Shop Like a Local in Saigon: Markets, Boutiques and Handicrafts

Past the luxury malls and the streetwear basements lies an older, warmer kind of shopping. Crowded markets. Artisan workshops. Little shops piled high with things made by hand. This is where you go for an áo dài cut to fit, a piece of lacquerware, a bag of freshly roasted coffee, or a souvenir that actually means something. Below: the markets worth knowing beyond Bến Thành, the crafts to hunt for, where to have an áo dài made, and how to shop it all without getting stung.

At a glance. For clothes and everyday goods, Saigon Square is the bargain hub. For handicrafts and textiles, head to An Đông Market and the artisan shops of District 1. What to buy: a tailored áo dài, lacquerware, silk, ceramics, conical hats, embroidery and Vietnamese coffee. Haggle politely in markets; boutiques are fixed-price.

Markets beyond Bến Thành

Bến Thành gets all the attention, and we give it its own guide. But locals shop well past it. A short walk away, Saigon Square is a dense indoor warren of clothing, bags and accessories at bargain prices, far better for a cheap wardrobe top-up than for gifts. For handicrafts, fabric and a more lived-in feel, the long-standing choice is An Đông Market over in District 5, strong on cloth, áo dài materials and presents, and refreshingly light on tourists.

Each market has its own temperament, so match it to the mission: Saigon Square for a quick, cheap haul, An Đông for crafts and cloth. If it is the classic covered-market experience you are after, read our Bến Thành Market guide.

Handicrafts and souvenirs to hunt for

Vietnam’s craft traditions run deep, and Saigon is the easiest place to buy across all of them. The things worth carrying home? Lacquerware, from bowls and trays to painted panels. Hand embroidery and silk. Ceramics and blue-and-white pottery. Conical hats. And single-origin Vietnamese coffee, which packs light and makes an easy gift. Buy handicrafts at An Đông or Bến Thành for the range and the price, and judge them on the quality of the finish rather than the lowest number on offer.

One souvenir worth singling out is coffee. Vietnam is one of the world’s great coffee producers, and a bag of dark-roast robusta or a small metal phin filter packs down easily and makes a genuinely useful gift. You will find both at markets and specialty shops around District 1, usually alongside dried fruit, cashews, pepper and other edible souvenirs that travel well. For something with real provenance, ask about single-origin beans from the Central Highlands rather than the generic tourist blends.

Where to have an áo dài made

The most personal souvenir of all is a tailored áo dài, the graceful Vietnamese long tunic worn over trousers. Plenty of Saigon tailors can turn one around in a day or two, so it pays to order early in your trip. The usual route: buy the fabric at a market such as An Đông or Tân Định, then take it to a recommended tailor, or pick a tailor who supplies the cloth themselves. Leave time for a fitting, and be clear about the pick-up date so it is ready before you fly out.

Boutiques and artisan shops

Not a market person? District 1 has a growing crop of design boutiques and artisan shops selling curated Vietnamese craft, homeware and modern takes on old forms, most of them clustered around Lê Thánh Tôn and Lý Tự Trọng. Prices are fixed, the mood is calmer than the markets, and the pieces are the sort of well-made gift you do not have to bargain for. Keep an eye out, too, for artisan markets and pop-ups showcasing handmade local goods.

A few tips for the markets

• Bargain, but keep it friendly. At Saigon Square, An Đông and Bến Thành, prices flex. Start warm, offer around half, and meet somewhere in the middle.
• Boutiques are fixed-price. Don’t haggle in design shops and artisan stores; the marked price is the price.
• Carry cash for the markets, in small notes, and save the cards for boutiques and malls.
• Think about shipping for anything large or fragile, like lacquer panels or ceramics. Many shops can arrange it.

Frequently asked questions

A central base for a day of local shopping

The Myst Đồng Khởi is a 108-room boutique heritage hotel in the heart of District 1, a short walk or ride from Saigon Square, the artisan boutiques and the city’s great markets. Inducted into the Michelin Guide Hotels and Stays selection and named 2025 World Luxury Hotel Awards Country Winner for Vietnam, its concierge can point you to trusted tailors and craft shops for the souvenirs worth carrying home.

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