The Best Place to Shop in Hanoi, Vietnam

Background Illustration for Shopping

Whether they’re selling clothing, pottery, silks, or souvenirs, shops in Hanoi can do some serious damage to your spending account. Tackle your wish list in Old Quarter, where 40 colonial streets offer every type of product imaginable, and then some. This fashion hub is a good place to find silk dresses and skirts, and if you can’t find what you’re looking for, a local tailor will certainly offer to create something for you. Hanoi is a good place to pick up a traditional ao dai, as many local women still wear these fitted silk tunics that drape over elegant pants. Throughout the city are galleries and shops selling ceramics, lacquer and silk paintings, and traditional embroidery.

Souvenir shops are easy to come by, with the best ones located in Old Quarter and near the Temple of Literature. When buying art in Vietnam, be careful of fakes. Paintings by Vietnam's most famous painters—Bui Xuan Phai, Nguyen Tu Nghiem, and Le Thiet Cuong—are the most widely copied. Serious art collectors should consult the well-respected high-end galleries.

It's possible to have clothes made to order with enough time—one day to three weeks, depending on what you want made and the tailor's schedule. You may also need to return a couple of times to have the clothes fitted.

Bat Trang Ceramic Village

Fodor's choice

At this traditional pottery-making village just outside Hanoi you can purchase ceramics made by local artisans or participate in a pottery-making workshop. Everything from pots and plates to masks and jugs are sold at the dozens of shops lining the streets. It's the best place to buy a teapot or traditional Vietnamese coffeemaker. A stroll through the village is a welcome escape from the city, and you can pay to make your own ceramic souvenirs. There's a network of ancient alleyways close to the river and a couple of interesting museums, including the contemporary Bat Trang Pottery Museum.