Aeon Mall Long Bien

Aeon Mall Long Bien is a Japanese-anchored shopping centre at 27 Co Linh in Long Bien Ward, Long Bien District, about 7 km east of Hoan Kiem Lake across the Red River in Hanoi, Vietnam. It holds an Aeon supermarket, a large Japanese food court, fashion and homeware floors and a cinema. The mall draws Hanoi families at weekends and is the most reliable source in the city for Japanese groceries, stationery and household goods at fixed prices, which sets it apart from the Old Quarter's craft and souvenir shopping. Anchor stores include the Aeon supermarket and a mix of Japanese, international and Vietnamese fashion, homeware and lifestyle brands, so goods are authentic branded stock and replicas are not a concern. Souvenir-style goods are limited, though the supermarket sells packaged Vietnamese coffee, tea and snacks, and Japanese stationery and household items are popular purchases. Prices are fixed, from about 50,000 VND for small items to millions of dong for electronics and fashion, and bargaining is not customary. Payment is by cash or card, and card acceptance is widespread. Visitors seeking a VAT refund should ask the store for a tax-refund invoice at the time of purchase, since eligibility depends on the retailer and the traveller's status. The atmosphere is spacious, orderly and family-oriented, with weekend crowds of local shoppers and a calm feel on weekdays, and the air-conditioned halls are a refuge in the heat. Food options are strong, with a large Japanese food court, restaurants and cafes offering Japanese, Vietnamese and other cuisines at mid-range prices. The must-visit corners are the supermarket for Japanese groceries and the food court for a meal. The mall is far from the tourist centre, so most visitors arrive by ride-hailing car or taxi across the Red River.