Every trip is one of the most beautiful memories in your travel life. Coming home from another country with amazing souvenirs, foods, clothing, accessories makes your trip more meaningful. It is true that Ho Chi Minh City is a paradise of shoppers. The city has not less than one hundred of shopping centers, markets, and shopping streets which offer countless things to buy. Where to shop, what to shop, how to bargain in the city? This ultimate Ho Chi Minh City Shopping Guide gives you all of the information you need before going shopping in Saigon. I hope it helps you to buy the best items at the best prices.
Table of Contents
I. Markets in Ho Chi Minh City
1. Five most famous markets for shopping in Ho Chi Minh City
Ben Thanh Market
Opening hours: 5:00 – 23:59
Location: Le Loi Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
The first Ben Thanh Market was built in 1789, it has been built and restored many times throughout the years and has become the city’s symbol. Today, the iconic Ben Thanh Market is a must-visit attraction in Saigon thanks to its unique architecture. The market is one of the most popular places to go shopping in the city. The stores in Ben Thanh Market accommodate Vietnamese and international tourists well, they sell everything tourists would like to buy. There are more than 3,000 stalls, retailers and wholesalers which are always crowded. Ben Thanh markets at night and during the day are different. Day Ben Thanh Market is inside the buildings with the unique architecture and many gates, it opens from 5:00 to 17:00. Night Ben Thanh Market is outdoor and next to the building, it opens from 17:00 to 23:59.
In fact, a small number of locals come to this market because it is overwhelmed with tourists. Many tourists do not have enough time to go shopping in other places so that they buy souvenirs when they visit the market on city tours. Most of the sellers can speak English and it is comfortable to learn more about the goods and prices. The market is famous for the high asking prices so that you have to bargain for the best prices. Sometimes, you get the items for less than half of the asking prices.
What to buy at Ben Thanh Market?
The most popular things to buy at Ben Thanh Market include clothing, fabric, souvenirs, jewelry, accessories, dried foods, coffee and tea.
The night market specializes in street foods, clothing, jewelry, accessories, and souvenirs.
What are pros and cons of shopping at Ben Thanh Market?
Pros: great location, English speaking sellers, varieties of goods and choices.
Cons: crowded area, high price, bargaining.
How to get to Ben Thanh Market?
The market is located right in the city center so that you can reach it easily.
By walking: If you choose to stay at a hotel near Ben Thanh Market, you can easily walk to the market and have more time to wander and buy lots of great items.
By bus: The nearest bus station is 163 Ham Nghi Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The bus fare is from 5,000 VND so that you can choose to reach Ben Thanh Market by bus.
By taxi: The taxi fare in Saigon is about 16,000 VND/km. Mai Linh and Vinasun taxis are good brands.
Grab bike: because of motorbike taxi scams and difficulties of catching a motorbike taxi, I would like to recommend to book a Grab ride with Grab app. The fare is about 5,000 VND/km, you will know the cost after booking.
Read more about
What to do at Ben Thanh market?
On Ho Chi Minh City Shopping Tour by Motorbike, Tracy’s team does not take you to shopping centers and markets for tourists but less-known shopping places where you can buy souvenirs, foods, clothes, accessories, and others.
Tan Dinh Market
Location: 1 Nguyen Huu Cau Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; 3.4 km from the city center (Ben Thanh Market).
Opening hours: 6:00 – late night; It is better to visit the market in the morning if you would like to shop.
Built in 1927, Tan Dinh market is one of the oldest markets in Ho Chi Minh city and still remains the original architecture. The market is not as famous and crowded as Ben Thanh market and Binh Tay market. Coming here, you can see more locals and fewer tourists. The day market offers lots of things to buy and strange things to see. At night, the market is full of food stalls where you can enjoy delicious Saigon dishes.
What to buy at Tan Dinh Market?
I would like to recommend to buy clothing, fabric, accessories, dried foods, coffee and tea at Tan Dinh Market.
What are pros and cons of shopping at Tan Dinh Market?
Pros: not too far from the city center.
Cons: limited English speaking sellers, bargaining.
How to get to Tan Dinh Market?
By taxi: a drive from the city center to Tan Dinh market costs about 50,000 VND.
