Hanoi is a vibrant destination with much to discover, including its shopping scene. The city features bustling traditional markets, specialty shops and streets, as well as modern malls. In this guide, we will cover notable shopping spots, quality and distinctive items to look for, and suggest some local brands for your shopping in Hanoi time.

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Best Places to Shop in Hanoi

Đồng Xuân Wholesale Market

Established in the 1960s, Đồng Xuân Market is one of the largest wholesale markets in Northern Vietnam. The market is located 1.9 km from Hoan Kiem Lake, it operates from 6 am to 6 pm, with extended hours until 10:30 pm on weekends (Friday to Sunday).

Though primarily a wholesale market, Đồng Xuân also features over 4,000 retail stalls offering affordable items starting at just 10,000 VND (around 0.4 USD). The market is a bustling hub for both locals and tourists, and its well-organized layout makes it easy to navigate:

• Ground Floor: Clothing, shoes, accessories, electronics.
• Second Floor: Retail and wholesale clothing, fabrics.
• Third Floor: Baby products.
• Behind the Market: Pet supplies.
• Bắc Qua Market Area: Food and dining, operating from morning until late night.

Old Quarter Area

The Hanoi Old Quarter is more than just a tourist attraction. Its origins date back to the 11th century when it served as the trading hub of the imperial capital, with each street dedicated to a particular craft or trade. The area is open all week, from early morning until late at night.

Each street in the Old Quarter specializes in a specific type of goods, offering a unique shopping experience:

• Hàng Đào: Fabrics, clothing, dyed textiles.
• Tô Tịch: Souvenirs, handicrafts made from wood, fabric, lacquer, etc.
• Hàng Bạc: Silver jewelry and accessories.
• Hàng Mã: Worship items, decorations, traditional toys.
• Hàng Bông: Bedding.
• Hàng Buồm: Traditional candies and sweets.
• Hàng Thiếc: Metalwork and household items.
• Hàng Gai: Ropes and cords.
• Hàng Hòm: Storage boxes, jewelry cases.
• Hàng Đường: Sweets, sugarcane, rock sugar, dried fruits.
• Hàng Lược: Wooden, horn, and ivory combs; also famous for its flower market.

The Old Quarter is also dotted with stores selling souvenirs, clothing, shoes, paintings, and handicrafts.

Shopping Malls

Hanoi boasts a variety of shopping malls where you can find both local and international brands of clothing, cosmetics, and shoes, along with food courts, entertainment zones, and cinemas.

For affordable shopping, visit BigC Thăng Long, while more upscale malls like Lotte Center Tây Hồ, Aeon Mall Long Biên, Tràng Tiền Plaza, and Vincom Bà Triệu offer high-end products, with prices ranging from 8 USD to hundreds of dollars.

Best Things to Shop For in Hanoi

Souvenirs

Bringing back local souvenirs is a common practice for travelers. In Hanoi, you will find a variety of options such as conical hats, traditional Vietnamese paintings, keychains, ceramics, embroidery, bamboo crafts, notebooks with Hanoi designs, ethnic textiles, puppets, wooden dragonflies, landmark models, lacquerware, wooden crafts, jewelry, and more. Prices for souvenirs typically start at around 1 USD.

Clothes

One of the most popular items among foreign visitors is clothing. For budget-friendly yet high-quality options with a wide variety of designs, consider stores like M2, Vietbrothers, Canifa, Yody, The North Face Factory Outlet, and Factory Outlet 96 Hàng Đào.

For those interested in traditional and meticulously crafted Vietnamese fashion, you can visit Tan My Design, Xeo Xo, Tired City, or Tohe Style for a unique and creative shopping experience.

Reference:

5 Fascinating fashion choices in Hanoi

Shoes and clothes in Vietnam: Where to buy in Hanoi, Hoi An, and Saigon

Coffee & Tea

Vietnam’s natural conditions are ideal for growing flavorful and aromatic coffee and tea. You can choose from ground, whole bean, or pre-packaged coffee, as well as a variety of teas including green tea, lotus tea, jasmine tea, oolong tea, Shan Tuyet tea, etc.

Some of Vietnam’s well-known coffee brands include Trung Nguyen, Vinacafe, and Phuc Long, while popular tea brands include Trà Sen Tây Hồ, Shan Tuyết Tea from the Northwest, and Tân Cương Tea from Thai Nguyen. Prices typically start at around 2 USD per pack.

Local Food & Sweets

Hanoi offers a range of quality dried goods to take home, including dried fruits, nuts like cashews and macadamia, sweetened preserves, dried sweet potatoes, rice paper, shrimp crackers, noodles, chocolate, green bean cakes, and more. Prices for local delicacies start at about 2 USD per item.

Menthol oil & Essential oils

Menthol oil is everywhere in Vietnam, cherished for its soothing properties. It helps reduce fever, alleviate pain, ease coughs, and disinfect. It is a go-to remedy for common ailments like colds, flu, headaches, runny noses, joint and muscle pain, bloating, indigestion, nerve discomfort, and even insect bites. Among the most popular brands are Phật Linh Trường Sơn, Sao Vàng, and Bạch Hổ.

On the other hand, essential oils with their gentle, calming scents are perfect for aromatherapy, massages, and relaxation. These essential oils are derived from some natural sources like peppermint, lemongrass, tea, rose, or jasmine. You can find these fragrant treasures at Đồng Xuân Market, Cỏ Mềm HomeLab, Befine, and La Champa, typically priced at around 2 USD for a 15ml bottle.

Green Cosmetic

For those who love vegan beauty products, Vietnam offers a selection of organic, cruelty-free cosmetics. Cỏ Mềm HomeLab is a brand deeply rooted in nature, crafting gentle yet effective products from herbs, essential oils, and flowers. Their philosophy is all about harnessing the power of natural ingredients.

Meanwhile, Cocoon Vietnam creates skincare products using fruits like coffee, winter melon, or grapefruit, ensuring that every item is not only kind to your skin but also effective. The price for products from these two brands typically starts at around 8 USD per item.

Here is a guide to shopping in Hanoi, complete with recommendations for where to go, what to buy, and local brands to check out. We hope you find this information helpful as you explore the city. May your visit to Vietnam be delightful, and may you discover the perfect souvenirs to remember your trip by.

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