Takashimaya
District 1
The multifloor Takashimaya department store is the centerpiece of this glitzy new shopping mall, which features many international brands, restaurants, and cafés. Younger kids will enjoy tiNiWorld on the fourth floor.
39 Best Places to Shop in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Sorry! We don't have any recommendations for Ho Chi Minh City right now.
There's a growing trend in Ho Chi Minh City’s shopping scene of in-the-know locals and expats opening up enticing boutiques selling fair trade items, housewares, and very stylish locally made items, ranging from fashion to coffee cups.
Considered a traditional fine art of Vietnam, lacquerware is beautiful, long-lasting and—best of all for those with luggage weight restrictions—light. Most tourist shops and markets hawk the same kind of budget lacquerware. Higher quality items come at a price and are usually found in specialty shops. Some of the newer high-rise shopping complexes in downtown Ho Chi Minh City are home to high-end international brands, such as Versace, Jimmy Choo, and Prada. On the other end of the scale, markets offer a cheap and cheerful experience. They are generally open from sunrise until sunset, although some vendors just outside the markets stay open later.
By law, all transactions should be completed using dong, even if prices are quoted in U.S. dollars.
The Factory Contemporary Arts Center
District 2
Established in 2016 by artist Ti-A, The Factory is dynamic destination for art, and home to curated exhibitions, workshops, live arts, talks, and film screenings. Check the website to find out what's on.
Tran Quoc Lan
District 1
This little cobbler shop can custom-make shoes in as little as a week, either copying an existing shoe or replicating one of the samples on display. Expect to pay 1,800,000d and up—not bad for a hand-stitched pair made with quality leather, likely to be a long-lasting reminder of your trip to Vietnam.
Recommended Fodor's Video
Tuyet Lan Orchids Silk
District 1
This cute little shop has a selection of ready-made clothing in Western sizes and a fast and efficient tailoring service. The clothing is mostly women's but there is a small range of men's items, including ties, as well as a range of handbags, scarves, and jewelry.
Allow at least two days for tailoring, even though the shop assistants may tell you they can do a one-day turnaround—some extra fitting and final adjustments may make all the difference to your purchase.
Villa Royale
District 2
This teahouse and antiques shop offers an eclectic mix of small, large, and very large collectibles, objets d'art, art, silverware, and vintage furnishings from Europe, North Africa, and Asia, collected by globe-trotting Australian chef and hotelier David Campbell. David exercises his chef muscles in the teahouse.
Vincom Center Dong Khoi
District 1
Five levels of retail therapy in a shiny new glass-and-chrome skyscraper include an eclectic mix of high-end fashion brands, such as Jimmy Choo and Versace, and well-known midrange options, such as Gap and a branch of the British Debenhams department store. There are multiple dining options, a CGV movie theater on the sixth floor, and a Kids Zone on one of the basement floors, with a play area for young children and a large arcade for older kids.
VinSpace
District 2
Regular art exhibitions are hosted in this boutique art studio in District 2's Thao Dien area, and it also runs workshops for adults and children. It's particularly popular with expats for its regular Wine and Canvas painting evenings.
XQ
District 1
The hand-embroidered silk "paintings" created here have to be seen to be believed. They come in a range of styles, from traditional Vietnamese scenes to photograph-quality portraits. The artists work on the top floor, and the lower floors showcase their work, together with a small range of men's and women's clothes and accessories (scarves, ties, and fans). There are other locations in Dalat and Hanoi.
Yersin Market
District 1
Once the go-to place for army surplus items and Vietnam War memorabilia, this market now has an eclectic range of hardware and camping supplies alongside the military-esque products. So if you're in the market for a Zippo cigarette lighter, a hand truck, an army-green hatchet, or a life jacket, this is the place for you.
