Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Shopping Guide: Markets, Malls and What to Buy
Dong Khoi Street, one of Saigon's main shopping streets, at night. Photo: trungydang, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Most shopping in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) happens in a small, walkable part of the old District 1. Ben Thanh Market, Saigon Square, Takashimaya and Vincom Center are all within about 10 minutes' walk of each other, so you can cover the main spots in one morning without a taxi. Below you will find what things cost, where to go for what, and a half-day route you can follow from your hotel.
Quick answer: for souvenirs, go to Ben Thanh Market and bargain. For cheaper clothes in air conditioning, try Saigon Square. For local wholesale prices, head to Binh Tay Market in Cho Lon. For brands and fixed prices, choose Saigon Centre and Takashimaya, Vincom Center or Diamond Plaza. Foreign visitors can claim back part of the VAT on bigger purchases when they fly home.
Where to shop at a glance
| Place | Best for | Opening hours (approx.) | Bargaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Thanh Market | Souvenirs, coffee, silk, street food | 6am to 6pm | Yes, always |
| Ben Thanh night market | Snacks, souvenirs, an evening stroll | 6pm to 11pm | Yes |
| Saigon Square | Cheap clothes, bags, shoes, accessories | 9am to 9pm | Yes |
| Binh Tay Market (Cho Lon) | Wholesale goods, dried food, local life | 6am to 6pm | Yes, more so in bulk |
| Saigon Centre and Takashimaya | International brands, Japanese department store, food hall | 9:30am to 9:30pm | No, fixed prices |
| Vincom Center Dong Khoi | Fashion, cosmetics, restaurants | 9:30am to 10pm | No, fixed prices |
Hours vary a little between sources and individual stalls open and close at their own pace, so treat these as a guide.
What to buy and what to pay
Vietnamese coffee brewing in a phin filter, an easy souvenir to take home. Photo: McKay Savage, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Vietnamese coffee: robusta beans or ground coffee, plus a small metal phin filter to brew it at home.
- Tea and dried fruit: lotus tea, artichoke tea, dried mango and jackfruit.
- Cashew nuts: grown in southern Vietnam and sold in vacuum packs.
- Silk and ao dai: scarves, ties and the traditional ao dai, ready-made or tailored.
- Lacquerware and ceramics: bowls, boxes and trays that pack flat.
- Conical hats (non la): light, cheap and very Vietnamese.
Use these prices as a guide when you shop. At Ben Thanh, the first price quoted to visitors is often two to three times what the vendor will accept.
| Item | Typical price | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnamese coffee, 500 g bag | Robusta 80,000 to 120,000 VND; Arabica from 150,000 VND | Most coffee stalls let you taste before you buy. |
| Conical hat (non la) | First quote 80,000 to 150,000 VND; fair price about 30,000 to 50,000 VND | Painted or embroidered hats cost more. |
| Ready-made ao dai | 300,000 to 800,000 VND | Sizes run small, so try it on. |
| Tailored ao dai | 700,000 to 2,000,000 VND | The fabric makes most of the difference. |
| Silk fabric | About 120,000 to 150,000 VND per metre | Ben Thanh and Tan Dinh sell by the metre. |
| Lacquerware (small boxes, bowls) | 100,000 to 300,000 VND | Flat trays and boxes pack easily. |
| T-shirt | 100,000 to 300,000 VND | Saigon Square is usually cheaper than Ben Thanh. |
| A dish at Ben Thanh food stalls | 40,000 to 80,000 VND | A quick, easy lunch between stops. |
A half-day shopping route on foot
This loop covers the main spots in about four hours, with short walks between each stop.
- Morning: Ben Thanh Market. Go early, before the midday heat. If you come by metro, Ben Thanh station is right at the south gate by the clock tower. Give yourself an hour for coffee, tea and souvenirs.
- Saigon Square, 4 minutes' walk (290 m). Clothes, bags and shoes in air conditioning. Bargain here too.
- Takashimaya and Saigon Centre, just across Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street. Fixed prices, cool air and a food hall for lunch. Or head back to the Ben Thanh food stalls for a 40,000 to 80,000 VND dish.
- Vincom Center and Dong Khoi Street, about 8 minutes' walk (600 m) along Le Loi. Browse the silk and handicraft shops on Dong Khoi, then the mall for anything you forgot.
- Evening: Ben Thanh night market, about 10 minutes' walk (750 m) back. Street food and last-minute souvenirs.
Starting from a KiN hotel
- KiN Hotel Dong Du: 8 minutes' walk (550 m) to Vincom Center and 14 minutes (1 km) to Ben Thanh. Start the route at Dong Khoi and finish at Ben Thanh.
