Shopping and Photoshoots in Ho Chi Minh City: Where to Buy and Where to Pose

Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam and its economic centre, though not its capital, which is Hanoi. That commercial weight shows. Anything you might want to bring home, from lacquerware to a made-to-measure shirt, is sold somewhere between the colonial boulevards of District 1 and the wholesale lanes of Cholon. It is also the most photogenic of Vietnam’s big cities for anyone who likes a mix of French-era façades, glass towers and motorbike-filled streets.

This page keeps two ideas apart: buying things, and being photographed. They happen in the same few square kilometres, but they need different plans, different timing and a slightly different mindset. For the wider picture of the city, start with the Ho Chi Minh City destination page; for the full list of things to do in this category, see shopping and photoshoots.

How to use this guide

Most visitors do both on the same day, which tends to go badly: you haggle in a hot market with a camera swinging from your neck, then try to pose in clothes you have been sweating in. A better rhythm is to split the day.

• Morning: the markets and the shops, when it is cooler and the stallholders have time.
• Midday: a break in an air-conditioned café or your hotel, out of the worst heat.
• Late afternoon: the photography, when the light softens and the pedestrian streets fill up.

If you have no flexibility, put the shopping first and the photos last. Sweat, creased clothes and a bag full of purchases do not suit portraits.

Part one: where to buy

Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh is the market everyone knows, at the edge of District 1 and next to a stop on Metro Line 1, which opened in December 2024. It is a covered hall with hundreds of small stalls selling clothes, bags, souvenirs, dried goods, textiles and kitchenware.

What it does well: variety, convenience and atmosphere. What it does less well: it is crowded, hot, and pitched at tourists, so first offers are routinely well above what locals would pay. Counterfeit branded goods are common too, so if a label matters to you, buy it in a mall or a brand’s own shop.

Some practical habits help:

• Look around the whole hall before you buy anything, because the same item appears at many stalls.
• Make a counter-offer at a fair fraction of the first price, smile, and be ready to walk away. Walking away often produces the real number.
• Keep small notes of Vietnamese dong, since a large note for a small purchase invites a short change.
• Do not feel obliged to buy after being quoted a price. Declining politely is normal.

The streets around the market also hold fixed-price shops and a night market, but treat the same rules as inside: compare, and decide slowly.

Cholon, the Chinatown

Cholon lies to the south-west of the centre and has been the city’s Chinese-Vietnamese merchant district for generations. It is less polished than the centre and much more interesting if you want to see how trade works. Binh Tay Market is the main covered market and is far more oriented to wholesale and local buyers than Ben Thanh. Around it, the lanes specialise by trade: dry goods, textiles, ceramics, paper and ritual items, traditional medicine, and household hardware.

Cholon is where you go to see things, rather than to be sold things. Prices are more honest, but the stallholders are busy and often speak little English. It is a good place for small, light, unusual items: tea, tins, ceramics, paper lanterns, kitchen tools. It is also the better half of the city for photographers who prefer working scenes to monuments, with temples such as Thien Hau holding incense coils, painted roofs and carved details.

Give Cholon a morning rather than an hour. A local-guided shopping tour or a day with a driver makes it easier if you do not want to navigate the lanes alone.

Galleries, boutiques and design shops in the centre

Between the markets and the malls sits a quieter layer of shopping: independent galleries, lacquer and ceramics studios, local fashion labels, bookshops and concept stores. Much of it clusters around Dong Khoi Street and the side streets between the Opera House area and the river, and in the old apartment buildings along Nguyen Hue and Le Loi, where upper floors hold small studios and boutiques.

This is where to buy something you will actually want to keep:

• Art and prints: small galleries show contemporary Vietnamese painters and photographers, often at prices that are clearly posted and not negotiable.
• Lacquerware and ceramics: look for pieces with clear provenance and ask who made them. A genuine studio will tell you.
• Local fashion: independent labels are a growing part of the city’s retail scene. A themed walk, such as a guided tour of hidden local brands, can point you to places that never show up in the usual guidebook lists.
• Books and stationery: the pedestrian Book Street next to the Central Post Office is easy to browse, and good for postcards and illustrated books about the city.

Prices in boutiques are fixed, and the experience is calmer than the market. If you want a custom-made garment, be aware that the country’s famous tailor town is Hoi An, not Saigon; see getting clothes made in Hoi An and the Hoi An tailors and ao dai guide for how that works.

Malls and department stores

Air-conditioned shopping centres in the centre and across the river sell international brands at fixed prices, which suits anyone who wants a straightforward transaction or a rainy-afternoon refuge. They are also a good place to buy practical items such as sun cream, adapters or a spare phone cable. Browse them for what you need, not for souvenirs.

