Ho Chi Minh City’s shopping scene offers a blend of old and new, with modern malls, open-air markets, and souvenir shops. To immerse yourself in the local culture, explore Ben Thanh Market, Binh Tay Market, and An Dong Market, while modern marketplaces like Vincom and Diamond Plaza cater to diverse needs. If it’s your first time shopping in Ho Chi Minh City, refer to this useful guide on where to shop, what to buy, and shopping tips for Saigon to make the most of your purchases.
What to Shop in Ho Chi Minh City?
When visiting Ho Chi Minh City, there are several souvenirs that one can purchase as a memento of their trip. Some of the best options include the traditional conical hat (known as “Nón Lá” in Vietnamese), tea and coffee, the national costume of Vietnam (“Áo Dài” in Vietnamese), propaganda art, Marou chocolate, and authentic ceramics.
If you’re looking specifically for clothing, Vietnam is well-known for producing clothing and fashion garments for export. In Ho Chi Minh City, you can find inexpensive, brand-name imitations sold by friendly vendors along streets such as Nguyen Trai, Le Van Sy, and Nguyen Dinh Chieu or at popular shopping spots like Saigon Square. The vendors are known to be hospitable towards foreigners, and bargaining is often allowed.
A popular shopping spot for clothes is Saigon Square, which can be found at two locations: No. 77-89 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, District 1 or 179E-181-183-185 Hai Ba Trung Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. They are open every day from 9:30 AM to 9 PM. Nguyen Trai Street, located in Districts 1 and 5, is also a recommended shopping location.
2. Handicrafts
Looking for unique gift ideas to bring back home after visiting Ho Chi Minh City? Handicrafts are a great option as there are various types, sizes, and materials available including embroidery, vases, trays, and sand paintings made by skilled Vietnamese artists. You can buy them at reasonable prices in An Dong Plaza or Ben Thanh Market or check out the following souvenir shops:
- Duy Tan – Saigon Artisan located at 84 Le Loi, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Open every day from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
- Saigon Boutique Handicrafts situated at 58 Le Loi, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Open every day from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
- Ha Phuong Souvenir Shop found at 92C3-C4 Le Thanh Ton, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Open every day from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
If you need to purchase luggage or handbags for your newly bought items, head over to places like Ben Thanh Night Market, Luu Van Lang Shopping Street, and Le Lai Street where you can find branded options such as Samsonite or North Face, as well as affordable ones. For those looking for trendy handbags, luggage, and wallets, Saigon Square and Binh Tay Market are recommended for getting the best deals. Thuong Shop and Lo Ba Shop are other suggested places for shopping for luggage in Saigon.
Here are the popular shopping addresses:
- Ben Thanh Night Market situated at the gate of Ben Thanh Night Market, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Street Shopping Luu Van Lang located in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Le Lai Street situated in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Thuong Shop located at 10 Le Lai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Lo Ba Shop situated at 70 Nguyen Trai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
4. Shoes
Everyone has a necessary requirement for affordable yet high-quality shoes. In Ho Chi Minh City, an active and modern metropolis, several places can cater to your needs. Below are five popular shopping locations that can help you find the most appropriate pair for yourself:
- Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street
- Nguyen Trai Street in District 1 and 5, specifically around Nguyen Trai Hospital
- Luu Van Lang Street, situated on the right side of Ben Thanh Market
- Le Van Sy Street in Phu Nhuan District
- Ly Chinh Thang Street in District 3
5. Antiques
For those visiting or residing in Ho Chi Minh City for an extended period, exploring the local markets for unique items may pique their interest. Antiques and second-hand goods are in high demand, prompting the city to offer several budget-friendly shopping destinations.
Highly recommended shopping locations:
- Le Cong Kieu Antique Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Scraps Market: This market is known for selling authentic antique items and is located deep within the alleys of No Trang Long street, 11th ward, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City.
6. Paintings
Worried about not finding suitable paintings as souvenirs to send to friends and family after your trip to Ho Chi Minh City? Fear not, as these popular shopping destinations have a wide range of artwork, from basic to specialty pieces, created by painters, illustrators, and sculptors.
