Joanna James
Shopping in Vietnam's Saigon is only one of its attractive highlights. With new shopping malls making themselves known right, left, and centre in the city, the sheer variety of shopping will never stop exciting you, no matter how many times you visit the city.
With over 250 shops, Vincom Centre is hailed as Saigon's largest shopping space – due to its sheer size, the mall actually exists in two buildings, right across the street from each other. Located within a seven-minute driving distance from Somerset Ho Chi Minh City which is a great alternative to Ho Chi Minh hotel options - via Lê Duẩn, it is a must-visit place when you're thinking of shopping in Vietnam. Vincom Centre A is a beautiful French building while Centre B is housed within the first five storeys of a modern skyscraper. If you've got your sights on international products, Vincom Centre is a must-visit as many luxury brands have their flagship stores here.
Ben Thanh Market in Saigon's District 1 is a splendid location to buy a range of products from branded goods and souvenirs to local handicrafts and Vietnamese art. You will also come across several eating stalls inside the market where you can relish in Vietnam's delicious cuisine or simply treat yourself to a delightful beverage if the heat becomes too much. This massive market should be visited at night if you're hoping to avoid the extreme heat around noon. As night falls, the place will be engulfed in the tasty aromas wafting from the restaurants located around the market. Ben Thanh, one of Vietnam's oldest landmarks, offer a great ambience where visitors can glimpse authentic Vietnamese way of life.
Also known as Cholon Chinatown Market, Bin Tay Market is considered the largest Chinatown in the country with a history that runs back to the 18th century. It is a great place of historical importance as it's known as the place where the Chinese minorities came to hide from the Tay Son. This place even acted as a black market for US soldiers during the Vietnamese war. At present, however, this is a popular site for tourists due to its classical Chinese architecture and authentic Chinese fare. Bin Tay Market is a bustling place with messy small aisles selling various items. Although the product range may not be as varied as the other shopping places in the region, tourists still flock to this place due to its Chinese atmosphere.
Anyone looking for bargaining opportunities when in Ho Chi Ming City should definitely head to Saigon Square. It is a shopping mall that's packed with stalls that are spread out in two levels. But you should probably be mindful of forged products though – if a branded product comes with an unbelievable discount, look for its authenticity before purchasing it. Although the place constantly bustles with shoppers, its air-conditioned atmosphere makes the experience much more pleasant.
Here, you'll find a variety of fashion and other handicraft stalls. It can be found in District 5 and it is open every day from 8 am to 2 pm. An Dong Market is divided into four stalls where you can look forward to browsing through a wide array of clothing, shoes, and handicrafts.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
