Soai Kinh Lam Fabric Market – Ho Chi Minh City’s biggest fabric market

Soai Kinh Lam Fabric Market, also called Thương Xá Đồng Khánh, is known as the paradise of fabrics in Ho Chi Minh City. This special market is the oldest and biggest wholesale and retail fabric market in this hustle and bustle city. Highlights of Soai Kinh Lam include cheap prices and varieties of choices.

General information of Soai Kinh Lam Fabric Market

Location: 481 Tran Hung Dao Street, Ward 14, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Google Maps . The market is 6 km far from the city.

Opening hours: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM.

Vendors: about 500.

History

Soai Kinh Lam fabric market was established in 1989 when District 5’s People Committee plan textile market. They have moved vendors from other markets and shopping centers to Thương Xá Đồng Khánh (Dong Khanh Shopping Center) in Tran Hung Dao Street, Saigon China Town.

From 1989 to 1995, the market had developed so fast that it was the fabric center of the entire country. The number of stores reached up to 1,000. In recent times, there are about 500 fabric stores in Dong Khanh Center, houses on Tran Hung Dao Street, other nearby streets and alleys.

There was a flower market named Soai Kinh Lam next to Dong Khanh Shopping Center. So that people call the fabric market Soai Kinh Lam. Although the flower market was closed, they still call the biggest fabric market Soai Kinh Lam.

What are sold at Soai Kinh Lam Fabric Market?

Shoppers can find thousands of types of cotton, synthetics (polyester, nylon, spandex), rayon, linen, cashmere, silk, wool fabrics at Soai Kinh Lam Market. They sell fabrics to sew suits, dresses, shirts, blouses, trousers, Ao Dai, Ao Ba Ba, performing clothes, sleeping gowns, even curtains. The market has not only popular fabrics but also rare fabrics.

Some stores sell sewing accessories including threads, buttons, needles, scissors, tape measures and decoration items including beads, flowers, ribbons, chains, etc.

Prices are cheap and there are countless choices. Prices range between 40,000 and 1,000,000 VND. Customers should lower the asking prices a little bit.

Chiffon fabrics and sequin embroidered fabrics

Activities

Soai Kinh Lam Fabric Market is always crowded with retail and wholesale customers. Huge rolls of fabrics, pieces of fabrics for making Ao Dai, suits, trousers folded or hung on clothes hanger are arranged inside and in front of the stores. Sellers sit on chairs or stands in front of the doors, welcome customers and offer them the best choices.

Each shop specializes in a few kinds of fabrics. A customer can not find the same kind of fabric at other stores. Vendors are happy to tell you where to buy the kinds of fabrics at your wish. Thus it is comfortable and easy to shop at this market.

In the market, workers arrange, cut, fold, pack fabrics, shippers are responsible for the transportation of fabrics in bags in boxes. Trucks of fabrics are around the markets. Motorbike taxi drivers wait for their customers, parking guards help customers to find the motorbikes in the parking area. Sometimes, they have their meals in a hurry. Plastic glasses of iced tea and coffee which make people less sleepy are favorite drinks of workers, drivers, sellers and guards.

The market is located next to Cha Tam Church in Saigon China Town. If you have a chance to visit Ho Chi Minh City, do not miss this special market. Visitors do not only come here to buy fabrics but also learn more about local life.

How to reach Soai Kinh Lam Fabric Market?

You can take a taxi from your hotel to the market, the fare is about 75,000 VND. You can also take a bus from District 1 to Cho Lon Bus Station which is 700 m from Soai Kinh Lam Market. The bus fare is only 6,000 VND. City tours by bus/van/car usually do not take tourists to this place. A good choice is joining a Ho Chi Minh motorbike tour on which local drivers drive you to hidden places and special shopping places including this market.