Hoi An Shopping

Hoi An Shopping owl souvenirs stare out from a shop
You peer in they peer out; souvenir owls make great Hoi An gifts.

Updated December 2022

Do you love shopping? Are you a shopaholic? Can’t get enough of the shops? Prepare to overdose, because Hoi An is the perfect shopping destination for you. With its incredible Heritage listed, Hoi An Ancient Town, this Vietnamese city is home to an abundance of high-quality retailers and products, making it a paradise for shoppers looking for something cheap to buy or something unique to keep.

Offering everything from high-end tailors and boutiques to cheap clothes, leather items, custom-made shoes and souvenir shops, Hoi An has something for everyone. And no visit to Hoi An would be complete without checking out the local markets, which are overflowing with fresh fruits, handicrafts, and delicious Vietnamese street food.

And if you end up buying more than you can pack? No problem. Just stroll around the narrow streets and buy another suitcase. You’ll find a great selection of luggage in and around the Central Market to help you with your Hoi An shopping spree.

Are There Shopping Malls in Hoi An?

There are no malls or shopping centers in Hoi An.

The best place for shopping in Hoi An is the Ancient Town. Here you will find many tailor shops, boutiques, specialty shops, gift and souvenir shops, leather shops and more.

A Vietnamese girl in Ao Dai, the traditional dress of Vietnam, shows some of the beautiful Ao Dai you can buy off the rack in your Hoi An Shopping experience.
Rent or buy one of the beautiful ready made traditional Ao Dai dress from Thai Thuan, Hoi An Ancient Town.

What to Buy in Hoi An

When shopping in Hoi An, you can purchase a variety of products that showcase the culture and history of Vietnam. National costumes (Ao Dai), conical hats, colorful lanterns, round straw bags, custom leather bags or shoes and silk scarves are just some of the items available. For collector enthusiasts, there are art galleries with paintings by rising Vietnamese artists and unique carvings from all regions of Vietnam.

Leather shops offer great bargains on leather products or custom-made shoes. Plus, if you’re looking for clothing and Vietnamese coffee, Hoi An also features both upmarket boutiques and budget-friendly stores with some of the best coffee Vietnam has to offer.

As the city is known for its tailoring, silk shops and silk trade, those shopping in Hoi An should be sure to purchase some luxurious fabric pieces that can be kept forever or crafted into clothing or items.

Hoi An Silk Village – Shopping for Silk

If you have time between your shopping in Hoi An, visit Hoi An Silk Village to learn all about true and synthetic silk. Their Silk Village Tour is excellent and budget-friendly, and their silk shop will leave you drooling. It has the largest range of Vietnamese silk in Hoi An. If you’re interested in history, you will see silk being spun in traditional Vietnamese style.

So what are you waiting for? Start exploring what Hoi An shopping has to offer!

Amazing Deals in Vietnam

For those of you who like shopping for bargains, this section will delight you.  Imagine if spending money actually saved you money!  Well it does, in Vietnam.  Things like dentistry, medical treatments, permanent makeup, alcohol, art work, tattoos even medication, cost far less in Vietnam.  As fair prices go, you won’t find better.

Read more on what to buy in Vietnam

Best Hoi An Art Galleries, Pagoda Gallery Hoi An
Hoi An has many art galleries with works from emerging Hoi An artists on sale

Where to Shop in Hoi An

Shopping in Hoi An is easy. Go to Hoi An Old Town. This has the most concentrated area of tourist shops. This is where you will find tailor shops, souvenir and gift shops interspersed with leather and shoe shops. The boutiques are here too along with tourist outlets selling clothes and T-shirts, even ready-made elegant Ao Dai’s.

Venture a little bit outside the Ancient Town and you’ll find roads like Ly Thuong Kiet. Here are the shops aimed at local Vietnamese shoppers. Prices are labeled and set.  If you like a bargain, we highly recommend you have a walk along this road. The shops are spread out but it’s worth the walk.   

Special Tip: If the sign outside these shops reads ‘Giam Gia’, don’t look for other clothes shops, push the door down – ‘Giam Gia’ means reduced price.

Read more in Clothes, Shoes & Accessories.

Whilst there are no shopping centers or malls in Hoi An, the markets offer many buying options. The Central Market, Night Market, Ba Le, and Tiger are great places to pick up souvenirs, clothing & accessories. The markets are also good for fresh fruit and vegetables (the meat section may be hard for some to cope with).

Nightmarket-seller- surrounded-by-colorful-lanterns-of-all-shapes-and-sizes hoping to pull in tourists wondering what to buy in Vietnam
No Hoi An Shopping experience is complete without a visit to Hoi An’s Night Market

Supermarkets in Hoi An

There are no big supermarkets in Hoi An but you will find lots of small ones. Some are more geared toward the tourist industry and offer fresh fruit and Western-oriented produce to buy.

Tourists looking for a more Western type of supermarket may like to visit Moonmilk just outside the Old Town.  

