Shopping in Ho Chi Minh is truly one of the highlights of this fascinating city. Modern shopping malls are all over central Saigon, bringing with them international fashion brands to please the most demanding of fashion connoisseurs. However, it is the variety of shopping experiences and one-off items that most excite us about shopping in this city.
Boutique fashion is more prominent here than almost anywhere else in Southeast Asia, where you can buy bespoke items at a fraction of what they cost elsewhere. Markets in Ho Chi Minh City are highly recommended as they still play a central role in the daily lives of locals and visitors – truly a shopping experience you won’t forget quickly.
1. Ben Thanh Market
Ho Chi Minh City’s central marketplace.
Ben Thanh Market is fun at any time of day and well into the night. Ho Chi Minh City’s central market is a must-see when visiting Vietnam’s largest and most boisterous city. Early mornings see locals shopping for fresh produce before fashion stalls take centre stage throughout the day. You can also find rows of coffee traders, selling a dizzying array of beans.
Come nightfall, a night market sets up alongside Ben Thanh Market’s main hall, selling clothing, apparel and souvenirs until midnight, along with interesting pop-up street food stalls.
Location: Đ. Lê Lợi, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Opening hours: Daily from 6 am to 7 pm
2 Vincom Center
One of the largest malls in Ho Chi Minh City.
The Vincom Center is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s largest shopping malls, with over 250 shops across 2 separate buildings. Vincom Center A is a charming, low-rise colonial building housing many flagship stores for international fashion houses such as Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss and Hermes.
Vincom Center B occupies the first 4 floors of a modern glass skyscraper just across the street from Vincom Center A. Here, you’ll find many high street brands, sporting apparel, and homeware.
Location: 72 Đ. Lê Thánh Tôn, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh
Opening hours: Daily from 9.30 am to 10 pm
3 Binh Tay Market (Cho Lon Chinatown Market)
Vibrant market in Chinatown
Cho Lon, also known as Binh Tay Market, is located at the edge of Ho Chi Minh City’s District 5. Great for experiencing the local Buddhist culture, the market offers a vibrant atmosphere, opulent Chinese architecture, as well as a fascinating assortment of handicrafts, lacquerware, textiles and fresh produce.
There’s also an open-air food court at the back of the market. It’s a great place to enjoy tasty treats such as Vietnamese noodles, banh bao (steamed bun with pork filling), and Chinese sausages.
Location: 57A Tháp Mười, Phường 2, Quận 6, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Opening hours: Daily from 6 am to 6 pm
4 Fashion boutiques
Great for picking up a nice outfit by local designers.
Anyone with an interest in fashion simply must spend some time hitting the many boutique fashion boutiques in Ho Chi Minh City, with something for almost any taste and budget.
Dong Khoi Street in District 1 is a great place to start, but really there are plenty of clothes shops spread out across the city.
Location: District 1 & District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Opening hours: Daily from 10 am to 10 pm
5 Saigon Square
Wholesale fashion mall in District 1.
Saigon Square is a 2-storey wholesale fashion mall that offers some of the best prices in Ho Chi Minh City. Bargain hunters can explore seemingly endless aisles of small stalls selling T-shirts, men’s and women’s clothes, shoes, handbags, swimwear, luggage, jewellery, and textiles.
While prices on the tags may be slightly inflated, bargaining is expected when shopping at Saigon Square. As it’s fairly easy to see stalls selling similar items, simply browse around the shopping mall before settling for an asking price that you’re comfortable with.
Location: 81 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Opening hours: Daily from 9 am to 9 pm
6 Diamond Plaza
Upmarket department store in District 1.
Diamond Plaza is a department store in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1. It’s surrounded by many popular attractions, including the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon and April 30th Park.
The shopping complex occupies a converted period building, with several floors of shopping separated into men’s and women’s fashion, homeware, and sports goods. Once you’ve finished shopping, there are multiple dining and entertainment venues to enjoy. Family-friendly activities within Diamond Plaza include a bowling alley and a cinema.
Location: 34 Lê Duẩn, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Opening hours: Daily from 9.30 am to 10 pm
7 An Dong Market (Craft Market)
Indoor market specialized in clothing, fabrics, and handicrafts.
An Dong Market is an indoor market that offers a wide range of goods at wholesale prices. On the top floor are many crafts stalls, making this one of the best places in Ho Chi Minh to buy handicrafts from skilled artisans who practice Vietnam’s proud heritage in lacquer and woodwork.
An Dong Market is in District 10, around 10 km southwest of central Ho Chi Minh City. However, it should take no more than 10 minutes to get there by taxi from District 1.
Location: Công trường An Đông, Phường 9, Quận 5, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Opening hours: Daily from 6 am to 6 pm
8 Parkson Hung Vuong Plaza
International department store in District 1.
Parkson Hung Vuong Plaza is an international-standard department store in Ho Chi Minh City. You can find a wide range of cosmetics and perfumes on the ground floor, fashion for men and women on the 2nd and 3rd floors, while homeware and restaurants are on the 4th level.
Located in District 1, Parkson Hung Vuong Plaza offers a compact shopping experience in the city. Items available at this complex are mainly mid- and high-range brands, such as Coach, Calvin Klein and Lacoste.
Location: 126 Đường Hùng Vương, Phường 12, Quận 5, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
