Tan My Design

Tan My Design is a four-floor design store at 61 Hang Gai in the Old Quarter of Hanoi, Vietnam, near the northwest corner of Hoan Kiem Lake. It is run by a family of embroiderers who have worked since 1969, and it stocks contemporary Vietnamese homeware, lacquer, ceramics, embroidered bed linen, jewellery and clothing from local designers. The store is a boutique rather than a bazaar: its focus is made-in-Vietnam design at a higher standard than the typical Old Quarter souvenir shop, and the range is edited rather than exhaustive. The ratio of authentic, locally made goods to imported trinkets is high, with embroidered linens and lacquerware made by Vietnamese workshops and craft villages. Prices are fixed and clearly labelled, generally from about 150,000 to 3,000,000 VND, so no bargaining is expected. Payment is accepted in cash and by card, and the store packs and ships internationally, which is useful for bed linen, lacquer and ceramics. Visitors seeking a tax refund should ask for a VAT invoice at purchase, as eligibility depends on the retailer's registration and the traveller's status. The atmosphere is calm and air-conditioned, a marked contrast with the pavement crowds of Hang Gai outside, and staff are used to answering questions on materials and techniques. A cafe on the upper floor offers a place to sit between floors. The floors are organised by category, with home textiles and embroidery on the lower levels, and lacquer, ceramics and designer clothing higher up. Shoppers comparing quality can use the store as a benchmark before browsing the cheaper silk and embroidery shops elsewhere on the street. Small items such as embroidered pouches, coasters and jewellery suit luggage limits, while larger lacquer and linen pieces are better shipped.