The French-managed Hoa Sua company owns not only a café operated by orphans, but now a sewing showroom managed by the hearing-impaired as well. This showroom displays tablecloths and raw silk furnishings designed and sewn by young hearing-impaired Vietnamese. The project aims to provide financial support to the sewers. Items featuring dragons, lotus flowers or simple patterns in a variety of colors can be handmade to suit customers needs.
THINGS OF SUBSTANCE
Western sizes, Vietnamese prices.
5 Nha Tho
Ha Noi
Phone:(84 4) 828 6965
Ready-to-wear fashion for women and children, sterling silver jewelry, handicrafted handbags, and leather goods.
Hom Market
One-stop shopping
Pho Hue and Tran Xuan Soan
Hanoi,
If you are searching for a plastic lunch box, a chicken to roast, a pair of sandals or simply a view of a Vietnamese version of a shopping mall, swing by the sprawling Hom Market. The two-story warehouse-like structure houses small kiosk-style vendors who sell household items, clothes and accessories. Food items ranging from live fowl to dried mushrooms fill another section of the market. Upstairs thousands of rolls of fabrics appeal to the fashion designers in us all. Bargain for everything.
Opening: 5a-7p daily.
Jade Bags
Designer Bags a little cheaper
9A Phan Chu Trinh
Hoan Kiem District
Hanoi,
Phone: +84 4 825 1964
Fax: +84 4 825 1964
A young entrepreneur set up this classy establishment, catering for all the Hanoi yuppies and stylish expatriates. It offers some of the top bag names, such as Prada, Chanel and even YSL. Some rumors claim the bags are high-priced duplicates, but many customers do not care as the quality, colorful styles and designs are worth the money. This bag shop, located very near the Hilton, is a good place if you have your eye on an expensive brand but cannot afford the real thing.
Opening: 9a-9p M-Su
Nature shop
Back to NATURE
6 Au Trieu
Hoan Kiem District
Hanoi,
Phone: (84 4) 928 9106
If you want to buy some small but meaningful souvenirs of Vietnam at very reasonable prices, come to Nature shop, handily located beside the cathedral in Hanoi. The shop features Indochinese tropical incenses displayed in a poly-carbon shell: they make stylish fasion accessories to adorn yourself as well as your home.
There are no concerns about harming the natural environment: the shop owner pledges that these beautiful insects were all farmed in Lam Dong province in the Central Highlands. In addition, no toxic chemicals are used to preserve them.
Christina, Ipa-Nima's talented designer and high-flying entrepreneur, said she adores every one of her refined and original products. And we discovered every item on display reveals impressive quality and meticulous attention to detail. Christina's personal style is imprinted in every one of her pieces, from the colourful bags, shoes and tiems of clothing to the fashion accessories.
Ipa-Nima recently introduced its autumn-winter collection, 1001 Nights, which features rich colours, imaginative designs and fanciful fourishes.
opening: 10a-8p daily.
Kenly
Silk central
108 Hang Gai
Hoan Kiem District
Hanoi,
Phone: (84 4) 826 7236
Kenly, in Hanoi's famous silk street, is one of the most reputable shops in town for genuine high-quality silk, linen, and cotton, from silk shawls ($3 to $50) to dresses and ties. Dresses are the shop's real strengh, with beautiful designs in high quality silk.
The second floor has menswear, winter wear and embroidery paitings
The third floor has bags and napery.
Phuc Tin Silver & Silk
Shop 31 Hanoi Towers, 49 Hai Ba Trung
Phone: (84 4) 936 2027
22 Hang Gai
Phone: (84 4) 828 5040
Wide range collection of silver and silk. Stylish clothing, handmade bags, fashion accessories.
SAIGON
Paris France
A wide selection of perfumes
86A Hai Ba Trung
District 1
Ho Chi Minh City,
Phone: (+84 8) 823 3911
If you forgot to pick something up at duty free, head here. Nowhere in Vietnam has a remarkable selection of perfumes and after-shaves, but there is more at this store than you can usually find. Whether you want to spruce yourself up with some Dolce & Gabbana, or whether Bulgari is more your style, you should be able to find something that suits you. Hermes, Issey Miyake, Boucheron, Ralph Lauren and more are in stock.
NGA
Lacquerware souvenirs
61 Le Tanh Ton
District 1
Ho Chi Minh City,
Phone: (+84 8) 825 6289
This shop specialises in lacquerware including a vast selection of vases, bowls and plates. They also do a fine line in games made from rosewood. Backgammon, chess and solitaire are on offer as well as some more unusual games such as Jenga and Nine Men’s Morris. Prices for games range from USD5 to USD30. Picture frames and desks add variety to the selection of wares. Letter racks and business card holders (wooden or lacquer) can be personalised with your name or business logo. Nga are happy to arrange delivery and export on all purchases.
