From high-end off the peg boutique originals to beautiful hand-carved souvenirs, shoppers are well catered for in Ho Chi Minh City.
The general rule of thumb to remember when shopping in Saigon is that the expensive, high quality goods are sold in and around Dong Koi. The goods get cheaper and simpler as you move westwards to Ben Thanh Market.
Dong Khoi is home to high-end boutiques, department centers and shops selling high quality silk. Shops on the nearby streets of Hai Ba Trung, Le Loi and Le Thanh Ton are also worth a browse for art pieces and intricate handmade items.
For the ultimate Asian market experience, head to Ben Thanh Market for a rummage. This atmospheric marketplace is the largest of its kind in the area, and sells everything under the sun.
For high quality souvenirs, art and embroidered silk pieces, this is the best shopping ground. Prices are slightly higher, but the difference in quality is considerable. There are also a number of good tailors in this area. This popular shopping district is always buzzing but is easy to navigate on foot.
Saigon's shopping mecca is a maze of narrow aisles, with stalls selling a broad range of goods. The market has been divided into two sections: tourist items and regular goods. There are plenty of bargains to unearth, including copycat replicas of international branded goods. Early morning is an interesting time to visit Ben Thanh Market as this is the time when locals come to hunt for the freshest fish and vegetables. The market opens daily and transforms into a food market at dusk.
Binh Tay Market is located in a beautiful spot in Chinatown. Mainly for wholesale goods, this market well worth a wander.
This dense maze of stalls selling military paraphernalia is worth seeing. However, the authenticity of the goods is extremely questionable. Combat clothing and copycat marine Zippo lighters are popular buys and prices are easily reduced by haggling.
This gleaming department store is great for window-shopping and taking a break from the stifling heat of the midday sun. It's possible to find international brand name goods; however, they are likely to carry a hefty price tag.
