The first time I tried to shop in Ho Chi Minh City I did everything wrong. I turned up at Ben Thanh Market at noon in July, paid the first price a friendly lady quoted for a linen shirt, drank a coconut I did not need, and walked out forty minutes later sweaty, slightly poorer and carrying something I never wore. The second trip went better. The third was properly good. This guide is everything I wish somebody had told me before that first noon visit, written for a friend who is flying up from Singapore with a free weekend, a half-empty suitcase and a vague idea that Saigon is cheap.
It is a long read on purpose. Ho Chi Minh City is not a one-street shopping destination. It is a sprawl of old wholesale halls, glossy air-conditioned malls, narrow lanes of tailors, lacquer workshops, coffee roasters, and night stalls that appear after the sun drops. Where you spend your hours decides whether you come home with a good story or a bag of souvenir magnets. Prices I mention are rough and change with the exchange rate, the season and your haggling, so treat them as a sense of scale rather than a promise.
One thing before we start. The city is still called Saigon by almost everybody who lives there, and I will use both names freely. District 1 is the centre of the tourist universe, and nearly everything in this guide is within a short ride of it.
Before You Go: Entry, Money and a Packing Trick
If you hold a Singapore passport you can walk into Vietnam without a visa for a stay of up to 30 days per our latest verified record, as long as your passport has at least six months of validity and a couple of blank pages. Plenty of other nationalities, including travellers who join us from India and elsewhere, need an e-visa instead, which our records list at about USD 25 for a stay of up to 90 days with processing of roughly three working days. Rules change, so run your own passport and dates through our visa requirements checker before you book anything non-refundable.
A small thing that trips people up: some embassies and visa applications ask for proof of onward travel. If that is you, our flight reservation service provides a manual flight reservation for visa applications. It is not an issued ticket and not a flight booking, so use it only where a reservation document is what the application asks for.
Money is simple once you stop converting every price in your head. The currency is the Vietnamese dong, and the numbers are big. A cup of local coffee at a street stall might be 25,000 to 40,000 dong, and a nice dinner for two can run into the high hundreds of thousands. A rough rule that served me well: divide the dong figure by about 18,000 for a very rough Singapore dollar figure, then check the current rate. Do not rely on that number for anything bigger than a snack.
- Withdraw dong from bank ATMs inside malls or banks rather than standalone street machines. Fees vary, and a few cards have daily caps.
- Carry small notes. Nobody at a market stall can change a 500,000 note for a 30,000 purchase, and the rude surprise is always yours.
- Card payments are normal in malls, mid-range restaurants and chain stores, but markets and small workshops are mostly cash.
- Leave room in your bag. I travel with a foldable duffel inside my cabin bag precisely for the trip home.
The Big Markets, Ranked by How I Actually Use Them
Every guidebook lists the same five markets. What they skip is the honest bit: which ones deserve your time, and when to go. Here is how I rank them after several visits.
Ben Thanh Market: Go Early, Go Once
Ben Thanh is the postcard. The clock tower, the four gates, the noise. It is also the market where first-price quotes run highest, because the crowd that fills it is overwhelmingly first-time visitors. That does not make it bad. It makes it a place for specific jobs: dried mango, Vietnamese coffee beans, cashews, little cloth bags, cheap T-shirts, and a bowl of noodles at one of the food stalls inside.
Arrive when the doors open in the morning, around seven. The stalls are still setting up, shopkeepers are less rushed and in my experience more willing to cut a price for the first sale of the day, which they treat as lucky. By noon it is crowded and hot. By four it is a conveyor belt. If you want to see how locals shop for fresh food rather than souvenirs, walk the back lanes behind the main hall where the produce and the dried goods sit.
Binh Tay Market in Cholon: The One Locals Still Use
Cholon is the old Chinese quarter in District 5, and Binh Tay is its wholesale heart. Under the clock-topped courtyard you will find sacks of dried shrimp, tea, herbs, spices, household plastics, rice cookers and bolts of fabric. Most stalls sell by the bag or the dozen. This is the best place to buy spices, dried goods and tea to take home, and the prices feel honest, because the main customers are restaurant owners and market traders.
It is a working market, not a tourist show. Buy what you can carry, smile, point, and accept that some sellers will not bother with a single piece. Pair the visit with the temples nearby. If you would rather not navigate alone, a guided ride around the old Chinese quarter works well, and our listing for the Saigon and Cholon buggy tour covers the temples and old shophouses on the same side of town.
