Must-see shopping in Vietnam

  • Chung Cu 42 Ton That Thiep

    Ho Chi Minh City

    Come for the apartment building partially converted into cool boutique shops, and linger for the young, social-media-savvy fashion labels that produce…

  • LIVINCollective

    Nha Trang

    A huge space showcasing art and design from local, independent producers: from fashion (check out Sinhtolina) to photographs, organic beauty products to…

  • Rue des Arts

    Hoi An

    This initiative focuses attention on Ð Phan Boi Chau, east of Ð Hoang Dieu, as a dedicated arts street with galleries, museums and cafes housed mainly in…

  • Nguyen Nga Center

    Quy Nhon

    Everything at this craft centre is made by people with disabilities and special needs. All the items – silk scarves, bookmarks, hand-painted cards and…

  • Craft Link

    Hanoi

    A not-for-profit organisation near the Temple of Literature that sells quality tribal handicrafts, textiles and weavings at fair-trade prices. The bags…

  • Reaching Out

    Hoi An

    This excellent fair-trade gift shop stocks good-quality silk scarves, clothes, jewellery, hand-painted Vietnamese hats, handmade toys and teddy bears. The…

  • Villagecraft Planet

    Hoi An

    Shop here for intriguing and colourful homemade homewares and fashion, typically employing natural hemp, indigo dye and beeswax-stencilled batik, and…

  • Dakbla's

    Kon Tum

    The anthropologically inclined will enjoy this shop that has walls festooned with Bahnar and Sedang artefacts – nipple gongs, funeral masks, drums,…

  • Dominique Saint Paul

    Ho Chi Minh City

    Founded by UK banker turned shoe designer Dominic Price, this flagship store exquisitely hand-makes and -colours its premium leather shoes and accessories…

  • Ben Thanh Market.

    Ben Thanh Market

    Ho Chi Minh City

    Ben Thanh and its surrounding streets comprise one of HCMC's liveliest areas. Everything that’s commonly eaten, worn or used by the Saigonese is piled…

  • Inside the galleries of Couleurs d'Asie

    Couleurs d'Asie – Saigon

    Ho Chi Minh City

    This cosy gallery showcases the work of successful Hoi An–based photographer Réhahn. Especially strong are his images of Vietnam's hill tribes and…

  • Stairs leading to L'Usine

    L'Usine

    Ho Chi Minh City

    Marrying shopping and dining, this smooth upstairs outlet, next to the restaurant-cafe of the same name, has an eye-catching line in stylish threads and…

  • March Gallery

    Hoi An

    Owned by Yorkshire expat artist Bridget March, this gallery showcases her work – poignant watercolours, whimsical sketches and abstract works – and a…

  • Sapphire and Jewellery

    Ho Chi Minh City

    This small shop has ready-to-wear jewellery for men and women but its speciality is custom-made pieces. Bring in a picture of what you want (or email a…

  • Metiseko

    Hoi An

    Winners of a sustainable-development award, this eco-minded store stocks gorgeous clothing (including kids' wear), accessories, and homewares such as…

  • Bookworm

    Hanoi

    Bookworm stocks over 20,000 new and used English-language books over two floors. There’s plenty of fiction and it’s good on South Asian history and…

  • Indigo Cat

    Sapa

    This Hmong-owned, family-run handicrafts shop offers a wonderful selection of interesting local crafts, including bags, clothing, cushion covers,…

  • Chula Fashion

    Ho Chi Minh City

    Beautifully crafted garments (mostly for women) in silk, linen and wool. Bold prints and geometric patterns are joined by stylised elements taken from…

  • Pheva Chocolate

    Hanoi

    Pheva sells decidedly moreish artisanal dark and white chocolate produced from organic and free-trade cacao and stylishly wrapped. There's a tantalising…

  • Pheva Chocolate

    Hoi An

    Excellent artisan chocolate crafted from organic and free-trade cacao from Vietnam's southern Ben Tre province. The dark chocolate spiked with Phu Quoc…

  • Couleurs D'Asie Gallery

    Hoi An

    Superb and entrancing images for sale of Vietnam, Asia and Cuba by Hoi An–based photographer Réhahn. His portraits of the various peoples of Vietnam are…

  • Saigon Kitsch

    Ho Chi Minh City

    Specialises in reproduction propaganda items, emblazoning its revolutionary motifs on coffee mugs, coasters, jigsaws and T-shirts. Laptop and tablet…

  • Nha Trang Centre

    Nha Trang

    Beachfront mall complex with dozens of local and international fashion stores including the likes of Farah, Levi’s and Saga du Mekong. There's also a…

  • Saga du Mekong

    Nha Trang

    This stylish fashion brand specialises in linen, silk, bamboo and fine cotton clothing. Saga stocks Western sizes and has its own factory for quality…

  • Lemongrass House

    Nha Trang

    This Thai brand sells lotions, body creams and scrubs, masks, hair products, essential oils and even some teas. All products are sourced from natural…

  • Blue de Hue

    Hue

    This antiques store is stuffed to the rafters with stonework, ceramics, calligraphy, laquerware, wooden carvings and all manner of intriguing pieces of…

  • Antique Street Saigon

    Ho Chi Minh City

    This is the best of the arts and antiques stores along Ð Le Cong Kieu near the Fine Arts Museum. The shop overflows with interesting discoveries and art…

  • Indigenous

    Hanoi

    A top spot for quirky ethnic-style gifts and excellent fair-trade coffee. There’s a great little cafe too, so you can choose your favourite Vietnamese…

  • Chan Con Cong

    Hanoi

    This charmingly small vintage shop stuffed away beneath Loading T Cafe sells delightful vintage long dresses and classic togs. There's another, larger…

  • Tan My Design

    Hanoi

    Stylish clothing, jewellery and accessories, with the bonus of a cool cafe when you need a break from shopping. The homewares and bed linen are definitely…

  • Cerender Ceramic Shop

    Hanoi

    The truly delightful handmade ceramics on show here are a joy. Wonky, weird, winsome and wonderful; if ceramics are right up your street, this place will…

  • Mekong Quilts

    Ho Chi Minh City

    Beautiful handmade silk quilts, sewn by the rural poor in support of sustainable incomes. Bags, scarves, bowls and even very cool bamboo bikes are also…

  • Lemongrass House

    Mui Ne

    Excellent natural beauty products, including body lotions and creams, scrubs, essential oils and perfumes. Prices start at around 250,000d.

  • Shop

    Kon Tum

    This nameless shop stocks some choice (but pricey) Sedang and Bahnar hunter backpacks (US$50 to US$75), antique weavings, gongs and more.

  • Vincom Plaza

    Tuy Hoa

    This new mall has a decent selection of stores, fast-food, Vietnamese and Korean restaurants, ATMs and minimarts for essentials.

  • Cu Meo

    Nha Trang

    Hip boutique selling fashionable ladies' shoe designs; also stocks lingerie, swimwear and dresses.

  • Friendly Shop

    Hoi An

    One of a number of Hoi An's (better) tailors, it also specialises in making shoes and bags.

  • L'Usine

    Ho Chi Minh City

    Designer clothing and accessories, classy homewares and a cool cafe.

  • Dong Xuan Food Market

    Dong Xuan Market

    Hanoi

    This large, non-touristy market is located in the Old Quarter, 900m north of Hoan Kiem Lake. There are hundreds of stalls here and lots of the goods are…