{"id":9982,"date":"2022-01-05T17:56:56","date_gmt":"2022-01-05T09:56:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/?p=9982"},"modified":"2022-08-16T11:59:58","modified_gmt":"2022-08-16T03:59:58","slug":"shopping-places-saigon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/shopping-places-saigon\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Unconventional Shopping Places In Saigon You Might Not Have Known Existed"},"content":{"rendered":"

Shopping places in Saigon that are hidden in plain sight<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Most first-time visitors in Saigon will make a beeline for premium shopping centers and pay exorbitant prices while locals constantly on a quest for affordable merchandise don\u2019t always recommend these places.<\/span><\/p>\n

Around Saigon, there are plenty of shopping places hidden in plain sight<\/strong> that offer a surprisingly good host of homegrown fashion bands at affordable prices. Plus, most of them have pretty unique vibes.<\/span><\/p>\n

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1. 26 L\u00fd T\u1ef1 Tr\u1ecdng – a 20th-century building stuck in time<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\nImage credit: <\/span>@wahbiang<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Unbeknownst to many, the building on <\/span>26 L\u00fd T\u1ef1 Tr\u1ecdng<\/b> used to be the US Consulate in Saigon before 1975. Everything looks almost exactly how it was built almost 100 years ago, including flawless mahogany wall panels, Indochinese-style floor tiles, mid-century light fixtures, and a century-old lift.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The place looks a bit dark during the day due to lack of windows, which is why you\u2019ll see lots of artificial lights installed by the shop owners here.<\/span><\/p>\n

With over 20 stores under its belt, including crowd-pleasing local brands such as Lib\u00e9, Polkaholics, X\u00e9o X\u1ecd, and Sexy Forever, the building represents the culmination of affordable homegrown fashion works.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Aside from clothing, you\u2019ll find a good selection of cafes here, the most famous of which is probably C\u1ed9ng. <\/span>
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\n<\/span>Check out our photo album of <\/span>26 L\u00fd T\u1ef1 Tr\u1ecdng<\/span><\/a> here.<\/span><\/p>\n

Address:<\/b> <\/span>26 L\u00fd T\u1ef1 Tr\u1ecdng, District 1, B\u1ebfn Ngh\u00e9 Ward, District 1, HCMC<\/span>
\n<\/span>Opening hours: <\/b><\/span>9AM-9.30PM, Daily\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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2. 14 T\u00f4n Th\u1ea5t \u0110\u1ea1m – a 136-year-old colonial apartment building<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\nImage credit: <\/span>@lili.thevalley<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Given away only by a 24\/7 lineup of motorbikes surrounding a nondescript molded gate, the huge apartment building at <\/span>14 T\u00f4n Th\u1ea5t \u0110\u1ea1m <\/b>is one of those run-down 19th-century places that you pass by everyday but never bother to know what\u2019s inside.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Even when you do, you can hardly tell how to get inside unless you take time to follow the line of vehicles parked around it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nImage credit: <\/span>T\u1ed1 Trinh<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re in for a central, quiet, and quirky place for a temporary getaway, this place will absolutely charm your socks off.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nA quaint cafe in the building<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>@cafe.things_<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Brimming with all things vintage and unconventional, this building is home to a variety of fashion boutiques selling homegrown designs, cosmetic shops selling branded makeup items at affordable prices, and unique cafeterias with great views of the Bitexco Tower nearby.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nImage credit: <\/span>@itrosie.98<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re here for clothing, expect an eclectic mix of streetwear designs tailored to Saigon\u2019s weather, such as breezy frocks, tops of various shapes and cuts, and stylish two-piece skirt sets.<\/span><\/p>\n

Take time to walk every part of the dimly lit floors and dilapidated corridors, and you\u2019ll be surprised by how many boutiques are hidden in the building\u2019s nooks and crannies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nImage credit: <\/span>@minhtam_nguyenmtn<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

You can take photos here, but make sure that you keep your voice down and don\u2019t cause too much noise. While a large part of this building has been used for commercial activities, there are still a dozen households living here and don\u2019t want to be disturbed by outsiders.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Address:<\/span> <\/b>14 T\u00f4n Th\u1ea5t \u0110\u1ea1m, Nguy\u1ec5n Th\u00e1i B\u00ecnh Ward, District 1, HCMC<\/span>
\n<\/span>Opening hours:<\/b><\/span> 8AM-9PM, Daily<\/span><\/p>\n

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3. 42 T\u00f4n Th\u1ea5t Thi\u1ec7p – a budget-friendly shopping paradise at the city center<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\nImage credit: <\/span>Th\u00e1i An<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Located right across Saigon Center, the city\u2019s most famous shopping center, the shabby-looking and seemingly uninviting apartment building at <\/span>42 T\u00f4n Th\u1ea5t Thi\u1ec7p<\/b> is a huge visual contrast to its neighbor.<\/span><\/p>\n

