Shopping in Saigon / Ho Chi Minh City - Bits and Pieces - Part Three

Tired of bargain hunting? Or rather afraid of being cheated on ‘the best price’ when the next stall sells it for cheaper! Fear not… Saigon / HCMC also has a plethora of ‘fixed prices’ stores to shop in.. especially the stress from street bargaining gets to you..

In Saigon / HCMC… and most parts of Vietnam shops are grouped based on what they sell… so on one street you’ll find shops selling the same things.. like if it’s a shop selling kitchen ware.. it would be a whole row of shops selling pots and pans.. and etc.. Much like here I suppose.. mamak stall all open at each corner on the same street… I suppose this way you get to cannibalize on the other business , especially if yours sells better / more stuffs…

In this series, I’ll introduce the streets based on the items that they sell.. they shops are usually not far off each other.. so if you can’t find what you want in one… good to try the one next to it.. selling similar items…

Shoe Street – Ly Chinh Thang Street

 

Need I say more.. shoes..shoes..shoes.. and yes.. more of it.. every kind of shoes you would ever want or need.. flats.. stilettos.. pumps! [I must say they are quite up to the date with the latest fashion trends] You can even get shoes in larger sizes, size 39-41 as compared to tiny size 36s that you will get elsewhere (Yes Vietnamese women have small feet). If you can't find the size you need in the first store.. try the next one beside it..

Bag Street - Le Lai Street 

Between the New World Hotel and Ben Thanh Market on Le Lai street will find shops stocking luggage bags such as lowe alpine, north face, samsonite, crumpler at a real bargain.. The luggage bags are relatively durable, and almost like the original, and sometimes if you're lucky.. they ARE the original..

 

Swimwear / Bikinis - Ly Tu Tuong

This in my opinion, is Saigon's little treasure.. I have bought and have brought others to buy countless bikinis / tankinis / swimsuits from the stores here.. is cheap as VND120k (RM20) you can get a decent bikini to show off in the beach! and since it's so affordable you could probably buy a couple to have multiple dress changes the next time you're on your beach holiday!

Ah yes, and did I mention, you could get it Tailored too? How it works? You pick your material, you then pick a style.. boy shorts, high cut.. and in 10 days you will get your very own tailored bikini... There are a few shops along the row which do Tailor swimsuits, some even give you mags to flip thru... but the shop I usually go to is " 185, Ly Tu Tuong, Q1". The lady boss there has a very strong opinion, so you may want to take it easy on her... some days she can be quite the B**ch.. The price you pay for a bargain...

Fabric– Hai Ba Trung Street

Crazy about fabrics, Tan Dinh Market at Hai Ba Trung Street would not fail to disappoint you... Prices are a little cheaper than Ben Thanh Market, however a little bargaining is required depending on how many meters you buy... explore the other shops outside the market along the main street as well, although based on experience the market sells a bit cheaper..

Do look out for the pink church.. and you're on the right track!

The Pink Church

Tailor

So what do you do with all the fabrics that you have bought.. make Clothes! Saigon is one of those place you can make a pant suit for USD100 with cloth and workmanship included.. in 24-48 hours depending on how quickly you need it.. Listing a few popular ones:

Cheap [USD 12- USD 40-ish]:

- 241A De Tham Street - Dung [Specialises in shirts starting from USD 12 onwards, material included]

- 191 De Tam Street - Nam Silk

Moderate [USD 50 - USD100]

Orchid Tailor

- 86 Le Loi Street - Orchid [Ao dais (Vietnamese Traditional costumes), available here]

- 13 Nyugen Thiep - Uyen [Pick the dress off the shelf, and the ladies will alter for you, otherwise they will make you a new one]

Splurge [USD 100 and up]

Dung Tailor [The President's Tailor - Bill Clinton apparently made his suit here]

- 221 Le Thanh Ton - Tailor Dung [Long waiting period]

-68 Ly Tu Tuong - Lam Tailor [Great with Men's suits]

Note about Tailors in Saigon / HCMC

1. Bring a sample of your favourite piece of clothing for the tailors to copy

2. A 50% deposit is common, however try to ask for a lower amount, just in case it doesn't turn out right

3. Go for fitting at least a day of two before you depart, tell the tailors that you're leaving a day earlier than you actually are

4. Tailors' usually stock their own fabric, for more choices bring your own favourite fabric or purchase them before going to the tailors... check out Hai Ba Trung Street [as above]