Shopping in Vietnam: Local tips for every tourist

1. Best shopping items & shopping places in Vietnam

1.1. Traditional handicrafts

Vietnam is known for craft villages that have kept their skills for generations. These villages and markets are packed with character, making them the best places to visit for shopping in Vietnam and experiencing the local culture. Below are the most iconic items and where to find them.

Lacquerware: Vietnamese lacquerware features deep colors, glossy surfaces, and layers of detail. You can find bowls, trays, vases, and jewelry boxes in souvenir shops specializing in lacquerware on streets in Hanoi like Nha Tho, Ly Quoc Su, and Hang Gai.
Conical hats: The iconic non la Vietnam is light, practical, and timeless. The best hats come from Chuong Village and My Lam Village, where artisans still weave them by hand.
Silk products: Vietnam’s silk is smooth and light, perfect for scarves, shirts, dresses, and accessories. You can explore Hanoi Silk Street, Van Phuc Silk Village, Hoi An Silk Village, Nha Xa Village, Tan Chau Village, and Ma Chau Village for authentic finds.
Embroidery: Fine embroidery is a treasured art in Vietnam. Beautiful tablecloths, napkins, garments, and artworks come from Dong Cuu Village, Quat Dong Village, and Van Lam Village.
Bamboo and rattan products: Vietnamese chopsticks, baskets, lamps, and home décor are often crafted from bamboo and rattan. Phu Vinh, Tang Tien, and Ngoc Dong are some famous craft villages for these products.
Pottery: Vietnamese ceramics come in blue patterns, rustic earth tones, or modern styles. Bat Trang Pottery Village and Thanh Ha Pottery Village are must-visits.
Puppets & masks: Water puppetry is a national treasure. You can pick up handcrafted puppets or paper masks at Hang Ma Street, Rach Water Puppet Village, Dao Thuc Puppetry Village, and Ong Hao Paper Mask Village.
Stone sculptures: Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village, Bu Long Village, and Ninh Van Village produce statues, jewelry, and home décor made from marble and other stones.
Lanterns: Packable and available from $4, paper lanterns add a Vietnamese touch to any room, with the best variety found on Hang Ma Street (Hanoi). For more luxurious designs, seek out silk Hoi An lanterns in Hoi An Ancient Town.
Artworks: Vietnam’s art scene is rich. You can explore local galleries, woodblock prints, Dong Ho paintings, and shops in Hanoi Old Quarter.

Handicrafts are the best shopping items in Vietnam

1.2. Fashion items and accessories

When it comes to clothes shopping in Vietnam, fashion items and accessories are the highlight. From traditional clothes to modern designs, here are the items tourists love most.

Ao dai: The traditional Vietnamese tunic - “Ao dai” - is characterized by its long sleeves, stand collar, and side seam slits up to the waist, typically worn with palazzo-style pants. You can find this Vietnamese traditional dress at tailoring shops in Hanoi Old Quarter, Hoi An Ancient Town, and Pasteur Street (Ho Chi Minh City).
Jewelry (gold, silver, gemstones): You can visit Hang Bac Street, Tran Nhan Tong Street, and Ha Trung Street in Hanoi to find high-quality, custom-designed pieces.
Ethnic fabrics & accessories: These textiles feature bright colors and geometric patterns. Markets in Sapa and Bac Ha Market offer the best selection.
Footwear: Shoe shopping in Vietnam is affordable and varied. Look for shoes at Hang Dau Street, Dong Xuan Market, and Ben Thanh Market.
Clothing: Vietnam has a growing fashion scene. Local brands like Latui Atelier, FANCì Club, LA LUNE offer stylish tops, dresses, pants, and accessories with high quality.

1.3. Food and drinks

Vietnam is a food lover’s paradise, where many treats make perfect souvenirs. Here are the easiest-to-find items for tourists.

Vietnamese coffee: Instant and ground coffee from brands like Trung Nguyen or G7 are popular.
Vietnamese tea: Green tea, oolong, black tea, and West Lake lotus tea are widely sold in Vietnam’s supermarkets.
Dried fruits: While dried fruits like jackfruit and banana are widely available in supermarkets, Hang Duong Street in Hanoi is famous for its specialty: “O Mai” (salted, sweetened, or spiced preserved fruits).
Vietnamese cakes: Try green sticky rice cake on Hang Than Street in Hanoi, Sapa chestnut cake at Sapa’s markets, pia cake, and Vietnamese mung bean cake .
Vietnamese herbs & spices: Look for Phu Quoc fish sauce, Phu Quoc pepper, and local herbs at Vietnam’s markets.

Other quick souvenirs include magnets, postcards, keychains, T-shirts, tote bags, 3D pop-up postcards, propaganda posters, and fun trinkets found across the country. These items represent some of the most iconic Vietnam souvenirs you can bring home.

Vietnamese coffee stands out as a favorite gift from shopping in Vietnam

2. Unique shopping experiences in Vietnam

2.1. Thrift shopping

Thrift shopping adds a fresh twist to shopping in Vietnam, especially for tourists who enjoy the thrill of digging for hidden gems. Hanoi has a lively secondhand scene, with places like Dong Tac Market, Hang Da Market, and Kim Lien Market drawing crowds of bargain hunters searching for vintage pieces, casual wear, and unique finds. Ho Chi Minh City is just as exciting for thrift lovers. Hoang Hoa Tham Market, Ba Chieu Market, and Ban Co Market are packed with secondhand and imported items that come at budget-friendly prices.

2.2. Luxury shopping

Luxury shopping in Vietnam has grown rapidly, giving tourists a polished and modern contrast to the country’s traditional markets. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City offer high-end districts filled with designer boutiques, stylish storefronts, and elegant shopping avenues.

