Shopping in Vietnam: Top 20 Places for Every Shopaholic

Here is a complete guide to shopping in Vietnam, which will make your Vietnam shopping experience all the more pleasant:

1. Ben Thanh Market

2. Hanoi Night Market

3. Binh Tay Market (Cholon)

Located in Ho Chi Minh City's Chinatown, Cholon is the perfect place to experience the local Buddhist culture. This region here offers a wide variety of goods and food items that illustrate an amalgam of the Vietnamese and Chinese cultures. You can find an exhaustive collection of various authentic items such as handicrafts, lacquerware, textiles, and fresh produce, which is quite a staple here as well. Cholon also has a historical aspect to it and has an altar honoring the founder of Binh Tay.

Opening Hours: 6:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Location: 57 Thap Muoi, District 6, Ho Chi Minh City

4. Quang Ba Flower Market

Not many places have an entire marketplace dedicated to the trade of flowers, but then, Vietnam isn't your average shopping destination! Starting as early as 2 a.m., the Quang Ba Flower Market in Hanoi has the most varied collection of vibrant blossoms that are brought in from the nearby villages of Dong Anh, Soc Son, Me Linh, Dalat, and Nhat Tan. The most popular flowers here are daisies, cherry blossoms, roses, orchids, and sunflowers. A sight for sore eyes, this place will warm your heart with its endearing colors and fragrant atmosphere. A camera would make an excellent accompaniment to this destination!

Opening Hours: All Day
Location: Au Co, Nhat Tan, Tay Ho, Hanoi

5. Han Market

This Market for Shopping in Vietnam is in Danang and has been here for the past century. It has practically every single thing you could need all under one roof! You can buy tropical fruits such as bananas, mangoes, durian, and jackfruit if you wish to experience Danang through its delicious produce. However, local specialties that also double up as souvenirs include chili paste, Ly Son garlic, rice crackers, and dried squid.

Opening Hours: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Location: 119, Tran Phu Street, Hau Chai District, Da Nang

6. An Dong Market

Another great indoor option for shopping in Ho Chi Minh City is An Dong Market, which has a good collection of fabrics and clothing. This market is arranged over many levels, and the lowest level sells some great food items to gorge on. If you are interested in buying souvenirs, the top floor of this market has some interesting options. Carved incense burners, animal figures, trays, tea sets, chopsticks sets, coasters, and chopsticks rest are a few of the items available here. 

Opening Hours: 07:00- 06:00 PM
Address: Phuong 9, District 5, Ho Chi Minh

7. Cai Rang Floating Market

If you've had enough of land-based markets, worry not, for Vietnam has you covered! Located in the Mekong Delta is Cai Rang, which is an entire market spread based on boats and the biggest one in the entire delta region. A picturesque bridge serves as the perfect location for some good old photography. If you wish to avoid the rush of customers, you might want to visit this destination during the morning hours. Navigating the market requires you to hire a boat, after which you can quickly look into the various goodies up for sale.

Opening Hours: 24 Hours
Location: An Bình, Cái Rang District

8. Dong Ba Market

Another great place to shop for Vietnamese products would be the Dong Ba Market in Hue, where you can find the freshest ingredients at really affordable prices. Traditional Vietnamese breakfast is a rage here, and you can try out delicious dishes such as Pho, Banh Khoai (stuffed omelet), and fresh spring rolls. You can also find vendors here selling unique souvenirs and Vietnamese clothing at affordable prices, capturing the essence of Vietnam.

Opening Hours: 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Location: Tran Hung Dao Street, Hue

9. Dam Market

The Nha Trang Market, also known as Dam Market, is one of the busiest marketplaces in Southern Vietnam. Spread over a three-story establishment, this shopping center is quite well-organized and easy to navigate. Fashion and accessory enthusiasts will find handmade clothes, trinkets, handbags, watches, sneakers, and reproductions of branded clothing in the front and middle parts of the market. The backside of the market is reserved for edibles, and you can find both raw and ready-to-eat food items here. Dried seafood delicacies such as vacuum-sealed shrimp, seaweed, and cuttlefish also make an appearance here and are worthy of the taste.

Opening Hours: 5:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Location: Van Thanh, Nha Trang

10. Hoi An Central Market

Located along the quaint banks of the Thu Bon River is this heritage place for Shopping in Vietnam, where you can buy Hoi An's fresh produce of fruits, vegetables, and tangy spices such as saffron and cinnamon. Its riverside location makes it the perfect place for some fresh catch of fish, which is readily available to go straight to the kitchen. Handicrafts, handmade textiles, and souvenirs are quite abundantly available as well.

