Shopping in Ho Chi Minh City: Where to Shop & What to Buy
Shopping in Ho Chi Minh City is a day-and-night activity that goes along with the cultural uniqueness and modern life. The variety of shopping places in Ho Chi Minh City goes far beyond a stroll in a mall or a basket in a market.
Shopping in Ho Chi Minh City is a must-have experience in Vietnam, and there is no denying that. Ho Chi Minh City is not very famous for shopping experiences, though, shopaholics still find fun in the variety it offers. This city is one of the best places to buy your favorite items at affordable prices.
Best places to shop in Ho Chi Minh City
If you are a shopaholic who has 24 hours in Ho Chi Minh City, rush to these places to have the best shopping experiences in Ho Chi Minh City. You can buy things everywhere, from the markets, malls to right off the streets.
♣ Shopping in markets
You will be amazed by the atmosphere and the unbelievable variety of wares available in markets in Ho Chi Minh City. Keep in mind that haggling is encouraged, but do so in a polite manner. Here are some of the most exhilarating, chaotic and lively markets for shopping in Ho Chi Minh City.
Ben Thanh Market
It sounds awkward to travel to Ho Chi Minh City and not visit Ben Thanh Market. More than a local market, Ben Thanh has become an iconic building that tells an interesting story of Ho Chi Minh City. Ben Thanh is one of the oldest markets in the city. This is where you will find almost everything you look for, from food, spices, clothes to souvenirs, jewelry and even electronic gadgets. You may get lost in the market with over 1,500 kiosks and 6,000 merchants, but that doesn’t matter as you will always find something good.
Every day from 7 PM, kiosks inside the markets are closed but the lively atmosphere keeps growing all around. When night comes, you can marvel at the charming night market and enjoy some of the best Saigon street food. The areas around Phan Chu Trinh Street and Phan Boi Chau Street are also packed with souvenir shops and craft beer stalls.
» Location: Le Loi Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1
Read more on Exchange Currency in Ho Chi Minh City to get prepared for your fascinating shopping trip.
Binh Tay Market
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People talk much about Binh Tay Market as a symbol of Cho Lon Quarter – the largest Chinatown in Vietnam. The market reflects a special blend of French architecture and Chinese influences. With over 90 years since its formation, Binh Tay Market is a great place to keep the local way of life and witness the trading development of Cho Lon.
Just like any other markets in the city, Binh Tay Market offers a wide range of food, clothes, fabric, shoes and many more. You can see people gather here to collect needed items for distribution to other smaller markets in Ho Chi Minh City. Many traditional Chinese herbs and sweet soup desserts are found here and the surrounding areas as well.
» Location: 57A Thap Muoi, Ward 2, District 6
Saigon Square
Saigon Square blurs the line between markets and malls. You enjoy the spacious shopping area of the mall and get a wide variety of items as the market. At Saigon Square, you will find the trendiest items that somehow cannot be found in stores or malls. Most shoes, clothes and accessories sold here are local products while some are imported from Cambodia, Thailand or Malaysia.
As its central location, Saigon Square is frequently visited by both foreign tourists and locals. There are some locations for you to choose from, on Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street and Hai Ba Trung Street. Just be prepared that haggling helps you get the better deal due to shop owners often tell tourists a higher price. Read Vietnam Travel Tips to learn the art of bargaining in Vietnam. Anyway, if you look for an interesting place for shopping in Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon Square is a destination to be.
» Location: 81 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1 | 178-183 Hai Ba Trung, Da Kao Ward, District 1
♣ Shopping in malls
From local brands to international ones which you may have never heard of, everything can be spotted in malls in the city center. One thing for sure, you don’t have to think about bargaining.
Diamond Plaza
Diamond Plaza is a giant shopping mall located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, near the Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral. You can find all luxuries from Lancome, Dior, Chanel, Calvin Klein from level 1 to 3. Level 4 sets space for eateries, cinemas, spa, bowling complex and household appliances stores.
Shopping and eating in malls are definitely ‘safe’ as the prices are fixed. When you get tired of walking and shopping, all you need to do is simply take a break and have a delicious dish at the restaurants at the food court.
