16 Best Places to Shop in The Central Coast, Vietnam

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.

From leather boots and silk scarves to high fashion dresses and corporate suits, Yaly Couture can re-create practically any designer item within two days. The shop's own designs have plenty of character and style, thanks to the owner's passion for workmanship. It is one of the most professional and ethical tailoring businesses in town, with the largest selection of high-quality fabrics. Find them at 47 Tran Phu, 47 Nguyen Thai Hoc, and 358 Nguyen Duy Hieu.

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.

Wander through the labyrinth of vendors serving up freshly prepared Hoi An specialties including cao lau—a regional dish made with noodles, pork, and greens that can only be found in Hoi An—alongside a good range of other Vietnamese favorites like pho, banh zeo (savory pancakes), and bun bo hue. This is where the locals shop, so expect a lot of activity in some cramped quarters, especially if you arrive for early-bird specials. Once you've chosen your stall you are welcome to order dishes and fruit juices from other vendors who will bring them to your table. Prices are fixed and displayed, and the food vendors follow strict food hygiene rules, making this one of the best spots to sample a vast array of dishes normally only available on the street.

Wander past the vendors to find market stalls packed with local spices, coffee, the famous Quang Nam Chili jam, and cooking utensils, but be prepared to barter hard with the friendly yet business-savvy stallholders in this area of the market.

Hue's main market, Dong Ba, situated north of the Citadel just beyond the central Hue bus station, is the place to go for street food, souvenirs, clothing, and knockoff brands. It's enormous and packed to the rafters, so it can feel cramped and hot, especially near the food stalls in the center. Unlike many other local markets in the central region, this one comes alive as the sun goes down, when crowds descend for dinner right in the front of the market. Bargaining is expected at the market stalls.

If it's custom shoes you're after, this is Hoi An's top destination for leather boots and sandals. After you select your design and material, the staff will take your measurements and have the item tailored within 24–72 hours. Then they will deliver it to your hotel or ship it directly to your home. Their motto is "No Like. No Pay," which they back up with a 180-day money-back guarantee, as well as a generous warranty of six months for shoes and one year for bags.

Located right in the center of the city, this sprawling multistory local Vietnamese market is a good place to head if you want to sample some good old-fashioned Danang specialties. It’s very much like a miniature version of Ben Tanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City. There's an indoor food court near the meat section that offers the freshest and tastiest dishes. Worth trying are mi quang (noodles with pork, shrimp, and a light broth) or com hen (baby clams and rice). Venture upstairs for fabric, clothes, cosmetics, and housewares.

This funky little traders house on Nguyen Thai Hoc stocks a truly Hoi An–inspired collection of casual resort- and swimwear. Each fashion-forward piece is professionally printed and stitched in Vietnam. Hot Chili focuses on producing apparel, swimwear, and accessories made from a fusion between handmade art and screen printing technology.

This vocational center for young people with special needs turns out to be a more lively and fun place than it sounds. Bright and welcoming smiles are seen by the time you appear at the gate. On the right hand side is the Raku pottery workshop where disabled artisans patiently work on the pottery wheels. On the left, there is a souvenir shop where the others are meticulously weaving colorful electric wire or single-use plastic wrapper into beautiful items. Handicraft classes are available if you wish to sit down with these delightful young artisans to learn how to make pottery and share laughter.

This city-centered space near the iconic Truong Tien Bridge is a great place to shop for handicraft items and local produce with fixed prices. Apart from souvenirs made in Hue, there are also the former capital’s specialties such as cajeput oil, sesame candies, and royal tea and rice wine. The amiable and knowledgeable staff are available to explain the techniques of making conical hats, paper lotus flowers, and incense sticks. There are also handicraft classes with friendly and patient local artisans on site. There are two sister spaces at 79 Nguyen Chi Dieu Street (Luc Bo Cultural Space) and at Thieu Phuong Garden inside the Hue Forbidden Purple City worth visiting.

While the city at large has garnered a reputation for its custom-made suits, Lana Tailor stands out among Hoi An's dozens of tailors because of its stylish selections and satisfaction guarantee (you won't be asked to pay until you see the finished product and are happy with it). Choose from a showroom of in-vogue dresses, suits, jackets, and skirts, and if you don't find what you're looking for, just show them a photo of it online and they'll make it within 24 hours. Choose from fabrics including leather, cotton, cashmere, and wool. Tailored dresses range from $45 to $85 in U.S. dollars, while suits cost between $79 and $200. Items can be shipped internationally for an additional fee.

Choose from a stunning range of high-quality jewelry designs, handcrafted locally by Quang Nam's finest artisans. Take your pick from a selection of intricate Vietnam-inspired pendants, earrings, bracelets, and rings, or tailor your own personal design from a selection of jade, turquoise, opal, amethyst, citrine, blue topaz, or freshwater pearls.

They can also reset and remold jewelry brought from home.

This small high-end, ethical slow fashion brand produces one-of-a-kind clothing and accessories made from premium and organic materials. Metiseko also sell quilts and home decor, all with lovely prints and fabrics, drawing inspiration from Vietnamese culture, folk traditions, and landscapes.

Feel GQ-worthy with a custom suit from this leading men's tailor, where jackets, suits, and coats are all made within 24 hours. Materials and fabrics are a cut above the other shops in Hoi An, and somehow Mr. Xe manages to get you a perfect fit on the first attempt—maybe because he and his staff are meticulous with measurements. A three-piece suit will set you back around $150; it's okay to haggle for the price.

Owned by painter and fashion/interior designer Quang Tan, TA gallery is a collection of paintings by young artists in Hue. While the first floor is more for "touristic" art pieces, the second and third floors house theme exhibitions with a focus on Hue City; there is also a chic coffee shop and bakery. The themes of the exhibitions change every two months.

Taking cues from traditional paper-making techniques, artist Phan Hai Bang and his colleagues created the modern visual art form, Truc Chi. The process involves using water sprays to etch patterns layer by layer onto wet pulp that films on a fine silk frame. Truc Chi artworks are displayed in a riverfront gallery just a 15-minute walk from Thien Mu Pagoda.