HO CHI MINH CITY SHOPPING (1)

 

HO CHI MINH CITY SHOPPING

WHERE TO SHOP AND WHAT TO BUY IN HO CHI MINH CITY

 

Ho Chi Minh City is a fun place to shop for bargains. Some goods can be unique and fascinating – old propaganda posters, for example; we found one that exhorted people to plant garlic for export.

Clothing includes silks and hand-woven fabrics with a reputation for high quality. Vietnam is also famous for handicrafts including bamboo ware, ceramics and lacquer. There are, too, all the usual holiday souvenirs such as T-shirts and beaded handbags at prices that are hard to beat. 

 

 

Most Popular Shopping Venues in Ho

 

Chi Minh City

 

Ben Thanh Market

 

Situated in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, bustling Ben Thanh Market in District 1 is a great place to buy local handicrafts, branded goods, Vietnamese art and other souvenirs.

Here, you’ll find eating stalls inside the market where you can get a taste of hawker-style Vietnamese cuisine or simply cool off with a cold drink when the bargaining becomes too much.

 

The market is big, difficult to navigate at times and certainly best avoided during the hottest part of the day but all the same its well worth a look. When night falls, restaurants around the perimeter of the market open their doors creating a vibrant street side scene filling the air with the scents of wok-fried noodles, barbecued fish and meats.

One of Saigon’s oldest landmarks, Ben Thanh offers a great atmosphere that is absolutely authentically Vietnamese.

 

Ben Thanh Market Highlights

 

 

Save your appetite and head to Ben Thanh Market in the evening where you can be served some real street style local food at one of the 20 or so eateries that surround the market building. Chefs will cook in front of you with an endless array of cuisine choices including vegetarian noodles, fresh seafood, crispy rice pancakes and steamed cakes. You will be in great local company as most of the places thrive with locals enjoying a bite to eat and a quick drink on their way home from work.

For shopping heaven head to the market preferably early morning to pick up some bargains including lacquer ware, bamboo goods, arts and crafts. Also on sale are clothes, textiles, luggage, watches and an assortment of electronic goods. Spices, nuts and local fruits heavily scent the air which is also filled with the chatter of tourists and locals haggling for bargains. Do note however that some items will be strictly fixed price.

 

Good to Know about Ben Thanh Market

 

 

Ben Thanh Market is situated in District 1 in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City at the intersection of Le Loi, Ham Ngh, Tan Hung and Le Lai streets. Shops close late afternoon with shopping best done in the morning before the heat of the day hits.

The market is one of Ho Chi Minh’s most famous landmarks and is known by all taxi drivers, although if you are staying downtown check first to see if you can walk to it from your hotel as it’s very centrally located.

 

 

Art Galleries and Antique Shops in Ho

 

Chi Minh City

 

 

 

 

 

An Dong Market (aka Craft Market)

 

This three-story market (both a retail and wholesale market) is not at all fancy but it has some modern architecture including escalators. Located in District 5 (Chinatown), it is a must for handicrafts enthusiasts. Just go directly to the top floor and spend time hunting for good quality woodwork, lacquer ware, knitwear and various type of Vietnamese crafts. An Dong is also famous for fabrics. Prices are cheaper than other bigger markets, especially those downtown.

Location: conveniently located right by the An Dong Plaza and Windsor Plaza Hotel 
Remarks: Best time to go is early in the morning

 

 

Antique Street

 

Le Cong Kieu Street, otherwise known as the major antique market of HCMC features many small shops selling antiques and original arts objects (as well as fake and imitation products) within the range of the 100-metre long street. Among the goods found here are vases, ceramics, Buddha images, ivory, Asian-style food carriers, vintage coins and money and old electronics items such as radios, TVs and lamps. Take the camera.

Location: Opposite Ben Thanh Market and not far from the Fine Arts Museum

 

 

Apricot Gallery

 

Features a range of local artists whose paintings display unmistakably distinctive Vietnamese flavour – idealised landscapes and dreamy portraits in soft hues.

Location: 50-52 Mac Thi Buoi, District 1 
Tel: +848 3822 7062

 

 

 

Lac Hong Gallery

 

The best of Vietnamese fine art finds its home at Lac Hong Gallery (located inside the Ho Chi Minh City Art Museum), which offers a large selection of unique paintings and sculptures from both local masters and up-and-coming artists. A must for any art lover.

 

Location: 1A Le Thi Hong Gam, District 1 
Tel: +848 3821 3771

 

 

Life Impression

A very special store for modern lacquerware gift items. You will not find traditional Vietnamese lacquerware here as the shop is full of brightly-coloured and funky decorative pieces.

Location: 47 Ton That Thiep, District 1 
Tel: +848 3821 4521

 

 

MH Craft

Go to MH Craft to appreciate the skills and innovation of the Vietnamese craftspeople at turning humble materials such as buffalo horn, bamboo and even eggshells into unique and beautiful decorative items and art.

Location: 33 Ton That Thiep, District 1 
Tel: +848 3821 4459