Ho Chi Minh City, still widely called Saigon, is Vietnam's largest city and commercial engine, a dense, motorbike-driven metropolis on the Saigon River where French colonial landmarks, war-era history and a fast-growing skyline stand within a few kilometres of each other. Most visitors base themselves in District 1 and District 3, and the city is also the usual gateway to the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Coffee beans and phin filters
Lacquerware
Conical hats
Ao dai
Silk scarves
Tea and dried fruit
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Ben Thanh Market
The city's best-known covered market, built in 1914, selling souvenirs, textiles, coffee, dried fruit and street food.
Where: District 1, Quach Thi Trang Roundabout
Hours: Daily, about 06:00-18:00; the surrounding night-market stalls run 18:00-23:00
Binh Tay Market (Cholon)
The wholesale heart of Cholon, a Chinese-style 1930s market hall with spices, dried goods and household wares.
Where: Cholon (Chinatown), about 7 km southwest of Ben Thanh Market
Hours: Daily, about 06:00-19:00 (wholesale peak 06:00-11:00)
An Dong Market
A multi-storey District 5 market known for fabric, clothing, shoes and accessories at local prices.
Where: District 5 (Cholon), 5 km southwest of Ben Thanh Market
Hours: Daily, about 06:00-20:00
Dan Sinh Market (War Surplus Market)
A District 1 market of second-hand tools, electronics, military surplus and reproduction wartime souvenirs.
Where: District 1, Yersin Street, 600 m south of Ben Thanh Market
Hours: Daily, about 07:00-18:00
Saigon Square
An indoor bargain shopping hall on Nam Ky Khoi Nghia for clothes, sportswear, bags and accessories.
Where: District 1, 500 m north of Ben Thanh Market
Hours: Daily, about 09:00-21:00
Ho Thi Ky Flower and Food Market
A District 10 market that runs around the clock, known for flowers, produce and late-night street food.
Where: District 10, 3 km northwest of Ben Thanh Market
Hours: Open around the clock; flower trade peaks before dawn and in the evening
Nguyen Van Binh Book Street
A pedestrian street beside the Central Post Office with bookstalls, cafes and a calm atmosphere.
Where: District 1, next to the Central Post Office and Notre-Dame Cathedral
Hours: Daily, about 08:00-22:00
Le Cong Kieu Antique Street
A short street of antique, art and curio shops in District 1.
Where: District 1, near Ben Thanh Market and Pham Ngu Lao
Hours: Daily, about 09:00-18:00 (varies by shop)
Vincom Center Dong Khoi
A District 1 shopping mall with international brands, a department store and restaurants.
Where: District 1, behind Nguyen Hue Walking Street
Hours: Daily, about 09:30-22:00
Takashimaya Saigon Centre
A Japanese department store in Saigon Centre with fashion, homeware, a food hall and a supermarket.
Where: District 1, Le Loi Boulevard
Hours: Daily, about 09:30-21:30
Diamond Plaza
A District 1 department store and mall near Notre-Dame Cathedral with fashion, a food court and a cinema.
Where: District 1, opposite Notre-Dame Cathedral
Hours: Daily, about 09:30-22:00
Union Square Saigon
A luxury mall and Dong Khoi shopping address with international brands and a Metro-linked basement.
Where: District 1, Dong Khoi and Le Loi
Hours: Daily, about 09:30-22:00
Vincom Center Landmark 81
A large mall at the base of Landmark 81 in Binh Thanh with fashion, an aquarium and a skyline-view dining area.
Where: Binh Thanh, 4 km northeast of District 1
Hours: Daily, about 09:30-22:00
Crescent Mall
A modern mall in Phu My Hung, District 7, with fashion, dining and a lake-side promenade.
Where: District 7 (Phu My Hung), 8 km south of District 1
Hours: Daily, about 09:30-22:00
SC VivoCity
A large District 7 mall with fashion, a supermarket, restaurants and a cinema.
Where: District 7, Nguyen Van Linh Parkway
Hours: Daily, about 09:30-22:00
L'Usine Dong Khoi
A design boutique and cafe in a converted 1960s building, selling Vietnamese-made fashion, homeware and gifts.
Where: District 1, courtyard off Dong Khoi
Hours: Daily, about 08:00-22:00 (confirm; boutique hours may vary)
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
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Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Items:
- Info
- VAT refund for departing non-residents: goods of VND 2,000,000 / USD 76.05 or more on one invoice from a registered retailer may qualify.
- Tip
- Request the refund form at the till and keep goods unused until the refund counter at Tan Son Nhat Airport.