Ho Chi Minh City Shopping Tips by sailor_p

Name of Shop: Clothes

When you are in Saigon, do get an ao-dai tailored within 24 hours. A traditional ao-dai would take about 6 hours to be made. When you are there, try to ask for "party" ao-dai. This type of ao-dai combines the "East-Meets-West" design. Something that you can bring back to your hometown to wear during your friends' weddings or important functions and dinners.

A good seamstress is able to produce a set that fits you on the first trial. The seamstress that did mine was fantastic - she personally came down to my hotel to see whether the ao-dai fits me or not and let me select the type of embroidery design. In all, I made one traditional set and two "party" sets!

What To Buy: Don't be fooled when the shopkeeper tells you that he/she can do embroidery on Vietnamese silk - either he/she is cheating you on the material or you're going to get a big hole. Embroidery can be done on Thai Silk or Organza. Non-pure silk can take embroidery work. If you like hand-painting, only polyester material can take such works. Embroidery can be done within a day. Don't be fooled if the shopkeeper says that it would take 3 days - unless you are sewing a picture of Angkor Wat or Statue of Liberty on the :"apron".

You may have heard or read from other postings not to pay more than USD 25 for an ao-dai. Well, it is true to some extent. However, do note that you get what you pay. A good tailored ao-dai can cost up to USD 70. Depending on your budget and your expectation of what you want, do go around and shop for a good tailor or shop that sells quality fabric. Do note that not all so-called Vietnamese silk is pure silk. For the amount I paid, the tailor used pure Thai Silk (as Vietnamese silk is not able to hold embroidery) and quality organza. In addition, the embroidery is good worksmanship and the tailor personally delivered the ao-dai to my hotel so that she can see whether it fits me nicely. If not, she would go back to do re-adjustment.

What To Pay: An exquisite "party" Ao-dai with lots of details and good materials costs less than USD40, depending on the design, materials and length of time for completion. My "party" ao-dai was rushed out within 24 hours at USD 35. The embroidery work is fantastic. The seamstress actually did a masterpiece of Vietnam's national flower - Lotus on the front "apron".

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Theme: Women's Clothes
Phone: 072-631626
Address: 1st, Thanh Duc, Ben Luc, Long An, Vietnam
Directions: The Silkco Ltd is located at the Handicrafts Village, if you are on the way to Mekong River. However, it has a branch in HCMC. Give the shop a call and they can direct you to its shop in HCMC. You will get a better price if you make more than one set.
Other Contact: baosilk@hcm.vnn.vn

Name of Shop: The Ben Thanh Market

HCMC has a number of huge indoor markets but the one that you MUST go is the Ben Thanh Market. The market and surrounding streets make up one of the city’s liveliest areas. Everything you need or want is found here. The stalls are opened as early as 7am but closed before 7pm, after which, a night market will be set up around the area.

The prices of the product could hit rock bottom if you know how to bargain. I’ve learnt that you have to undercut the first suggested price by at least 75%. Slowly, you will move towards your desired amount you wish to pay. Generally, this amount would be about 50 – 60% of what the price first quoted. A trick I’ve also learnt from the local guide is to just walk away if you think the price is not right. The stallholder would call you back if he/she sincerely want to do business with you and he/she would definitely offer you the price you want.

Note: This trick only works if you are prepared to walk away empty-handed from the stall or you don't mind to get scolded. Generally, I noticed that the stallholders located on the main corridor or those that have a big front are not generous in their bargain.

What To Buy: Anything you need is found here. However, as I am interested in ladies' fashion, I bought a few embroidered slippers and silk handbags. If you can drive the bargain hard, you can get a medium-sized silk bag with lots of embroidery for less than USD5! Of course, it helps that I bought quite a number of bags. My favourite shop is this pretty small stall but with lots of bag designs (and very nice designs with lots of choices - you will be spoilt!) located at a small corner of the market. It is not easily seen from the main corridor unless you are gamed to explore the market in details. I cannot remember the stall number but I know it's either number 754 or 759. It's a small stall and the lady boss is sharing it with another shoe stall. Don't be surprised by its size - but the range it offers can beat anyone in the Market!

