[2023 GUIDE] The Best Places to Go Shopping in Ho Chi Minh City

Shopping in Ho Chi Minh City is the perfect place to find unique and interesting items for every budget.

From modern shopping malls with international fashion brands to one-of-a-kind boutiques and unique items, there is something to please every shopper. Boutique fashion is especially prominent here, where you can purchase bespoke items at a fraction of the price you’d find elsewhere.

Markets are a major part of the shopping experience in Ho Chi Minh City. Here, locals and visitors come together to purchase the freshest produce, unique handmade items, and souvenirs. It’s a shopping experience that you won’t soon forget.

The Best Places to Go Shopping in Ho Chi Minh City

1. Ben Thanh Market

Visiting Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City is a must when exploring Vietnam’s largest and most lively city. In the early hours, locals can shop for fresh produce, while fashion stalls take center stage later in the day. Coffee traders have an impressive variety of beans on offer. 

As night falls, the market transforms into a night market, selling clothing, apparel, and souvenirs until midnight. Street food vendors also set up shop, offering visitors an interesting array of dishes. With something to do at any time of day, Ben Thanh Market is an essential stop for any traveler to Ho Chi Minh City.

2. Parkson Plaza Departmental Store

Parkson Plaza is the first stop on this Ho Chi Minh shopping guide. It is the perfect destination for shopping addicts who want to find a variety of items in one place. The ground floor is full of cosmetics and perfumes, with testers for customers to try before they buy. 

The first floor contains fashionable clothing for men and women, while the second floor is home to stylish homeware. For a break after shopping, customers can head up to the fourth floor, where a selection of restaurants offers a great meal.

3. Vincom Center

The Vincom Center is a renowned shopping destination in Ho Chi Minh City, with two separate buildings offering a wide array of retail experiences. Vincom Center A is a charming, low-rise colonial building that houses over 250 shops, including many flagship stores for international fashion houses such as Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss, and Hermes.

Across the street from Vincom Center A lies Vincom Center B, a modern glass skyscraper that takes up the first four floors. Here, visitors can find a range of high-street brands, sporting apparel, and homeware. This expansive shopping mall has something for everyone.

4. Khaisilk

This shop in Ho Chi Minh City is a luxurious boutique known for its beautiful fashion and homeware made from silk fabrics. Their products are of great quality and are priced accordingly. The shop started as a local brand but has since become a well-known international brand, a great success for the business. 

The shop offers an array of amazing scarves, bed sheets, dresses, and handbags that will surely be loved. With the high quality and reasonable prices, this shop is worth a visit.

5. Rubik Zoo

This shopping complex in Ho Chi Minh City is very popular with locals. It is in the city’s zoo, set up under a container. Approximately 1000 vendors come here to sell and showcase their goods. 

The variety of items is great, with stalls offering fashion clothing, accessories, decorating materials, and food. All the stalls are well-organized, and the items are reasonably priced.

6. Bin Tay Market (Cholon Chinatown Market)

Cholon, also known as Binh Tay Market, is located at the edge of Ho Chi Minh City’s District 5. It is renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and opulent Chinese architecture. Visitors to Cholon can explore a fascinating assortment of handicrafts, lacquerware, textiles, and fresh produce.

At the back of the market lies an open-air food court, where visitors can sample local delicacies. Popular treats include Vietnamese noodles, banh bao (steamed bun with pork filling), and Chinese sausages. This is a great way to experience the local Buddhist culture and enjoy tasty treats.

7. The New District

Visiting the New District in Ho Chi Minh is one of the most popular shopping destinations. This flea market is renowned for its beauty and is the perfect place to find unique and artistic items. Every weekend, local designers have the opportunity to showcase their work to a massive audience. The market first opened in 2015 and has been thriving ever since. Some local brands you can find here are Live, Heverly, Ubarnists, and Pop Birdy.

8. Diamond Plaza

Diamond Plaza is a department store in Ho Chi Minh City‘s District 1. It is surrounded by some of the city’s most popular attractions, such as the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon and April 30th Park. The shopping complex is housed in a converted period building and features several floors of shopping stocked with men’s and women’s fashion, homeware, and sports goods.

After shopping, visitors can relax and dine in one of the many eateries or enjoy some entertainment options. Family-friendly activities within Diamond Plaza include a bowling alley and a cinema. Diamond Plaza has something for everyone, whether you’re looking to shop, eat, or have fun.

9. Saigon Square

Saigon Square is a two-story wholesale fashion mall in Ho Chi Minh City. It is the perfect place for bargain hunters looking for some of the best prices in the area. Inside the mall are seemingly endless aisles of small stalls selling various items, including T-shirts, men’s and women’s clothes, shoes, handbags, swimwear, luggage, jewelry, and textiles. 

Although prices on the tags may be higher than expected, bargaining is expected at Saigon Square. It is easy to compare prices among different stalls, so make sure you browse the mall before settling for an asking price you’re comfortable with.

10. Parkson Hung Vuong Plaza

Parkson Hung Vuong Plaza is a comprehensive international-standard department store in Ho Chi Minh City‘s District 1. It offers a wide range of items from mid- and high-range brands, such as Coach, Calvin Klein, and Lacoste. 

The complex’s ground floor features cosmetics and perfumes, while the 2nd and 3rd floors offer fashion for men and women. The 4th-floor houses homeware and restaurants. 

This department store provides a convenient shopping experience for mid- and high-range brands in Ho Chi Minh City.

11. An Dong Market (Craft Market)

An Dong Market is an indoor market located in District 10, around 10 km southwest of central Ho Chi Minh City. Traveling there should take no more than 10 minutes by taxi from District 1. This market offers a wide range of goods at wholesale prices. 