What to buy, in short

Item	Where to look	Note
Lacquerware, ceramics	Galleries and studios in District 1; Cholon for simpler pieces	Ask who made it, and check weight and packing
Textiles and silk	Ben Thanh, Cholon, boutiques	Feel the fabric; the cheapest “silk” is often a blend
Conical hats, bags, woven goods	Ben Thanh and Cholon markets	Light and easy to pack
Art, prints, photography	Independent galleries around Dong Khoi	Fixed prices, usually with a signed certificate or label
Books, postcards	Book Street, bookshops	A good light gift
Local fashion	Boutiques and concept stores	Try on; sizing differs from Europe or the US

For a longer list across the whole country, see Vietnam souvenirs to buy. If you prefer making over buying, Ho Chi Minh City craft workshops let you try lacquer, ceramics and other crafts for yourself.

Bargaining without friction

• Haggle at market stalls, not in boutiques or malls.
• Keep it light. Raising your voice gets you nowhere, and a laugh does.
• Do not name a price you are not prepared to pay. If you offer it, you are expected to buy.
• Check the item before you pay, and keep the receipt for anything valuable.
• Know the exchange rate. In mid-2026 it is roughly 26,000 VND to 1 USD and about 28,000 VND to 1 EUR, so large numbers on a tag are normal. Our money in Vietnam guide and the cash guide explain how to carry and spend it.

Part two: where to be photographed

Ho Chi Minh City’s best photo locations sit within a short walk of each other in District 1. That is convenient, but it also means the same spots get crowded, and some are quirky to shoot because of traffic, scaffolding or sun.

The Central Post Office

A late nineteenth-century French colonial building, with a vaulted hall, arched windows, old wooden telephone booths and a large portrait of Ho Chi Minh at one end. It is a working post office, so people are queuing and posting letters while you take photos. Be considerate: keep the aisles clear, and avoid long tripod sessions.

Light is easiest in the morning when the yellow façade is evenly lit. The interior is wide and bright, so a phone camera copes well. The back of the hall, with the old maps on the walls, is quieter than the entrance.

The Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica

The red-brick cathedral, built in the French era, faces the Post Office across a small square. It has been under a long-running restoration, and parts of the building have been hidden behind scaffolding, netting and barriers for extended periods. This is the one location where I would not promise a clean frame.

If you plan to build a shoot around it:

• Look at recent photos taken by other travellers before you go, not old postcards.
• Treat the square and the statue in front as a backdrop, not the building itself.
• Use the Post Office, across the road, as the alternative.
• Remember that it is an active place of worship, so dress and behave accordingly if you go inside.

Nguyen Hue walking street

A broad pedestrian boulevard running from the City Hall down to the Saigon River, framed by the old colonial façade at one end and modern towers at the other. In the evening it fills with families, couples, buskers and young people posing for photographs. It is the best place in town to capture the contrast between old and new.

Two tips. First, early morning is the calmest time and gives you clean lines and soft light, especially for portraits and couple shoots. Second, the old apartment building at number 42, with its stairwell and its cafés on every floor, is popular for a “Saigon vintage” look. Be polite to residents, and do not block the stairs.

City Hall, the Opera House and the river

The yellow City Hall, the Municipal Theatre (the Opera House) and the Saigon River promenade make up a classic pair of frames. The river is the best place to see the modern skyline, with Landmark 81 as the tallest tower and the older Bitexco tower closer in. At sunset the water and the sky do half the work. An evening dinner cruise on the Saigon River gives a different angle on the skyline, from the water, which suits photographers who find the riverbank too busy.

Other places worth a photograph

• Reunification Palace: a modernist building of the 1960s, with a strong geometric look and large lawns.
• Ben Thanh Market clock tower: an obvious landmark, easy to catch in the morning before the crowds.
• Cholon temples: Thien Hau and others are the best choice if you prefer detail, colour and incense smoke to wide shots. Ask before photographing worshippers up close.
• The older apartment blocks and alleys: good for street portraits and atmosphere. The city districts guide explains which neighbourhoods are which.

For a broader selection of viewpoints beyond Saigon, see Vietnam photography spots.

Hiring a photographer, or doing it yourself

There are three realistic options:

1. Do it yourself with a phone, a friend and the golden hour. This is enough for most travellers.
2. A local guide who also takes photos, often built into a walking or Vespa and cyclo tour. It is cheaper in effort and gives you context.
3. A professional photographer for a couple’s session, family portrait or ao dai shoot. Book in advance, ask to see a portfolio from a real session (not just stock images), and agree the duration, number of edited images and delivery date in writing.

Whichever you choose, mention permits. A small shoot with a phone or one camera is usually tolerated in public spaces. Drones, large crews, lighting equipment and commercial work are different matters, and the rules change, so confirm them before you arrive with a pile of gear.

