There are so many great places to shop in Saigon, most of which are unheard of by foreigners! Here's a great list that doesn't mention Ben Thanh Market AT ALL!

Hey, I am a shopaholic! Every time I go travel, I usually dedicate a full day just to go shopping, and I’m sure that many of you shopaholics will do the same when you visit Vietnam. Vietnam, especially Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) is a shopper’s paradise. Do you have a trip coming up soon and are wondering where to shop in Saigon? Well, this article will answer your question.

Here’s a fun fact: LOCALS BARELY SHOP IN BEN THANH MARKET! Sure, the market is emblematic of Saigon but it has become such a tourist trap that the locals prefer to avoid it. You can still find a bargain in there for sure, and the market makes a beautiful background for photo-ops, but other than that and the interesting history behind it, there’s not much else when it comes to shopping. It’s no secret that Ben Thanh Market among others such as Saigon Square has prices that are inflated for tourists. There are so many other places to go to for a bargain, and the shopping gets even more fun when you know all the “hidden” spots that locals frequent. The key is to do as the locals do, and lucky for you, I’m a local!

Shopping malls, markets, or streets?

When you Google “Where to shop in Saigon” most of the answers you receive will be Ben Thanh market, Binh Tay market, Saigon Square, and a bunch of fancy shopping malls such as Takashimaya, Saigon Centre, Vincom Centre, and Diamond Plaza. To be fair, these markets are good for buying souvenirs, but they don’t have much else where shopping is concerned. The malls, of course, provide similar clothes and prices as you can find back home, and they are full of international brands. Depending on what you seek, you can choose where to go. This article, however, is about markets, and not the popular ones. But of the lesser known markets and shopping streets in Saigon. You can say they are somewhat ‘hidden’.

Top local spots for shopping in Saigon

The eyewear street

Here is a trick when shopping here: Don’t hesitate to drive a hard bargain. You can negotiate the price down to 2/3 or even 50% of what the seller initially suggests. For example, if they tell you your glasses are worth 100,000 VND, you can lower the price to 40,000 – 50,000 VND. If they don’t agree, just walk away. If they call you back, you know that they are still making a profit, so it’s a win-win.

Address: Vendor of Ho Xuan Huong Street, Ward 6, District 3

Opening hours: 8 AM – 8 PM

Saigon Flea Market

Saigon Flea Market is known as the ‘Market of Artists’ because this is where the local and expat artisans spread their love of creating handmade crafts and vintage clothes to the community. There are two things I love about this market. First is the great location. Phu My Hung is one of the calmest areas in town – there are no crazy beeps and honks from traffic that drives you crazy sometimes and the scenery is really romantic. Saigon Flea Market is based on the first floor of the Boomerang restaurant, which has a seductive river view. Unlike other flea markets, the products sold at the Saigon Flea Market are quite unique and the price is reasonable. For example, I once found a rare Pu’er tea here. You can find remarkable jewelry, custom notebook covers, vintage clothing, and a bunch of cute home decor items that can melt your heart.

Address: 1st floor, Boomerang Restaurant, 107 Ton Dat Tien, Tan Phu Ward, District 7

Opening hours: Sunday from 11 AM – 8 PM

Website: Saigon Flea Market

Hello Weekend Market

Third on our shopping in Saigon list – Hello Weekend Market. You can shop for clothing, accessories, beauty products, and home decor at Hello Weekend Market. Many online shops and new brands that want to approach their potential customers tend to bring their products to this flea market. This is a great chance for you to look for your new favorite brands not common among the public yet. But you can also find items from brands that are popular among locals too. Some are Soda Pop, RẬP design, Dottie, and so on. This market is not all about new products but you can also find some second-hand items – similar to garage sales in western countries. Another thumbs up for this market is that they have created a beautiful photo booth background for those who love modeling so you can pose for a few Insta-worthy pictures. All this is enough to visit, right?

Address: The location is frequently changing, so follow their Facebook page for more information.

Opening hours: Weekend, 10 AM – 9 PM

Facebook: Hello Weekend Market 

Pham Van Hai Market

There is no better place to practice your bargaining skills than a market. Even though this fashion market is not as huge as the Pratunam in Bangkok, it still requires a lot of time to check out. There are about 1,500 stalls in Pham Van Hai market. This market welcomes a lot of young girls and middle-aged women every day regardless of whether it is a weekday or weekend. Most of the items sold here are collected from factories in Vietnam or imported from Thailand and China. The quality is fine and the price is reasonable, after you bargain, of course!

This is the reference price for you to know what to expect when negotiating the price here:

Basic shirts/Tee: 40,000 – 80,000 VND

Stylish tops: 100,000 – 200,000 VND

Jeans: 180,000 – 300,000 VND

Dresses: 120,000 – 300,000 VND

Address: Pham Van Hai Street, Ward 3, Tan Binh District

Opening hours: 7 AM – 7 PM

Non-market Places

Some Outlet Stores

Those who are into the western styles will go hunting for stylish clothes at some special outlet stores. If you notice and read the tag on your favorite dress that you bought at Forever 21, you will see it was made in Vietnam. Ladies, you are in the homeland of your clothing. By saying this, I mean you can buy some basic items of Forever 21, ZARA, H&M, or whatever brands you like without paying as much as you do at home. Don’t be surprised to see the basic top that you are wearing being sold at an outlet store at half the price you initially paid. Despite some garment defects (i.e missing or skipped stitches), the items are in good condition.



Store name: Ombre

Address: 3rd floor 35 Nguyen Van Trang, District 1

Opening time: 10 AM – 9:30 PM

Website: Ombre store

The High Street of Nguyen Trai

In the evening, when the weather is cooler, you can take a walk along Nguyen Trai Street to explore the hundreds of clothing stores Nguyen Trai offers you. You will see lots of clothing stores and vendors and many of them will try to draw you in. Literally, there will be guys saying “come see clothes!” Most of the items being sold on Nguyen Trai Street can be found at Pham Van Hai market for a cheaper price! But if you don’t like the crazy crowds at the market, you can check out this street. Do notice that the clothing sold at the stalls on the side streets are always cheaper than in the shops. By the way, don’t hesitate to bargain when shopping here.

The Old Apartments

Tips and tricks!

In order to have a great time while shopping in Saigon, here are a few things you should keep in mind:

• Vietnamese people are very friendly. You should try to chat with the sellers and be their friend. Once you win their heart, you can buy your favorite shorts with a super cheap price. You don’t even have to bargain. Sometimes, they may even give you extra stuff.
• Most of the clothing will be in Asian sizes, which means the size will be limited from XXS to M in western standard.
• The owners cannot speak English so it is better to go with a local friend or you should speak Vietnamese. Locals love it when you try Vietnamese.
• Always keep your eyes on your belongings.
• The majority of the shops in Vietnam don’t have a return policy. Think twice before purchasing and check the quality carefully.
• Credit card payment is not very popular in Vietnam so even if you love paying by card, break the habit and bring Vietnamese cash with you.

“Wandering around shops is the best way to exercise” -said anonymously. Let’s shop until you drop! 

Credit to  Eleanor Nguyen