LUCKY PLAZA
Centrally located mini-mall
69 Dong Khoi
District 1
Ho Chi Minh City,
Phone: (+84 8) 824 4554 (Saigon Tourist)
Centrally located and accessible from both Dong Khoi and Nguyen Hue Streets, Lucky Plaza is a relatively modern mini-mall. The three floors hold 24 shops and one restaurant. Here you will find everything from cheap toys, candy, inexpensive watches and shoes to high quality jewelry and sportswear. Traditional Vietnamese gifts of lacquerware and purses can be bought in several of the shops. The top floor consists of a medium range Chinese restaurant with excellent service and traditional ambiance.
INTER ART
Lacquerware with a modernist touch
65 Le Loi
District 1
Ho Chi Minh City,
Phone: (+84 8) 821 6336
Fax: (+84 8) 821 6335
The spacious showroom of Inter Art sells unusual lacquerware with a modernist touch. There are angular trays, colorful bowls, and several handy things to help keep your desk tidy. This is a good place to look for a gift a little out of the ordinary. Here there is nothing "traditional" about lacquer, Vietnam's traditional craft. There is also some furniture for sale, and staff can arrange contracts for interior design.
BEAUX ARTS
Chic souvenirs
71 Le Tanh Ton
District 1
Ho Chi Minh City,
Phone: (+84 8) 823 6853
Exclusive designs by Truong Thanh make this boutique something special. Stylish chopsticks start at around USD24, and small square lampshades cost USD35. They also sell lacquerware cases and books, stone carvings and pendants. Or how about a gorgeous tea set with tray, fired to reveal tiny cracks in the watery glaze? There are also interesting palm sized objects in the shape of animals, that can be opened to reveal a compass inside for USD7.
AUTHENTIQUE
Ceramics and cloth
6 Dong Khoi
District 1
Ho Chi Minh City,
Phone: (+84 8) 823 8811
Authentique is a shop in two parts, with the Moonfish Cafe sandwiched in-between. On the right is Authentique Interiors, which sells excellent, earthy ceramics, particularly of the green celadon style, typical of Vietnamese crafts. You can find everything from teapots and mugs to plates and serving bowls. On the other side is the Authentique Boutique where the focus is on cloth. They have bags decorated with fish, shoes decorated with umbrellas, quilts decorated with butterflies, and more.
ANNAM GOUMET shop
Huge deli located downtown
50 Ho Tung Mau
District 1
Ho Chi Minh City,
Huge deli located downtown, pandering to the whims of expats and visitors alike
VEGGYS'
15 Thai Van Lung
District 1
Ho Chi Minh City,
Phone: (84 8) 823 8526
Wide range of fresh vegatables and salads, imported meats, dairy products and gourmet brands from around the world. Unique, walk-in cold storage room
The WAREHOUSE
Comprehension range of fine wines.
178 Pasteur Street
District 1
Ho Chi Minh City,
Phone: (84 8) 825 8826
Comprehensive range of fine wines. The Warehouse brings you the finest wines from around the world.
CO-OP MART
168 Nguyen Dinh Chieu
District 3
Ho Chi Minh City,
Supermarket & departments store offering a wide range of local and imported brands.
With more than 200 different designs of matroska dolls, Russian Handicraft Souvenir emporium is well worth a visit. Made from birch, a matroska set involves two years and about 15 different stages just to process the wood. Next the artists express their talent.
The shop also offers a wide range of other Russian handicrafts, including folk art, amber jewellery, pictures on bark and traditional weighted tilting dolls.
average cost: USD 4
opening: Daily 8.30a-9p
HOIAN
BAO KHANH TAILORS
37 Phan Dinh Phung
Hoian Town
Phone: (84 510) 861 818
Popular tailors specializing in made-to-measure fashion, formal wear and casual clothing. Well patrionised and enjoying a good reputation. Ask for Mr Binh.
opening: Daily 8.30a-9p
KIM BONG CARPENTRY
106-108 Nguyen Thai Hoc
Hoian Town
Phone: (84 510) 862 279
opening: Daily 8.30a-9p
SON CA
127 Tran Phu
Hoian Town
Phone: (84 510) 861 569
Napkins, table linen and more all beautifully embroidered by hand. Son Ca also offers bespoke fashions and ready-to-wear.
opening: Daily 8.30a-9p
THUONG GIA
41 Nguyen Thai Hoc
Hoian Town
Phone: (84 510) 910 712
Foreigned-managed tailor shop housed in a converted ancient shophouse which was used as a set during the filming of “The Quiet American”.
opening: Daily 8.30a-9p
YALY COUTURE
47 Nguyen Thai Hoc
Hoian Town
Phone: (84 510) 910 474
High-quality tailors specialising in modern fashions for ladies and gentlemen. Wide range of fabrics & styles. All tailoring is carried out on the premises –unlike many other Hoi An outlets.
