Shopping in Vietnam offers travelers an unforgettable experience, combining vibrant local markets, colorful street scenes, traditional handicrafts, and modern shopping malls. From bargaining for handmade souvenirs to exploring luxury retail centers, shopping in Vietnam reflects the country’s rich culture, lively atmosphere, and growing modern lifestyle—making it a must-do activity for every visitor.
1. Best Shopping Places in Vietnam: Top Items to Buy for Travelers
1.1 Traditional handicrafts
Vietnam is renowned for its traditional craft villages, where age-old skills have been passed down through generations. Rich in character and cultural charm, these villages and local markets offer some of the best shopping experiences in Vietnam while providing an authentic glimpse into the country’s heritage. Below are the most iconic items and the best places to find them.
- Lacquerware: Vietnamese lacquerware features deep colors, glossy surfaces, and layers of detail. You can find bowls, trays, vases, and jewelry boxes in souvenir shops specializing in lacquerware on streets in Hanoi like Nha Tho, Ly Quoc Su, and Hang Gai.
- Conical hats: The iconic non la Vietnam is light, practical, and timeless. The best hats come from Chuong Village and My Lam Village, where artisans still weave them by hand.
- Silk products: Vietnam’s silk is smooth and light, perfect for scarves, shirts, dresses, and accessories. You can explore Hanoi Silk Street, Van Phuc Silk Village, Hoi An Silk Village, Nha Xa Village, Tan Chau Village, and Ma Chau Village for authentic finds.
- Embroidery: Fine embroidery is a treasured art in Vietnam. Beautiful tablecloths, napkins, garments, and artworks come from Dong Cuu Village, Quat Dong Village, and Van Lam Village.
- Bamboo and rattan products: Vietnamese chopsticks, baskets, lamps, and home décor are often crafted from bamboo and rattan. Phu Vinh, Tang Tien, and Ngoc Dong are some famous craft villages for these products.
- Pottery: Vietnamese ceramics come in blue patterns, rustic earth tones, or modern styles. Bat Trang Pottery Village and Thanh Ha Pottery Village are must-visits.
- Puppets & masks: Water puppetry is a national treasure. You can pick up handcrafted puppets or paper masks at Hang Ma Street, Rach Water Puppet Village, Dao Thuc Puppetry Village, and Ong Hao Paper Mask Village.
- Stone sculptures: Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village, Bu Long Village, and Ninh Van Village produce statues, jewelry, and home décor made from marble and other stones.
- Lanterns: Packable and available from $4, paper lanterns add a Vietnamese touch to any room, with the best variety found on Hang Ma Street (Hanoi). For more luxurious designs, seek out silk Hoi An lanterns in Hoi An Ancient Town.
- Artworks: Vietnam’s art scene is rich. You can explore local galleries, woodblock prints, Dong Ho paintings, and shops in Hanoi Old Quarter.
1.2 Fashion items and accessories
When shopping for clothes in Vietnam, fashion items and accessories truly stand out. From traditional garments to contemporary designs, these are the pieces that tourists find most appealing.
- Ao dai: The traditional Vietnamese tunic – “Ao dai” – is characterized by its long sleeves, stand collar, and side seam slits up to the waist, typically worn with palazzo-style pants. You can find this Vietnamese traditional dress at tailoring shops in Hanoi Old Quarter, Hoi An Ancient Town, and Pasteur Street (Ho Chi Minh City).
- Jewelry (gold, silver, gemstones): You can visit Hang Bac Street, Tran Nhan Tong Street, and Ha Trung Street in Hanoi to find high-quality, custom-designed pieces.
- Ethnic fabrics & accessories: These textiles feature bright colors and geometric patterns. Markets in Sapa and Bac Ha Market offer the best selection.
- Footwear: Shoe shopping in Vietnam is affordable and varied. Look for shoes at Hang Dau Street, Dong Xuan Market, and Ben Thanh Market.
- Clothing: Vietnam has a growing fashion scene. Local brands like Latui Atelier, FANCì Club, LA LUNE offer stylish tops, dresses, pants, and accessories with high quality.
1.3 Food and drinks
Vietnam is a food lover’s paradise, where many treats make perfect souvenirs. Here are the easiest-to-find items for tourists.
- Vietnamese coffee: Instant and ground coffee from brands like Trung Nguyen or G7 are popular.
- Vietnamese tea: Green tea, oolong, black tea, and West Lake lotus tea are widely sold in Vietnam’s supermarkets.
- Dried fruits: While dried fruits like jackfruit and banana are widely available in supermarkets, Hang Duong Street in Hanoi is famous for its specialty: “O Mai” (salted, sweetened, or spiced preserved fruits).
- Vietnamese cakes: Try green sticky rice cake on Hang Than Street in Hanoi, Sapa chestnut cake at Sapa’s markets, pia cake, and Vietnamese mung bean cake .
- Vietnamese herbs & spices: Look for Phu Quoc fish sauce, Phu Quoc pepper, and local herbs at Vietnam’s markets.
Popular Vietnam souvenirs include postcards, keychains, T-shirts, tote bags, 3D pop-up postcards, propaganda posters, and other charming trinkets that showcase the country’s iconic culture.
2 .Unique shopping experiences in Vietnam
2.1 Luxury shopping
Luxury shopping in Vietnam has expanded rapidly, offering travelers a sophisticated contrast to the country’s vibrant traditional markets. Major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City now boast upscale shopping districts filled with designer boutiques, stylish storefronts, and modern retail spaces.
