90 Best Shopping in Vietnam

Leather artisan Nguyen Mai Phuong opened aN Store on one of Hanoi's most charming colonial streets. Aside from leather purses, wallets, and bags, she also sells high quality linen clothing and home decor.

Owned by avid reader Hoang Van Truong, this is by some distance Hanoi's best bookshop. There are over 10,000 books in stock and Truong and his learned team speak excellent English. The new location doubles as a cute café.

This fashion boutique is Hanoi's best clothing store for finding a blend of classic and modern fashions, including European- and Asian-inspired dresses, jackets, skirts, and gorgeous silk garments. Each item is perfectly tailored by Spanish owners Laura and Diego. The couple designs with unique patterns, materials, and embroidery, meaning that no two items are ever the same. The Chula website gives a glimpse into their innovative style, and they have another location on 18 Nha Chung.

Vietnam's best-known contemporary art gallery showcases art from drawing and painting to video and installation over four spacious levels. Established in 2003 by Quynh Pham, who fled Vietnam for the United States at the end of the war, Galerie Quynh is known for its consistently focused programming and educational initiatives.

The founder of Gallery Vivekkevin presents his own luxurious contemporary jewelry, as well as collections from artists from around Asia, in ways that elevate the jewelers from craftspeople to artists. Even if you'd rather not splurge for jewelry while on holidays, this stark white gallery and retail outlet is worth popping in for a quick peek. The intricate creations on display are mind-blowing.

A tiny little T-shirt shop that opened in 2007 has grown into a chain of stores featuring its own Ginkgo-branded clothing and backpacks. Their graphic T-shirts are especially popular souvenirs as many of them highlight whimsical aspects of Vietnamese culture. There is also a store at 10 Le Loi.

Housed in an astonishing colonial mansion, Hien Van Ceramics sells artisanal ceramic items, including vases, statues, and ornaments.

Run by a H'mong woman and her husband, this is by far the most stylish of Sapa's small boutiques. The craftsmanship of the H'mong minority is legendary, and this skill shines through in the shop's well-chosen selection of bags, clothing, pillows, and belts. Authentic batik classes can also be arranged through Indigo Cat.

This is the place to get beautifully designed, funky, and fashionable handbags made of rattan, brocade, crochet, beads, and all kinds of other materials. It also sells original jewelry and accessories such as cuff links. The brand has gone international and celebrity fans are said to include actress Jamie Lee Curtis and Hillary Clinton.

This chic, capacious boutique stocks luxe gifts from an array of international brands like Rifle stationery, Izipizi sunglasses, and home accessories from design companies like Fritz Hansen and Hay. International travelers might be more drawn to the selection of stylish, made-in-Vietnam products from brands including Cochine, Avana, and Woo Cares. There are two larger locations at 24 Thao Dien (District 2) and in Crescent Mall (District 7).

Mixing retro and modern stylings to create items that are fresh and unique, Magonn has become one of Vietnam's leading female fashion brands with several branches throughout Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Mai Gallery is run by the daughter of Vietnam's leading art critic, Duong Tuong. It is largely a showcase for Hanoi painters and is very popular with serious collectors.

Founders Tram Vu and Bill Nguyen opened Manzi, the first and best place to purchase contemporary Vietnamese art in Hanoi, in 2012. The gallery's focus is to support and promote up-and-coming Vietnamese artists through exhibitions, concerts, charity events, and by providing a creative space to work within. Much of the art displayed can be purchased, and the adjoining cafe serves as a great co-working space, too. They have a sister exhibition space just around the corner (2 Ngo Hang Bun).

Set up by an NGO to assist women in remote villages in Vietnam and Cambodia, Mekong Quilts stocks beautifully handcrafted items made from papier mâché, silk, bamboo (including seven models of bamboo bicycles), and water hyacinth as well as beautifully handmade quilts and cushions.