By Grab bike: a drive from the city center to Tan Dinh market costs about 15,000 VND.
Read more about Tan Dinh Market
Binh Tay Market
Location: 57A Thap Muoi Street, Ward 2, District 6, Ho Chi Minh City; 8.2 km from the city center.
Opening hours: 6:00 – 19:00; It is better to visit the market in the morning and early afternoon if you would like to shop.
Completed in 1930, Binh Tay Market has a beautiful architecture that blends Chinese and Vietnamese styles. In recent, it is Saigon’s biggest wholesale markets and a popular tourist attraction. The market is always crowded and noisy. The wholesale prices are good but I am not sure the retail prices are low.
What to buy at Binh Tay Market?
I think that the items at Binh Tay market are not for tourists but retailers and local people who would like to buy at cheap prices. If you come to the market when there are fewer people, you can choose some good items such as clothes, accessories, jewelry, shoes, dried foods, coffee and tea.
What are pros and cons of shopping at Binh Tay Market?
Pros: lots of goods and a wide range of choices.
Cons: far from the city center, limited English speaking sellers, bargaining, crowded and busy, narrow walking ways between the stores.
How to get to Binh Tay Market?
By bus: catch bus #1 from 163 Ham Nghi to Cho Lon Bus Station, Le Quang Sung Street, Ward 2, District 6, Ho Chi Minh City. The bus station is only 120 m from Binh Tay Market.
By taxi: a drive from the city center to Binh Tay market costs about 130,000 VND.
By Grab bike: a drive from the city center to Binh Tay market costs about 40,000 VND.
Read more about Binh Tay Market
An Dong Market
Location: 34-36 An Duong Vuong Street, Ward 9, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City; 3.4 km from the city center.
Opening hours: 5:30 – 20:00; It is better to visit the market in the morning and early afternoon if you would like to shop.
Firstly built in 1954, damaged, and rebuilt in 1990, An Dong Market has over 4000 vendors selling foods, candies, fruits, flowers, commodities, handicrafts… But most vendors in the market sell clothes, fabrics and shoes made in Thailand, Vietnam and Quandong (China) at wholesale.
What to buy at An Dong Market?
As mentioned above, you can buy clothes, fabrics and shoes at the market at good prices.
What are pros and cons of shopping at An Dong Market?
Pros: not very far from the city center, lots of goods and a wide range of choices, good prices if you bargain.
Cons: limited English speaking sellers, bargaining, crowded and busy, narrow walking ways between the stores.
How to get to An Dong Market?
By taxi: a drive from the city center to An Dong market costs about 50,000 VND.
By Grab bike: a drive from the city center to An Dong market costs about 20,000 VND.
Read more about An Dong Market
Tan Binh Market
Location: 172 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Ward 8, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City; 5.6 km from the city center.
Opening hours: 7:00 – 17:30; It is better to visit the market in the morning and early afternoon if you would like to shop.
Tan Binh Market was first opened in 1960. In recent, it has over 3,000 stores selling wholesale and retail fabrics, ready-to-wear clothes, wedding outfits, and accessories.
What to buy at Tan Binh Market?
Fabrics and clothing are worth buying at this market thanks to reasonable prices and good quality.
What are pros and cons of shopping at Tan Binh Market?
Pros: lots of high-quality goods and a wide range of choices, good prices if you bargain, shops on streets around the market are spacious.
Cons: rather far from the city center, limited English speaking sellers, bargaining, crowded and busy, narrow walking ways between the stores.
How to get to Tan Binh Market?
By taxi: a drive from the city center to Tan Binh market costs about 80,000 VND.
By Grab bike: a drive from the city center to Tan Binh market costs about 30,000 VND.
Read more about Tan Binh Market
On Ho Chi Minh City Shopping Tour by Motorbike, Tracy’s team does not take you to shopping centers and markets for tourists but less-known shopping places where you can buy souvenirs, foods, clothes, accessories, and others.
2. Three special markets and four special streets for shopping in Ho Chi Minh City
Soai Kinh Lam Market
Location: Tran Hung Dao Street, Ward 14, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City; 7.3 km from the city center; Soai Kinh Lam Market is located on a 500-m-long section of Tran Hung Dao Street, starts from Cha Tam Church and ends at the intersection of Tran Hung Dao and Chau Van Liem Street.
