Shopping in Ho Chi Minh City: 9 Places to Go

The scene of shopping in Ho Chi Minh City has a mixture of old and new, from big modern shopping malls to outdoor markets and souvenir outlets. 

If you want to experience the local culture, Ben Thanh Market, Binh Tay Market, and An Dong Market will be your best destinations. Besides, there are also plenty of modern marketplaces such as Vincom and Diamond Plaza that can satisfy your needs. If this is your first time of shopping in Ho Chi Minh City, read on this helpful guide on what to buy, where to shop, and shopping tips in Saigon to get the best buys.

What to Shop in Ho Chi Minh City

Some of the best picks for typical souvenirs to buy in Ho Chi Minh City are Conical Hat ( aka Nón Lá in Vietnamese), tea and coffee, Vietnamese national costume (aka Áo Dài in Vietnamese), propaganda art, Marou chocolate, authentic ceramics, etc. 

The following are general guidelines of things to shop in Saigon based on categories. 

1. Clothing

As you know, Vietnam is a famous country where produces clothes, fashion garments, etc. for export. In this country, you can buy so many imitations of brand-name clothes that are cheaper than the retail price. In Ho Chi Minh City, you can buy cheap clothes in street shops along Nguyen Trai street, Le Van Sy Street, Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street or Sai Gon Square from friendly and hospitable vendors. As far as we know, they usually work in the evening and mainly appear on popular roads. The vendors are so friendly with the foreigners. Especially, you can bargain!

Popular shopping address:

• Saigon Square

Location: No. 77-89 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, District 1 or 179E-181-183-185 Hai Ba Trung Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Opening hours: 9:30 AM – 9 PM every day.

• Nguyen Trai Street

Location: District 1 and District 5, Ho Chi Minh City

2. Handicrafts

Want to buy something unique as gifts for family and friends after traveling to Ho Chi Minh City? Handicrafts are an inevitable part. There are so many kinds of handicrafts with different sizes and materials such as embroidery, vases, trays, sand painting,… for you to choose. These are all made by Vietnamese skillful artists. 

You can buy these with the best prices in An Dong Plaza or Ben Thanh Market.

Or you can find something you like in the below souvenir shops.

Popular shopping address:

• Duy Tan – Saigon Artisan

Location: 84 Le Loi, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Opening hours: from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM every day

• Saigon Boutique Handicrafts 

Location: 58 Le Loi, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Opening hours: from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM every day

• Ha Phuong Souvenir Shop

Location: 92C3-C4 Le Thanh Ton, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Opening hours: from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM every day

3. Luggage and Handbags

In case you need to buy handbags or luggage for your newly bought items, which are considered must-have parts of shopping in such a big city like Ho Chi Minh City, go to Ben Thanh Night market, Luu Van Lang Shopping street, and Le Lai Street, where you can find both luggage and handbags from well-known brands like Samsonite or North Face, etc. and affordable ones. 

Those people particularly looking for fashionable handbags, luggage and wallets should visit Saigon Square and Binh Tay market to get the best deals. Thuong Shop and Lo Ba Shop are other suggestions for shopping luggage in Saigon.

Popular shopping address:

• Ben Thanh Night Market

Location: at the gate of Ben Thanh Night Market, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

• Street Shopping Luu Van Lang

Location: District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

• Le Lai Street

Location: District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

• Thuong Shop

Location: 10 Le Lai street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

• Lo Ba Shop

Location: 70 Nguyen Trai street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

4. Shoes

A quality and cheap pair of shoes is an evitable need of everyone. In a modern and active city like Ho Chi Minh City, there are so many places that can satisfy your needs. And, five locations below will help you find out suitable ones for your own.

Popular shopping address:

• Nguyen Dinh Chieu street.
• Nguyen Trai Street in District 1 and District 5 especially the area of Nguyen Trai Hospital. 
• Luu Van Lang street is located on the right side of Ben Thanh Market.
• Le Van Sy street in Phu Nhuan District. 
• Ly Chinh Thang street in District 3.

