What is worth buying in Ho Chi Minh City?

Ho Chi Minh City is a paradise for affordable shopping, with top buys including high-quality Vietnamese coffee, tailored clothing, silk products, and handicrafts like rattan bags and ceramics. Must-buys also include Marou chocolate, local snacks, and traditional Ao Dai dresses. Visit markets like Ben Thanh for bargains or local designer shops in District 1.

What to buy in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam?

Some of the best picks for typical souvenirs to buy in Ho Chi Minh City are Conical Hat ( aka Nón Lá in Vietnamese), tea and coffee, Vietnamese national costume (aka Áo Dài in Vietnamese), propaganda art, Marou chocolate, authentic ceramics, etc.

What items are worth buying in Vietnam?

• Aromatic Delights: Vietnamese Coffee & Tea. Vietnam's bold flavors are not only found in its cuisine but also in its world-famous coffee and herbal teas. ...
• Iconic Fashion & Textiles For A Piece of Vietnam. ...
• Exquisite Handicrafts & Art: Cultural Masterpieces. ...
• Delectable Treats & Culinary Essentials: Flavors to Savor.

Does Ho Chi Minh have good shopping?

The best shopping in Ho Chi Minh can be found in District 1, where most premium malls are located. The area around Le Loi Street and Dong Khoi Street offers the highest concentration of luxury malls in Ho Chi Minh, including Saigon Center and Vincom Center Dong Khoi.

Is it worth buying clothes in Vietnam?

If you like affordable fashion, custom-made clothes, or unique local designs, then buying clothes in Vietnam is definitely worth it! We think Vietnam is one of the best places in Asia for shopping because you get a lot of variety at very good prices.

21 Tips I Wish I Knew Before Visiting Vietnam

What is the 3-3-3 rule for clothes?

The "333 rule" in clothing refers to two popular minimalist fashion concepts: the viral TikTok trend of using 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 shoes to create numerous outfits (9 items total) for styling practice, and the more extensive Project 333, where you select 33 items (including clothes, shoes, and accessories) to wear for three months, excluding essentials like underwear, workout gear, and sleepwear, to simplify your wardrobe and reduce decision fatigue. Both methods focus on versatility, quality over quantity, and creating a functional capsule wardrobe.

What clothes are good to buy in Vietnam?

Many markets and shops in Vietnam sell traditional clothing that any fashion lover should consider buying. One of the most popular clothing items is "ao dai", which is a traditional Vietnamese dress in various colours.

Do and don'ts in Vietnam?

In Vietnam, DO dress modestly at religious sites, remove shoes when entering homes/temples, use both hands for giving/receiving, try street food, and stay calm in public; DON'T show public affection, touch heads, point with feet, raise your voice, or disrespect national symbols like Ho Chi Minh, while being wary of traffic and scams.

What is a good souvenir to bring back from Vietnam?

Take a piece of the experience home in these traditional gifts.

• Tribal Textiles. A Cham woman weaves using an elaborate loom in Chau Doc. ...
• Chopsticks. Pretty and practical, chopsticks make for an excellent souvenir or gift. ...
• Silk Products. ...
• Vietnamese Coffee. ...
• Paper Lanterns. ...
• Áo Dài. ...
• Puppets & Masks. ...
• Bamboo Products.

What is Ho Chi Minh famous for?

Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) is famous for its incredible street food, vibrant energy, rich history (especially wartime sites like the War Remnants Museum, Cu Chi Tunnels, and Reunification Palace), French colonial architecture (Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office), bustling markets like Ben Thanh Market, and its thrilling motorbike-filled streets, blending historical depth with modern development and a nonstop cultural pulse.
 

What not to miss in Ho Chi Minh?

Here are the top things to do to get the best from Ho Chi Minh City.

• Tao Dan Park. Adrien Jean for Lonely Planet.
• Inside the War Remnants Museum. ...
• Bach Dang Wharf Park. ...
• Ho Chi Minh City street food. ...
• Reunification Palace. ...
• Souvenirs on sale in Saigon range from the obvious to the artistic. ...
• Saigon Opera House.

Can I bargain when shopping in Vietnam?

Think of bartering in Vietnam as friendly verbal judo. It's the art of negotiating for a better price—most commonly practiced in traditional markets, street stalls, and tailor shops. It's not just about being a thrifty traveler.

What jewelry to buy in Vietnam?

Pearl jewellery is therefore a great gift or souvenir. A number of pearl farms and pearl shops can be found in areas such as Halong Bay and Nha Trang. There's a large community of artisans in Vietnam, meaning everything from intricately painted lacquerware to embroidered material can be found across the country.

What mistakes should you avoid in Vietnam?

Vietnam Travel Guide: 10 Common Tourist Mistakes to Avoid

• Underestimating the Size of Vietnam. ...
• Disrespecting Cultural Norms at Temples. ...
• Getting Scammed by Taxis or Cyclo Drivers. ...
• Assuming There's No Good Food for Vegetarians. ...
• Drinking Tap Water. ...
• Not Haggling at Markets. ...
• Not Doing Proper Shopping Research.

Is it okay to wear red in Vietnam?

Delicate suits and jackets are recommended, especially when you have to visit your friend's houses during the festival. We recommend you to pack some red clothes or jackets as this colour is considered as the appearance of luckiness according to Vietnamese culture.

Can I use toilet paper in Vietnam?

Flushing Toilet Paper in Vietnam

Unlike Western sewer systems, many in Vietnam simply aren't built to handle paper waste, which can lead to all kinds of plumbing headaches. Instead, there's a handy trash bin right next to the toilet where you should toss your used tissue.

What is the 3-3-3 rule for clothes?

The 3-3-3 rule for clothes is a minimalist fashion concept for creating a versatile micro-wardrobe, usually for travel or simplifying daily dressing, by selecting 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 pairs of shoes that can all be mixed and matched to create numerous outfits (up to 27 combinations). It's designed to reduce decision fatigue and prove how many looks can come from a few core items, focusing on versatility, comfort, and personal style over quantity. 

What can I buy cheaply in Vietnam?

• First-time visitors should consider authentic Vietnamese souvenirs like conical hats, lacquerware, silk products, coffee, and local spices. ...
• Vietnam offers excellent value across all price ranges. ...
• Most packaged food items like coffee, tea, and sealed spices are generally permitted, but regulations vary by country.

How do I prepare my stomach for Vietnam?

Many travelers experience no stomach troubles on a visit to Vietnam. Still, it's a good idea to keep diarrhea medicine with you. If you're feeling uncertain, there are medications like Travelan that you can take before a meal. Rehydration salts and Pepto-Bismol can help alleviate symptoms faster.

Is $50 a lot in Vietnam?

For a more comfortable backpacker experience in Vietnam, it's best to budget around $50 per day. This way, you'll have more money to spend on things like food, drinks, activities and hotel rooms. For a comfortable mid-range experience in Vietnam, it's best to budget $60 to $100 per day for your entire costs.

Is Thailand or Vietnam cheaper?

Price. Vietnam is the clear winner in this category. Whether at the high end or for budget backpackers, Vietnam is—at minimum—half the price of Thailand, and sometimes even cheaper.