» Location: 34 Le Duan, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
Saigon Center Takashimaya
Saigon Center Takashimaya is younger than some shopping malls in Ho Chi Minh City. Since its opening in 2016, Saigon Center has become a favorite destination for both Vietnamese and foreign shopaholics. The interior is set elaborately so that visitors do not only get the best shopping experiences but also have relaxing time indoor.
Many Vietnamese youngsters love Saigon Center for its great backdrop for Instagram pictures. The shopping center changes its look frequently with various styles themed Christmas, New Year or Mid-Autumn Festival. You can also find your favorite cup of coffee from artisanal coffee shops in the mall. Check out Runam, Khanhcasa, Ember.
» Location: 92-94 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
Vincom Center
Vincom Center faces three main roads which are Dong Khoi, Le Thanh Ton and Ly Tu Trong. This shopping center has about 50,000m2 with over 250 fashion stores, restaurants, cafés, entertainment complexes from B3 to L2. Vincom Center is always up-to-date with latest fashion trends around the world from top brands such as Karen Millen, FCUK, Coast, Runway, Sisley, DKNY, Mango.
Foodies also enjoy their time at Vincom Center with international dishes that satisfy all tastes. From American cuisine to Asian food, from sweet treats to tea, shopaholics find it a good place to fuel energy after mall walking. Even though shopping is not the first thing you aim to do in Saigon, you are just seduced to buy things!
» Location: 72 Le Thanh Ton, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
♣ Shopping on streets
The easy connectivity of the streets makes shopping and walking around a cakewalk. Needless to say, you will find the most unique things that never be found in ordinary markets or malls for shopping in Ho Chi Minh City.
Dong Khoi Souvenirs Street
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Strolling through Dong Khoi Street is one of the best things to do in District 1. Dong Khoi Street is dotted with luxury shopping malls and best hotels in Ho Chi Minh City. This area also lures travelers into the world of souvenirs. You will love Dong Khoi Street for historical architecture, commercial hotspot and lovely souvenir shops. More than searching for things to buy, you will be blown away by the lively atmosphere of one of the most important streets in Ho Chi Minh City.
Don’t you know what souvenirs to bring home from Vietnam? Walk around and you will find the answer by yourself. From silk to embroidery, hand-made products represent the best part of Vietnamese craftsmanship. Check out Tombo Souvenir Shop, Butterfly Shop or H’mong Saigon Shop to buy some best souvenirs.
Le Cong Kieu Antique Street
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Nestled in the crowded city center is Le Cong Kieu Antique Street. You can travel back time and find the tranquility in antique shops that sell almost everything, from crafts, watches to household appliances. If you are into collecting antiques, there are many items that worth every penny. What about ceramic vases from the Nguyen Dynasty, bowls, incandescent lamps, incense burners, or statues of Buddha?
You also find some rare notes from French Indochina and pennies from the feudal period in Vietnam. Large horizontal lacquered boards that used to belong to only aristocrats are for sales now. This street is for all kind of antiques, from the high-priced to the low-cost, from the shops to the pavements. And even you are not in the mood to buy anything, a walk around Le Cong Kieu Street is an interesting experience to discover a very different aspect of Saigon.
Tran Phu Paintings Street
Near Ho Thi Ky Flower Market, Tran Phu Paintings Street fills your soul with arts. The one-way street is not crowded though it is in the city center. Just walk along the street slowly until you find a good painting to buy. Stores offer all types of paintings that fit your tastes, oil paintings, watercolor paintings, pastel paintings, acrylic paintings and many more.
Affordable prices, great in quantity and quality, Tran Phu Paintings Street gives you a good shopping experience and a look into way of life in the surrounding area. If you an art enthusiast, also visit Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, Lotus Gallery, Apricot Gallery, Duc Minh Gallery.
For a unique experience in Ho Chi Minh City Tour, shopping is no doubt one of the best things to be. You can spend hours browsing through the collections and explore eateries for a friendly shopping experience. Visiting these places for shopping in Ho Chi Minh City will take you for a stroll in the history of the city as well.
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Trinh Tran written for Maika Tours
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