 5. Antiques

For those who are traveling to or staying in Ho Chi Minh City long enough, they will probably be interested in shopping for something special in this city. Hunting for antiques, old items markets are interesting ideas that tourists can think about. Because of the increasing demand for using “second-hand” products, Ho Chi Minh City has provided many places to shop with items at a cheap price.

Popular shopping address:

• Le Cong Kieu Antique Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
• Scraps Market: It is called “Scraps Market” because the items sold here are all old and antique. The market lies deeply in the alley of No Trang Long street, 11th ward, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City.

 6. Paintings

If you’re worried that you will not be able to find paintings as souvenirs to send to your friends or relatives after a trip in Ho Chi Minh City, the following guidelines will put your fears to rest. These places have everything: a painter, illustrator, or sculptor, from basic to specialty items. 

Popular shopping address:

• Tran Phu Street in District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
• Bui Vien Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

7. Fabric

When it comes to shopping in Ho Chi Minh City, the coolest thing is that if you want to buy your friend a cool outfit, you can copy it to your size and be sure it’s suitable! Yes, so where can you buy fabric? The below information can help you know.

Popular shopping address:

• Soai Kinh Lam Market (Dong Khanh Mall)

Location: Tran Hung Dao Street, Ward 14, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City

Opening hours: Every day 8 AM – 5 PM 

• Tan Dinh Market

Location: Hai Ba Trung Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Opening hours: Every day 8 AM – 5 PM 

• Le Minh Xuan Market (aka Tan Binh Market)

Location: Le Minh Xuan Street, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City

Opening hours: Every day 8 AM – 5 PM

• An Dong Market

Location: 34 An Duong Vuong, Ward 9, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City

Opening hours: Every day 5:30 AM – 8 PM

Where to Shop in Ho Chi Minh City

1. Ben Thanh Market

As the most popular markets in Ho Chi Minh City, Ben Thanh market is well known among the locals and the tourists. This market is lively at night as well as during the day time. The market is diversifying in terms of products and  large in terms of area, so it can give you every souvenir you can think of. However, it is also the “heaven” of snatching and pickpockets, so you should take care of your belongings.

Location: Le Loi Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Opening hours:  6:00-24:00 every day

Type of products: everything

Price: quite cheap, but you can bargain to have a cheaper price

2. Vincom Center

If you want to have high quality or luxury products, this should be on the top of your list when you go shopping in Ho Chi Minh City. Vincom Center is the biggest shopping mall in Ho Chi Minh City.

This shopping place is separated into 2 buildings: Vincom Center A and Vincom Center B. Both of these places have over 250 retail outlines, ranging from fashion clothing shops, restaurants, cafes, etc. 

Location: 72 Le Thanh Ton Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Opening hours:  8:00-22:00 every day

Type of products: clothes, food, cinema, restaurants

Price: high price for everything

3. Binh Tay Market (aka Cholon Chinatown Market)

Built by the French in the 1880s, Binh Tay Market, is located in the center of Vietnam’s largest Chinatown district. The market gives the population a variety of fruits, vegetables, meat, clothes and seafood from regions across Vietnam.

In Binh Tay Market, there are two separate parts: the outside and the inside section.

In the inside part, the number of stalls in the market goes up the 600’s with so many kinds of products. The outside of the market is the lanes outside of the back of Binh Tay Market, mostly along Phan Van Khoe street, which will fulfill all of your senses. They buy everything in the pavements and the buyers can take everything easily.

Location: 57A Thap Muoi street, District 6, Ho Chi Minh City

Opening hours: 08:00 – 17:00 every day 

Type of products: everything

Price: quite cheap, but you can bargain to have a cheaper price.

4. Sai Gon Square

The market has two branches: one in District 1 and one in District 3. This place is like a fancy version of the local market. Remember that when going shopping, you must bargain to avoid being ripped off, but the goods’ quality is quite worth its penny. Therefore, this market attracts so much domestic and foreign visitors when they go to Ho Chi Minh City.