The market’s top floor is filled with many craft stalls, making it one of the best places in Ho Chi Minh to buy handicrafts from skilled artisans. These artisans practice Vietnam’s proud heritage in lacquer and woodwork, making An Dong Market a great place to buy authentic items.

12. Dong Khoi Street art galleries

Ho Chi Minh City is home to art galleries of all kinds. From rough, paint-by-numbers reproductions of famous paintings to some of the world’s leading modern art, there is something to suit every taste and budget. Dong Khoi is the perfect place to start for those looking for a nice range of art galleries in Saigon. Taking the time to look around and find galleries with higher-quality paintings is recommended.

Le Xuan Art Gallery and Ben Thanh Art are great places to find local artwork that is still affordable. Apricot Gallery is an excellent option for those looking for something of a higher quality. The artworks are much better quality and come with prices to match.

Shopping in Vietnam Tips

Bargaining in Vietnam

When shopping in Vietnam, you’ll find that most stores do not have marked prices. This means that you must negotiate to get a fair and reasonable price. One tactic is to counter with an offer that is 50% of the original asking price and then agree on a price between the two. Another tip is to ask for prices at multiple shops to compare and know what’s fair. 

You may also want to familiarize yourself with the currency by downloading an exchange app like XE Currency. This will help you understand how much your haggling equates to in your own currency, as the exchange rate is 23,500 dong to 1 USD. This way, differences between prices can be more easily determined when negotiating. 

If I’m considering purchasing an item with a marked price, I will pay it without bargaining, as this eliminates confusion for both parties. However, negotiation and comparison shopping may be necessary if there isn’t a marked price. Remember: the goal should be for both parties to reach an agreement where everyone is happy!

Where to Buy Vietnamese Souvenirs in Saigon

Ho Chi Minh City is much less touristy than other cities in Vietnam, like Hoi An and Hanoi, so fewer small souvenir shops are located around town. The highest concentration of vendors can be found at Ben Thanh Market during the day. Some sellers move to the street outside in the evening and become a small night market. If you’re looking for the widest selection of souvenirs, we recommend visiting Ben Thanh Market during the day.

When shopping for Vietnamese souvenirs in Ben Thanh Market, don’t expect prices to be marked; you will need to negotiate with sellers to get a fair price. Central Market is an alternative with fewer souvenir stalls but slightly cheaper prices. The selection of Vietnamese souvenirs at this market isn’t as large or diverse as Ben Thanh, but it is known for its designer knockoffs which may be interesting.

Where to Buy Designer Knockoffs in Ho Chi Minh City

If you’re looking for designer knockoff goods in Ho Chi Minh City, head to Saigon Square and the Russian Market. Both are indoor, covered markets that are full of various vendors. 

You’ll find purses, athletic shoes, clothes, and other accessories at Saigon Square. Prices tend to be on the higher side here, so it’s important to negotiate as much as possible. You should also be wary of vendors claiming that their products are originals.

At the Russian Market, you’ll find outerwear such as warm puffy jackets and knit hats. You can also find workout clothes and other miscellaneous attire here at more reasonable prices, so negotiating is less necessary.

Where to Buy Gold Jewelry in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)

If you are looking to buy gold jewelry in Ho Chi Minh City, there are many stores around the city, but not all are willing to do business with foreigners. This is due to language barriers and a reluctance to negotiate set prices. However, there are still some places where you can buy jewelry as a foreigner. The shops near Ben Thanh Market have staff that speaks English and is open to doing business with foreigners. Prices here may be slightly marked up, but it is worth it for the assurance that you will receive a fair deal.

One such store we would recommend is Oanh Dien Jewelry, located at 152 Le Thanh Ton. They welcome foreign customers, allowing them to try on different pieces and explain any questions about their purchase. Negotiations can take place here, too, although the extent of which will depend on the item being purchased.

Where to Buy Pottery in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)

Vietnam is not usually associated with pottery, which has a more Chinese-inspired design than Vietnamese. However, during our trip to Saigon, we discovered beautiful antique pottery pieces available for a fraction of their original price. 

The Ben Thanh Market in Saigon is one option for pottery shopping, but the best place to buy these items is off the typical tourist track. Located on Duong Nguyen Huu Tho Street between the Kenh Te Canal and Lotte Mart in District 7, there are several outdoor shops offering a large selection of pottery. To get there, take a Grab service to Lotte Mart and head north on Duong Nguyen Huu Tho Street. 

The shop owners are unlikely to be fluent in English, so it is important to be aware of this when negotiating prices. Additionally, it would be wise to rewrap your purchases before returning home as they may not survive the journey otherwise.

Where are the Artisan Shops in Saigon

We highly recommend that you check out Couleurs by Rehahn Fine Art Photography if you are looking for a statement art piece or coffee table book. Rehahn is a photographer based in Hoi An, Vietnam, who takes very beautiful and vibrant portrait photos, including his iconic images of Vietnamese women with indigo-stained hands, which are well-known all over the world.

If you want to take some sweet treats back home with you, then be sure to visit Maison Marou. This artisan chocolate shop has the best chocolate in the city and provides a nice space to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee. They also have plenty of packaged chocolate bars in creative flavors to take home! 

Finally, if you’re looking for unique gifts during your trip to Saigon, don’t forget to stop into L’Usine Le Loi. This gourmet restaurant offers delicious Western dishes – we recommend enjoying brunch here – and has the largest boutique gift shop out of all their locations; they have lots of quirky items that can’t be found anywhere else.