Travel tales and tips for shopping in Vietnam by asiahotels.com

Traveller's Tales: Shopping suggestions in Vietnam

R Bayliss	19 February 2002
Stayed at Majestic Hotel - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.
Ho Chi Minh is a very interesting place with enough to keep all types of visitors interests high and also makes for easy access to other country locations. It is also still a shoppers paradise with plenty of bargains available. Try the Hunyh Thuc Khang street night market and Ben Thanh (all hours) markets both walking distance from the Majestic Hotel
C Luiza	14 February 2002
Stayed at Lucky Hotel - Hanoi, Vietnam.
It's worth it to book a walking tour. We hired a guide to visit the Old Quarter and got to see Hanoi at close range, as we certainly wouldn't have on a coach tour. Red River Tours charged $25 each and was worth it! Emperor restaurant does great food, Cafe des Artes is excellent (wonderful chocolate crepes) and the street food (spring rolls, pho ga etc) is tasty! Try them all. My friends and I got there a couple days before Tet so we got to see the wonderful peach and apricot blossoms for sale, and souvenir shops were still open. I wouldn't advise coming right on Tet though.
H Kasugai	13 February 2002
Stayed at New World Hotel Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.
Beng Thanh Market near from the hotel is worthy of visit.
A Yngve	13 February 2002
Stayed at International Hotel Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.
We did not take any tours as we stayed so few days and it was the Vietnamese new year. We just walked around the city exploring it by foot. There are so many nice houses and buildings in Ho Chi Minh City. Not as many restaurants as in Hanoi though. You can safetly eat at the food stalls on the street. We had a lovely lunch at an outdoor restaurant not far from the hotel, but have forgotten the name. Vietnam is a heaven for shopping if it is not New Year. This week many shops were closed and also places that we wanted to visit were closed. Important to visit the museum of war remnants.
P Jordan	11 February 2002
Stayed at Sofitel Metropole Hanoi - Hanoi, Vietnam.
We tend to use the 'Lonely Planet' (or equivalent country version) guide when planning tours, eating etc., and not having too much time to spend here, we opted for the standard tourist destinations, all of which I am pleased to report fulfilled our expectations. So for those on a similar tight schedule, I would recommend a day's wander through the French quarter. This was definitely the highlight for us. There is so much atmosphere to soak up, and the best way is to plan a sort of intinerary (we did it on the street map in the Guide), and walk it at a leisurely pace (and don't worry about getting lost). Some great art shops (if you like that sort of thing), and the narrow cluttered streets are so old world (watch out for those damned mopeds though!) Otherwise, the water puppets are worth seeing, if only for the rare exposure to the traditional music ensemble (which was a treat). We deliberately stayed clear of all mausoleums, museums, temples and the like, not because they are not interesting, but because we had to prioritize, and we have done the 'history trail' so many times before. This time we wanted to experience the city in its living, breathing self. We ate out at a place called 'Little Hanoi' (25 Ta Hien), which was a small, nicely decorated restaurant with very good food. You have to try the myriad different varieties of spring rolls, and the pork with lemon and chili. There are a great number of equally good restaurants in Hanoi however.
G Mason	06 February 2002
Stayed at De Syloia Hotel - Hanoi, Vietnam.
Hanoi is great city. Initially it seems unorganised, but order is apparant if you are there for a few days. Taxis are inexpensive, but walking down the side streets is the only way to experience the true texture of the place. People are friendly, but visitors should expect to get pestered by postcard sellers and shoeshine boys. Beggars are aplenty, so develop your 'edge' before arriving. It can be trying and it is important not to lose temper or face - something which we saw on a regular basis with some visitors. Look out for contemporary decorative items. Well priced and attractive and worth bringing home. Hanoi has just opened a new airport. Expect delays on everything until the new system beds in.
S Rutherford	27 January 2002
Stayed at Bong Sen Hotel - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.
Cyclos are great and cheap - but you do have to ignore the guys' constant requests to take you to a massage parlour! I found the street children to be very helpful and charming - a couple acted as my unofficial guides. Another one did say 'get out of my country' when I wouldn't buy anything but the rest were great! A few beggars were intrusive from time to time. Couldn't get into Lemongrass restaurant on the evenings - all the tables were taken - advise you to go early as the food is very good but in small portions. Don't try to go to the Kimdo Centre's classic rock night which is advertised every week in the local paper - it doesn't exist anymore! Pirate books/videos are in abundance at really cheap prices.
H Ng	27 January 2002
Stayed at Hoi An Riverside Resort - Quang Nam, Vietnam.
Hoi An town is renowned for their tailors. Though most of the shops along the main roads are more accessible, you would do better by heading inside the main market, where you would get better prices. You can knock off about US$5 from the ones you pay at the main road shops. A basic full-suit (cotton) is about US$25 to 28. The market ones would cost you US$23 to 25. Bear in mind the cost of your full-suit goes up according to the kind of material you go for. Pay no more than US$100 for cashmere material. Though I heard you could knock it down to US$90. Oh the workmanship is really not bad. Not great but definitely not shoddy for the kind of money you're shelling out. Takes about a day to finish it and they will alter it for you to your exact fit. My girlfriend made tonnes of dresses there. From about US$5 onwards, its a MUST-DO when you're there.
J Dykes	24 January 2002
Stayed at De Syloia Hotel - Hanoi, Vietnam.
The positive: Fantastic craft shops and art galleries on Hang Gai Road and the nearby area around Joseph's Church. Buy silk at Song. Go to Apricot Gallery for the best paintings. Plenty of good restaurants/cafes in lovely old buildings (liked the Emperor & the Metropole's restaurants & bar). Ha Long Bay was brilliant but shop around & look at different transport options as prices for side-trip packages vary. The negative: Get used to dealing with constant interactions with postcard sellers, shoe shiners and guys wanting to transport you on the back of their their motorbikes. Avoid eating at establishments with "fast food" signs outside.
O Mchugh	22 January 2002
Stayed at De Syloia Hotel - Hanoi, Vietnam.
The old quarter is quite interesting to wander around. While at times they can be annoying, it is worth spending some time talking to the postcard sellers just for an insight into their lives and views on matters - they are grateful for the opportunity to practise their English and are generally forthcoming in engaging in conversation.

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