The Ultimate Guide To Shopping In Vietnam
By Guest Writer, Cassie Steele
Vietnam is a favorite tour destination among seasoned travelers, as its home to beautiful beaches, flavorful cuisine, and rich culture and history that will thrill any adventure seeker. But did you know that it’s also one of the best places to go shopping in Asia? Last year, the upsurge in tourist arrival resulted in a revenue of over $9 billion within the first four months of 2019 for the country, and this is the result of visitors’ spending on holiday experiences and food, as well as on handicrafts, jewelry, and other locally produced goods. If you’re wondering where to find the best items in the country, here’s the ultimate guide to shopping in Vietnam.
Make a list of must-buy items
Shopping in Vietnam can be an adventure itself, and if you take a motorcycle on the best Vietnam motorbike routes, you’ll discover that there is a wide variety of goods that await you as you make your way from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City and vice versa. If you decide to use a motorbike as your primary shopping vehicle, make sure to map out your route so you can purchase everything on your list in one area. Also, remember to keep your things secure and never leave your items on the bike if you’re planning to shop at different malls or markets.
That being said, you should also make a list of things that you should purchase while you’re on holiday. A few items that should make it on your list are silk fabrics and clothing, artworks, pearl jewelry, bamboo, and wooden products, notebooks and postcards made from “do” paper, and embroidered clothes, bags, and scarves. You can also purchase overruns from international brands such as Zara, Mango, Forever 21, and North Face in some malls in the country, but if you’re looking for locally made items, then going to the markets should be on your priority list.
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Where to shop in Ho Chi Minh City
If you’re in Ho Chi Minh City, check out the Ben Thanh Market as it’s where you can find local textiles, Vietnamese coffee, bags, electronic goods, and handicrafts. It’s open from 6 am to 12 midnight, so you can take your time browsing in the shops and stalls there. For home decor items, head to Le Cong Kieu Street, which is on the opposite side of the market, and you’ll find ceramics, vases, and antiques, amongst other treasures. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for lacquerware, fresh produce, and more handicrafts, head to Binh Tay Market, but get there early as they close shop at around 6 pm.
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Hanoi shopping at its best
Hanoi is where you can get the best seafood, veggies, and fresh flowers in the country, and you can find all these on the ground floor of the Dong Xuan Market. If you head to the upper levels of the market, you’ll find clothing, fabrics, and handicrafts at the different stalls. For night owls, check out the Hanoi Night Market for clothes, accessories, street food, souvenirs, and handicrafts. This market is only open from Fridays to Sundays until 11 pm, so make sure to get there on time.
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Make your holiday in Vietnam even more special by going on a shopping expedition at some of the best markets in the country, and have fun scoring fabulous finds that you won’t get anywhere else in the world.
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About Cassie;
Cassie formerly worked as a flight attendant for over a decade, taking her all over Asia, including South Korea, Malaysia, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and India, among others. The combination of exciting cultures, low prices, and delicious food was the reason why Asia became a favorite stop of hers.
A couple of years ago, Cassie took a step back to spend more time with her family and became a freelance writer and editor in which she uses her vast knowledge on Asian destinations to further inspire other travelers to witness the beautiful continent.
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