Commerce in Vietnam

Commerce in Vietnam has developed considerably over the past twenty years. From lively markets to modern supermarkets through countless small street shops, the country today offers an impressive diversity of shopping experiences.

Everywhere, you find a multitude of products with very varied categories and prices. Small commerce, always dynamic, coexists with major Vietnamese and foreign brands present in most cities in the country.

Shopping in Vietnam: Tips and Precautions

For a foreign tourist, shopping in Vietnam can quickly become an adventure! The markets are overflowing with treasures… but also with products of uneven quality.

Good to know:

• Choose shops where prices are clearly displayed to avoid sometimes tiresome negotiations.
• In tourist areas, street vendors are numerous and often insistent: keep smiling, but always compare before buying.
• Small supermarkets and minimarkets with cash registers and that issue receipts are widespread in cities. You will find everything you need: drinks, food, hygiene products, etc.

Vietnamese brands are becoming increasingly reliable and popular. You can therefore buy with confidence the local products you will find in these stores.

Vietnamese Craftsmanship: Recognized Expertise

Impossible to leave Vietnam without bringing home a handmade souvenir! Vietnamese people excel in numerous fields: lacquer, wood or stone carving, embroidery, silk weaving, jewelry and painting.

Some typical products to bring back:

• Lacquerware: prefer renowned brands like Thu Huong or Thuy An, or go directly to the lacquer village of Ha Thai near Hanoi.
• Silk or embroidered paintings: true symbols of Vietnamese female talent. The XQ embroidery from Da Lat or those from the Quat Dong village in the North are among the most refined.
• Vietnamese silk: in Hanoi, Hang Gai Street (Silk Street) concentrates numerous brands like Van Phuc, Khai Silk or Toan Thinh Silk.

Ceramics and Terracotta: Between Tradition and Elegance

Vietnamese Terracotta and Ceramics

Ceramic products are more cumbersome, but much appreciated as gifts.

• In the South, prefer ceramics from Bien Hoa or Bau Truc (Chams).
• In the North, the villages of Chu Dau and Bat Trang are famous for their ancestral expertise.

If you are looking for high-value items, think of cultured pearls from Ha Long or gemstones from Luc Yen, often set in refined jewelry.

Gastronomic Products to Discover

For lovers of local flavors:

• Coffee from Buon Me Thuot, grown on the Tay Nguyen highlands, is a national reference.
• Tea from the North (black tea, green tea or flavored) comes in countless varieties, to be tasted on the spot or taken home as a souvenir.

Vietnamese Markets: The Beating Heart of the Country

Vietnamese Markets

Vietnamese markets are much more than simple shopping places: they reflect the daily life and human warmth of the Vietnamese people.

• In the South, the famous floating markets of Cai Rang and Cai Be offer a unique spectacle on the Mekong.
• In the North, the morning markets of flowers and fruits are among the most typical in Asia.

To discover them in all their authenticity, you will have to wake up early — sometimes as early as 4 in the morning!

In Summary

Commerce in Vietnam is a fascinating mix of modernity and traditions, of talented small artisans and large modern brands. Whether you are a lover of culture, gastronomy, or local shopping, the country will know how to satisfy all your desires.

And to avoid unpleasant surprises, do not hesitate to ask advice from your local guide — they will always know how to guide you toward good products at the right price!