Highly recommended shopping locations:
- Tran Phu Street in District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
- Bui Vien Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
7. Fabric
If you’re looking to purchase fabric in Ho Chi Minh City to create a cool outfit for your friend, you’re in luck. A unique aspect of shopping in the city is that you can get clothes copied in any size. To help you locate the right places to buy, here are some popular shopping destinations:
- Soai Kinh Lam Market (Dong Khanh Mall) Located on Tran Hung Dao Street in Ward 14, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City. Open every day from 8 AM to 5 PM.
- Tan Dinh Market Located on Hai Ba Trung Street in Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Open every day from 8 AM to 5 PM.
- Le Minh Xuan Market (also known as Tan Binh Market) Located on Le Minh Xuan Street in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Open every day from 8 AM to 5 PM.
- An Dong Market: Located at 34 An Duong Vuong in Ward 9, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City. Open every day from 5:30 AM to 8 PM.
This information should assist you in finding suitable places to buy fabric for your project.
Where to Shop in Ho Chi Minh City
1. Ben Thanh Market
Ben Thanh Market is one of the most famous markets in Ho Chi Minh City that caters to both locals and tourists. It is a bustling marketplace that operates day and night, offering a vast selection of products to choose from. The market is well spread out and offers a diverse range of souvenirs that you can think of. However, there are also pickpockets around the area, so it’s important to keep your belongings safe.
This popular market is located on Le Loi Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City and is open every day from 6:00 AM to midnight. You can find almost anything at the market, and the prices are generally affordable. If you want to save even more money, you can try bargaining with the vendors.
2. Vincom Center
Located on Le Thanh Ton Street in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, Vincom Center is a must-visit destination for those seeking high-quality and luxurious products. It’s the largest shopping mall in the city, consisting of two buildings: Vincom Center A and Vincom Center B, with more than 250 retail stores offering various products such as fashion clothing, food, cinema, and restaurants.
Vincom Center is open daily from 8:00 to 22:00, providing shoppers with ample time to browse through its many offerings. Although the prices are high for everything, this shopping destination is worth it for those looking for quality and luxury goods.
3. Binh Tay Market (aka Cholon Chinatown Market)
Binh Tay Market is a market that was constructed by the French in the 1880s and can be found at the heart of Vietnam’s most extensive Chinatown district. The market offers a diverse range of goods such as fruits, vegetables, meat, clothes, and seafood from various regions across Vietnam to the local population.
The market is divided into two sections, an inside part with over 600 stalls offering a broad range of products, and an outside section that includes lanes located at the back of Binh Tay Market, mainly along Phan Van Khoe street, which engages all senses of the buyers. The buyers can purchase everything they need from the pavements.
If you plan on visiting Binh Tay Market, take note of its location at 57A Thap Muoi street, District 6, Ho Chi Minh City. The opening hours are from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. The prices are relatively affordable, but bargaining is always an option for a cheaper price.
4. Sai Gon Square
Sai Gon Square is a popular market in Ho Chi Minh City with two branches, one located in District 1 and the other in District 3. It offers a more upscale version of the local market experience. Visitors should remember to bargain while shopping to avoid being overcharged, although the quality of goods is worth the price. This market attracts many domestic and foreign visitors due to its reputation.
The market operates from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM every day and primarily sells clothes and shoes. The prices are reasonable, but bargaining skills can lower them even further. The addresses are 81 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia street, District 1, and 181 Hai Ba Trung, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City.
5. Diamond Plaza
Looking for a place where you can shop and have fun at the same time, whether it’s watching a movie, playing bowling or just relaxing in a modern mall with air conditioning? Diamond Plaza is the perfect destination for you.
This plaza houses a variety of stores ranging from cosmetics to branded clothes, as well as numerous fast food options. Furthermore, it is the largest integrated building in Ho Chi Minh City, overlooking 30-4 Park and Notre Dame Cathedral, and offering urban offices, serviced apartments, family health, and entertainment facilities. The architectural design of the building reflects the aspirations and traditions of Saigon.