In Hanoi, many visitors flock to major shopping malls in Vietnam such as Vincom and Lotte for a convenient one-stop experience. At Trang Tien Plaza and the area around Hoan Kiem Lake, international labels and local brands sit side by side.

Ho Chi Minh City delivers a similar upscale feel along Dong Khoi Street and in large shopping centers operated by the same chains, creating a refined setting for those who want to explore the premium side of shopping in Vietnam.

Upscale malls like Vincom complement luxury shopping in Vietnam

2.3. Shopping at floating markets

Floating markets in the Mekong Delta offer one of the most authentic shopping experiences in the country. Here, boats act as shops, where sellers use tall bamboo poles called “cay beo” to show what they are selling. Fruits, vegetables, snacks, and handmade goods are passed from one boat to another. To visit these floating markets, tourists need to rent a boat.

Most Mekong Delta floating markets open early in the morning and stay busy until mid-day.

Cai Rang Floating Market: Cai Rang is the most famous floating market in the Mekong Delta. It bursts into action early each morning, with boats selling fresh produce, breakfast dishes, and handmade goods.
Long Xuyen Floating Market: Long Xuyen Floating Market sits on the Hau River in An Giang and keeps a quiet atmosphere thanks to its limited commercial influence. It is busiest in the morning, when boats gather to trade fresh produce and local dishes while residents go about their daily life on the water.
Nga Bay Floating Market: Nga Bay Floating Market sits at a rare seven-river junction that gives the market its name. The vendors here sell vegetables, household items, handicrafts, local dishes, and an impressive range of tropical fruits such as rambutan, mangosteen, durian. The market is also known for unusual items like snakes, geckos, birds, squirrels, and soft-shell turtles, adding an unexpected twist to shopping in Vietnam.

Floating markets turn everyday riverine life into a vibrant shopping experience

2.4. Shopping for tailor-made clothes in Hoi An

Hoi An is famous for its tailoring tradition, making it one of the most enjoyable places for personalized shopping in Vietnam. With tailoring in Hoi An, tourists can walk into a shop, choose a fabric, explain a design, and have a custom outfit ready within a day. The process is friendly and fast, and the tailors guide visitors through measurements, fittings, and adjustments to ensure the final piece matches their style. Well-known shops like Blue Chic Tailor (13 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street), Be Li (635 Hai Ba Trung Street), Be Be Tailor 2 (95 Phan Chu Trinh Street) stay busy throughout the year thanks to their skilled craftsmanship and reliable service.

3. Useful notes for shopping in Vietnam

3.1. Bargaining

Bargaining is part of the fun when shopping in Vietnam, but it should only be done in traditional markets, not in supermarkets or big retail chains.

When shopping in Vietnam, keep a neutral expression and avoid showing too much interest. Sellers may raise the price if they think you really want the item.
The final price often lands at around 50% of the first asking price. Locals usually pay even less, but 50% is still considered a fair deal for tourists.
Learn a few basic Vietnamese phrases to show respect. Sellers appreciate the effort, and prices often drop more quickly. If needed, use a calculator to communicate numbers.
Shop around before making a decision. Many stalls sell similar items, so compare the prices.

Local knowledge helps tourists enjoy shopping in Vietnam

3.2. Shopping scams

Shopping in Vietnam is usually enjoyable, and it gets even better when you know a few common scams to watch out for so you can shop with confidence:

Overpricing is pretty common when shopping in Vietnam, especially in tourist-heavy markets. Ask locals about fair prices and bargain confidently.
Confusing banknotes make it easy to receive the wrong change or non-cash substitutes. Pay with small bills and double-check every note you receive.
Counterfeit goods, especially clothing and electronics, often appear with swapped labels. Inspect items closely and buy from reliable stores.

3.3. Extra notes

These extra notes will help you make the most of every market visit:

Bargain with a friendly attitude.
Pay in Vietnamese dong and keep small bills on hand to avoid confusion.
Buy several items from the same vendor to get better deals.
Look for shops with fixed price tags if you prefer a simple, no-bargaining experience.
Step a few blocks away from busy tourist areas to find more reasonable prices.
Check customs rules if you plan to buy high value goods.
Leave extra space in your luggage in case you pick up more than expected.

FAQs about shopping in Vietnam

Is Vietnam a good destination for shopping?

Yes. The variety of markets, malls, crafts, and bargains makes shopping in Vietnam one of the most enjoyable activities for tourists.

What are the best cities for shopping in Vietnam?

Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Hoi An, and Hue are the top destinations for shopping in Vietnam.

What are the most famous shopping malls in Vietnam?

Vincom Center, Lotte Mall, and Aeon Mall are the most popular Vietnam shopping centers.

What are the popular online shopping sites in Vietnam?

Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop offer easy online shopping in Vietnam.

What are the most famous markets in Vietnam?

Dong Xuan Market (Hanoi), Ben Thanh Market (Ho Chi Minh City), Dong Ba Market (Hue), Han Market, Hoi An Market (Da Nang), and Dam Market (Nha Trang) are the top choices.

Shopping in Vietnam is more than collecting souvenirs. It is a way to experience the country through its traditions, flavors, and creative energy. Whether you want silk from ancient villages, street fashion from local brands, or tasty treats to bring home, Vietnam shopping tourism always feels fun, surprising, and full of great value.

After your shopping journey, take the time to enjoy more of Vietnam travel with the top tourist destinations such as Ha Long, Hoi An, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc. For a memorable stay in those destinations, choose the resorts and hotels of Vinpearl. Vinpearl offers comfortable rooms, excellent restaurants, relaxing pools, and beautiful locations. From Vinpearl, families and adventure seekers can also explore the entertainment paradise of VinWonders nearby.