In this thread, I'll give you somesecrets in Saigon
How to Negotiate the Best Price When Buying in Vietnam
Divine Threads
If you can’t be bothered to bargain, it pays to visit a reliable fixed-price fabric store where you’ll get honest advice without being overcharged. One of Donges’ favourite one-stop shops for bolts of fine cottons, silks and satin is Huong Fabrics, located near the back of Ben Thanh market. “The fabric selection here is as good as any you’ll find in Australia, for a fraction of the cost,” she says, unfolding and examining a supple length of silky pink material. “This would be gorgeous for a man’s shirt — it’s so soft and extremely sophisticated. Even at a reputable tailor this fabric would be US$60 (AU$71) a metre. Here it’s just US$12 (AU$14).”
The Master
Just around the corner, Tailor Dung has a reputation among discerning locals as being the best in the business. Established in 1985, Dung’s prices are higher than you’ll find elsewhere but the cut and finish at this high-end gentleman’s outfitter is second to none. Bringing your own fabric will keep costs down, but the walls of this upmarket shop are stacked floor-to-ceiling with rolls of rich, sumptuous swathes of locally-produced and imported fabrics.
“Once you’ve chosen your fabric and been measured up, it usually takes 10 to 20 days to finish a suit, including one or two fittings, although we can ship it to you if you’re on a tight schedule,” shopkeeper Nguyen Nhat Minh tells us. This may sound like a long time — especially when you consider that tailors in Hoi An guarantee a 24-hour turnaround — but you can be assured that Dung’s garments will fit like a glove.
“We went to Hoi An and had a shirt copied, but they didn’t reproduce any of the detail,” explained Kim and Nicole, a young couple from Sydney who had come to Vietnam specifically to create their own bespoke wardrobe. “The quality here is much better, and it’s easy for tourists — they speak good English and the quality is excellent, and you know it’s not going to fall apart as soon as you get home.” Shirts cost US$18–$25 (AU$21– $29), and a two-piece suit US$150–$220 (AU$178–$271).
Grand Central
Ben Thanh Market is a veritable Aladdin’s cave, selling everything from fresh produce to high-end cosmetics, hand-tooled leather goods and tourist T-shirts. The best time to visit is early morning when the temperature is bearable and shop owners are still energetic. In the main central passage is one of Donges’ top finds: Ms Nhi’s chain of bag stalls which sell hand-embroidered items from Sapa’s hill tribe women alongside eye-catching leather purses. “Just be careful when you buy bags,” she warns. “Always check the stitching for strength, and make sure the zips work as they can be quite expensive to replace.”
She was also keen to check out the range of embroidered soft furnishings along the market’s main north-south boulevard, where elegant tablecloths and bed sets in natural fabrics tower. Donges haggles the inflated prices down to US$17 (AU$20) for a four-person tablecloth, US$50 (AU$59) for a duvet cover and US$30 (AU$35) for a bed sheet in delicately embroidered premium cotton.
“When buying at the market just be careful when selecting suit fabrics — anything that has designer brands like ‘Gucci’ or ‘Vuitton’ printed across the bottom is definitely fake.”
Bargain Bonanza
One of HCMC’s best-known spots for DVDs, cut-price fashion, undergarments, bags, accessories and outdoor gear, Saigon Square trades in genuine international brands at bargain prices. Le Sportsac, Zara, Hollister, Abercrombie and Fitch, Gap, Kipling, Forever 21 are all manufactured in Vietnam and it’s commonplace for factory overspill items to find their way here. “Some items are obviously fakes, but if you know your brands and are familiar with the colours and styles, it’s pretty easy to tell the real from the rip-off,” says Donges. We find great cotton khakis by Gap for less than US$10 (AU$12), North Face fleece jackets for US$25 (AU$30) and Crumpler laptop bags for less than US$30 (AU$36).
High Style
Following its recent refurbishment, the sleek Saigon Centre mini-mall is one of the city’s top places for high-street brands such as French Connection, Kookai and Nine West, as well as local designer boutiques like Valerie Gregori McKenzie’s Song, the bold evening wear of Valenciani, and VOV with its bright displays of floaty floral dresses and kaftans. Upstairs, the second floor is devoted to homewares. At Catherine Denoual’s boutique, dragonfly-embroidered duvet covers in fine cotton are about US$150 (AU$178), comparing favourably with Aussie brand Sheridan’s bed linen at US$645 (AU$766) next door.
Street of Gold
Ton That Thiep Street has become one of District One’s most charming boutique postcodes, where fashion, soft furnishings, gifts and homewares shops such as Peacock, MH crafts and Saigon Kitsch rub shoulders with indulgent spas and quaint ice cream parlours. Galerie Royale (37–39 Ton That Thiep) is one of the street’s most recent additions, with splashes of colour from artfully displayed men’s and women’s wear collections by La Perla, Korloff and Kenzo accenting two floors of bright, airy space. “And everything is 20 to 40% off,” coos the elegant saleslady as we stroke silk ties and soft embroidered knits.
Luxury Goods
Our tour of HCMC’s more upscale shopping streets takes us to Dong Khoi, where a number of high-end fashion stores have opened in the past few years. At the Milano boutique, lines from D&G, Roberto Cavalli, Blumarine, Tod’s, Moschino and Brioni are displayed against “50% off” signs. Donges picks out some patent leather flats by Tod’s. “Right now these are selling for US$600 (AU$712) in Australia, but here they’re just US$268 (AU$318),” she says. At the Rex Hotel boutique arcade, detailed leather Balenciaga bags, elegant dresses at Chloe and Marc Jacobs accessories are among Donges’ favourite picks.
HCMC Evening Couture
Designer Minh Khoa’s elegant red carpet-worthy evening wear has garnered a firm following within Vietnamese high society, and he’s turned his talent for feminine flair to designing both traditional Vietnamese ao dai and Western-style dresses. “I’ve decided to get my wedding dress from here — the details are just gorgeous, and instead of paying US$8,000–$10,000 (AU$9,475–$11,868) you can get a stunning bespoke silk or chiffon creation made up here for US$600–$800 (AU$712–$950),” says Donges.
WARNING: Don’t buy fakes. Imitation handbags, pirated DVDs and fake sunglasses are illegal and you may be questioned at customs and your goods confiscated. By purchasing illegal products you are supporting the development of a black market industry and jobs.
