Shopping in Vietnam

There are so many places to shop in Vietnam. The local markets are the best places to pick up a bargain and you must master the art of haggling to get anywhere as they will try to rip you off! There are also a number of shopping malls in Ho Chi Minh City housing both designer and high-street brands as well as cinemas and various food outlets. We have picked the shopping highlights and ‘must sees’ of both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City for you to sample:

Hanoi

Old Quarter
The Old Quarter is made up of 36 streets and is situated 15 minutes from Hanoi train station. It is a big tourist area and the streets are littered with hotels, shops and markets. The area is famous for its small artisans and merchants, including many silk shops. Local cuisine specialties as well as several clubs and bars can be found here also. A night market (near Đồng Xuân Market) in the heart of the district opens for business every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening with a variety of clothing, souvenirs and food.

Thuong Mai Trang Tien Shopping Centre
Thuong Mai Trang Tien Shopping Centre is located along Hang Bai Street at the southern area of Hoan Kiem Lake. This is a more upmarket (some would say ‘flashier’) shopping centre as compared to places like the Old Quarter. It houses retail shops, coffee shops and food outlets.

Narrow market
Situated within the Old Quarter, it is mainly dedicated to food items like grains, fruits and meats, it is also usually full of locals eating at the various stalls. 

Ho Chi Minh City

Ben Thanh 
Its a large market located in the centre of Ho Chi Minh City's District 1. The market is one of the earliest surviving structures in Saigon and one of symbols of Hồ Chí Minh City, popular with tourists seeking local handicrafts, textiles and souvenirs, as well as local cuisine.

Address: Lê Lợi, Bến Thành, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam.

Ben Thanh Night Market (also called Pho Mua Sam Night Market)
When Benh Thanh Market closes at 6:30 pm, the side streets beside open as a night market! It is open from 6:30 pm up to 12:00 am everyday.

Cho Binh Tay – Cholon
It is the Central Market of Cho Lon in District 6, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Binh Tay Market is sitting on Thap Muoi Street, a four street-block span connecting Confucious Street to the North, and Hau Giang Street to the South, on the edge of District 6.

Cho Ba Chieu
Is an authentic, local night market situated at 40 Dien Hong, District 1, HCMC open from 5pm until midnight.

Vincom Center
Vincom is right at the center of the city at 72 Le Thanh Ton street. It is a huge shopping mall full of designer shops and many food outlets.

Parkson Paragon
Address: Hung Vuong street, District 5, HCMC
It is a big shopping mall with a mixture of both high street and designer brands, it also has a modern Megastar Cineplex cinema on 7th floor.

Diamond Plaza
Address: 34 Le Duan street, District 1 near the Notre Dame Cathedral.
Diamond Plaza hosts many famous brand names for clothes, accessories and cosmetics. It houses one of the largest cinema in HCMC called Lotte Cinema on the 13th floor.

Nowzone Shopping Mall
Nowzone shopping mall is situated at 235 Nguyen Van Cu in District 1. It has more affordable shops than the likes of Vincom and Parkson shopping malls, housing high street brands rather than designer. It also has a food court that takes up the whole of the top floor.

Saigon Tax Trade Center
Proudly to be the most long-lasting shopping center in Ho chi minh City with more than 100 years of operation in retailing, Tax Trade Center is located conveniently in the heart of the city at the corner of Le Loi Street and Nguyen Hue Street.
Address: No. 135 Nguyen Hue Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, HCMC.
Tel: (84.8) 38.213.849
Fax: (84.8) 3829.9973
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.thuongxatax.com.vn

Zen Plaza
Zen Plaza Co., Ltd. was established in 1995 and is dedicated to both Japanese cuisine and fashion.
Address: Zen Plaza 54-56 Nguyen Trai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: +848 3 9250 339
Fax: +848 3 9250 265
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.zenplaza.com.vn

Saigon Square
A cross between a market and a shopping mall it’s full of wonderful bargains!
Address: 77 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, District 1, Ho Chi Minh
Open from 9am until 9pm.

The Cresent Mall
A huge brand new shopping mall full of shops, food outlets and another Megastar Cineplex cinema.
Address: Ton Dat Tien Avenue Phú Mỹ Hưng, Tan Phu Ward District 7, Ho Chi Minh City
Website: www.the-crescent.com