In Hanoi, visitors often head to popular shopping destinations such as Vincom and Lotte Mall, which provide a convenient all-in-one experience. Areas like Trang Tien Plaza and the surroundings of Hoan Kiem Lake feature a mix of international luxury brands and high-quality local labels.
Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh City delivers a similarly refined atmosphere along Dong Khoi Street and within its large, modern shopping centers, creating an ideal setting for those eager to explore the premium side of shopping in Vietnam.
2.2.Shopping at floating markets
Floating markets in the Mekong Delta provide one of Vietnam’s most authentic and vibrant shopping experiences. Instead of traditional stalls, vendors sell their goods directly from boats, displaying their products on tall bamboo poles known as “cây bẹo.” Fresh fruits, vegetables, local snacks, and handmade items are traded from boat to boat, creating a lively scene on the water. To explore these unique markets, visitors typically rent a boat and immerse themselves in the rhythm of river life.
Most Mekong Delta floating markets open early in the morning and stay busy until mid-day.
- Cai Rang Floating Market: Cai Rang is the most famous floating market in the Mekong Delta. It bursts into action early each morning, with boats selling fresh produce, breakfast dishes, and handmade goods.
- Long Xuyen Floating Market: Long Xuyen Floating Market sits on the Hau River in An Giang and keeps a quiet atmosphere thanks to its limited commercial influence. It is busiest in the morning, when boats gather to trade fresh produce and local dishes while residents go about their daily life on the water.
- Nga Bay Floating Market: Nga Bay Floating Market sits at a rare seven-river junction that gives the market its name. The vendors here sell vegetables, household items, handicrafts, local dishes, and an impressive range of tropical fruits such as rambutan, mangosteen, durian. The market is also known for unusual items like snakes, geckos, birds, squirrels, and soft-shell turtles, adding an unexpected twist to shopping in Vietnam.
2.3 Shopping for tailor-made clothes in Hoi An
Hoi An is renowned for its rich tailoring heritage, making it one of Vietnam’s most enjoyable destinations for custom-made fashion. Visitors can simply step into a tailor shop, select their preferred fabric, describe a design, and receive a perfectly fitted outfit—often within just a day. The experience is smooth and welcoming, with skilled tailors guiding customers through measurements, fittings, and final adjustments to ensure every detail reflects their personal style. Popular establishments such as Blue Chic Tailor (13 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street), Be Li (635 Hai Ba Trung Street), and Be Be Tailor 2 (95 Phan Chu Trinh Street) remain busy year-round, celebrated for their craftsmanship, professionalism, and dependable service.
3. Useful notes for shopping in Vietnam
3.1 Bargaining
Bargaining is a fun and lively part of the shopping experience in Vietnam, but it’s best practiced at traditional markets rather than in supermarkets or large retail stores.
- When shopping in Vietnam, keep a neutral expression and avoid showing too much interest. Sellers may raise the price if they think you really want the item.
- The final price often lands at around 50% of the first asking price. Locals usually pay even less, but 50% is still considered a fair deal for tourists.
- Learn a few basic Vietnamese phrases to show respect. Sellers appreciate the effort, and prices often drop more quickly. If needed, use a calculator to communicate numbers.
- Shop around before making a decision. Many stalls sell similar items, so compare the prices
3.2 Shopping scams
Shopping in Vietnam is usually enjoyable, and it gets even better when you know a few common scams to watch out for so you can shop with confidence:
- Overpricing is pretty common when shopping in Vietnam, especially in tourist-heavy markets. Ask locals about fair prices and bargain confidently.
- Confusing banknotes make it easy to receive the wrong change or non-cash substitutes. Pay with small bills and double-check every note you receive.
- Counterfeit goods, especially clothing and electronics, often appear with swapped labels. Inspect items closely and buy from reliable stores.
3.3 Extra notes
These additional tips will help you get the most out of every market visit:
- Bargain with a friendly attitude.
- Pay in Vietnamese dong and keep small bills on hand to avoid confusion.
- Buy several items from the same vendor to get better deals.
- Look for shops with fixed price tags if you prefer a simple, no-bargaining experience.
- Step a few blocks away from busy tourist areas to find more reasonable prices.
- Check customs rules if you plan to buy high value goods.
- Leave extra space in your luggage in case you pick up more than expected.
FAQs about shopping in Vietnam
Is Vietnam a good destination for shopping?
Yes. The variety of markets, malls, crafts, and bargains makes shopping in Vietnam one of the most enjoyable activities for tourists.
What are the best cities for shopping in Vietnam?
Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Hoi An, and Hue are the top destinations for shopping in Vietnam.
What are the most famous shopping malls in Vietnam?
Vincom Center, Lotte Mall, and Aeon Mall are the most popular Vietnam shopping centers.
What are the popular online shopping sites in Vietnam?
Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop offer easy online shopping in Vietnam.
What are the most famous markets in Vietnam?
Dong Xuan Market (Hanoi), Ben Thanh Market (Ho Chi Minh City), Dong Ba Market (Hue), Han Market, Hoi An Market (Da Nang), and Dam Market (Nha Trang) are the top choices.
Shopping in Vietnam goes far beyond buying souvenirs. It’s a journey into the country’s rich traditions, vibrant creativity, and local flavors. From handcrafted silk in age-old villages to trendy streetwear and delicious edible gifts, every purchase offers a memorable and rewarding experience.
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