Opening hours: 8:00 – 18:00; It is better to visit the market in the morning and early afternoon if you would like to shop.
What to buy at Soai Kinh Lam Market? There are more than 500 vendors selling fabrics at wholesale at this market. The prices are very cheap so that I would like to recommend this place to buy fabrics in Ho Chi Minh City.
How to reach Soai Kinh Lam Market?
By bus: The market is 650 m from Cho Lon Bus Station so that you can reach the station by bus, then walk to the market.
By taxi: 115,000 VND.
By Grab bike: 40,000 VND.
Read more about Soai Kinh Lam Fabric Market
Lantern market and Chinese medicine market
Location: Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City; 6.5 km from the city center.
Opening hours: 7:00 – 19:00; It is better to visit the market in the morning and early afternoon if you would like to shop.
What to buy on Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street? The street and the neighboring area is lined with shops selling lanterns, decorative items, and Chinese medicine. If you would like to buy lanterns and decorative items for houses, weddings, Chrismas, you can come to the street. Most stores and shops at these special markets are owned by Chinese people.
How to reach Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street?
By bus: The market is 550 m from Cho Lon Bus Station so that you can reach the station by bus, then walk to the market.
By taxi: 110,000 VND.
By Grab bike: 35,000 VND.
Read more about Hai Thuong Lan Ong Decoration Street, Ho Chi Minh City
Nguyen Trai fashion street
Location: Nguyen Trai Street, District 1 and District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: different at different shops, most of them open from about 8:00 to 10:00.
What to buy on Nguyen Trai Street? The 4-km-long street is lined with shops and outdoor stalls selling outfits, shoes, accessories such as hats, caps, helmets, handbags, backpacks. Prices are cheap and the quality is good. The street is more crowded and has more outdoor stalls opened at night.
How to reach Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street? You can catch a taxi or Grab bike to 2 Nguyen Trai which is 2.5 km from Ben Thanh Market, then walk along the street for shopping.
Tran Phu painting street
Location: Tran Phu Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City; The 2km-long street is lined with many art galleries where you can buy paintings, some of which are special. Embroidery and rice seed paintings are worth buying.
Opening hours: different at different shops, most of them open from about 8:00 to 19:00; It is better to visit the market in the morning and early afternoon because some galleries close in the evening.
How to reach Tran Phu Street? You can catch a taxi or Grab bike to – the intersection of Tran Phu and 5 other streets – Nga Sau Cong Hoa Roundabout which is 2.5 km from Ben Thanh Market, then walk along the street for shopping.
Book street
Location: Nguyen Van Binh Street, Ben Nghe Ward, Ho Chi Minh City; next to Saigon Central Post Office.
Opening hours: 7:00 – 22:00.
What to buy in this street? Certainly, everybody comes here for reading and buying books. You can find some good foreign books if you would like to read on your trip to Saigon. No need to bargain there because the prices are fixed.
How to reach Nguyen Van Binh? Simply reach Saigon Central Post Office, then walk to the book street.
Read more about Nguyen Van Binh Book Street, Ho Chi Minh City
Le Cong Kieu antique street
Location: Le Cong Kieu Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City; next to Ben Thanh Market.
What to buy on Le Cong Kieu Street? A wide range of antiques with different prices. Sellers can ask for very high prices and bargaining is a must. However, some buyers still buy at high prices if they really like the items.
Pros and cons of shopping at special markets and streets
Pros: Shops are located on the streets so that it is comfortable to wander around and stop at a place; variety of choices; reasonable price.
Cons: sellers speak limited English; bargaining is a must at these places.
How to reach special markets in District 5?
By taxi: a drive from the city center to District 5 costs about 110,000 VND.
By Grab bike: a drive from the city center to District 5 market costs about 40,000 VND.
3. Summary of shopping at markets and special shopping streets mentioned above:
- Only Ben Thanh Market accommodates tourists’ needs, the English speaking sellers are helpful there. At other markets, they speak limited English.
