Joanna James
Vanuatu has two shopping destinations, namely, Port Vila which is the only duty-free port in the country, and Luganville. They offer some unique and unforgettable experiences.
The Vanuatu Handicraft market can be near Vanuatu resorts in Port Vila. Like the famed Chatuchak Market in Bangkok, Thailand, the Vanuatu Handicraft Market is also replete with stalls and vendors selling a myriad of items. Tourists will be able to find a number of iconic souvenirs to remember their trip to Vanuatu by. Others will be able to purchase surf wear, jewellery, clothing items and various other goods. The Vanuatu Handicraft Market is also well known for selling numerous traditional handicrafts which make for wonderful gifts to give those back home. Because there is an ATM, tourists and locals need not worry about running out of cash and can shop to their heart's content. The Handicraft Market also hosts a Money Exchange depot which makes exchanging dollars that much easier. After shopping, patrons can relax at one of the numerous cafes in the vicinity.
The Hebrida Market Place is also a Market found in Port Vila. Unlike the Vanuatu Handicraft Market, the Hebrida Market Place specialises in one thing: sewn items. This ranges from ready-made, and made to order clothing items to other goods such as woven bags, woven mats and other woven trinkets. Further, there are also collections of hand painted clothes for sale at the Hebrida Market Place. This Market is open from Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm but is closed for an hour between 1-2pm. It's also open on Saturdays from 7.30am – 12.30pm. The Market is located only a ten minute drive away from nearby resorts such as Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu and is up the road from the Port Vila Market.
One of the best places for handicraft items, other than the Vanuatu Handicraft Market, is Mama Handicrafts. Found in the east side of Vanuatu, Mama Handicrafts sells a myriad of goods ranging from jewellery, bags, carved items and clothes. However, you will be able to find better bargains and greater variety at the Vanuatu Handicraft Market. It is useful to note that while the Vanuatu Handicraft Market is found in Port Vila, Mama Handicrafts is found in Luganville.
Unlike the Vanuatu Handicraft Market and the Hebrida Market Place, which are primarily markets, the LCM in Luganville is a shopping centre. LCM is located on the same street as Mama Handicrafts. This modern shopping mall sells a large variety of goods and patrons will be able to purchase anything from groceries to camping gear. There are also shops which sell liquor and snorkelling gear and the centre accepts credit cards. LCM is open daily, except on Sundays, from 7.30am – 5pm.
While shops such as Mama Handicrafts and markets such as the Vanuatu Handicraft Market sell one of a kind products, for tourists looking for grocery items and alcohol in Port Vila, an Au Bon March supermarket is the best place to go. Au Bon Marche is a supermarket chain with shops down Elluk Road, near the Vanuatu National Museum as well as close to the Hebrida Market Place.
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