Read more in Supermarkets

Da-Bao-Real-Leather-Hoi An_ bag 8-1_opt (2)
Buy a leather bag or get it made up in one of the many leather shops in Hoi An

Leather Shops in Hoi An

Looking for a great deal on leather bags or custom-made shoes? Hoi An is the place to be! Home to some of the best leather shops in Vietnam, you will find everything from handbags, wallets, and belts to jackets, boots, and luggage. Whether you need something simple or high-end, or whether you want to get a bag custom-made, there’s a shop that will suit your needs. But the shops offer varying quality and sometimes the leather offered is not the real deal.

Read more in Leather Shops

A Hoi An Now staff member getting fitted for a garment at Kimmy Tailor Hoi An to show the tailoring process
Don’t leave Hoi An without a tailored outfit

Tailor Shops

Affordable yet high-quality tailoring services are ubiquitous in Hoi An. Tourists arrive – some specifically – in the hope of purchasing their own bespoke dresses, suits, shirts, and shoes within a day or two and at a fraction of the price they might pay back home. It’s a tradition that follows from its longstanding history as a major trading port on the Silk Road and many businesses can be traced through a number of family generations.

With over 600 tailor stores competing for your attention, it can get somewhat confusing knowing which to trust or deciding which one best suits your taste, but with some key tips and pointers under your belt, the process of choosing your own fabrics and walking away with your own unique garment can be an exciting and satisfying experience.

If getting a custom-made outfit is on your radar but you don’t know where to start, peruse our Hoi An Shopping Guide to Tailors and read our advice on how to choose wisely and prevent a tailoring disaster.

Ayana, Hoi An, Vietnam. clothes, designer, ready to wear clothes, accessories and jewelry
So many unique boutiques offering bags and shoes with a Vietnamese twist

Clothes, Shoes & Accessories

So much more than a maze of tailor shops, Hoi An has really come into its own in the fashion stakes. Its homegrown and expat designers have combined their efforts and talents, bringing to the fore innovative, quirky and very stylish offerings that make purse strings loosen in a blink of an eye.

From the beautiful designs of Metiseko, where you can choose between the softest silk dresses, exquisite accessories and home ware, to the funky, casual clothes of Avana, there are options to please even the pickiest customer of them all.

Read more about clothes, shoes & accessories in Hoi An

Rattan Bags hand in the markets as enticing gifts for tourists wondering what to buy in Vietnam
Rattan bags and souvenirs for sale in Hoi an Markets

Markets

No vacation should be completed before exploring at least one local market. It’s the place where you can really take the pulse of the city, see how locals live and, in this case, learn a thing or two about bargaining, which is an essential skill to have in Vietnam.

As is the case with many other cities in the country, Hoi An is famous for its various markets where you can find almost everything under the sun. You can start the day off on a food adventure and grab some breakfast at Hoi An’s Central Market in the Old Town, then kick back with locals and enjoy a banh mi for lunch at the more relaxed Ba Le Market. End the day with tasty street food such as banh xeo and a spot of shopping at the action-packed Hoi An Night Market.

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Colourful-coconut-shell-painted-bowls--in-rows-at-Hoi-An-market
Coconut shell painted bowls are just some of the many Hoi An souvenirs to buy

Arts, Gifts & Souvenirs

Wandering the streets, it’s easy to see that Hoi An is a treasure trove of souvenirs, gifts, arts and crafts.

Shopping for Souvenirs

The markets are an obvious place to hunt, but there is no shortage of gift and specialty shops in town.  Places such as Viet A or Long Vy, offer a plethora of interesting yet cheap souvenirs.  And for those who want to make their Hoi An shopping part of a worthy cause, visit the incredible Reaching Out Teahouse  This not-for-profit organization support adults with disabilities and disadvantaged families through training and employment.  You will find beautiful, meaningful merchandise and souvenirs at this incredible shop.

Buying Lanterns

One of Hoi An’s most distinctive and characteristic features is the elegantly-crafted lanterns.  Hanging all around the city, they come in different shapes, sizes and designs and can be bought at shops and stalls at every corner.

One of the best places to buy lanterns is Hoi An Night Market or one of the many lantern workshops.

Many-colorful-lanterns-dangle-from-souvenir-shop-ceiling.
You can buy lanterns of all shapes, colors and sizes, in many shops around Hoi Ancient Town.

Masks & Wood Carvings

If you’re looking for something a bit more quirky, potential souvenirs include historical masks representing famous Vietnamese folkloric characters.  Carved and sculptured from bamboo or wood, masks hold a special place in Vietnamese culture.

Well-known artist Do Huynh Phuong offers handicraft workshops in Hoi An where visitors can learn about the ancient craft of sculpting using bamboo root and create their own bamboo masterpiece to take back home.

Bamboo sculptures from Phuong Do, one of Hoi An's talented artists make great Hoi An gifts
Cheap, cheerful and oh so Vietnam; root carvings are just some of the many bargains in Hoi An

Art & Galleries

Sometimes the most treasured souvenir is a work of art that represents or elicits memories of a destination. Whether you’re likely to stumble upon a painting that you become besotted with or purposely hunt for pieces of work by local artists, Hoi An is a melting-pot of artists and art-lovers alike. You’ll have no problem finding an art gallery or store to get your hands on a memento of your travels.