An Dong Market: Fashion, Fabric and Patience
An Dong is where you go if you like clothes by the pile. Three floors of fabric stalls, accessories, bags, shoes and ready-made clothing, many of them excess-stock or locally made pieces. Sizes run small, so try before you buy where changing rooms exist, and be ready for tiny stalls where you hold the item up against yourself in a mirror. I buy plain tops, scarves and cheap belts here and ignore anything that carries a famous logo, for reasons I explain later.
Ho Thi Ky Flower Market and the Night Stalls
Ho Thi Ky is not a shopping stop in the usual sense. It is where the city's florists buy their stock, and the buzz peaks late at night when trucks arrive. Visit if you are a photographer or an insomniac. For evening shopping, the lane beside Ben Thanh turns into a night market once the main hall closes. It is touristy, cheap and fun, and the street food around it is better than the souvenirs. Do not buy anything expensive there; buy a snack, a fridge magnet and a story.
| Market | Best for | Best time | Bargaining level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Thanh Market | Coffee, dried fruit, light souvenirs, noodles | Opening time, around 7 AM | High: start well below the first quote |
| Binh Tay Market | Spices, tea, dried goods, household items | Morning | Light: prices are mostly fair already |
| An Dong Market | Casual clothes, fabric, bags, accessories | Late morning | Medium to high |
| Ho Thi Ky Flower Market | Flowers, photos, atmosphere | Late evening | Low |
| Ben Thanh night stalls | Snacks, cheap gifts, people-watching | After dark | High, but low stakes |
Malls and Department Stores: The Air-Conditioned Break
There is a point on every trip, usually around the third market, where your shirt is soaked and your patience is gone. That is when a mall earns its keep. Prices are fixed, labels are real, the air is cold and the food courts are excellent. Locals treat malls as social spaces, so do not be surprised to see families eating dinner in the basement at nine at night.
| Mall | Area | What it is good for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vincom Center Dong Khoi | District 1, central | International fashion, cinema, cafes, rooftop dining | Walkable from Nguyen Hue and the opera house |
| Saigon Centre and Takashimaya | District 1, Le Loi | Japanese department store experience, beauty, homeware, a very good basement | Handy for gifts, snacks and skincare |
| Crescent Mall | District 7, Phu My Hung | Family shopping, lakeside walk, cafes | Take a ride out of the centre; calmer and less crowded |
| AEON Mall Tan Phu | Tan Phu District | Huge Japanese-style mall, supermarket, kids' play areas, bargains on household items | Far from District 1, so make it a dedicated trip |
| Thiso Mall Sala | Thu Thiem, District 2 | Newer, quiet, good restaurants and views across the river | Better for lunch than serious shopping |
My own habit: do the markets in the morning, a mall in the afternoon, and use the mall's basement supermarket or food hall for gifts that need to look tidy. Packaged coffee, tea, dried fruit and sauces in a sealed bag are easier to hand over than a loose pile from a market stall. Prices are higher than at a stall but they are clear, and you can compare three versions of the same snack in thirty seconds.
If you shop at Takashimaya, look for the lower-ground food section. Japanese-style packaged sweets sit beside Vietnamese specialty products, and the staff will gift-wrap if you ask. It is the least stressful place in the city to buy presents for people you do not know well.
Streets and Districts: Where to Walk When You Want Boutiques
District 1: Dong Khoi, Nguyen Hue and the Lanes Behind Them
Dong Khoi Street is the old French-era shopping spine, running from the cathedral toward the river. Today it is a mix of galleries, tailors, lacquer shops, mid-range boutiques and cafes. It is where I send friends who want souvenirs that look better than a fridge magnet. Walk it slowly and duck into the arcades and upstairs apartments. The cafe apartments around Ly Tu Trong and the old building on Ngo Duc Ke are as much a shopping experience as a coffee break.
Nguyen Hue is the wide pedestrian boulevard where families gather in the evening. It is not a shopping street as such, but the side buildings hold cafes, small shops and the famous apartment complex of independent stores. Come at dusk for the atmosphere, and plan a stroll afterwards with the city's lit skyline in view.
Cholon in District 5
Beyond Binh Tay, the lanes around it hold herbal medicine shops, tea merchants, temple supply stores and old trading houses. This is the part of the city that most visitors skip, which is exactly why it rewards a few hours. Buy tea here rather than in a tourist market and ask the seller to let you smell a few before choosing.
