Russian Market in Ho Chi Minh City

Do you know there is a Russian market in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City? There they hang Russian signboards, turn on Russian music, sell things Russian people love to buy, souvenirs and foods imported from Russia. This Russian corner reminds people who have lived in Russia about their second home country. Furthermore, it has become a favorite place to buy winter clothing and accessories and products made in Russia. Although there are more and more shopping centers and markets open in the biggest city in Vietnam, the Russian Market in Ho Chi Minh City still attracts thousands of customers every day thanks to good prices, quality, service and location.

Location

Russian Market is located at 328 Vo Van Kiet Street, Co Giang Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. It is only 2 km from Ben Thanh Market. It is easy to reach the market by taxi that costs VND 16,000/km or motorbike taxi which costs VND 5,000/km.

History of Russian Market in Ho Chi Minh City

The Russian Market in Ho Chi Minh City was established in 2000 by Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong. He was a Vietnamese soldier who was sent to the Soviet Union for pilot training from 1982 to 1986. The Soviet Union was dissolved into Russia – the biggest country, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Estonia, Uzbekistan, etc. When he returned to Vietnam, he opened a store in Tax Trading Center, then moved to Saigon Square.

In 2000, Mr. Cuong opened a store in the Central Garden building and called his friends and vendors who sell Russian products to locals or Vietnamese products to Russian partners to join the “Russian Market”. Mr. Cuong said: “I was just a soldier who left the army. I created this market in order to gather people who love Russia for doing business. A large number of vendors and workers had been in Russia, some are doctors, some are engineers, some were migrant workers who studied and worked in Russia”.

Through many ups and downs, the 3 floors of the Central Garden have become a market that attracts lots of locals and foreigners including expats and tourists. In the past, Russian products and winter clothes could be found at Tax Trading Center. Tax Center was closed, most vendors moved to the Russian Market. In 2009, Tong Linh Giang Joint Stock Company invested in the market which attracts vendors selling Russian products and winter clothing in Tax Center and other places.

Buildings, amenities and services at Russian Market in Ho Chi Minh City

The market covers 3 floors above ground, with a total area of approximately 2,000 m2. It has about 200 stores selling everything from clothes, accessories to foods and souvenirs.

The facade of the market is decorated with Russia pictures. The main entrance imitates old Russian architectural works with onion-like domes. The text “RUSSIAN MARKET – SAIGON – VIETNAM” can be seen on the entrance. The fountain with 13 spheres in front of the entrance is also remarkable. Stores in the market have signboards in both Vietnamese and Russian. They are certainly decorated in Russian style. So that people who have lived in Russia feel like being in a real Russian market although it is located in Saigon, Vietnam.

The building where the Russian Market is housed has a spacious ground car parking and a motorbike parking in the basement. The market is equipped with modern escalators, air-conditioners and a lighting system. Some benches are available for customers to sit and take a rest.

What is sold at Russian Market in Ho Chi Minh City?

Clothes and accessories

More than half of the stores sell winter clothes and accessories for women, men and children. Winter jackets, winter boots, sweaters, socks, scarfs, winter hats are everywhere in the market although Ho Chi Minh City has no winter. There is no lack of fall and summer clothes, backpacks, coats, T-shirts, blouses, dresses, skirts, etc.

These fashion products are sold at retail to customers who live for working or travel to Saigon and would like to buy winter clothing. Korean, Japanese, Chinese, European, American customers love to shop at the market thanks to a wide range of choices, cheap prices, good service and nice vendors who can speak English and Russian fluently.

According to Mr. Tong who owned the market, every vendor and the market’s management know that it is not easy to attract customers to the market. So they do not offer customers overpriced products. Quality and price are the most important here. All products are bought from factories, vendors keep updated about lastest clothing trends and ensure the quality of products.

The stores do not only sell clothes and accessories at retail but also wholesale. They sell products to Vietnamese retailers and export fashion products to countries in temperate and frigid zones. Three logistics companies in the markets help to transfer products between Vietnam and Russia.

 

Russian food and beverage

Products from U.S.A., Australia, Japan, Korea and Thailand are popular at supermarkets, markets and stores in Ho Chi Minh City. This is one of a few places to buy products from Russia. Here customers can find the famous Raffaello chocolates, sunflower seeds, canned foods including salted herring and canned peach, Russian dumplings, BBQ shashlik marinate spices, caviar, cured pork fat, ketchup, etc. The stores also sell a wide range of made-in-Russia alcoholic drinks .

Russian souvenirs

Customers do not need to travel Russia to buy nice items which are known as the top souvenirs to buy in Russia.

Cafe Restaurant in Russian Market in Ho Chi Minh City

Would you like to find a place to relax and enjoy some Russian food? The Cafe Restaurant is the right choice to taste amazing Russian specialty foods cooked by experienced chefs in a warm atmosphere.