- Sometimes sellers at other markets are so rude and impolite. Sellers change their faces if you do not buy an item after asking or bargaining. Do not get shocked.
- Sellers at wholesale markets are always busy so that they may not take care of you well.
- You must bargain at all of the markets. It is not true that the prices are low at wholesale markets. When you buy a few items, they ask you for the retail price, sometimes twice higher than the original price.
- All of the markets are crowded, pickpockets and snatch thieves are popular so that watch your belongings carefully.
- You can book a Saigon shopping tour to have a local guide drive you to the places, help you to choose and bargain.
4. Useful tips on bargain in Ho Chi Minh City
- Feel relaxing and ready for the game. Do not assume you are being scammed.
- Always smile and be polite.
- Do not look like you really want the item.
- The most popular phrases for bargaining in Vietnamese: Bao nhiêu (How much), Mắc quá (So expensive), Rẻ hơn (Cheaper), Không (No), Được or Ok (Ok), Ừ or Vâng (Yes). At local places, speaking some Vietnamese phrases makes you “professional” and help you to haggle so much.
- Walk around and compare the prices at different shops and stores.
- Learn from locals. See how locals bargain and how much they pay for the items.
- Start way lower than what you would like to actually pay. I would like to recommend to start at 50%, then increase your offer later.
- Walk away if you do not accept the final price, a few sellers call you back and agree with the price you offered or gave you a better price. However, this is a game because some sellers may not call you back. In this case, you can know that the price the seller asks for is reasonable.
- When the game is over, everyone becomes friends. If you decide not to buy, do not get shocked by the seller who becomes rude, impolite, or angry. Just think this is an experience and a practice and you will be successful next time. Sometimes, the experience helps you to buy the same item at a better price in other stores in the same market.
Tourists just pose for photos, Tracy’s team will ride guests on motorbikes around the city to see great sights and enjoy great foods.
III. Shopping centers in Ho Chi Minh City
1. Ten Best shopping centers in Ho Chi Minh City
Shopping centers are around the city and you can spend a full day in one of the centers to shop. Below is the list of 10 Best shopping centers in Saigon:
- Takashimaya Shopping Center (Saigon Centre), 92 – 94 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 9:30 – 21:30.
- Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 9:30 – 22:00.
- Vincom Center B, 72 Le Thanh Ton Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 9:00 – 22:00.
- Vincom Center A, 171 Dong Khoi Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 9:00 – 22:00.
- Vincom Mega Mall, 159 Xa Lo Ha Noi Highway, Thao Dien Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 9:30 – 22:00.
- Crescent Mall, 101 Ton Dat Tien Street, Phu My Hung Urban Area, Tan Phu Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 10:00 – 22:00.
- SC Vivo City, 1058 Nguyen Van Linh Street, Tan Phong Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 10:00 – 22:00.
- Van Hanh Mall, 11 Su Van Hanh Street, Ward 1, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 9:30 – 22:00.
- Vincom Center Landmark 81, 208 Nguyen Huu Canh Street, Ward 22, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 9:30 – 22:00.
- Aeon Mall Binh Tan, 1 Street 17A, Binh Tri Dong B Ward, Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 8:00 – 22:00.
Check out
17 Best Shopping Malls in Ho Chi Minh City
35 Shopping centers in Ho Chi Minh City
2. What to buy at shopping centers in Ho Chi Minh City?
- Most of the shopping centers have supermarkets where you can buy everything from outfits, shoes, souvenirs, coffee and tea although there are not many choices.
- Souvenir shops offer high-quality souvenirs at good prices.
- Fashion shops from international and domestic brands offer high-quality outfits, jewelry, bags. They usually have promotions up to 70% off.
- Electronics shops provide smartphones and accessories.
3. Pros and cons of shopping centers:
Pros: fixed price, no need to bargain, promotions, air-conditioners, spacious places, polite and helpful sellers.
Cons: High prices; you can spend a full day at a large shopping center.
III. What to buy in Ho Chi Minh City?
1. Clothing
Ready-to-wear
- Ben Thanh Market, Le Loi Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 5:00 – 17:00.
- Tan Dinh Market, 1 Nguyen Huu Cau Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; 3.4 km from the city center (Ben Thanh Market); Opening hours: 6:00 – 17:00.
