5 Best Places to Shop in The French Quarter, Hanoi

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 south of the city center.

Featured in international news (including the New York Times) and winner of global awards for both their chocolate and their chocolate wrappers, Marou now has a storefront in Hanoi. The company began by scouring the southern Vietnamese countryside for the best cacao possible. A few years after opening, their enterprise continues to grow and expose the world to Vietnamese single-origin chocolate.

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

This is one of the biggest, busiest, and most atmospheric markets in town. It specializes in fabric, but there's a broad range of other items on sale, from candles to underwear. The best action takes place on the upper floor, but note that some market sellers can be sensitive about photographs. This is a local market, not a tourist sight, so consider buying something small before asking permission to take a photo.

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.