• Overview

SHOPPING IN VIETNAM

Shopping In Vietnam. Vietnam is known for its low living costs. Shopping for excellent items is thus strongly advised for all travelers. In Vietnam, you may shop for clothing, silk, jewelry, handicrafts, and other items in anything from large shopping complexes to street boutiques. Vietnam is also rich in crafts, from woodblock printing to weaving and painting.

Shopping In Vietnam:

Street Night Markets, Supermarkets, and Shopping Centers are among the best locations to shop in Vietnam. Bargaining is a must-learn skill in this country, particularly at certain local marketplaces. You'll be astonished at how much you can reduce the pricing after effectively haggling.

No shopping guide to Vietnam would be complete without a section on bargaining. Aside from supermarkets and Western-style shopping malls, pricing in Vietnam are usually always negotiable, so it's always worth asking if anything seems overpriced. Even if it's as simple as 'chào' (hello), learning a few Vietnamese words will go a long way.

Of course, you don't want to appear overly interested since the vendor will raise the price. Prepare your poker face and be ready to walk away, keeping in mind that many of the stores sell the same items.

While bargaining may be enjoyable if you get the hang of it, keep in mind that shopping is a source of income for someone. The average monthly take-home pay for a Vietnamese worker is roughly $250, and it is considerably less for those who live in the country. In general, starting the negotiation at 50% of the asking price and ending up paying 70% of the asking price is a good deal for both of you, and you'll be leaving the shop with big smiles and a new keepsake.

Aside from that, don't ask for a price before 9 a.m. and then leave without negotiation. Locals are extremely superstitious and believe that this spells bad luck for the remainder of the day.

Best Things To Shopping In Vietnam:

From gorgeous tapestries stitched with human hair to meticulously painted rice collages, Vietnam's various old handicrafts ensure that there is no shortage of odd, wonderful things to carry home. However, because Vietnam is a developing country, you can get stuff like clothes, electronics, and jewelry at a fraction of the price.

Vietnam was a significant Silk Route station and has a long and famous tailoring heritage. Tailored goods start at $50, and suits and silk gowns start at $150. Remember to allow two to three days for your item to be perfect, since they seldom turn out great the first time, and you'll usually need three fittings.

Best Cities For Shopping In Vietnam:

1. HANOI CAPITAL:

Vietnam's bustling city is a shopper's paradise, with a fascinating combination of French and Chinese colonial influence.

Kitsch Communist propaganda posters abound in markets like ng Xuân, making for colorful, lightweight souvenirs while also chronicling the story of the dictatorship that has ruled Vietnam since 1930.

In the maze-like Old Quarter, soak up the city's 1000-year heritage. Each street specializes in something distinct. Hang Gai is full of silk, Cau Go with women's clothing accessories, Hang Hom with bamboo crafts, and Hang Can with lovely stationery.

Huu La La, which sells hand-embroidered gowns and blouses for ladies and children, is well worth a look.

2. HUE MAUSOLEUM CITY:

Hue, a peaceful city on the banks of the Perfume River, nonetheless revels in the glory of its royal past. Its retail scene is likewise rich in history, and it is one of the greatest sites in the country to buy handicrafts.

Workers in rice terraces around Vietnam wear wide-brimmed conical hats to shield themselves from the heat and rain. Locals weave them from palm leaves in Phu Cam, a traditional town on the outskirts of Hue. Many contain poems woven into them that can only be seen when held up to the light.

 

3. HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN:

Colorful and unique Hoi An has to be the most beautiful town in Vietnam. Sure, the 15th-century structures and curved arches spanning over the Thu Bon River estuary contribute to its allure, but a plethora of colorful stores add to it.

This tradition can be felt today in the multitude of stores selling gorgeous silk lanterns, which seem like clusters of rainbow-colored glow worms and are excellent-value presents. Sedge Ware Workshop is located on Le Hong Phong St, while Nguyen Boi Lam Lantern is located at 97 Tran Phu.

Hoi An is the only town in Vietnam where you can get something fitted and have it ready overnight - however, it's better for the folks who make the clothing if you can give them more time.

There are around a few hundred tailors to select from. Hoi An Tailors is one of the most established, having been in business for over 20 years and employing over 160 people, while Minh Long provides an exceptionally professional service.

