Shopping is one of the hobbies of many people especially while traveling or visiting another place. Vietnam is a beautiful country and a rich culture. There is one thing that you can’t resist in Vietnam – shopping. Not only many things you can explore but also you can learn about Vietnamese culture in the local markets.
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Where is best shopping places in Vietnam?
There are markets that are both bustling trading places but also tourist symbols of the city when visitors come here to not only buy their favorite items and souvenirs but also explore the architecture of these areas. The three regions of North – Central – South all have markets with a long history that are loved by many tourists. When visiting these markets, visitors not only have the opportunity to shop for souvenirs and regional specialties, but they also discover many interesting things about each individual culture. market
Best shopping places in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh is a shopping paradise for foreign travelers. Here are some popular markets in this city where you can shop.
Ben Thanh market
When talking about the best shopping places in Vietnam, you cannot ignore the name Ben Thanh Market. This is one of the markets that is very familiar to Vietnamese people as well as international tourists as it is located right in the heart of Saigon city.
Operating from 1914 to present, this 100-year-old market is not only a busy place for shopping but also a historical witness to many ups and downs of the city. This place gathers many items, from clothes, shoes, fabrics, handicrafts, brocade, jewelry to specialty dishes.
Ben Thanh market is located at the intersection of Le Loi, Ham Nghi, Tran Hung Dao and Le Lai street, near The Rex hotel. As it stands in the very center of the city where consumers can conveniently find all sorts of products imaginable.
The goods in Ben Thanh Market are abundant, including almost all domestic products, especially those from the Mekong River Delta and modern products from other countries.
Furthermore, nowadays, the market is becoming popular with its local foods at night time. However, you also should bargain when shopping here.
Cho Lon market
Cho Lon covers a vast area from the residential quarters in District 5 and 10 to the vicinity of District 6 and 11. It has become part and parcel of every itinerary to Ho Chi Minh city. During a day, Cho Lon is bustling with sellers and buyers doing their business.
Binh Tay market, one of the most important markets of Ho Chi Minh city, is located inside Cho Lon. You can buy almost everything there. When the night falls, Cho Lon seems to rejuvenate. Visitors come here at this time not only for purchasing goods but also for tasting the gastronomy of the local people (Hoa people).
Sai Gon Square
Sai Gon Square is also known as “shopping paradise” in Ho Chi Minh. The designs here are very beautiful, the prices are affordable, and they always update the trends loved by young people. Therefore, this shopping area is a place where you can choose many suitable and fashionable outfits.
Compare to Cho Lon or Ben Thanh market, this building is considered more pleasant as the air-conditioners working 24/7. At these places, a hundred shops are selling clothes, shoes, bags, jewelry, watches, eyeglasses fashion.
Best shopping places in Hanoi
The capital of Vietnam is also a perfect destination for tourists to visit and do shopping. You should not skip:
Dong Xuan market
Dong Xuan Market is one of the most famous markets in Vietnam. At the same time, this is also known as the largest and oldest market in Hanoi, located in the old town in Dong Xuan ward. This market was built in 1889 and has a history of hundreds of years since the feudal period of the Nguyen Dynasty.
Dong Xuan market is the largest covered market of Hanoi where the wholesale traders sell everything from clothes, household, fabrics, goods to foodstuffs of every kind from fresh vegetables to Vietnamese dishes.
Not only that, tourists also know Dong Xuan market as a famous snack market in Hanoi. When you come here, you can fully enjoy the traditional culinary dishes of the North such as: bun cha, rib porridge, bamboo sprout vermicelli…
On the weekends, visitors have the opportunity to walk and discover the night market. From 18 – 23:00 pm, many people come here to stroll or go shopping. The area creates a busy and crowded walking street. Coming to the night market, you can buy souvenirs, handicrafts and also try traditional foods.
Old quarter
This area was founded from the 11th century as a crowded trade area where traders and artisans concentrated to work and set up specific trade streets.
The street names were begun with “Hang” and originated from the names of the type of merchandise produced and traded such as Hang Duong “Sugar”, Hang Gai “Silk”, Hang Bac “Silver”…Nowadays, the Old Quarter includes 76 streets. Every street was noisy is noisy, animating in trade.
Best shopping places in Mekong Delta River
Mekong Delta River isn’t only a famous destination but it also is a great place for shopping unique local things. Here are some famous markets you should visit.
Nga Bay floating market in Hau Giang
The market was built in 1915, until now this is not only a place to trade and exchange goods for residents in Mekong Delta River but also a place that attracts many tourists to experience and shopping.
A special feature of this market is the intersection of 7 main routes converging here: Xeo Vong, Lai Hieu, Xeo Mon, Soc Trang, Bung Tau, Mang Ca, Cai Mon. For Nga Bay floating market, the convergence of these 7 river branches to form a famous market has become a unique feature that is difficult to blend with any other market, as well as a mystery that attracts many tourists who want to explore.
The market is most crowded in the early morning. When coming here, visitors will see a vast scene of colors from rivers, fruits, vegetables to culinary shops on the floating water, which is very interesting. Each boat usually only sells one specific item. They advertise their products on hanging bamboo trees, which also create a highlight for this market.
The market has a variety of goods, especially fruits, agricultural products, housewares, poultry, handicraft products, etc.
Cai Rang market in Can Tho
Cai Rang floating market is located just 5 km from Can Tho city. Previously, Cai Rang market only sold mainly agricultural products and only served customers from the Mekong Delta provinces. But when it became a popular tourist destination, the market has now become more diverse such as cuisine, household items and essential things for life on the river.
