The best places to go shopping in Hoi An promise unforgettable experiences for any first-time visitor, partly thanks to its plethora of quality yet affordable tailoring services. As one of the best places for made-to-measure clothing in the world, this quaint town is teeming with renowned tailors who can easily produce custom made dresses, suits, shirts, and shoes at a fraction of the price you’d pay for back home.
The pedestrian-friendly streets of Hoi An Ancient Town are lined with quaint shophouses and makeshift stalls selling handicrafts, jewellery, traditional apparel, and shoes while its central marketplace is bustling with locals bargaining hard for fresh produce and foodstuff. You can also find plenty of fair-trade shops and non-profit charity organisations in Hoi An, with all proceeds funding impoverished families and disabled locals. Read on to discover where to shop in Hoi An and what to buy.
1 Hoi An Central Market
Hoi An Central Market is definitely worth a visit for a glimpse of authentic Vietnamese life. Set along the banks of the Thu Bon River, the market stays busy throughout the day with locals and visitors bargaining or purchasing fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, handicrafts, and street snacks.
With a section dedicated to Asian silk and textiles, the marketplace is also renowned for offering inexpensive silk tailoring services. At 7 am, local fishermen drop their catch off at Hoi An Central Market, where you can witness market vendors and local buyers fervently negotiating over the best and freshest fish.
Location: Nguyen Hue and Tran Phu Streets, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province
Opening hour: Daily from 5 am to 4 pm
2 Silk Village Hoi An
Silk Village Hoi An is a good option for those looking to shop for luxury Vietnamese textiles, handmade lanterns, high-end suits and dresses. Surrounded by mulberry trees, ancient houses, and lotus ponds, the traditional craft village is located 2 km northwest of Hoi An Ancient Town, where you can learn about the traditional silk manufacturing process.
Visitors can also get a hands-on experience of harvesting mulberry leaves, feeding silkworms, and deciphering between true and synthetic silk. Due to the superior quality of its products, the price range at Hoi An Silk Village is higher than most silk shops in Hoi An but it’s well worth the extra expense.
Location: 28 Nguyen Tat Thanh, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province
3 Cocobox Café Farm Shop
Cocobox Café Farm Shop is a charming juice bar, teahouse, and farm shop in the middle of Hoi An Ancient Town. Sourcing only organic and fair-trade products made in Vietnam, expect a diverse range of coffee, teas, homemade jams, honey, chocolate bars, local dipping sauces, body lotions, and massage oils in attractive packaging.
Great for unwinding after a day of exploring Hoi An, Cocobox Café Farm Shop also offers Vietnamese coffee, homemade coconut milk, cold-pressed juices, smoothies, ice-creams, cakes, tarts, and freshly-made sandwiches. Cocobox Café Farm Shop is just around the corner of Fujian Assembly Hall and Hoi An Museum of Trade Ceramics.
Location: 94 Le Loi Street, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province
Opening hour: Daily from 8 am to 6 pm
4 Metiseko
Metiseko specialises in ready-to-wear women’s apparel, stylish accessories, and eco-friendly homeware, all of which are made with high-quality cotton and silk. Founded in 2011, this retail outlet is set within a yellow-hued heritage building nearby the Japanese Covered Bridge.
The brand combines Vietnamese traditions and landscapes with modern fashion trends, resulting in one-of-a-kind designs that can be worn any time of the day. All products sold at Metiseko are certified organic, ranging from silk scarfs, jumpsuits, and dresses to handmade quilts, keyrings, and cushion covers.
Location: 3 Chau Thuong Van Street, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province
Opening hour: Daily from 8.30 am to 9.30 pm
5 Aobaba Cloth Shop
Aobaba Cloth Shop is a family-owned tailor shop in Hoi An Ancient Town that’s gained massive popularity among travellers for its extensive textile collection and impeccable tailoring services. You can either choose a design from its up-to-date catalogue books or bring a picture of your favourite designer outfit and have it made to measure here.
Most suits, dresses, and jackets can be tailored within 24 hours but if you’re pressed for time, Aobaba Hoi An can deliver the finished product to your hotel. Set along Tran Phu Street, the tailor shop is a 5-minute walk from the Fujian Assembly Hall.
Location: 148 Tran Phu Street, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province
Opening hour: Daily from 8 am to 9.30 pm
6 Lotus Jewellery Hoi An
Lotus Jewellery Hoi An features an extensive collection of quality jewellery designs made with semi-precious stones, pearls, sterling silver, and gold. Set along Le Loi Street, it’s one of the most established local brands in Hoi An so you’ll be sure to get excellent customer service and value-for-money rings, necklaces, broaches, and bracelets.
Most of Lotus Jewellery Hoi An’s handmade pieces are inspired by Vietnam’s ethnic minority groups, with its trademarked lotus flower pendant being the most popular item. Following its popularity, Lotus Jewellery Hoi An has another outlet located along Tran Phu Street.
Location: 53A Le Loi Street, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province
Opening hour: Daily from 8 am to 8 pm
7 Reaching Out Arts and Crafts
Reaching Out Arts and Crafts is a fair trade gift shop that’s set next to Tan Ky House, featuring handmade products made by disabled and disadvantaged Vietnamese. Founded by a Vietnamese disabled couple, all proceeds from the sold handicrafts go toward retraining and subsequent employment of disadvantaged locals in Hoi An.
There’s also a tranquil cafe and garden courtyard, where you can also enjoy tea, coffee, and local sweets in a peaceful setting. If you’re looking for one-of-a-kind clothing, accessories, jewellery, ceramics, lacquerware, stationary, toys, and embroidery, Reaching Out Arts and Crafts is a definite must-visit in Hoi An Ancient Town.
Location: 103 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province
8 Hoi An Art Gallery
Hoi An Art Gallery is set within a refurbished colonial building in Hoi An Ancient Town, where quality prints by French photographer Etienne Bossot are displayed for sale. A 5-minute walk from Hoi An Central Market, the studio utilises imported archival photography paper, resulting in high-quality prints of Bossot’s travel photography work.
After placing your order, the photographs are printed in Australia, placed in a sturdy PVC tube, and sent to your address within seven working days. As the office of Hoi An Photo Tour & Workshop, Hoi An Art Gallery also hosts art exhibitions by prominent artists and photographers from all over Vietnam.
Location: 42 Phan Boi Chau Street, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province
9 Friendly Shoe Shop Hoi An
Friendly Shoe Shop Hoi An boasts 10 years of experience in producing made-to-order shoes in local and international designs. Set along Tran Phu Street, this humble-looking retail outlet is around the corner from Hoi An Central Market.
There are over 600 models on display, ranging from sandals and sports shoes to leather slippers and boots. You can also browse through numerous catalogue books or simply look one up online.
Location: 18 Tran Phu Street, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam
Opening hour: Daily from 10 am to 7 pm