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However, those who are open-minded enough to enter this run-down 3-floor building will find some of the best clothes and accessories for a steal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Walk up the molded stairs and you\u2019ll find about 10 shops on each floor. All are tastefully designed, air-conditioned, and offer a great selection of chic and comfy clothes and accessories.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nA dress from Bloomode<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>Bloomode<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Aside from a good range of budget-friendly cut-out tops and floral dresses for all occasions from Crystal Flora and Bloomode, you\u2019ll also find some boutiques specializing in hip-hop fashion.<\/span><\/p>\n

Address:<\/b> <\/span>42 T\u00f4n Th\u1ea5t Thi\u1ec7p, District 1, B\u1ebfn Ngh\u00e9 Ward, HCMC<\/span>
\n<\/span>Opening hours: <\/b><\/span>8.30AM-9PM, Daily\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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5. The New Playground – the city\u2019s first underground fashion plaza<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\nImage credit: <\/span>The New Playground<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Tucked away in a basement on L\u00fd T\u1ef1 Tr\u1ecdng<\/span> Street, right next to 26 L\u00fd T\u1ef1 Tr\u1ecdng Building, <\/span>The New Playground<\/b> is the city\u2019s first underground shopping complex.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Every shop is fenced off with a wire mesh partition wall ornamented with an electric-charged glow, giving off an industrial vibe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nImage credit: <\/span>The New Playground<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Since this place specializes in athleisure and hip-hop fashion, you\u2019ll find a variety of trendy denim cutoffs, artistic t-shirts, and hooded sweatshirts from only <\/span>VND200,000<\/b> (~USD8.79).<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Aside from lots of clothing and accessories, this is also a perennial Insta favourite with lots of color-popping backdrops.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nImage credit: <\/span><\/i>@thenewplayground<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

Address:<\/b> <\/span>26 L\u00fd T\u1ef1 Tr\u1ecdng, B\u1ebfn Ngh\u00e9 Ward, District 1<\/span>
\n<\/span>Opening hours:<\/span> <\/b>10AM-10PM, Daily<\/span><\/p>\n

Website<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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4. BLOQ – a one-stop leisure destination for multitaskers<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Nestled inside the Western expat clave in District 2, <\/span>BLOQ<\/b><\/a> looks like an urban cluster in a shipping container-themed complex.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Decked out in an airy and modern setting, the 300-sqm large BLOQ offers a wide range of restaurants and cafes selling Mexican, Thai, and Japanese food across three levels. You will also run into some shops here selling all things trendy, from embroidered jackets and shawls to hand-made accessories.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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There\u2019s even a barber shop, flower store, pilates class, and bakery here.<\/span><\/p>\n

This well-ventilated, well-lit, Beverly Hill-styled nest is one of the most comfortable places to shop, dine, and work if you\u2019re a freelancer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Address:<\/b> <\/span>19 Tr\u1ea7n Ng\u1ecdc Di\u1ec7n, Th\u1ea3o \u0110i\u1ec1n Ward, District 2<\/span>, HCMC<\/span>
\n<\/span>Opening hours:<\/span> <\/b>8AM-10PM, Daily<\/span>
\n<\/span>Telephone<\/b>:<\/span><\/span> 093 120 25 28<\/span><\/p>\n

Website<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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6. 42 Nguy\u1ec5n Hu\u1ec7 – Saigon\u2019s must-see tourist attraction<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\nImage credit: <\/span>@chiakiindalat<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

This list cannot be complete without<\/span> 42 Nguy\u1ec5n Hu\u1ec7, <\/b>a destination that went from a repurposed apartment building to being a tourist spot itself. Built in the early 1960s, this building was initially used to house US government officials and military officers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Home to a plethora of upscale restaurants overlooking the Nguy\u1ec5n Hu\u1ec7 square and a good mix of homegrown fashion brands, this apartment building comes alive with glittering sign boards and festoons at night.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nImage credit: <\/span>@<\/span>boquynhanh215<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

For this reason, passers-by and local photographers are constantly searching for the perfect spots to capture the entirety of this 9-storey icon.<\/span><\/p>\n

To find a way into this rustic gem, locate Nguy\u1ec5n Hu\u1ec7 Bookstore, which is right next to the building entrance. You can\u2019t park your motorbikes here, so my advice is to park at the Lucky Plaza nearby and walk here.<\/span><\/p>\n

Walk through the building entrance until you see a staircase on the right. Don\u2019t take the lift if you\u2019re here for the first time and looking to explore all the floors.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nImage credit: <\/span>@film.nathantho<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Some of the fashion boutiques you\u2019ll find here include Heverly, Shop Nzim, Su Vitality, Pop Birdy, and Nosbyn. While most of the designs here are homegrown and this building is old, don\u2019t expect too much affordability in the retail prices here.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Hidden shopping complexes in Saigon<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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The shopping landscape in Saigon is frenzied. Besides high-end places such Saigon Center, SC Vivo City, and Diamond Plaza, Saigon has a plethora of tiny local boutiques hidden around the city centre.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Not only do these age-old gems offer idiosyncratic apparel and accessories at reasonable prices, but they are also unique in architecture and for some, rich in history. If what you\u2019re looking for are not opulent brands or air-conditioning from the basement to the top but a unique shopping tour, then these places are for you.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Also check out:<\/span><\/p>\n