Best Shopping Places in Vietnam: Markets, Malls, and Night Markets
Vietnam is a place that rewards shoppers who know where to go. Silk in Hanoi, tailors in Hoi An, a giant market in Ho Chi Minh City, and malls with fixed prices all sit within a short flight of each other. This Vietnam shopping guide covers the best shopping places in Vietnam, the best markets in Vietnam with typical hours, how the VAT refund really works, and what mistakes cost travellers money.
Best Shopping Places in Vietnam: Match the City to the Haul
Each city has a different strength, so shop where the speciality is.
Hanoi: Silk, Crafts and the Old Quarter
Hanoi suits silk, lacquerware, ceramics, and small crafts. Moreover, the Old Quarter streets group shops by product, which makes comparison easy. Dong Xuan Market adds a larger, more wholesale feel, and Lotte Center Hanoi will give you a modern mall option. However, if this is your first visit, you should also read where to visit in Vietnam as a first-time traveller to place Hanoi within a wider route.
Hoi An: Tailors and Lanterns
Hoi An is famous for tailors, and most of the shops can finish clothes within about 24 hours. Reported starting prices are around VND 500,000 for a dress and VND 1,500,000 for a suit. However, quality and fabric can change the price. You can visit the lantern-lit night market after you drop off measurements, and allow time for fittings.
Da Nang: Markets and Malls
Da Nang mixes the Han Market, Vincom Plaza, and riverside night markets. This place is a practical base if you want both a local market and an air-conditioned mall in one day. Prices at markets are negotiable, while malls have fixed prices.
Ho Chi Minh City: Ben Thanh and Dong Khoi
Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s biggest shopping city. Ben Thanh Market is the famous stop, Dong Khoi Street holds fashion and boutiques, and Diamond Plaza brings in a mall setting. While going here, you should come with a list, because the choice can feel overwhelming. You can also explore our international tour packages to compare destinations and plan a trip that fits your schedule and budget.
Best Markets in Vietnam: Hours and What to Buy
Opening hours vary by source and current season, so you can treat these as typical times and confirm locally.
| Market | City | Typical Hours | Best For |
| Ben Thanh Market | Ho Chi Minh City | Daytime, closing around 6 PM | Coffee, souvenirs, textiles |
| Ben Thanh Night Market | Ho Chi Minh City | Daily from about 6 PM | Street food, souvenirs |
| Dong Xuan Market | Hanoi | Daytime | Wholesale-style goods |
| Hanoi weekend night market | Hanoi | Friday to Sunday, about 6 or 7 PM to 11 PM | Clothes, small gifts |
| Hoi An Night Market | Hoi An | Daily, about 5 PM to 10 PM | Lanterns, tailors |
| Han Market | Da Nang | Daytime | Local goods, snacks |
Night Markets After Dark
Night markets feel livelier and cooler compared with day markets, and they suit evening food stops. However, you should also remember that Hanoi’s weekend market only runs from Friday to Sunday, so you should plan your dates around it. Moreover, you can read these things to know before you go to Vietnam for practical rules that apply to markets.
Day Markets Versus Night Markets
Day markets will give you better variety and fewer crowds. Meanwhile, night markets have a better atmosphere and more souvenirs. If you only have time for one in each city, you can go to a day market for useful items and a night market for gifts and food.
Note: You can also read Why Trust Travel Saga for International Tours? to learn how Travel Saga plans international holidays and helps travellers choose suitable tour packages.
When to Go and How to Plan
Shopping is easier when your trip is well planned.
Best Season for Shopping
Vietnam is long, so conditions differ between north and south. You should choose your cities first, then your dates. Moreover, you can also read this guide to the best time to visit Vietnam from the UAE to help you match the season to your route.
Shopping in December
December can mean cooler air in the north and rain on parts of the central coast, which can make an impact on your market plans. Indoor malls become more useful on wet days. Read about Vietnam in December 2026 before you finalise dates.
A Nine-Day Route
A longer trip will help you shop in several cities without rushing. The Vietnam 9 days tour package shows one route. However, you should also check which cities it includes, so your shopping stops match the itinerary.