District 3: Cafes, Antiques and Quiet Lanes
District 3 sits behind the War Remnants Museum and holds some of the best independent shops in the city. Small design stores, vintage furniture, ceramics, little bookstores, concept cafes. It is more relaxed than District 1 and the prices are not inflated for tourists. If you are the sort of traveller who prefers a boutique to a market, spend an afternoon here.
District 7 and Phu My Hung
This is the planned southern suburb where expats and wealthy locals live. It is clean, calm and very car-oriented, with wide boulevards and big malls. You go for Crescent Mall, the waterside cafes and the Korean and Japanese supermarkets, not for atmosphere. I would not build a whole day around it unless you are staying nearby or already want a break from the noise of the centre.
What to Actually Buy, and What It Costs
This is the section most of you will skim to, so I have made it a table. Prices are rough ranges that I have seen across markets, malls and boutique shops during trips over the last few years. Use them to calibrate your haggling. If a quote is three times the top of the range, you are being tested.
| Item | Where I buy it | Rough price range | My honest opinion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnamese coffee beans (robusta or blends) | Mall supermarkets, specialty roasters | VND 90,000 to 300,000 per pack | The one purchase I make every trip. Buy whole beans and a small stainless phin filter. |
| Phin coffee filter | Ben Thanh, Dong Khoi shops | VND 30,000 to 120,000 | Cheap, light and genuinely useful. Aluminium or steel both work. |
| Lacquerware (bowls, boxes, trays) | Dong Khoi galleries, craft shops | VND 150,000 to 2,000,000 | Quality varies wildly. Real lacquer has depth and a smooth, hand-polished feel; fake pieces feel plasticky. |
| Silk scarves and shirts | Dong Khoi, boutiques | VND 200,000 to 1,500,000 | Test the weight and the weave. Very cheap silk is usually a blend. |
| Ceramics and tea sets | Cholon, District 3, craft shops | VND 100,000 to 1,000,000 | Lovely but heavy. Buy on the last day. |
| Bamboo and rattan goods | Markets, craft shops | VND 60,000 to 500,000 | Baskets and straws are light and easy to carry. |
| Ao dai (tailored) | Tailors in District 1, District 3, Cholon | VND 1,500,000 to 5,000,000 and up | Allow at least two or three days for fittings. Beautiful and entirely personal. |
| Dried fruit and cashews | Ben Thanh, supermarkets | VND 80,000 to 250,000 per bag | Cheap, light, and always welcome as a gift. |
| Spices and tea | Binh Tay, Cholon | VND 40,000 to 200,000 | Best value in the city. Lotus tea is a lovely gift. |
| Vietnamese chocolate | Boutique shops, mall supermarkets | VND 70,000 to 200,000 | Surprisingly good. Single-origin bars from the south are worth a look. |
Coffee: The Gift That Always Works
I have given Vietnamese coffee to friends who say they hate coffee, and they have asked for more. Robusta is the traditional bean, stronger and more bitter than arabica, and the classic way to drink it is slowly through a phin filter into a glass with condensed milk. Look for packs that list the origin, usually Dak Lak or Lam Dong. Avoid anything labelled weasel coffee at a bargain price, because most of it is flavoured and fake. A decent cafe will let you sniff a bag before you buy, and the better ones will grind it to your brewing method on the spot.
Lacquerware, Silk and Ceramics
Lacquerware is the one product where you really do get what you pay for. A true hand-painted box takes many layers and a lot of patience, which is why a twenty-dollar-equivalent piece rarely lasts. Turn it over, look at the base, run a finger across the edge and ask where it was made. Reputable shops in the Dong Khoi area will tell you the workshop. If a seller cannot say, pass.
Silk is similar. A lot of what is sold as pure silk is a blend, and the lowest prices mean you are buying polyester. A simple test is to hold a corner of the fabric and watch how it drapes and reflects light. Real silk has a soft shimmer that shifts as it moves. When in doubt, buy from a boutique where the label is clear rather than from a stall, and accept paying a little more.
Ao Dai: A Custom Souvenir Worth Planning
Having an ao dai tailored is the most memorable thing I have bought in Saigon. The long, fitted tunic with trousers is the national dress, and a tailor will measure you, help you choose a fabric, and produce something properly yours within a few days. The trick is time. Visit a tailor on your first day, choose fabric, get measured, and book a fitting two days later. A last-minute order at the end of your stay is the way people end up with something that almost fits.