- Tan Binh Market, 172 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Ward 8, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City; 5.6 km from the city center; Opening hours: 7:00 – 17:30.
- An Dong Market, 34-36 An Duong Vuong Street, Ward 9, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City; 3.4 km from the city center; Opening hours: 5:30 – 20:00.
- Saigon Square 1, 81 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 9:00 – 21:00.
- Nguyen Trai Street, District 1 and District 5, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: different at different shops, most of them open from about 8:00 to 10:00.
- Ao Dai and Ao Ba Ba are 2 traditional Vietnamese outfits and the most popular things to buy in Ho Chi Minh City. Ready Ao Dai and Ao Ba Ba are available at Ben Thanh Market, Tan Dinh Market, Tan Binh Market, An Dong Market. Prices are different, depend on the quality of materials, decoration materials, etc. I would like to recommend to buy a ready-to-wear set of Ao Dai or Ao Ba Ba including dress/top and silky pants at a price less than 500,000 VND.
Tailor-made
Most of the tourists have Ao Dai, Ao Ba Ba, and suits at tailors, the best of which in Ho Chi Minh City are as below:
Best places to buy tailored clothing for men:
- Phan’s Custom Tailor, 311 Nguyen Cong Tru Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; TripAdvisor: Phan’s Custom Tailor; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phantailor.
- Cao Minh Tailor, Vinhomes Central Park, Shophouse 3, Park 5, 720A Dien Bien Phu Street, Ben Nghe Ward, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 9:00 – 18:00; Website: http://caominh.com/; TripAdvisor: Cao Minh Tailor; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAOMINHSAIGON/; Highlights: since 1948.
- H&D Tailor, 6 Pham Hong Thai, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 9:00 – 18:00; Website: https://www.hdtailor.vn/; TripAdvisor: H&D Tailor; Highlights: over 30 years old.
Prices: from a few hundred thousand to a few million VND.
Best places to buy tailored Ao Dai
- Ao Dai Thiet Lap, 286Bis Pasteur Street, Ward 8, District 1; Highlights: since the 1950s.
- Ao Dai Lien Huong, 111 Pasteur Street, Ward 8, District 3; Website: http://www.aodai-lienhuong.com/home.php; Facebook: Ao Dai Lien Huong;
- Ao Dai Xua & Nay, 599 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, Ward 2, District 3, Website: http://www.aodaixuanay.com/
- Ao Dai Thuan Viet, 98 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1; Website: http://thuanviet.com/; Facebook: Ao Dai Thuan Viet; Highlights: a favorite place of many artists.
- Ao Dai Ngoc Chau, 148 Nguyen Thien Thuat Street, Ward 3, District 3; Facebook: Ao Dai Ngoc Chau; Highlights: reasonable price.
Prices of materials range between 150,000 and 2,000,000 VND. Ao Dai tailor costs range between 300,000 and 4,000,000 VND. However, I would like to recommend to spend less than 1,000,000 VND for your Ao Dai.
On Mekong Delta Tours, Tracy’s team will show you a peaceful and beautiful region with a rich culture and indigenous people. Cruising rivers and channels by boats and sampans is one of the must-do activities in Mekong Delta. Lush orchards, rice paddy fields, quiet villages and many others will make your trip unforgettable.
Best places to buy bespoke Ao Ba Ba in Saigon
Hoai Giang Shop, 40 Tran Quang Khai Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 8:30 – 18:00; Website:
http://hoaigiangshop.net; Highlights: favorite of many artists and locals to buy tailored and sell ready-to-wear Ao Ba Ba and Ao Dai, suits, shirts but its Ao Ba Ba is the best.
Ao Dai Minh Thu, 129 De Tham Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; 199 Nguyen Thai Binh Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 8:00 – 19:00; Website: http://www.aodaiminhthu.com; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aodaiminhthusg/; Highlights: favorite of many artists and locals to buy tailored and sell ready-to-wear Ao Ba Ba and Ao Dai.
I would like to recommend to spend less than 500,000 VND for your Ao Ba Ba.
2. Fabrics
- Ben Thanh Market, Tan Dinh Market, Tan Binh Market, An Dong Market.
