Shopping in ho Chi Minh
Clothing
Vietnam is a manufacturing country so imitations of
brand name clothes are generally cheaper than the suggested retail price!
You can find both high end brand clothing and mall brands like American
Eagle Outfitters, Gap, Old Navy and more. Many locals shop for clothing
in the stores along Nguyen Trai Street or at Saigon Square. Keep in mind
that there are two locations for Saigon Square and, oddly, they have the same
name! Many people refer to the new location as Saigon Square 2.
Both locations carry similar items but Saigon Square 2 is cooler and more
spacious than the original location.
Handicrafts
Vietnamese handicrafts are very unique and
intricate. Vietnam is especially famous for lacquerware and coconut
dinnerware. Bowls, plates, spoons and chopsticks make great gifts and
decoration! You can also find fabulous fabric creations with pathwork and
threadwork embroidery. Or, if you prefer wood items, you might like the
handcrafted wooden boats and figurines that are often sold at the markets.
The best place to find a huge variety of lacquerware
at the best bargain prices is An Dong Plaza, near Cho Lon in Chinatown.
We find that the choices for fabric and wood crafts are the best at Ben
Thanh Market.
Fabric
Vietnam is often touted as the next custom tailoring
capital of the world! If you have time to tailor custom outfits, we
strongly recommend that you visit ‘Fabric Street’ to find an excellent
selection of cloth for your tailored creations. Fabric Street is located
directly across from Tan Dinh Market. You will find even better deals on
fabric inside the market, although the stores across the street have a wider
selection of fabric types. You can also visit Soai Kinh Lam material
market in Cho Lon. This is a wholesale market so the prices are cheaper
and the choices are more abundant. Tailors will charge less if you come
with your own fabric but make sure you check with the tailor first with regard
to how much material is needed for your garments.
Shoes
Ho Chi Minh City seems to have a specific street for
everything, and shoes are no exception. In fact, the city has two streets
dedicated entirely to shoes! As is the case with clothes, you will find
great imitations of brand name shoes. Be careful with the quality of
these imitations as the heel or main body of the shoe may show wear and tear very
quickly.
Ly Chinh Thang Street is lined with shoe shops which
carry shoes in a variety of sizes and styles. The other shoe street is
just outside of Ben Thanh Market and one block away from Le Loi Street.
The shops on this street have larger sizes but the price point is a
little bit higher than Ly Chinh Thang Street.
Antiques
Try antiques street (otherwise known as Le Cong Kieu
Street) just outside Ben Thanh Market. People have commented that the
stores are riddled by imitations but you may find a diamond in the rough!
Items include old money, stamps, and war memorabilia, figurines made of ivory
or bone and more. Be careful when buying “antiques” in Vietnam however as
it is illegal to export real antiques out of the country.
Handbags and Luggage
If you need to buy luggage to transport your newly
purchased goods, visit Le Lai Street between New World Hotel and Ben Thanh
Market. You will see an entire street of luggage shops with the most well
known brands such as North Face, Samsonite, and more! Alternatively, if
you need a fashionable handbag or wallet, visit Saigon Square or Binh Tay
Market in Cho Lon. If you plan on using the handbag around the city, make
sure the straps are secure enough so that you are not a victim of petty theft.
Painting
Ho Chi Minh City is home to many art galleries which
host the most talented local artists. However, for copies of famous
pieces of art or for original paintings by lesser known artists, visit the
“painting street”. Like shoes, there are not one but two streets that are
chock-a-block full of painting shops! More locals shop at the painting
stores in District 5 than the one in District 1, but you will surely find a
great selection wherever you choose to go!