Cai Rang floating market was formed at the beginning of the last century and was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2016.
The busiest time at Can Tho floating market is from 5 to 8 am. From Ninh Kieu wharf, moving slowly on the river, visitors can enjoy the beautiful sunrise in the early morning.
Shopping place in Hue – Dong Ba market
When talking about famous markets in Vietnam, you cannot ignore Dong Ba market. Formed in 1887, Dong Ba market is both a unique architectural structure and a witness to many historical fluctuations of the ancient capital of Hue. In 1987, Dong Ba market was completely restored. In addition to the bell tower in the center, the new Dong Ba market has 9 surrounding blocks and 4 new shopping areas such as the fish market, self-consumption and self-consumption areas, and service areas…
In addition to being a major commercial center of Hue with a history of more than 100 years, Dong Ba market is also a place with a tradition of resilient revolutionary struggle through two resistance wars against the French and Americans. And Dong Ba market has entered poetry and music as one of the symbols of the ancient capital, an indispensable destination in a trip to Hue.
Dong Ba Market is the oldest market in Hue, with hundreds of stalls selling household items, handicrafts, clothing, fruits, seafood, clothing, meat…at affordable prices. The best time to visit this market is between 6 Am until 11 Am as you can also enjoy traditional Vietnamese dishes such as Pho, Bun Bo Hue, Banh Khoai, and fresh spring rolls for breakfast. Visit this market, you not only shop for souvenirs but also experience the local lifestyle with street food.
Shopping in Lam Dong – Da Lat market
Referring to the symbolic markets of the Central Highlands, it is impossible not to mention Da Lat market. At the same time, this is the market that many domestic and foreign tourists visit every time they travel to the dreamy city. The market is popular not only because it focuses on selling many different items from locally produced products, but also has many extremely romantic corners like a movie.
Da Lat Market is the largest trading center of the foggy city, so it operates almost all day and night to serve shopping needs as well as create favorable conditions for tourists to visit and explore at any time. point. Make sure to come to the market with its architecture and food to help you have the most complete experience of the people and beauty of this land.
What to buy when shopping in Vietnam?
Worry no longer about what to buy in Vietnam. In this article, you’ll see all the things you can buy in Vietnam for your shopping experience!
Ao Dai
Starting from Hue, the Ao Dai became a common dress for women throughout the country. The features or lines of Ao Dai changed a little, depending on personal style. The actual Ao Dai fits tight against the body, showing a supple curved line that is appropriate for the tiny stature of Vietnamese women. The dress drops down to the shin and the body has a fairly high cut slit. All the features of the Ao Dai attempt to reveal the secretive and gentle beauty of Vietnamese women.
Non La
The Non La does not differentiate between sex, age or social standing, the Non La is worn by all Vietnamese. The hat is made from materials deadly available in Viet Nam: palm leaves for the cone, bamboo for the frame, fiber from Moc trees for thread, and colored material for the chin strap. As the Non La is closely associated with the Vietnamese costume it has been reflected in literature, poetry, and music.
Vietnamese Coffee
Vietnam is one of the world’s largest exporter of coffee but the one thing that makes Vietnamese coffee stand out from the rest of its counterparts is its strong, concentrated flavor. Making a traditional coffee, known as “ca phe phin”, is fairly easy but take time.
The coffee is loaded into the filter, without the use of machines or electric filters, and allowed to remain there for a while until all the flavors are dripped into the coffee.
Currently, there are 5 famous types of coffee in Vietnam: Arabica, Robusta, Chery, Moka, Kopi Luwak. Buy a pack of Vietnamese coffee and a coffee filter then you can enjoy Vietnamese coffee back home.
Vietnamese Tea
Besides coffee, tea drinking has been a tradition of the Vietnamese people for over a thousand years and is an integral part of Vietnamese culture. Location and geography allow many types of teas to grown in the sub-tropical north as well as the tropical south. It quite easy to make “tra nong” (hot tea) or “tra da” (iced tea) therefore, with a back of teas, it would be a nice gift or enjoy when you have a few moments to yourself.
Silk Products
Silk products are available across the country and you can find the best quality products in any major city like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh city, Quang Nam, Da Lat, An Giang. Clothing, made from silk, are very comfortable to wear in warm weather and while active. Its low conductivity keeps warm air close to the skin during cold weather. It is often used for clothing such as shirts, ties, blouses, formal dresses, high fashion clothes, lining, lingerie, pajamas, robes, dress suits, sundresses, and Eastern folk costumes. For practical use, silk is excellent as clothing that protects from many biting insects that would ordinarily pierce clothing, such as mosquitoes and horseflies.After buying silk, you can ask local tailors to make and at a reasonable price.
Handicrafts
Vietnamese handicrafts can make a much more formal gift, as in gifts for business partners or seniors.
The best handicraft products come from traditional villages across the country in all three regions. Each of them bears a significant contrast in terms of techniques and artistic decoration.
It’s quite easy to purchase a beautiful work of art at a reasonable price.
Besides the stuff we have mentioned above, there are still many things you can buy as souvenirs and gifts such as dried fruits, paintings, etc.
Tips for shopping in Vietnam
- Don’t hesitate to ask for the price of products that you’re interested in, you can bargain for a better deal. The sellers always expect the buyer to bargain and often start off at a much higher price.
- Buyers also can get a cheaper price if you buy in bulk.
- Check the quality of the products carefully before leaving the shop.
- Should not ask a lot then leave the shop without buying anything. Remember we have a language barrier and difference culture, it better to keep the atmosphere in respectful for both sides.
Source: collected by An
