Hi everyone,

I will be in Bangkok, Hanoi and Saigon. It has been a long time since I came back to these places.

So I tried to read online what and where to go shopping in the three cities.

It seems that Bangkok still offers much more than the other two Vietnamese cities.

Do you think so? Is there anything tourists should buy that cannot be found in Bangkok?

Thank you

I have been living in Saigon for the past year after having lived in Bangkok for the previous 20 years. The ONLY thing I miss about Bangkok is the shopping. There is no comparison between the shopping in Vietnam vs. Bangkok. Bangkok wins hands down. That being said, it would also depend on what you are looking for.

VN lacquerware is famous and good prices. Also their lacquer panel paintings which are very much in Chinese style and in many cases far better done than similar ones available in Thailand.

Other then Vietnamese souvenir type items I think you will find the shopping a disappointment compared to Thailand.

I have been living in Saigon for the past year after having lived in Bangkok for the previous 20 years. The ONLY thing I miss about Bangkok is the shopping. There is no comparison between the shopping in Vietnam vs. Bangkok. Bangkok wins hands down. That being said, it would also depend on what you are looking for.

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i once saw in the backpacker arrea of Ho Chi Minh a shop that sold old Viet Cong propaganda posters. (in 2013)

Have you ever seen such a shop in Bangkok?

i wasn't buying.....but they were different.

And where can you find a food stand selling good Turkish Adana Kebabs in Bangkok.?

As you say....it all depends on what you are looking for.

Bangkok for everything except for "cultural crap", wine and coffee. Hanoi has a bunch of shops selling reasonable quality outdoor gear, it gets cold in the winter.

Beware the Vietnamese take the pi55 way more than the Thais with pricing.

Shirts, in Saigon they have nice shirts you cannot get in Bangkok

The only place in VN that sells anything of interest to tourists is Hoi An. If you are going to Hanoi or Saigon then most things on offer for tourists are made in China. If you are looking for specialist goods ask at your hotel or a tour agency. They might be able to recommend somewhere.

Bangkok for everything except for "cultural crap", wine and coffee. Hanoi has a bunch of shops selling reasonable quality outdoor gear, it gets cold in the winter.

Beware the Vietnamese take the pi55 way more than the Thais with pricing.

This is so true, In Hanoi and Sapa you can buy North face and crumpler bags along with jackets, trousers, fleeces - the stuff we bought on holiday has been used everyday for years and still going strong. The spec of the material is slightly under the original .. But very close.

Buy a copy north face bag here and it comes with a guarantee - to break within a month.

The only place in VN that sells anything of interest to tourists is Hoi An. If you are going to Hanoi or Saigon then most things on offer for tourists are made in China. If you are looking for specialist goods ask at your hotel or a tour agency. They might be able to recommend somewhere.

Ditto on that....I get all my shirts, pants and shoes made when in Hoi An....good quality and nice price....???

They have shopping in Vietnam?

Who knew?!

Oh Dude, what a question; the whole world comes to Bangkok 4 shopping...............

Ditto on that....I get all my shirts, pants and shoes made when in Hoi An....good quality and nice price....???

What's the name of the shops you go to for shirts/pants and shoes?