Shopping in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

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.

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.

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.

Find the best fake watches here in Ho Chi Minh City! Name the brand and you will find it! Many of them are impressive imitations but you will have to feel the weight and inspect the metal on the watch to ensure that the quality is good. Of course, Ben Thanh Market has countless stalls selling watches but expect to pay a hefty price. If you have time to explore, check out Binh Tay Market at Cho Lon or the many small shops around the market for a better bargain. Shop owners around the city buy their stock at this market at wholesale prices. You can also go to the top floor of the Saigon Tax Center where they have a few jewelry stores which carry watches..

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..

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, 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.

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!

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.