Location: 34 Le Duan Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Operating Hours: Every day from 9:30 am to 10 pm
Products Available: Clothes, Food, Cinema, Restaurants, Sports
Price Range: Everything is relatively expensive.
6. An Dong Market (aka Craft Market)
Located in Ho Chi Minh City on An Duong Vuong Street in District 5, An Dong Market is home to a range of fashion shops and handicrafts stalls. On the ground and first floors, buyers can browse through an assortment of items, such as clothing, textiles, shoes, handbags, and more. The top floor offers high-quality handicrafts and trinkets.
Compared to other well-known markets in Saigon, An Dong Market offers significantly lower prices, and you can still negotiate for even lower prices. Begin by offering around 40% less than the asking price and haggle with the sellers until you come to an agreement.
An Dong Market is open every day from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm and provides fashion clothes and handicrafts at quite reasonable prices, which are negotiable.
7. Parkson Plaza Department Store
Located in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Parkson Plaza Department Store is a premier international-standard shopping destination with a wide variety of high-quality products. The store’s ground floor offers cosmetics and perfumes, while fashion for men and women can be found on the second and third floors. Homeware and dining outlets are located on the last floor. Some of the well-known international brands available at the store include Coach, Calvin Klein, Bobbi Brown, Clinique, Esprit, and Lacoste.
The store is open daily from 9:30 am to 10:00 pm, making it convenient for customers to visit at their preferred time. However, shoppers should be prepared to pay high prices for the quality merchandise on offer.
To summarize, Parkson Plaza Department Store is a top-notch shopping destination that offers a diverse selection of premium products, including cosmetics, perfumes, fashion for men and women, homeware, and dining outlets. It is the perfect place to find globally recognized brands such as Coach, Calvin Klein, Bobbi Brown, Clinique, Esprit, and Lacoste.
8. Art Galleries on Dong Khoi Street
Dong Khoi Street located in District 1 is the prime spot to observe a variety of art galleries. Twenty or more galleries are situated right along the street with some of the most renowned being Galerie Nguyen and Phuong Mai Gallery.
When you enter an art gallery on this street, you can witness artists creating their artwork in real-time. Prices, sizes, and quality of the artwork may vary, but you can always negotiate for a good deal.
If you’re interested in exploring these art galleries, visit Dong Khoi Street in Ho Chi Minh City. The galleries remain open every day from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm.
9. Fashion Boutiques
For tourists who are interested in fashion, Saigon offers a variety of fashion boutiques that they can visit. Dong Khoi Street in District 1 is a popular destination for fashion enthusiasts, but there are also numerous other stores across the city that offer stylish designs. Below are some recommended fashion boutiques:
- Nguyen Cong Tri: located at 194 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, District 3
- Magonn: located at 41 Hai Ba Trung, District 1
- Massimo Ferrari: located at 42A1 Tran Quoc Thao, District 3
- Lusine: located at 70B Le Loi Street, District 1
- DMC by Do Manh Cuong: located at 213 Ly Tu Trong, District 1
- Minh Hanh: located at Vietnam Designers House – 161A Hai Ba Trung, District 3
- Dogma: located on the 1st floor of 43 Ton That Thiep, District 1
Visitors to these boutiques can find fashionable and suitable designs to enhance their wardrobe while exploring the vibrant city of Saigon.
Shopping Tips in Ho Chi Minh City
When purchasing something, it’s wise to remember to haggle with vendors to secure a satisfying deal. The prime time for shopping is either early in the morning or later in the evening. If you happen to be in Vietnam, the streets are your greatest ally for shopping. Keep an eye out for roadside stalls and don’t hesitate to make a purchase.
Ho Chi Minh City is a bustling metropolis that offers an abundance of excitement to tourists, particularly when it comes to shopping. From markets to shopping centers, there’s something for every buyer, regardless of their budget or location. For a combination of contemporary and local shopping experiences in Vietnam, look no further than Ho Chi Minh City.