Oil and water-colour paintings are particularly popular with local artisans.  Whilst artworks are varied, many traditional pieces centre on Vietnamese life.  Paintings with scenes from a bygone era, romantic landscapes and Vietnamese women wearing Non La hats, a cultural symbol of Vietnamese character and charm, ooze from every other gallery.

The colourful and intricate paintings of Ha Ha Art Gallery make great Hoi An gifts to buy.
Ha Ha Art Gallery. Hoi An, is well known for their art pieces

Tips for Shopping in Hoi An!

With so many shops around, it is easy to feel overwhelmed, but after you get some insight into Hoi An shopping’s scene, we guarantee you will be playing the game like a pro. Below are our most valuable tips for shopping in Hoi An.

Do your research before buying

Whilst the process of shopping for ready-made clothes isn’t as overwhelming and risky as hunting for a good tailor, it can no doubt get perplexing when you’re spoilt for choice. Make it easier on yourself by doing a bit of research beforehand. Make sure to check out individual stores’ websites to see what they sell and don’t sell, and follow this up with online reviews to see what the people are saying about them.

Check the fabric

Don’t be shy about inspecting the quality of fabric thoroughly before buying any clothes. Make sure that the quality of the material and design is sound and the stitching is all intact.

Get used to bargaining

Haggling can feel intimidating for some, whereas others regard it as part of the cultural experience. It’s definitely a skill that’s worth harboring in this part of the world, and it’s good to bear in mind that the opening price you’re quoted by a retailer is usually provisional and much higher – often double – than the lowest price that they would actually accept for that item.  Remember though to keep it fun!  Bargaining is a way of life in Vietnam.

‘North Face’ bags and jackets are everywhere in Hoi An. Be sure to keep a smile when you barter. It’s all a game to the Vietnamese

Don’t bargain in shops with fixed prices

More and more, Vietnam is moving towards fixed prices in their shops.  While in places like the markets it is not only acceptable, but also expected to bargain, you should definitely not practice your skills in supermarkets and shops with fixed prices.

When shopping in the markets know the prices before you barter. Check out our video, Market Prices with Ha.  Shopping in the markets can be a confusing experience.  How much should you pay?  Do they understand?  Ha offers a helping hand by gearing you up with the right Vietnamese lingo and sharpening your bargaining skills before you hit the stands.

Go lantern-shopping at night

Shop for lanterns in the evening when they are beautifully lit-up and striking and you can see exactly what you’ll be getting.  Word of caution: be sure not to start your buying lantern evening with Happy Hour Cocktails .  You may end up with a warehouse of lanterns and an empty purse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hoi An a good place for shopping? +

Hoi An is a buyer’s paradise. There are souvenir shops, clothes shops, boutiques, art galleries, tailors and great markets. As with everything in Vietnam, prices are incredibly cheap.

What is the best clothing to buy in Vietnam? +

Like many Asian countries, Vietnam has embraced the West. Clothing reflects this. What you will still find everywhere, however, is traditional Vietnamese Ao Dai. You can buy Ao Dai cheaply in most tourists shops. However, for something more special have one made up. Whether you are skinny or mập (plump) every woman looks incredible in Ao Dai.

Where is the best place to buy silk in Hoi An? +

The best place to buy silk in Hoi An is the Silk Village. Whilst it is expensive, their silk is the finest you’ll find. They also have the most extensive choice.

Where is the best shopping in Hoi An? +

For boutiques and souvenirs the best place to shop is Hoi An Old Town. However, if you’re looking for bargains such as cheap jeans, kids clothing, men and ladies fashion head to Ly Thuong Kiet. Shops like Blue Exchange where you can pick up women, men’s and kids clothing offer terrific value.

What is the best thing to buy in Hoi An? +

Hoi An shopping is a buyer’s paradise. Popular shopping items include, leather bags, Non La Hats, Ao Dai, lanterns, ceramics, paintings, North-face merchandise, Vietnamese coffee, custom made shoes, straw bags and jewelry. For the ‘fruit cases’ amongst us, buy up big on the ubiquitous Banana Shirts on sale around Hoi An. En masse wearing of these incredible outfits certainly bring zest to any party.

Is Hoi An expensive? +

Hoi An is not an expensive city as a whole, but there are certainly areas where you can spend more than you intended. The key is to know where to shop and what to buy. If you’re looking for high-quality tailor-made clothes, for example, then you will pay a higher price than if you’re just looking for souvenirs or everyday items like clothes and shoes. In the markets, it’s important to remember that bargaining is the key to getting good deals – so don’t be afraid to negotiate prices with the sellers.

Where’s the best place to buy lanterns in Hoi An? +

You can buy lanterns of all shapes and sizes in many souvenir shops around Hoi An Old Town. The night market is another place to purchase lanterns. At night, lanterns are beautifully lit-up and striking and you can see exactly what you’ll be getting. Word of caution: be sure not to start your buying lantern evening with Happy Hour Cocktails. You may end up with a warehouse of lanterns and an empty purse.

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