- Soai Kinh Lam Market, Tran Hung Dao Street, Ward 14, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City; 7.3 km from the city center; Opening hours: 8:00 – 18:00.
- ABC Fabric Shop, 19 Ly Chinh Thang Street, Ward 8, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 8:00 – 21:30; Website: https://abcaozai.com/; Highlights: famous fabric brand since 1990.
- ABC Fabric Shop, 407 Hai Ba Trung Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 8:00 – 21:30.
- Thai Tuan Fabric, 236 Ba Thang Hai Street, Ward 10, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 8:30 – 21:00; Website: https://www.thaituanfashion.com; Highlights: famous fabric brand since 1993.
- Thai Tuan Fabric, 151 – 153 Nguyen Trai Street, Ward 2, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 8:30 – 21:00.
Prices of material range between 50,000 and 1,000,000 VND/m2.
3. Checkered scarf
Checkered scarfs have been used as neck warmers, hat scarfs, towel by people in South Vietnam in the past. Farmers, vendors and Viet Cong soldiers in checkered scarfs have become something very special in Vietnam. Checkered scarf is not only a great souvenir but also a nice accessory.
Best places to buy checkered scarfs are as below:
- Store 49-50, Taka Plaza shopping center, 4 Pham Ngu Lao Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Website: http://www.khanran.com/.
- Souvenir shops at Cu Chi Tunnels (Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc site).
Prices of checkered scarfs are not expensive, they cost from 30,000 VND.
5. Brocade
- Vietnamese Brocade (Thổ Cẩm Việt) shop, 767/13 Tran Hung Đao Street, Ward 1, District 5; Website: http://www.thocamviet.com/; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thocamviet/; Highlights: since 2009.
Wallets cost from 35,000 VND, bags cost from 130,000 to 400,000 VND.
4. Handicrafts
- Huong Nga Art and Craft, 81 Mac Thi Buoi Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 8:00 – 21:00; Website: https://huongngafinearts.vn/; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuongNgaFineArts/; TripAdvisor: Huong Nga Art and Craft; Highlights: since 1988.
- Cistra Gifts & Crafts stall at 84 Nguyen Hue Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 8:00 – 22:00; Website: http://gifts-crafts.vn/website/Default.aspx.
- Cistra Gifts & Crafts stall at 66B Nguyen Hue Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 7:30 – 22:00.
5. Conical hat, Hand fan, Shell craft, Bamboo souvenirs, Bamboo dragonfly
Best places to buy these items are:
- Ben Thanh Market, souvenir shops.
- Saigon Central Post Office, 125 Cong Xa Paris Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 7:00 – 19:00.
These souvenirs are not too expensive. A bamboo dragonfly costs from 10,000 VND. A conical hat or a hand fan costs from 30,000 VND.
6. Paintings and Sand paintings
Best places to buy paintings in Ho Chi Minh City:
- Tran Phu Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: different at different shops, most of them open from about 8:00 to 19:00.
- Fahasa bookstores listed above in the section Sand panting.
Sand painting is a unique Vietnamese souvenir. You can buy ready or custom made sand paintings at:
- Y Lan sand painting, 393/21 Binh Quoi Street, Ward 28, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City; 10 km from the city center; Website: Y Lan; Highlights: nearly 20 years old, owned by Mrs. Y Lan – the first person who make sand paintings in Vietnam.
- Phuong Vy sand painting, 534/11 Dien Bien Phu Street, Ward 21, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City; 10 km from the city center; Website: http://tranhcatphuongvy.vn/; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/www.tranhcatphuongvy.vn/
- Van Thien Sa sand painting, 3 Street 3C, An Lac A Ward, Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City; 10 km from the city center; Website: http://www.tranhcat.com/; Note: you can call them.
Note: you can call them, the phone numbers are available on the websites or Facebook.
Best places to buy ready sand paintings:
- Parkson Le Thanh Ton shopping center, 35Bis-45 Le Thanh Ton Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 8:30 – 22:00.
- Fahasa bookstore, 40 Nguyen Hue Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 8:00 – 22:00.