Hand Embroidery and Small Crafts
Hand-embroidered pictures, cushion covers and small framed pieces are sold in many craft shops. They are labour-intensive, so a very low price usually means a machine made it. Quality ones come with a story about the artisan and a price that sounds reasonable once you know how long they take. They also travel flat, which is rare for souvenirs.
The Art of Bargaining Without Being Annoying
Bargaining is normal in markets and expected in many small shops. It is not normal in malls, supermarkets, chain stores or restaurants, so do not try. At a market stall, treat it as a short conversation rather than a fight. Smile, ask the price, look surprised in a friendly way, and offer something lower.
| Do | Do not |
|---|---|
| Ask the price first and stay relaxed | Start with an offer you would be embarrassed to say out loud, then act insulted at the reply |
| Counter at roughly half the first quote, then meet in the middle | Accept the first price at a market stall |
| Buy more than one item for a better bundle price | Haggle hard over amounts that are a small coin in your own currency |
| Walk away politely if the price does not work. You will often be called back | Agree on a price and then try to cut it again |
| Keep small notes ready for exact change | Pull out a large note before the price is settled |
| Check the item for flaws before agreeing | Argue loudly or lose your temper. It works against you |
A rule I use is to decide how much I would be happy to pay before I even ask. If the seller reaches that number, I buy. If not, I leave. It removes the stress and stops me paying more just because the conversation got awkward. Sellers know this game better than any of us, and most of them are friendly. Treat it as theatre and you will enjoy it far more.
A final point on fairness. A few thousand dong makes no difference to you and a real difference to a stallholder. Haggle for fun, not to win every last coin. I usually settle somewhere that leaves both sides smiling.
Fashion, Electronics and the Fake Goods Question
Saigon is full of items with famous logos at very low prices. Some are factory overruns or genuine export surplus, but many are copies. Customs authorities in several countries can seize counterfeit goods, and the quality of fakes rarely matches the price you would pay for the real thing anyway. My advice is to skip anything with a luxury or sports brand on it from a market, and buy local labels, plain clothes and tailored pieces. You will leave with things you actually wear.
For electronics, malls and established shops are the safe route. Phone accessories, cables and power banks are everywhere, but quality varies. Buy genuine chargers from a known brand store, because a cheap unbranded adapter is not worth a fire risk in a hotel room. If you need to stay connected while you shop, an eSIM sorted before you land beats hunting for a SIM shop after a long flight. Our catalogue lists several Vietnam data options, and the unlimited data eSIM is one of the simplest ways to have maps, translation and mobile payments working the moment you land.
A tip on sizes. Local clothing sizes run smaller than Western ones. If you are a large in Singapore, you may be an extra-large or bigger at a Vietnamese label. Try things on where you can, and do not take it personally if a stall owner says they have nothing in your size. It is only a number on a tag.
Shopping Without Wearing Yourself Out: Combine It With Something Else
The best shopping days in Saigon are not shopping days. They are days where you do something else that happens to leave you near good shops, and you pick things up along the way. Here is how I pair them.
- City landmarks plus market lunch: a walking tour of the War Remnants Museum and the Independence Palace finishes within walking distance of District 3's shops. Our full-day city tour covers the highlights in a single, well-paced day, from S$48.71.
- Sky views before you spend: the Saigon Skydeck on the Bitexco tower (from S$12.00) gives you a layout of the city before you decide where to shop. The tall Landmark 81 tower works the same way if you are staying nearer Binh Thanh.
- Cooking class plus market visit: a cyclo ride with a market visit and cooking class teaches you what to buy, how to cook it and which ingredients are worth bringing home.
- Evening culture: after shopping, a water puppet show is a gentle, air-conditioned way to end the day and a cultural highlight in itself.
The same goes for day trips. If you set aside a day for the Cu Chi Tunnels or the Mekong Delta, plan your shopping around them. Come back with a lighter bag and a shorter list, and finish your shopping on the last full day in town. The Delta in particular is wonderful for coconut candy and local handicrafts, but heavy items add up quickly when you still have to carry them back on the bus.
Three Sample Shopping Days
If you are staying three days, this is a plan I would happily hand to a friend. It leaves slack for rain, laziness and the occasional cafe detour.
