Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam — Shopping
Shopping in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Shopping in Ho Chi Minh City is pure joy for avid souvenir hunters and shopaholics. Silk clothing, lacquerware, colorful woven bags, silk paintings, greeting cards and hand-embroidered tablecloths are all good value, while getting quality, tailor made clothes is a must-do for any discerning clotheshorse.
Markets
Busy Ben Thanh Market on Le Loi is crammed with inexpensive but quality clothes and souvenirs. Binh Tay Market in Cholon throngs with people from early morning and until 2300 as a night market, and the gloomy, narrow walkways are crammed with consumer items and exotic foodstuffs.
Shopping centers
There are now several very smart shopping malls including Diamond Plaza on Le Duan and Parkson Saigontourist Plaza on Le Thanh Ton.
Key areas
Many shops are found along Dong Khoi and close by are Hai Ba Trung, Le Thanh Ton and Le Loi, which are also worth a look. For silk clothes and accessories try Khoi Silk, 81 Dong Khoi.
Shopping hours
Shops are generally open seven days a week from around 0800 until between 2000 and 2200.
Tax information
VAT is included on most items sold and 10% is the standard, but there is no system for foreign visitors to be able to claim this back. However, the duty-free shop on the corner of Nguyen Hue and Le Loi, will allow foreigners to make tax-free purchases of their stock.