Opening Hours: 5:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Nguyen Hue and Tran Phu Streets, Hoi An

11. Dinh Cau Night Market

A great activity to pursue in Phu Quoc Island post-sundown is the amazing Dinh Cau Night Market, where you can experience the local cuisine and also indulge in some good old shopping. This bazaar has about a hundred stalls selling lip-smacking snacks to gorge on as you shop. Grilled scallops, steamed squid with fermented fish sauce, boiled sea snails, flower crab with rice noodles, and deep-fried shrimp are some of the hot favorites here. Dinh Cau has a decent collection of gift items such as T-shirts, slippers, jewelry, and handicrafts. Delight your foodie friends with fermented fish sauce, dried seaweed, black pepper, and cashew nuts, which are ideal gifting options as well.

 Opening Hours: 5:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Location: Vo Thi Sau Street, Duong Dong, Phu Quoc Island

12. Dong Xuan Market

Located in the capital city of Hanoi, the Dong Xuan Market, an indoor market in Vietnam, is a one-of-its-kind in the city, giving off a unique shopping experience. Apart from the regular goods, which include fresh seafood, meats, and vegetables, this two-story market also sells printed t-shirts, fabrics, handbags, and handicrafts that are sold at wholesale prices. The iconic Vietnamese conical hat can also be found here and would be an excellent addition to your headgear collection!

Opening Hours: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Location: Dong Xuan Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

13. Phan Thiet Central Market

This popular place for Shopping in Vietnam is the largest in the province. It opens up right at the crack of dawn and has a fresh spread of cheap seafood such as shrimps, squids, fish, snails, clams, and crabs. Morning time is the best time to visit this market if you wish to try out some delicious authentic Vietnamese food. Edible souvenirs can be brought here, and nuoc mam cham (fermented fish dipping sauce) and coconut candies are favorites among tourists.

Opening Hours: 5:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Location: The intersection of Ly Thuong Kiet and Nguyen Hue Streets, Phan Thiet

14. Trang Pottery Village

The seventh-century old pottery and ceramic market located next to the Red River will make for a fun and dynamic stop on your visit to Vietnam. This strip of potters and ceramic shops dole out beautiful and intricate trinkets and household objects. Some shops even let you make your earthen wonder. If not shopping, you can always take a walk down the street, taking in all that the local Vietnamese culture has to offer. You can reach the Bat Trang village by taking a bus to Dong Xuan market, which is very near to the market.

Opening Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location: Bát Tràng, Gia Lâm, Hanoi, Vietnam

15. Hang Gai Street, Vietnam

The Hang Gai Street, or Silk Street, is the one-stop destination for premium quality silk fabric and apparel. The 300-meter stretch offers a large variety of shops selling home furnishings, running fabric, and tailor-made or ready-to-wear silk outfits. Many boutiques and street shops, set on the edge of Hanoi’s Old Quarter lake, also sell stationery, lamps, and souvenirs for you to take back.

16. Hang Bac street, Vietnam

Hang Bac street is one of the Hang streets in Vietnam, which are located near each other. Hang Bac Street was known for harboring its many goldsmiths. This is essentially a jewelry market selling gold, silver, and artificial jewelry and accessories. Apart from this, you can get a dose of history by visiting the Kim Ngan temple or trying Vietnamese fare at the Orchid restaurant for an affordable price.

Shopping Malls in Vietnam

17. Takashimaya Ho Chi Minh City

The Japanese store chain Takashimaya opened in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and has been a favorite place for shopping in Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City. You can get the best products from Japan, Europe, and North America right in the heart of the city. The first floor hosts jewelry, cosmetics, and fragrances from brands like Bobbi Brown and Estee Lauder, where you can even get free makeup trials. The second to the fourth floors carry the best footwear and apparel brands like Clarks, Banana Republic, and Bebe. On the topmost floor is the food court. Here, you can get an assortment of dishes like ramen, sashimi, or even tea from TWG Tea Salon. Located in the bustling District 1, it is hard to miss this shopper paradise.

Opening Hours: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Location: Saigon Centre, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

18. Aeon Mall Long Bien

Another famous Japanese-owned mall, Aeon Mall, can be found in Hanoi. At a sizeable 120,000 square meters, it hosts four stories of stores ranging from jewelry and cosmetics to shoes and clothing from top brands of the world. Better yet, it features a food court and multiple entertainment centers like arcade gaming, a bowling alley, a cinema hall. The Aeon Mall in Long Bien is a favorite among local and foreign shoppers in Hanoi as well as Vietnam. Families traveling with children will be happy to hear that the mall has an indoor playground as well. It is located just east of the Old Quarter in Hanoi; because of this, there are shuttle buses that ply regularly. If you'd like to opt for a taxi, which is recommended to avoid crowded buses during peak travel hours, the average price would be between VND 130,000 - VND 150,000.