- KiN Hotel Onsen: 7 minutes' walk (450 m) to Vincom Center and 9 minutes (650 m) to Saigon Centre.
- NiK Hotel Nguyen Trai: 9 minutes' walk (650 m) to Ben Thanh Market, the natural first stop.
- KiN Hotel Thai Van Lung: 6 minutes' walk (450 m) from Japan Town to Vincom Center.
Walking times are from Google Maps.
Markets in Saigon
Ben Thanh Market
Ben Thanh Market lit up at night. Photo: Radek Kucharski, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The clock tower of Ben Thanh is the city's best-known landmark for shoppers. Inside you will find coffee, tea, dried fruit, silk, lacquerware, conical hats and food stalls. The indoor market runs from about 6am to 6pm, and as it closes, stalls and street food set up outside for the night market until around 11pm. Compare a few stalls before you buy and bargain politely. Ben Thanh metro station sits right at the south gate.
Saigon Square
Just 4 minutes' walk from Ben Thanh, Saigon Square on Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street is an air-conditioned building packed with small stalls selling clothes, bags, shoes and accessories at low prices. It is a good place to pick up holiday clothes. It closes around 9pm, but many stalls pack up earlier, so do not leave it to the last hour. Many items labelled with big brands are copies, and the authorities carry out regular inspections, so buy for the style rather than the logo.
Binh Tay Market (Cho Lon)
The front of Binh Tay Market in Cho Lon, the old Chinatown. Photo: Syced, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
In the old Chinatown, about 6 to 7 km from Ben Thanh, Binh Tay Market is a busy wholesale market where locals buy in bulk. Prices are lower than at Ben Thanh, and the courtyard building is beautiful. Go in the morning, allow one to two hours, and combine it with a walk around Cho Lon's temples.
Tan Dinh Market
Tan Dinh Market, known for its pink church nearby, is popular for fabric. Buy material here and take it to a tailor if you want clothes made during your trip.
Malls and department stores
Vincom Center, one of the main malls in the old District 1. Photo: trungydang, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Saigon Centre and Takashimaya (Le Loi Street): the most central mall, with a Japanese department store, international brands and a large food hall, open 9:30am to 9:30pm.
- Vincom Center Dong Khoi: fashion, cosmetics and restaurants in the heart of the old District 1.
- Diamond Plaza (Le Duan Street): a mid to high-end mall near the cathedral and the post office.
- Landmark 81: a large mall at the foot of Vietnam's tallest building, a short ride from the centre.
Malls have fixed prices, air conditioning and clean toilets, which makes them a good break from the midday heat.
Shopping streets and design shops
- Dong Khoi Street: handicraft shops, lacquerware, silk and ao dai, plus boutiques in old French-era buildings.
- Le Cong Kieu Street: a short street of antique and curio shops near Ben Thanh. Many pieces are reproductions, so buy what you like rather than what is sold as "antique".
- Thao Dien: concept stores, homeware and local designers, popular with expats.
Bargaining tips
- Bargain at markets, not malls. Fixed-price shops and malls do not negotiate.
- Start at about half to two thirds of the first price and meet somewhere in the middle.
- Stay friendly and smile. Walking away politely often brings a better offer.
- Buying several items from one stall usually gets you a better deal.
- Carry small notes so you can pay the exact agreed amount.
More tips in our guide to bargaining in Vietnam.
How to get a VAT refund
Foreign visitors can claim back part of the VAT on goods bought in Vietnam and taken out of the country:
- Shop at stores that display the Tax Refund for Tourists sign.
- Spend at least 2,000,000 VND at the same store on the same day, and ask for a VAT refund invoice with your passport.
- Keep the goods unused and with you when you leave.
- At Tan Son Nhat airport, show your goods and invoice at the VAT refund customs counter before check-in, then collect your refund after passport control.
You get back most of the VAT you paid, minus a service fee. The rules were updated in 2026, so ask the shop to confirm the details when you buy.
Planning your trip? See where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City, what a day in Saigon costs and our walking routes around Saigon.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to shop in Ho Chi Minh City?
What time does Ben Thanh Market open?
Can you bargain in Saigon?
What souvenirs should I buy in Ho Chi Minh City?
How much should I pay for a conical hat or Vietnamese coffee?
Is Saigon Square worth visiting?
Can tourists get a VAT refund in Vietnam?
Which shopping malls are in District 1?
Curious where to head next? Discover more stunning day trips, local landmarks, and must-see destinations over at @kinhotel. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for your daily dose of Vietnam's hidden wonders.