4. NHA TRANG BEACH CITY:

Nha Trang's commercial scene is mostly determined by its topography since it is a high-rise party town clinging to a stunning strip of sand in the country's south.

For souvenirs, visit Dam Market, or wake up early for a street food breakfast at Xoi Moi Market for a more real experience.

It's no wonder that Nha Trang is known for its seafood, given its lengthy coastline and 19 islands. Binh Tan and Xom Moi are teeming with unusual fish, many of which were captured that morning by local fishermen.

The region is also well-known for its natural pearls. Long Beach Pearl has the right keepsake for you.

5. HO CHI MINH CITY:

Ho Chi Minh City, the commercial heart of Vietnam, is a huge megacity on the banks of the Saigon River with a dynamic tangle of lush colonial streets and soaring skyscrapers.

You'll discover a plethora of air-conditioned shopping centers that are ideal for escaping the oppressive heat. Takashimaya is a sparkling cube packed with multinational brands, whilst Aeon Mall Tan Phu has a modern Japanese flair and provides free shuttle buses and daycare.

Marou Chocolate offers a delectable taste of the city's colonial heritage. It was the first bean-to-bar producer in Asia, founded by two Frenchmen, Samuel Maruta and Vincent Mourou, utilizing cacao produced in the foggy highlands of Vietnam. 

The Local Currency for Your Vietnam Shopping Trips:

The Dong is Vietnam's currency, and its symbol is. At the time of writing, one dollar equals around 23200 Vietnam Dong.

The Dong swings in value exactly like the US Dollar, yet Vietnam's economy has been relatively healthy for at least the last few years. Vietnam experienced a period of fast economic development in 2009, causing the currency value to rise rather quickly.

Many Vietnamese markets, restaurants, and retail malls, believe it or not, take US dollars. You should not, however, expect to pay the same exchange rate. If you pay in Dong, an item may cost $2, but in USD, it may cost $10.

It is entirely up to the merchant how much they choose to charge in each currency. Although stores may take foreign currencies, it is prohibited for vendors to list or request payment in any currency other than the Vietnamese Dong.

How Much Should You Spend on Your Vietnam Shopping Trip?

It's critical to prepare your budget while deciding what to buy in Vietnam. Not only must you create a budget, but you must also carefully consider how much money you will bring. As previously said, you generally don't want to exchange all of your native money right now. Instead, organize a few swaps and keep some little funds on hand for purchases in Vietnam.

There are numerous wonderfully crafted handmade watercraft on the barge. The cozy cottages are accented with one-of-a-kind local fabrics. You'll witness local towns and floating marketplaces as the trip moves along the river, and your onboard guide will explain the history of rice barges that occur regularly along the route.

Your purchasing style will determine how much money you bring with you to Vietnam. A typical individual shopping for clothes and souvenirs should allocate $200 to $500 for their whole trip's shopping budget, or around $4,600,000 VND to $11,500,000 VND(exchange rate not accurate). Many visitors enjoy luxurious Vietnam shopping vacations because of the wide variety of distinctive lacquerware, jewelry, artwork and paintings, and high-quality artisan handcrafted items. If this describes you, set aside $1000 to $3,000 (or 23,000,000 to 70,000,000) for goods to buy in Vietnam.

How to Bargain in Markets and with Vendors in Vietnam?

Make careful to leave some wiggle space when arranging your budget and what to buy in Vietnam - bargaining is an important aspect of the Vietnam shopping experience. Some Westerners may not feel comfortable negotiating a reasonable price with a merchant, but others may actively attempt to cut the price as much as feasible.

Try to establish a happy medium between these two points of view. By the conclusion of your Vietnam shopping vacation, you'll most likely be a natural. Here are some ideas for haggling over pricing when shopping in Vietnam.

Start with half of the asking price and work your way up from there.

Foreigners are generally overcharged by vendors in Vietnam marketplaces at first, so get used to negotiating.

If something has a price, it is not negotiable. Taxis and meals are included.

The aim is for everyone to be satisfied, not for the lowest feasible price. The difference in USD is typically little, so be kind.

If you're not satisfied with the final price, go away. Following that, the dealer will most likely offer their best price.

Learn some common Vietnamese expressions. "Dat Qua" translates as "Expensive."

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