Tan My is the most famous embroidery shop in Hanoi. Employees from Thuong Tin Province, which is known for its rich embroidery tradition, adorn tablecloths, silk clothing, and wall hangings with intricate designs. Ready-made work depicts everything from traditional Vietnamese floral patterns and dragon designs to scenes from Western fairy tales, or you can custom order.

A consortium of Vietnam's contemporary designers all under one roof, O is the Vietnamese word for umbrella. This fashion-savvy boutique on the trendy Nguyen Thai Hoc sells everything from funky propaganda art posters and Saigon Kitsch trinkets, to funky cushion art, luxury resort wear, and bohemian fashions.

Kids can be entertained in the make-your-own monster workshop.

Tired City showcases a range of designs from young artists and graphic designers printed on ultra hip t-shirts and hoodies. There are also posters, postcards, playing cards, and other souvenir items.

Vietnam's amazing ethnodiversity is highlighted at this gallery-antiques emporium. Craft works and cultural antiques obtained from the 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam are spread over four floors. A shipping service is available.

The vendors in this short street crammed with shops might claim their wares are genuine, but the truth is they're mostly replicas—interesting and beautiful, but definitely not worth the first price quoted. It's a great street for browsing, especially if you're into old photographs, but it will test your negotiating skills.

High-end bespoke menswear at this boutique features handmade shoes, suits, and shirts, as well as bags and sunglasses. If you can't make it to the District 3 store, you can arrange a consultation in your hotel room and be measured for gorgeous tailored clothing.

Beautifully soft handmade leather handbags, resort wear, and accessories (including jewelry using semiprecious stones) here are all one-of-a-kind, often featuring intricate details, such as fish leather and tourmaline. Items are ethically produced, made in Vietnam from sustainable materials.

Even if you have no intention of shelling out thousands of dollars for a painting, this beautiful gallery is still worth visiting. It's a great introduction to modern Vietnamese art as it displays works by the country's most famous contemporary artists.

To really appreciate Hanoi's art scene this is the ideal place to start. Gallery director Suzanne Lecht is one of the leading experts on Vietnamese art and she can lead you on studio tours and advise you on major purchases. The gallery is long established, but has recently moved to a bright new space in an up-and-coming arty enclave.

Authentique Home sells a range of beautifully crafted products made from wood, ceramic, and cloth from three workshops: Cam Kim carpentry, Cam Ha potteries, and Cam Giang textiles.

This off-the-peg, edgy fashion boutique stocks everything a fashionista could wish for and won't find anywhere else in Vietnam. The seasonal collections of clothes and accessories are designed by the in-house expat designer Ava, and crafted by Hoi An weavers, tailors, and leather makers.

If you love the design but don't like the color, you can choose from a bespoke selection of fabric; they'll run up a one-off design tailored to your preference.

This is a great example of a local wet market selling fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, seafood, and housewares. The aisles are narrow and crowded and full of locals doing their daily (sometimes second- or third-daily) market runs. Food, coffee, and other drinks are available if you need a recharge. It's all done by 4 pm.

Built in 1914 and renovated in 1985, the sprawling Ben Thanh Market has 3,000 booths. The outlets at the front are tourist-oriented, selling clothing, shoes, bags, and lacquerware; in the middle there's food and at the back fresh produce. The vendors can be incredibly pushy and pickpockets often roam the narrow aisles. There are better places to pick up souvenirs and much better places to eat. Once a must-see in Ho Chi Minh City, now it's a place best avoided, although it's a handy landmark, lying as it does between the central business district and the backpacker's area.

With more than 20 years of experience in fashion and customer service, Bo is the person to turn to if you need a dress or a shirt tailor-made in four hours. A true professional who speaks fluent English and French, Bo consults with you about design, material, and budget, ensuring you end up with the custom-made piece of your dreams tailored in house. Hats, silk, and cashmere scarves as well as embroidered clothes are available.

French fashion editor-turned-designer Catherine Denoual creates soft and luxurious hand-embroidered bed and table linens in elegant neutral colors, many with a dragonfly motif. The linen and other home wares in her flagship store have been described as contemporary heirlooms for their elegance and attention to detail.