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1: Classic District 1 | Ben Thanh Market at opening, coffee and dried fruit | Takashimaya and Saigon Centre for gifts and a cool break | Walk Nguyen Hue, street food, night stalls |
| Day 2: Old Saigon and Cholon | Binh Tay Market for spices and tea, then the nearby temples | An Dong Market for casual clothing, then a rest | Water puppet show or a dinner cruise on the river |
| Day 3: Boutiques and tailoring | Dong Khoi galleries, lacquerware, silk, final tailor fitting | District 3 independent shops and cafes | Skyline view and a final dinner, then pack carefully |
If you only have a day, do Day 1 and skip the rest. If you have five days, add the Mekong Delta and Cu Chi Tunnels, and keep one day free for nothing at all. Every trip I have taken was better for one day without a plan.
Practical Details That Save Money and Stress
Getting Around
District 1 is walkable but hot. Between districts, use a metered taxi from a reputable company or a ride-hailing app, and always check that the meter is running or agree on a price first. Motorbike taxis are fast and cheap, but unless you are comfortable on the back of a bike in heavy traffic, stick to cars. If you land late or with a lot of luggage, pre-arranging an airport pickup is far easier than haggling in the arrivals hall. A private transfer between the airport and the centre is a simple option, and a fast-track service helps if you arrive in a rush.
Payments and Receipts
Keep receipts for big purchases. Some larger shops can arrange a VAT refund for foreign visitors on qualifying purchases if you ask at the till and complete the paperwork before leaving the country, but practice varies and minimum spend rules change, so ask each store directly and allow extra time at the airport. Do not assume a refund will be possible.
Shipping Heavy Things Home
If you fall in love with furniture, a big lacquer panel or a heap of ceramics, ask the shop about shipping. Reputable galleries will quote packing and freight, and it is often cheaper than paying overweight baggage fees. Get the quote in writing, ask about insurance, and keep photos of the packed item.
Staying Safe in Crowds
The usual big-city rules apply. Phone snatching from motorbikes is a known problem in busy areas, so walk on the side away from the road and keep your phone zipped away when you are not using it. Carry only the cash you need. Leave your passport in the hotel safe and carry a photocopy or a photo of it instead. None of this should spoil your day; it is just habit.
When to Go
The dry season, roughly December through April, is the most comfortable for walking around markets. The wet season brings short heavy afternoon downpours, which are actually good for shopping. Duck into a mall or a cafe, wait it out, and carry on. Lunar New Year, usually in late January or February, brings special markets and a lot of closures, so check dates before you plan a trip around it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is shopping cheap in Ho Chi Minh City?
Compared with Singapore, many everyday items, clothes, coffee, tailoring and handicrafts are noticeably cheaper. International brands in malls are priced close to what you would pay elsewhere. The real value is in local goods and services.
Where is the best place to buy souvenirs?
For variety and convenience, Ben Thanh Market. For better quality and fewer crowds, galleries along Dong Khoi Street and the independent shops in District 3. For tea and spices, Binh Tay Market in Cholon.
Can I bargain everywhere?
No. Bargaining is normal in markets and small independent shops, but not in malls, supermarkets, chain stores and restaurants, where prices are fixed.
What should I buy from Vietnam?
Coffee beans and a phin filter, tea, dried fruit, spices, lacquerware, silk, ceramics and a tailored ao dai are the classics. Pick things that are light and hard to find at home.
Are credit cards accepted?
In malls, hotels and many restaurants, yes. In markets and small shops, mostly no, so carry cash. Always check for a card fee before paying.
How many days do I need for shopping?
A single day covers the highlights. Two to three days is comfortable if you want tailoring, boutique shopping and a market in Cholon.
Do I need a visa to visit for shopping?
It depends on your passport. Singapore passport holders currently enter without a visa for short stays, while many other nationalities need an e-visa. Check your own situation with our visa requirements checker before you book.
Is it safe to shop in the markets?
Yes, with normal care. Watch your belongings in crowded areas, avoid showing your phone on the roadside, and use zipped bags.
My Closing Advice
If I could only give you three tips, they would be these. Shop in the morning and rest in the afternoon. Buy light things first and heavy things last. And do not chase the lowest price on everything. The best purchases I have made in Saigon are the ones where I spent a little more for something I really wanted: a well-made lacquer box, a tailored ao dai, a bag of beans from a roaster who let me smell every batch.
Pair your shopping with one or two experiences, such as a river dinner cruise or an evening on Nguyen Hue, and you end up with a trip that feels like more than a list of purchases. And if the weather turns, the malls and cafes are never far away.
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