Opening Hours: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Location: So 27 du'ong Co Linh, Phu'ong Long Bien, Long Bien, Hanoi

19. Saigon Centre

Saigon Centre is the crown jewel of shopping in Ho Chi Minh City. It includes two 'phases' - the first phase was completed in 1996, and the second phase was completed in 2017. The second phase went on to become the fourth tallest building in the city. Saigon Centre boasts more than 46,000 square meters of space that offices, service apartments, and multiple retail outlets use. The center includes three levels of spacious parking. Due to its pricing, Saigon Centre has become immensely popular amongst the upper-middle class as a destination for shopping in Vietnam. It's a great location to buy electronics and apparel, hosting brands such as Bambou Company, Gingko T-shirts, and Dogma.

Opening Hours: 9:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Location: Le Lou Boulevard, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

20. Saigon Square

Vietnam has its share of malls and shopping complexes, and Saigon Square is undoubtedly one of the best in Ho Chi Minh City! This destination has a vast collection of clothing and fashion accessories which are sure to delight every bargain shopper. This marketplace is air-conditioned, which comes as quite a relief from the hot weather of Vietnam. With its vast collection of jackets, coats, dresses, wallets, bags, and much more, you are sure to find some goodies to take back home.

Opening Hours: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Location: 81 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh

What to Buy in Vietnam

Now that you know where to go shopping in Vietnam, it's time to explore what best to buy to commemorate your trip to this Southeast Asian country. Aside from the typical shopping mall experience, there's a surprisingly large variety of local things to buy in Vietnam. You can either opt for products that are traditionally and authentically Vietnamese or pick out some everyday stuff at low prices. Here's a list of items you should consider while figuring out what to buy in Vietnam

1. Ao Dai

The Ao dai, a long-fitted typically worn with slacks, is considered the country's national clothing for women. It's quite an elegant garment to own after your Vietnam travels. Because of the fit, it's best to use local tailors to make the ao dai according to your body type rather than buy ready-made ao dai from the market. But keep in mind that this traditional Vietnamese garment, handcrafted with the most beautiful Vietnamese silk, won't come cheap - getting customised Ao Dai would cost between VND 700,000 and VND 1,500,000.

2. Vietnamese Clothing

If you're looking to shop for affordable clothing in Vietnam, then you'll be happy to learn that Vietnamese tailors are quite proficient in recreating your favorite styles at a cheaper rate than brand stores. Show them your desired product, provide your measurements, and these highly reputed tailors will do the rest! Within a week, you can own pretty customized garments without burning a hole in your wallet. The beautiful handiwork of Vietnamese clothing is a souvenir you'll want for the rest of your life.

3. Vietnamese Silk

Vietnam's booming silk industry, too, offers a vast range of colors and patterns for every kind of attire. From shirts and ties to dresses, these silk garments are beautiful to wear and even more exciting to view as you are shopping in Vietnam. You can buy natural silk for around VND 70,000 per meter, while the more premium fabrics are VND 100,000 per meter. 

4. Non-La (Vietnamese Conical Hat)

 While shopping in Vietnam, you'd be amiss if you didn't seek the Vietnamese conical hat, also known as non la. The Non-La has become synonymous with Vietnamese culture since the 1700s and is the perfect souvenir for your friends family, or a little memento for yourself to remind you of your trip to Vietnam.  Not only are they cute to wear, but they are available at reasonable prices of VND 10,000 at local markets. Avoid buying these at souvenir shops, which will sell them at inflated rates of VND 30,000 - VND 100,000.

5. Pearl Jewellery

Another great accessory to buy from Vietnam is pearls. Ha Long Bay and Van Phong Bay are home to many pearl farms. You can purchase good-quality necklaces, earrings, rings, and bracelets from the home-grown Saigon Pearls brand for prices starting at VND 3,000,000. They make accessories from gemstones and gold, too.

6. Vietnamese Snake Wine

Deviating from the traditional Vietnamese drink of rice wine is Vietnamese Snake Wine. A popular drink in Vietnam, snake wine comes from infusing snakes, usually venomous, into jars containing rice wine. Locals believe that drinking increases virility. Snake wine can be found in most local markets like Binh Tay Market and should be on your shopping list to wow your friends back home.

Some Tips For Shopping in Vietnam

1. Bargaining is a norm here, so don't forget to negotiate to get a price that seems fair to you.
2. As would be the case with any busy marketplace, make sure you keep a tab on your valuables at all times, as pickpockets might target you.
3. Goods manufactured in Vietnam are cheaper than imports, and paying in Vietnamese Dongs is less expensive than paying in U.S. dollars or euros.
4. Malls and certain department stores are costlier than local markets, so make sure you shop in the local marketplaces to get good bargains.
5. Use the local language as often as you can; it certainly will aid your negotiations over prices!

With a wide variety of things to buy, places to buy them from, and unbeatable prices, shopping in Vietnam is every shopaholic's dream. So pack light when traveling to the country, as you are going to want to buy all the Vietnam has to offer!