The Best Places to Shopping in Hoian
Hoi An Town is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Its buildings and its street plan reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site.
Hoi An has no airport, and no train station either. The only way to get there is by road. You can hire a taxi from the neighbouring city of Da Nang, which does have an airport with daily flights from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and other large Vietnamese cities. There’s also a train station in Da Nang, and bus services are plentiful. We have a wide selection of hotels for you to choose from in both Cua Dai Beach and Hoi An City, whatever suits your pocket and style.
Hoi An Central Market
Sharpen your bargaining skills and head south east to Hoi An Central Market, one of Vietnam’s best, offering an unmissable shopping experience. Rich in the smell of fragrant herbs and spices and the vibrant colours of Vietnamese silk, delve deep and you are guaranteed a bargain. Prices tend to be more inflated at the stalls closest to the entrance so head right in for the best buys.
There is a vast array of foodstuff for sale including spices such as saffron and cinnamon which are superb purchases as are the exotic fresh fruit and vegetables on display. Due to its riverside location there is also a huge selection of fresh fish available.
The marketplace is renowned for its tailors who have a section of the market all to themselves. Fine silk tailoring is cheaper here than anywhere else in Hoi An with garment makers running up a dress, shirt, jacket or full suit usually within 24 hours. Souvenir and local handicraft hunters will also find plenty to browse through at the Central Market.
Resting on the banks of the Thu Bon River, bustling Hoi An Central Market is certainly worth a look for its authentic slice of Vietnamese life. The market is busy throughout the day with locals bargaining hard alongside tourists so its best to arrive first thing in the morning. The negotiating over fish usually starts around 07:00 as the fishermen drop their catch off and the market vendors and local buyers dive in to get the best fish. Be warned that it can get very messy, nevertheless it's certainly a sight not to be missed.
Inside the market there are also plenty of live ducks and chickens tied together and ready for sale alongside row upon row of Vietnamese cooking ingredients. The smell can get quite strong as the day heats up and the market will also become a lot busier and louder as the day progresses. If you want to avoid this, then head to the east side and the large shed type building which houses the tailors and all manner of Asian silk and textiles.
- Opening Hours: daily from 06:30 and is best visited early starting with a walk by the docks to watch the fish arrive before you enter
- Location: Nguyen Hue and Tran Phu on the Thu Bon River
- Remarks: It's a good idea to wear closed shoes as the floor in the market can get damp and sticky, especially if you are visiting the fish section.
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Hoi An Silk Village
Hoi An Silk Village is a good option for those looking to shop for luxury Vietnamese textiles, handmade lanterns, high-end suits and dresses. Located two kilometres northwest of Hoi An Ancient Town, the traditional craft village also offers a tranquil getaway as it’s set within the four-star Hoi An Silk Village Resort & Spa, numerous mulberry trees, horticulture farms, and lotus ponds.
There are several ancient homes built in traditional Quang Nam architecture, where you can learn about traditional silk manufacturing process. Currently, there are about 12 local artists within the village using antique wooden looms to process and weave the silk into quality garments, handicrafts, and tapestries.
Hoi An Silk Village’s silk showroom hosts an extensive collection of silk material, tailored suits, dresses, and jackets. Due to the superior quality of its products, the price range at Hoi An Silk Village is higher than most silk shops in Hoi An but it’s well worth the extra expense.
Hoi An Silk Village also houses a museum which features traditional costumes of 54 ethnic people from all over Vietnam as well as an onsite restaurant that serves popular regional dishes such as cao lau (turmeric noodles with pork), com ga (chicken rice), and banh xeo.
A short 45-minute tour to Hoi An Silk Village is priced at VND 100,000, where you can visit all of the ancient houses, museum, and mulberry garden. Alternatively, visitors can opt for the extensive four-hour tour for VND 400,000, where they can get a more hands-on experience of harvesting mulberry leaves, feeding silkworms, and deciphering between true and synthetic silk. Available daily at 09:00 and 14:00, the tour is inclusive of pick-up and drop-off services, a welcome mulberry drink, bottled water, lunch or dinner at the Hoi An Silk Village Restaurant, and a local guide.