Shorter or Flexible Trips
If you don’t have much time, you can go with the Vietnam tour package for other options. Choose one or two shopping cities instead of trying to cover everything.
Entry and Official Updates
Entry rules mainly depend on your passport, so you should check the official Vietnam tourism website and your embassy before you book. Also, check your airline’s baggage allowance before you fill it.
Enquire - Vietnam Tour Package
Malls and Boutiques: Fixed Prices and VAT Refunds
Malls are easier when you want a fixed price, air conditioning, and an official receipt.
Why Malls Matter
Dong Khoi Street, Diamond Plaza, Lotte Center Hanoi, and Vincom Plaza in Da Nang are common choices. They will give you set prices, return policies, and, in some stores, VAT refund eligibility. Furthermore, you should also know that markets and street stalls do not issue refund invoices, so a bargain at a stall will never qualify for a refund.
Vietnam Shopping Guide: Money, VAT Refund and Bargaining
A few money rules separate smart shopping from expensive mistakes.
Currency and Payments
The currency of Vietnam is the dong, and large numbers are normal. You should always carry small notes for markets and cards for malls. Our longer Vietnam shopping guide goes deeper on spending and budgets.
How the VAT Refund Works
Tourists can also claim back part of the VAT on eligible goods when they leave, under these conditions:
- Shop at stores displaying a VAT Refund for Tourists sign.
- Spend at least VND 2,000,000 in one store on one day.
- Keep the invoice, your passport, and the unused goods.
- Claim the refund at the departure airport, and allow extra time.
- Expect to receive 85 percent of the VAT, with 15 percent kept as a fee.
VAT is 8 percent on many goods under a temporary reduction through the end of 2026. So the net refund is usually around 6 to 7 percent of the price. However, time limits and airport coverage can change, so you should first check the current rules.
Bargaining Rules
Bargaining is normal in traditional markets and street stalls, but you can not do it in malls. Start well below the asking price, stay polite, and be ready to walk away. Never bargain if you do not plan to buy. You can go through these Vietnam travel tips for tourists, which will give you more advice on scams and etiquette.
What to Buy
Vietnam will give you plenty of interesting souvenirs and local products. Here are some of the best things that you can buy during your trip:
- Vietnamese Coffee Beans: A great choice for coffee lovers and an easy gift to take home.
- Silk Products: Shop for silk scarves, clothing, and other handmade items.
- Lacquerware: Choose decorative trays, bowls, and artwork made using traditional techniques.
- Ceramics and Pottery: Look for handmade cups, plates, vases, and other ceramic items.
- Conical Hats: Buy the traditional Vietnamese hat as a memorable souvenir.
- Tailored Clothes: Get suits, dresses, and other outfits made to your measurements.
Conclusion
First, choose your shopping cities; after that, prepare a list of what you want to buy in each one. Set a budget in dong, and also keep a spare day in case a market is closed or the weather turns. However, if you want help matching a route to your shopping plans, you can reach out to the team at Travelsaga.com, which can build one with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are the best shopping places in Vietnam?
Ben Thanh Market and Dong Khoi in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Hoi An for tailors, and Da Nang for a mix of markets and malls.
Q. What time do the night markets open?
Hoi An’s night market opens around 5 PM, and Ben Thanh’s opens around 6 PM. Hanoi’s weekend market runs Friday to Sunday evenings. Hours can vary, so before visiting any place, confirm their timings locally.
Q. Can tourists get a VAT refund in Vietnam?
Yes, on eligible goods from participating stores, if you spend at least VND 2,000,000 in one store on one day. However, markets and street stalls are not included.
Q. Should I bargain in Vietnam?
Yes, you can easily bargain at markets and street stalls, but you can not bargain in malls or fixed-price shops. While bargaining, you should always stay polite and walk away if the price does not suit you.
Q. What are the things I should not buy in Vietnam?
You should avoid buying wildlife products and fake branded goods, because they can be confiscated at customs. For more queries, visit the frequently asked questions page.
