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Hochiminh Shopping
HCMC's teeming streets are like the Elysian Fields tor intrepid shopping souls. While there's much junk being peddled to the tourist masses, there are plenty of great discoveries just wailing to he unearthed. Comprising the-hunting grounds arc sprawling markets, antique stores, silk and fabric boutiques and specialty stores selling ceramics, ethnic fabrics, lacquered bamboo and custom-made clothing. And although the art scene is better up north, HCMC has a growing number of galleries selling everything from lavish oil paintings to photographs to vintage propaganda posters, There are also the quirkier gems like cyclos and helicopters made from beer and soda cans one place to browse for these is at the War Remnants Museum gift shop. The best place to begin any shopping journey is the gallery- and boutique-lined Dong Khoi Str., and the streets that intersect it. This is also the place to look for high quality souvenirs. Better deals can be found in Pham Ngu Lao, although the selection is poorer. If you're pressed for time, several shopping centres are great one-stop destinations, including the shiny, modern Saigon Centre ( 65 Le Loi Str.,); and the inspiringly named (and cheaper) Tax Department Store (Russian Market; Nguyen Hue Str., & Le Loi Str.,), both are great places to browse for electronics, clothing and handicrafts.
• Arts & Handicrafts
Dogma ( 175 De Tham Str. ; 9am-10pm) Proudly advertising the sale of Vietnamese kitsch, this colourful store stocks reproductions of marvellous old propaganda posters emblazoned on coffee mugs, coasters, and T-shirts. There's also men's and women's clothing, purses and assorted other knick-knacks that make for fine browsing.
Living & Giving (11 Ngo Duc Ke Str., ) Packed with stylish linens and bedding, furniture and unusual home decor in iron, wood and ceramic.
Lotus (25 Dong Khoi Str.,) For vintage propaganda posters, this place is a goldmine.
Mai Handicrafts (298 Nguyen Trong Tuyen Str., Tan Binh district) Fair-trade shop dealing in ceramics, ethnic fabrics and other gift items, in turn supporting disadvantaged families and street children.
Nguyen Freres (2 Dong Khoi Str.,) Stocks a lovely assortment of antique furnishings and textiles, pillowcases, silks, pottery and lamps.
Precious Qui (29A Dong Khoi Str.,) Precious Qui specializes in lacquerware and accessories (interesting forks and spoons) fashioned from buffalo horn. It also stocks a limited selection of celadon ceramic ware.
• Clothing
Although Saigonese fashion has yet to make a name for itself, there arc plenty of places where you can shop for stylish apparel - or even opt for a custom-made “ao dai”, the couture symbol of Vietnam. This quite flattering outfit of silk tunic and trousers is tailored at shops in and around Ben Thanh Market and around the Rex and Continental I Hotels. There are also male “ao dai” available these are a looser fit and come with a silk-covered head wrap to match.
Cham Khanh (Tell: 3820 6861; 256 Pasteur Str., District 3) This is one of several “ao dai” shops on this stretch of Đ Pasteur. It sells particularly colourful pieces and is a reliable place for getting an “ao dai” made.
The Dong Khoi neighbourhood is awash with tempting shops selling contemporary clothing. Some will also custom-tailor clothing and shoes, and turnaround usually takes a few days. A survey of the neighbourhood around Đ Pasteur and Đ Le Thanh Ton yields at least a half-dozen boutiques; Dong Khoi Str., and Ngo Duc Ke Str., or Dong Du Str., reveal yet more.
Souvenir T-shirts are prevalent in town, with bargain deals available from vendors along Le Loi Str., in the city centre, or De Tham Str., in the Pham Ngu Lao area
Other clothing stores:
Chi Chi (138 Pasteur Str., ; 8am-8pm) features well-chosen, lovely fabrics and fine designs; custom-tailoring offered here Khai Silk ( 107 Dong Khoi Str.,) One branch of this well-established silk empire; a reliable choice for tailored suits or “ao dai.”
Reda (29 Le Thanh Ton Str., ; l0am-7.30pm) An assortment of stylish women's apparel, with handmade tailoring available. There's also an adjoining cafe, for a bite after browsing.
Sapa (223 De Tham Str.,) Incorporates ethnic fabrics and designs with hip style; also sells gifts and jewellery.
Song (76D Le Thanh Ton Str.,) A small boutique selling sophisticated, high-end clothing and accessories for both men and women
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• Coffee
Vietnamese coffee is prime stuff and is amazingly cheap. The best grades are from Buon Ma Thuot and the beans are roasted in butter Lovers of weasels and strange things should yet their hands on ”ca phe chon” (‘weasel coffee’, No 8 of the signature Trung Nguyen brand). These coffee beans are fed to weasels first, then harvested from their droppings before being sold to yon. Brew and enjoy. The city's major market, particularly BenThanh Market have the best prices and widest selection of both regular and weasel coffee.
• Galleries
HCMC is brimming with art galleries, Good places to browse are the handful of galleries around the Fine Arts Museum and along Dong Khoi Str. You'll find excellent top quality works at the following places: Blue Space Gallery (Tell: 3821 3695, 1A LeThi Hong Gam Str., ; 9am 6pm), Latquer & Oil (Tell: 3821 2320; 97A Pho Duc Chinh Str, 9am-5.30pm) and Vinh Loi Gallery (41 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan Str., District 3; 9am-6pm) Any of these places will ship worldwide.
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