- Opening Hours: Daily 08:00 – 21:00
- Address: 28 Nguyen Tat Thanh, Hoi An
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Hoi An Fine Art Gallery
Hoi An Fine Art Gallery is set within a refurbished colonial building in Hoi An Ancient Town, where quality prints by French photographer Etienne Bossot are displayed for sale. A five-minute walk from Hoi An Central Market, the studio utilises imported archival photography paper, resulting in high-quality prints of Bossot’s travel photography work. After placing your order, the photographs are printed in Australia, placed in a sturdy PVC tube, and sent to your address within seven working days. As the office of Hoi An Photo Tour & Workshop. Hoi An Fine Art Gallery also hosts art exhibitions by prominent artists and photographers from all over Vietnam.
- Opening Hours: Daily 09:00 – 21:00
- Address: 42 Phan Boi Chau Street, Hoi An
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Friendly Shoe Shop Hoi An
Friendly Shoe Shop Hoi An boasts 10 years of experience in producing made-to-order shoes in local and international designs. Set along Tran Phu Street, this humble-looking retail outlet is around the corner from Hoi An Central Market. Priced at USD35 onwards, there are over 600 models on display, ranging from sandals and sports shoes to leather slippers and boots. You can also browse through numerous catalogue books or simply look it up online. Unlike most tailor or shoe shops in Vietnam, Friendly Shoe Shop Hoi An offers 100% reimbursement if you are not satisfied with the finished product.
- Opening Hours: Daily 08:30 – 21:00
- Address: 18 Tran Phu Street, Hoi An
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Reaching Out Arts and Crafts
Reaching Out Arts and Crafts is a fair trade gift shop that’s set next to Tan Ky House, featuring handmade products made by disabled and disadvantaged Vietnamese. Founded by a Vietnamese disabled couple, all proceeds from the sold handicrafts go toward retraining and subsequent employment of disadvantaged locals in Hoi An. There’s also a tranquil café and garden courtyard, where you can also enjoy tea, coffee, and local sweets in a peaceful setting. If you’re looking for one-of-a-kind clothing, accessories, jewellery, ceramics, lacquerware, stationary, toys, and embroidery, Reaching Out Arts and Crafts is a definite must-visit in Hoi An Ancient Town.
- Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 - 20:00
- Address: 103 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hoi An
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Lotus Jewellery Hoi An
Lotus Jewellery Hoi An features an extensive collection of quality jewellery designs made with semi-precious stones, pearls, sterling silver, and gold. Set along Le Loi Street, it’s one of the most established local brands in Hoi An so you’ll be sure to get excellent customer service and value-for-money rings, necklace, broaches, and bracelets. Most of Lotus Jewellery Hoi An’s handmade pieces are inspired by Vietnam’s ethnic minority groups, with its trademarked lotus flower pendant being the most popular item. Due to its popularity, Lotus Jewellery Hoi An has another outlet located along Tran Phu Street.
- Opening Hours: Daily 08:00 – 22:30
- Address: 53A Le Loi Street, Hoi An
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Aobaba Hoi An
Aobaba Hoi An is family-owned tailor shop in Hoi An Ancient Town that’s gained massive popularity amongst travellers for its extensive textile collection and impeccable tailoring services. You can either choose a design from its up-to-date catalogue books or bring a picture of your favourite designer outfit and have it made to measure here. Most suits, dresses, and jackets can be tailored within 24 hours but if you’re pressed for time, Aobaba Hoi An can deliver the finished product to your hotel. Set along Tran Phu Street, the tailor shop is a five-minute walk from the Fujian Assembly Hall.
- Opening Hours: Daily 08:00 – 21:00
- Address: 148 Tran Phu Street, Hoi An
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Metiseko
Metiseko specialises in ready-to-wear women’s apparel, stylish accessories, and eco-friendly homeware, all of which made with high quality cotton and silk. Founded in 2011, this retail outlet is set within a yellow-hued heritage building nearby the Japanese Covered Bridge. The brand combines Vietnamese traditions and landscapes with modern fashion trends, resulting in one-of-a-kind designs that can be worn any time of the day. Priced at USD16 onwards, all products sold at Metiseko are certified organic, ranging from silk scarfs, jumpsuits, and dresses to handmade quilts, keyrings, and cushion covers.
- Opening Hours: Daily 09:00 – 21:30
- Address: 3 Chau Thuong Van Street, Hoi An