Staying safe with a camera in your hand

The part of the city centre that is best for photography is also where bag and phone snatching from motorbikes happens. It is quick: a bike passes close, someone grabs a phone or a handbag, and it is gone. It can injure people, as the strap pulls with it.

• Keep away from the kerb. Stand with your back to a wall or a shop, not at the road edge.
• Never hold a phone out toward the traffic, especially at junctions or on bridges.
• Use a wrist strap or a cross-body strap on a camera, and wear bags on the side away from the road.
• Do not text or navigate while walking on the pavement. Step aside, check, then move on.
• Keep valuables to a minimum on shopping days: one card, a modest amount of cash, a phone you need.
• Photograph from inside a café, a shop doorway or a building wherever the view allows.

This is a concern, not a reason to avoid the city. Violent crime is rare, and most visits pass without incident. For a wider picture, see is Vietnam safe and scams to avoid in Vietnam.

Avoiding overcharging in tourist zones

Prices are not posted at most market stalls, and tourist areas attract higher first offers. A few habits help:

• Ask the price before you accept anything, whether it is a shirt, a photo with a prop, or a bottle of water.
• Agree the fare before a cyclo ride, or choose a ride-hailing app, where the price is set. See Grab and taxis in Vietnam.
• Beware of “free” offers such as flowers, hats or a quick portrait that turn into a request for payment.
• Check the change and count it before you leave.
• Compare two or three places for anything that costs more than a few tourist items.

None of this is cause for suspicion. Most vendors are honest. The aim is simply to buy with a clear head.

Putting a day together

A simple plan that respects the heat and the light:

1. Early morning: walk Nguyen Hue before it fills, then the Post Office and the cathedral square for photographs.
2. Mid-morning: Ben Thanh Market, with the first-hour crowd and slightly cooler air. Browse, bargain, move on.
3. Late morning: a browse through the galleries and boutiques near Dong Khoi.
4. Midday: rest in an air-conditioned place.
5. Afternoon: Cholon, by car or Grab, for the lanes and the temples.
6. Evening: the riverside at sunset, then a stroll back along Nguyen Hue as the lights come on.

If you would rather not plan it yourself, a shopping tour with a local guide handles the navigation, the bargaining and the translation, and is a good fit for a first visit. Where you stay matters too, since District 1 puts everything on foot; see where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

Packing and practicalities

• Weather: the south has no winter, and the wet season runs roughly May to November, usually as short late-afternoon downpours. Plan photos for the morning in those months.
• Clothing: light, breathable fabrics for the market, a second outfit if you plan a portrait session.
• Footwear: you will walk more than you expect. Comfortable shoes beat fashion.
• Weight: if you buy heavy items, ask the shop to ship them, or leave room in your luggage. Check your airline’s rules.
• Customs: antiques and certain cultural objects may be restricted for export. If you are buying something old, ask for documentation.
• Power: sockets are mainly Type A and Type C at 220 V, so bring an adapter for chargers and camera batteries if you need one.

The Vietnam packing list covers the rest.

Shopping and photoshoots: frequently asked questions

Is Ho Chi Minh City the capital of Vietnam?

No. Hanoi is the capital. Ho Chi Minh City, still widely called Saigon, is the largest city and the economic centre of the country, which is why it has the biggest choice of shops, galleries and photo locations.

Can you haggle at Ben Thanh Market?

Yes, at the market stalls bargaining is expected, and it is best done with a smile and a counter-offer rather than a hard stance. In shops with printed price tags and in boutiques, the price is usually fixed.

Is it safe to take photos with a phone or camera on the street?

Mostly yes, but bag and phone snatching from passing motorbikes is the real risk in the city centre. Stand away from the kerb, hold the device with both hands or a wrist strap, and put it away when walking along a busy road.

Can you photograph the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica?

You can photograph it from the square, but the building has been under long-running restoration and parts of it may be covered by scaffolding or screens. Check recent photos before you build a shoot around it, and treat the Central Post Office across the road as your backup.

Do you need a permit for a professional photoshoot?

A casual shoot with a phone or a small camera is normally fine in public spaces. Commercial, drone or large-crew shoots may require authorisation, so ask the photographer or your hotel to confirm the current rules rather than assuming.

Is it better to shop in the morning or the evening?

Markets are generally busier and warmer around midday, so the cooler early hours or the late afternoon are more comfortable. Evenings suit the walking streets and the shopping malls, which are air-conditioned.

Do shops take cards or only cash?

Malls, boutiques and galleries generally take cards. Market stalls and small workshops often prefer cash in Vietnamese dong, so carry a modest amount in small notes.