HCMC-Visitors visiting Ho Chi Minh City have many shopping options in both traditional markets and modern shopping centers.
The 10 interesting shopping spots in Ho Chi Minh City below are one of the items in the list of 100 interesting things about Ho Chi Minh City announced by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism in early December, based on more than 104,000 votes. The list is divided into 10 categories including sightseeing programs, sightseeing spots, entertainment spots – entertainment programs, shopping spots, tourist accommodation facilities, restaurants – eateries, cafes, check-in points printing, tourism-cultural-sports events and delicious food.
Antique Market Coffee
Officially operating since 2013, the second-hand and antique market is considered a place to trade nostalgia and rediscover memories of old Saigon. The market is located in a cafe in an alley on No Trang Long street. Every week, the market starts from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Entrance ticket costs 40,000 VND per person but can be used to exchange for a dish or drink.
Antiques here are mainly bought from the families of deceased collectors, overseas Vietnamese or from contacts introduced by regular customers. “Goods must be transparent in terms of origin, source as well as price. If the seller intentionally makes a mistake and is discovered, he or she will not be able to sell in the next markets,” Mr. Thanh said.
Ben Thanh market
Ben Thanh Market was built in 1912, has a total area of more than 13,000 m2, is one of the symbolic works of Ho Chi Minh City, attracting many people and tourists. The market has 16 doors, including 4 large doors East, West, South, and North. The market is divided into 4 areas with 11 industries, areas 1 and 2 are mainly fabric and clothing stalls; Areas 3 and 4 are groceries, groceries, cosmetics, food, processing technology, fresh goods and drinks… The market has more than 1,400 households with as many business stalls.
Binh Tay Market
Binh Tay Market is known as Cho Lon (new) because Chinese businessman Quach Dam built it in 1928 according to French techniques. The bagua-shaped architecture is said to be the most unique feature of the market, including 12 gates and a spacious garden inside for guests to rest.
From 2016 to 2018, the market stopped operating for comprehensive upgrades and repairs. In April 2017, Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee decided to classify the Binh Tay Market art architectural work (Thap Muoi Street, District 6) as a city-level relic. All construction and exploitation activities in protected relic areas are strictly prohibited.
Crescent Mall
Crescent Mall is a commercial center of international standards, located in Phu My Hung new urban area, on Nguyen Van Linh Street, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City. This center is invested by Phu My Hung Company, has a total area of 112,000 m2, providing 120 retail stores, 6,000 m2 supermarket, modern cinema area, international food court, and a series of restaurants. and outdoor cafe.
Ho Chi Minh City Book Street
A section of Nguyen Van Binh Street, District 1, about 100 meters long, is a Book Street with many activities honoring reading culture. This street has two book cafes, next to the Ho Chi Minh City Post Office, where readers have fun, relax, and where seminars and cultural and artistic activities are held. Next are kiosks selling books, newspapers, magazines, cultural items, and children’s reading and playground areas. Besides, there is an area for displaying books, newspapers, pictures, and cultural items according to monthly themes, an area for buying and selling and exchanging used books, and collections of rare items and publications.
Vincom commercial center system in Ho Chi Minh City
In Ho Chi Minh City, there are 13 Vincom shopping malls in operation, spread across main districts in the city. Tourists staying in central districts such as District 1, District 3 or Binh Thanh District can visit Vincom Dong Khoi, Vincom Center Landmark 81. Similar to many other shopping malls, many fashion brands, cosmetics, famous jewelry, food and coffee store chains and many entertainment activities to serve residents and tourists.
Ho Thi Ky flower market
Ho Thi Ky flower market is located in the heart of District 10 of the city, nestled in the alleys surrounding the old Le Hong Phong apartment complex. This is the largest flower gathering point in Saigon. The market has been operating since 1987, selling hundreds of different types, and is likened to a miniature Da Lat in the heart of Saigon. Flowers here are transported by traders from all over the largest flower beds from Da Lat and Western provinces such as Long An, Dong Thap, and Vinh Long.
Le Cong Kieu antique street
Le Cong Kieu Street (District 1) is one of the oldest antique selling places in Saigon. The road is only about 200 meters long but there are dozens of large and small shops, selling many antiques from money, Buddha statues, ceramic vases from the Nguyen and Qing dynasties to even items such as cups, plates, etc. lanterns, incense bowls, bronze urns, incense bowls. There are shops that specialize in bronze items, and some that specialize in ceramics. The origin of the goods also depends on the type, including items from all over the world. Buyers just need to walk and browse to be able to localize the location to find the item they want. Common items here cost from a few hundred thousand VND to tens of millions of VND
Takashimaya Department Store
Takashimaya’s first shopping center in Vietnam opened in 2016, in a busy area of Ho Chi Minh City. The Japanese retail group has invested 32 million USD in a shopping area located at 92-94 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, District 1, with an area of more than 15,000 m2, including 5 floors of the Saigon Center building. Visitors can come here to shop for fashion, cosmetics, and jewelry from famous brands in the world. This shopping center also regularly has entertainment activities and shopping stimulation programs on holidays, Tet, and special events of the city.
($1~24,000 VND)
Photo,Video: Internet (Vinlove.net)