bamboo fruit bowls.
Address: 6G Hung Vuong
Nha Trang Centre
Open in 2011, Nha Trang
Centre is the first shopping mall of its kind in this coastal city. Situated
right on the beachfront street of Tran Phu, Nha Trang Centre is a modern
shopping mall housing all the fashionable brand labels. There are also local
designer fashion accessories, cosmetics, jewellery, perfume, sportswear and
children's wear, a food court a cinema and an entertainment area.
Address: 20 Tran Phu Street
Nha Trang Market
Centrally located and easy
to find, Nha Trang Market is a veritable treasure trove of fresh fruit,
vegetables, freshly fish and squid from the sea, raw produce, footwear,
textiles and trinkets. There are bargains to be had here but you have to haggle
hard to get the prices down.
Don't ever pay the asking
price, even if you think it's already a snip!
Ngoc Bich Gift Shop
This shop specializes in
jewelry made from jade. It also stocks a range of fine arts handicrafts
including tortoise shells, lobsters, shell curtains amongst others. Small
seashells made to look like animals are fun too as are mother-of-pearl pictures
of the Vietnamese countryside.
Address: 12 Tran Phu Street
Tel: +84 58 359 0066
Obi Gift Shop
Obi Gift Shop sells
traditional Vietnamese products including handicrafts, folk art, ceramics and
paintings.
Address: 100 Tran Phu Street
Tel: +84 58 381 2131
XQ Nha Trang
More of a craft centre
than a souvenir shop, XQ Nha Trang is part of the big venture XQ, which runs
similar embroidery and cultural centres in many big cities in Vietnam.
The centre is cleverly designed to look like a traditional village where women
in ao dai (Vietnamese dress) produce framed embroideries of fantasy landscapes,
flowers and animals of Vietnam, portraits of many important statesmen and
celebrities
And of course you can have your portrait embroidered here as well.
Address: 64 Tran Phu
Tel: +84 58 352 6579
Mui Ne & Phan Thiet
Shopping
Where to Shop and What to
Buy in Mui Ne & Phan Thiet
The tourist industry is
quite new for the fishing villages of Mui Ne and Phan Thiet, but they are
catching up fast, with souvenir shops opening almost every week.
Products include
handicrafts such as embroidery, paintings, lacquer ware, blankets, scarves,
handbags and ceramics. Many of these products are created in the ancient Cham
style, making them unique and special. It is also fun to explore the local
market. Don’t forget to try favorite local fruits such as Dragon Fruit.
Markets
There are a number of good
markets in the area. In Phan Thiet, you might want to start at the Co-op Mart on the corner of Nguyen
Tat Thanh and Tran Hung Dao, for souvenir and jewelry shops.
Phan Thiet Central Market, which is the largest in
the province, is the place for local stuff such as fresh fruit, coconut
candies, dried seafood, and sand paintings.
Mui Ne Village Market, too, has a range of
fresh fruits.
Mui Ne Handicraft at Java Restaurant is a recent addition
to the Mui Ne shopping scene. Stop by to watch deaf children create sand art or
shop for hand-woven textiles with traditional Cham patterns, then get the local
tailor to turn them into clothes at bargain prices. Java Restaurant is on the
road into Mui Ne, on a hill just above the town. Tel: +84 (0) 62 324-1055.
Other restaurants that
also carry interesting souvenirs include The
Hot Rock, which carries an eclectic selection of
locally-inspired jewellery and handbags using local fabrics and traditional
designs; and Forester Shop,
which stocks Cham ceramics, crocodile leather and assorted high-quality
souvenirs.
For beachwear, try Good Morning Vietnam or Jibes.
Others
If you are looking for
some second-hand books to read while in Mui Ne and Phan Thiet, try Victor Tour at 121A Nguyen Dinh
Chieu, Phan Thiet. Tel: +84 (0) 98
959-1599. It has the largest inventory of used books in the area.
For jewelry, try Thinh & Sabine on 79a Nguyen Dinh
Chieu, Phan Thiet. Tel: +84 (0) 90
993-1192.
Phu Quoc Island Shopping
Where to Shop and What to
Buy on Phu Quoc Island
Markets selling a wide
range of fruit, vegetable and seafood are the main shopping venues in Phu Quoc,
not necessarily what tourists want to buy but very interesting to see all the
same.
For tourists, shopping
opportunities come in the form of handicrafts expertly made by locals and
pearls which are farmed locally.
Dinh Cau Night Market
The night market is the
palace to buy souvenirs, all kinds of crafts are on sale in addition to the
usual fresh produce and seafood. This can be a good place to buy pearls… while
the kids are occupied in the playground.
Duong Dong Shops
There are several shops
that sell most basic items such as toothpaste, soap, beer, biscuits etc in
Duong Dong, laundries are also here which are much cheaper than resort prices.
There are a couple of pharmacies dotted around and the odd basic clothes shop,
not high fashion obviously, but you'll find the basics that you need.
Markets
Local markets sell a
colourful variety of fruit and vegetables of all shapes and sizes in addition
to seafood and other foodstuff. Markets can be busy places but don't let that
put you off.
Some markets are one or
two days a week however the main one in Duong Dong is a permanent fixture, you
might want to avoid it when a cruise ship is in port though.
Pearl Shops
High quality items
featuring South Sea pearls can be purchased from one of
the island's pearl shops – the price tags match the quality of the pieces.
One such shop is Treasures
from the Deep in Duong To which is run by a New Zealand company.