What To Pay: If you buy more or thick-skinned enough to bargain (but get prepared to be scolded - I got scoldings a number of times), you can get a very nice medium-sized bag of high quality less than USD5!

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Theme: Gifts
Address: Cho Ben Thanh
Directions: Don't worry, the Market is a landmark in HCMC, District 1. A taxi ride from Dong Khoi street to the market should cost at most USD1!

Name of Shop: Stores & Markets

A place you should make a trip is the 27-7 Handicraft Company. This is the place for top quality lacquerware at reasonable pricing. What make it more meaningful is that the craft produced are made by handicapped who wish to make a living with pride. The lacquerware is one of the best quality in the world. I was told that 18 layers are required and it would take 2 months to complete a piece of work.

What To Buy: There are many shop in Dist 1 for you to get lacquerware but this is the place you should get it. Though the price is slightly on the higher side, I feel that it's worthwhile as the service is excellent. The sales team would painstakingly wrap your gifts with boxes so that they will not be damaged during your trip back home. Other places in HCMC won't do that. They will not provide boxes.

What To Pay: The prices are very reasonable. It ranges from USD 4 onwards. I think it's worth it as the prices would be much higher if purchased in home countries.

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Theme: Local Craft
Phone: 8488403.359
Address: 153 Xo Viet Nghe Tinh, Ward 17-Binh Thanh District
Directions: Tell the taxi driver that it's the handicraft company otherwise he would drive you all over the place. A trip from Dist 1 to the showroom is about USD 1.50.
Website: http://www.27-7.com.vn/handicraft/html/about.asp
Other Contact: 727handicraft@hcm.vnn.vn

Name of Shop: Parkson

As you can see by now, I am a die-hard shopper! Well, I was surprised the Malaysian giant retail store - Parkson is now opened in Ho Chi Minh City. This was my first surprise find after I took a bold step in walking out into the street all on my own at night. And guess what, Parkson is located just next to Continental Hotel! Woah!!! I was told that Parkson was opened in June 2005 - and I stepped into the new building only two months after its opening!

Well, like any shopping malls in Singapore, Parkson has everything you need under one roof. The retail area took up about 3 storeys (if I can remember correctly) and the fourth storey is occupied by a big supermarket. In fact, I visited the supermarket every night to buy my daily supply of mineral water. There's also a modern foodcourt located on the same floor as the supermarket.

Whatever brands you need like Nike, Shisedo, Kose and etc are found there - really felt like one of the Singapore's mega shop there. Security is tight - hence you feel safe. This is more so for a single lady like me travelling at night. If you are a fashion craze, check out the ladies section. Local and up and coming designers have their brands in Parkson too. Check out their clothes.


What To Pay: The locals feel that the prices at Parkson is high. Personally, I find the prices are on par with what we have in Singapore. However, it's the convenience, comfort and safety of shopping that you are looking for when shopping in this mega mart.

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Theme: Department Store
Address: 45 Le Thanh Ton St. (Parkson Saigontourist Plaza)
Directions: This mall is located on the same stretch as the well-known Dong Khai Street

Name of Shop: Stores & Markets

The Ben Thanh Market may close at about 6pm in the evening. However, the shopping continues with the Ben Thanh Night Market. Stalls around the market would spring up after dark and the bustling activities would continue into late night.

Whatever available during the day market is also available in the night market except for fresh food. Stalls selling cooked food would also line on one side of the road while the other stalls selling items like clothes, handicraft etc would fill the rest of the roads around the market.

Do remember to polish your bargaining skill. Honestly speaking, I feel that prices in the night market are much better than the day market! Happy shopping!



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Theme: Local Craft