Address: 81 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia street, District 1 and 181 Hai Ba Trung, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City

Location: 08:00 – 22:00 every day 

Type of products: mainly clothes and shoes

Price: reasonable price, the price will be lower if you master bargain skills.

5. Diamond Plaza

Want to go shopping and have entertainment such as watching a movie, playing bowling, or simply being immersed in a Saigon mall in air-conditioned comfort? Diamond Plaza will surely satisfy your needs. 

The plaza hosts a range of cosmetics stores, branded clothes stores and full of fast food options, etc. Besides, this place is also Ho Chi Minh City’s largest integrated building overlooking 30-4 Park and Notre Dame Cathedral and combines urbane offices, serviced apartments, family health and entertainment facilities. The building’s architectural style reflects Saigon’s tradition and aspirations.

Location: 34 Le Duan street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Opening hours:  9:30 am-10 pm every day

Type of products: clothes, food, cinema, restaurants, sports

Price: high price for everything

6. An Dong Market (aka Craft Market)

An Dong Market has a variety of fashion shops and handicrafts stalls. On the ground and first floor, the buyers can find clothing, textiles, shoes, handbags, etc. The top floor has quality handicrafts and trinkets.

The items sold here are much cheaper than more renowned markets in Saigon and you can still haggle for lower prices. Start at the price of about 40% lower, then bargain with the sellers until you’ve reached an agreed price.

Location: An Duong Vuong Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City

Opening hours: 08:00 – 14:00 every day

Type of products: fashion clothes and handicrafts

Price: quite reasonable, you can bargain!

7. Parkson Plaza Department Store

This international-standard department store provides customers with cosmetics and perfumes on the ground floor, fashion on the second and third floors, and the last floor has homeware and dining outlets. It’s a great place to shop for quality products from international branches such as Coach, Calvin Klein, Bobbi Brown, Clinique, Esprit, and Lacoste.

Location: 45 Le Thanh Ton Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Opening hours: 9:30 – 22:00 daily

Type of products: cosmetics, perfumes, fashion for men and women, homeware and dining outlets

Price: high price! 

8. Art Galleries on Dong Khoi Street

Dong Khoi Street in District 1 is the best location if you want to see art galleries. More than twenty galleries sit right off the street. The most famous ones can be Galerie Nguyen and Phuong Mai Gallery. 

Walking into the art galleries, you can see a real artist drawing their paintings. Price, sizes, and quality are various and you can bargain for a good price.

Location: Dong Khoi Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Opening hours:  9:00 am – 9:00 pm every day

9. Fashion Boutiques

People who are fashion fans and designers are recommended to spend some time visiting these fashion stores in Ho Chi Minh. Dong Khoi Street in District 1 is a great place to go, but there are also plenty of other fashion boutiques across Saigon. The information below can help you find out suitable and fashionable designs.

• Nguyen Cong Tri

Location: 194 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, District 3

• Magonn

Location: 41 Hai Ba Trung, District 1

• Massimo Ferrari

Location: 42A1 Tran Quoc Thao, District 3

• L’usine

Location: 70B Le Loi Street, District 1

• DMC by Do Manh Cuong

Location: 213 Ly Tu Trong, District 1

• Minh Hanh

Location: Vietnam Designers House – 161A Hai Ba Trung, District 3

• Dogma

Location: 1st Floor, 43 Ton That Thiep, District 1

Shopping Tips in Ho Chi Minh City

• Always remember to bargain with the sellers when you want to purchase something and you will get a satisfying deal.
• Best time to shop is late in the morning or in the evening.
• Streets are the best ally of the lover of the purchases. If you travel to Vietnam, you will find a roadside post, don’t think twice and stop buying.

Being the metropolitan that it is, Ho Chi Minh City is always exciting in the eyes of tourists, especially when it comes to shopping. Markets and shopping centers are incapable of all buyers of any level from almost everywhere. Therefore, if you’re looking for a mixture of modern and local shopping in Vietnam, look no further than Ho Chi Minh City.