- Fahasa Tan Dinh bookstore at 387-389 Hai Ba Trung Street, Ward 8, District 3
- Fahasa Xuan Thu bookstore, 391A Tran Hung Đao Street, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 8:00 – 22:00.
Prices of sand paintings range between 100,000 and a few million VND.
7. Rubber sandals
Nice rubber sandals are worn by Vietcong and locals in the wartime in Cu Chi. It is a lovely souvenir to bring home from Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City.
Rubber sandals can be found at souvenir shops at Cu Chi Tunnels sites (Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc).
Made by local people from cheap materials, rubber sandals are cheap, you can buy a pair of sandals for about 100,000 VND.
8. Souvenirs from bullet shells
Small souvenirs made from bullet shells look great. You can choose helicopters, oil lamps, tanks, motorbikes to gift your family and friends.
Souvenirs from bullet shells can be found at souvenir shops at Cu Chi Tunnels sites (Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc).
Prices of souvenirs from bullet shells range between 30,000 and a few hundred of thousands VND.
Tracy’s team will take you to the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels and show you the best parts of this Vietcong base.
9. Dried foods
There are hundreds of dried foods which are specialties in Vietnam. Some of the most popular dried foods include dried squid, beef jerky, fish jerky, dried jack fruit, dried banana, dried lotus seeds, dried coconut meat, rice papers, shrimp salt, cakes, candies… All of them are delicious.
Where to buy dried foods in Ho Chi Minh city?
- Ben Thanh Market, Le Loi Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 5:00 – 17:00.
- Tan Dinh Market, 1 Nguyen Huu Cau Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; 3.4 km from the city center (Ben Thanh Market); Opening hours: 6:00 – 17:00.
- Binh Tay market, 57A Thap Muoi Street, Ward 2, District 6, Ho Chi Minh City; 8.2 km from the city center; Opening hours: 6:00 – 19:00 (it is better to go there in the morning and early afternoon).
- Supermarkets such as:
- Vincom Center, 72 Le Thanh Ton Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; 500 m from Notre Dame Cathedral; Opening hours: 9:30 – 22:00;
- Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, next to Notre Dame Cathedral; Opening hours: 9:30 – 22:00;
- Coopmart Cong Quynh, 189C Cong Quynh Street, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, 700 m from Bui Vien Street – Backpacker Area; Opening hours: 9:30 – 22:00.
10. Coffee and tea
Some coffee shops and franchises sell their own coffee such as Highlands, The Workshop, Phuc Long, Trung Nguyen, etc. So that you can buy some packs of coffee after drinking and falling in love with the coffee in the shops.
- Highlands Coffee; Click HERE to find locations of all the Highlands Coffee shops in Ho Chi Minh.
- Phuc Long Coffee & Tea
- The Workshop, 2nd Floor, 27 Ngo Duc Ke Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1; Opening hours: 7:00 – 20:00; Prices: Vietnamese coffee beans: 240,000 VND/ a pack of 1kg.
- Phuc Long Coffee & Tea, Click HERE to find locations of all the shops in Ho Chi Minh and other provinces.
- Trung Nguyen Legend, Click HERE to find locations of all the shops in Ho Chi Minh and other provinces.
You can buy Trung Nguyen and Me Trang Coffee at supermarkets. It is safe to buy there because the prices are fixed and the coffee is original.
If you are good at bargaining and a coffee professional, you can buy coffee at markets such as Ben Thanh Market, Tan Dinh Market and Binh Tay Market.
Prices are different. For example, a pack of 200g costs 47,000 VND, Phin costs 79,000 VND at Highland Coffee shops. Trung Nguyen civet coffee costs 860,000/pack of 500g.
Warmest Greetings To All from Tracy Do! Talented and experienced Tracy’s team offers VIETNAM TOURS and Vietnam travel services, especially Ho Chi Minh City Day Trips including HO CHI MINH MOTORBIKE TOUR, HO CHI MINH FOOD TOUR, MEKONG DELTA TOUR, CU CHI TUNNELS TOUR, HO CHI MINH TRANSFER SERVICE and SHORE EXCURSION. Let us have a chance to show you Vietnam to the fullest. If you have any questions about Vietnam including Vietnam tours, do not hesitate to contact me.
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