Saigon Muslim Shopping Guide: Where to Buy Hijabs, Fabric and Souvenirs in Ho Chi Minh City
By Jimmy Nguyen, Founder & Director of Asia Travel Expert Co., Ltd.Where should Muslim travellers shop in Saigon? Start on Nguyen An Ninh Street, the short “Malaysian street” opposite the west gate of Ben Thanh Market, where Cham Muslim and Malay-speaking shopkeepers sell hijabs, fabric, prayer mats and made-to-measure baju kurung and jubah, with halal restaurants on the same pavement. Then cross to Ben Thanh Market for coffee, cashews and souvenirs, walk to Saigon Square for cheap clothes and bags, and take a Grab to Binh Tay Market in Cholon if you like wholesale prices and local atmosphere. For fixed prices and air conditioning, Takashimaya and Vincom Center Dong Khoi are within walking distance of Saigon Central Mosque. This guide from the Saigon Muslim Tours team explains what to buy, where to find it, how to bargain and where to eat halal and pray between shops.
- For hijabs, fabric and tailoring: Nguyen An Ninh Street, Ben Thanh ward (former District 1).
- For souvenirs, coffee and dried fruit: Ben Thanh Market, right next door.
- For bargain clothes and bags: Saigon Square on Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street.
- For a local wholesale market: Binh Tay Market in Cholon (former District 6).
- For brands at fixed prices: Takashimaya and Vincom Center Dong Khoi in the city centre.
Shops in Ho Chi Minh City open, move and change hands quickly, so we only list well-established places. Tailors and small boutiques on Nguyen An Ninh Street change often; ask our guide or look for the busiest shops with Malay signs.
Saigon Muslim Shopping at a Glance
| Place | Area | Best for | Prices | Halal food nearby |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nguyen An Ninh Street | Ben Thanh ward (former District 1) | Hijabs, fabric, baju kurung, prayer goods | Bargain politely | On the street itself |
| Ben Thanh Market | Ben Thanh ward (former District 1) | Coffee, cashews, souvenirs, ao dai | Bargain | Nguyen An Ninh and Le Lai streets |
| Saigon Square | Sai Gon ward (former District 1) | Clothes, bags, shoes, backpacks | Bargain | 5 minutes’ walk to Ben Thanh |
| Binh Tay Market | Binh Tay ward (former District 6, Cholon) | Wholesale goods, dried food, kitchenware | Wholesale, some retail | Few options; eat before you go |
| Takashimaya (Saigon Centre) | Sai Gon ward (former District 1) | International brands, cosmetics, gifts | Fixed | Nguyen An Ninh Street, 5 minutes away |
| Vincom Center Dong Khoi | Sai Gon ward (former District 1) | Fashion brands, sportswear, electronics | Fixed | Dong Du Street, by the Central Mosque |
Ho Chi Minh City merged its wards and abolished its districts on 1 July 2025. Drivers and shopkeepers still use the old district names, so we give both.
Where to Shop in Saigon as a Muslim Traveller
1. Nguyen An Ninh Street: Saigon’s “Malaysian Street”
This short street runs along the western side of Ben Thanh Market and is known locally as the Malay or halal street. Most of the shopkeepers are Cham Muslims, and many speak Malay, so visitors from Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and Indonesia feel at home straight away. Small shops sell hijabs and tudung in cotton, chiffon and silk, bolts of fabric, ready-made baju kurung, jubah and kaftans, prayer mats, telekung, kopiah and perfume oils. Several tailors will make a set of clothes to your measurements; allow at least a day or two, and confirm the collection time before you pay a deposit.
The street is also the easiest place in the city for a halal meal, with Malay and Cham kitchens, coffee shops and money changers side by side. It is busy from morning until late evening.
- Address: Nguyen An Ninh Street, Ben Thanh ward (former District 1)
- What to buy: Hijabs, fabric, baju kurung and jubah (ready-made or tailored), prayer mats, souvenirs
- Tip: Compare a few shops before you order tailoring, and check fabric and stitching on a finished sample.
- Google Maps: Open Nguyen An Ninh Street in Google Maps
2. Ben Thanh Market
With its clock tower facing the Quach Thi Trang roundabout, Ben Thanh Market has been the city’s best-known market since it opened in 1914. Around 1,500 traders fill the hall, grouped by trade: coffee and tea, dried fruit and nuts, fabric and ready-made ao dai, lacquerware, embroidery, handbags, conical hats and a food court. It is the most convenient place to pick up gifts in one visit, and the Ben Thanh station of Metro Line 1 is right outside.
- Address: Le Loi Boulevard, Ben Thanh ward (former District 1)
- Opening hours: Roughly from early morning until early evening; many stalls start closing from about 6 pm
- What to buy: Vietnamese coffee and phin filters, cashews, dried mango and jackfruit, ao dai, lacquer boxes, embroidered bags
- Halal note: The food court and many snack stalls are not halal. Eat on Nguyen An Ninh Street, a few steps away.
- Google Maps: Open Ben Thanh Market in Google Maps
3. Saigon Square
A crowded indoor market on the corner of Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street and Le Loi Boulevard, a five-minute walk from Ben Thanh. Rows of small stalls sell clothes, shoes, backpacks, suitcases, sportswear and accessories at low prices. Quality varies, and many branded-looking items are not genuine, so buy for the price, not the label. Bargaining is normal even where price tags are shown.
- Address: 77–89 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Sai Gon ward (former District 1)
- Opening hours: About 9:00–21:00 daily
- What to buy: Inexpensive clothes, bags, travel cases, children’s wear
- Google Maps: Open Saigon Square in Google Maps
4. Binh Tay Market (Cholon)
The great market of Saigon’s Chinatown was built between 1928 and 1930 with funds from the Chinese merchant Quach Dam, and its central courtyard and tiled roof are a fine example of the city’s old architecture. Binh Tay is above all a wholesale market supplying shops across southern Vietnam, so many stalls sell by the box or bag. It is a good place for dried goods, sweets, kitchenware, fabric and household items, and an interesting stop on a Cholon walk.
- Address: 57A Thap Muoi Street, Binh Tay ward (former District 6)
- What to buy: Dried goods, sweets, kitchen tools, fabric, small household items
- Tip: Go in the morning when the market is at its liveliest, and eat a halal meal in the centre before or after, as there are few halal options in Cholon.
- Google Maps: Open Binh Tay Market in Google Maps
5. Takashimaya at Saigon Centre
The Japanese department store in Saigon Centre on Le Loi Boulevard is the place for international fashion, cosmetics, watches and gift-boxed food, with fixed prices and card payments. The basement food hall sells packaged Vietnamese and imported snacks; read the labels, as some contain pork or alcohol.
- Address: Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi Boulevard, Sai Gon ward (former District 1)
- Best for: Brands, cosmetics, gift sets, rainy-day shopping
- Google Maps: Open Takashimaya in Google Maps
6. Vincom Center Dong Khoi
A large shopping mall between Dong Khoi and Le Thanh Ton streets, close to the Opera House and only a short walk from Saigon Central Mosque on Dong Du Street. It has international and Vietnamese fashion brands, sportswear, electronics and a supermarket, and makes an easy stop before or after prayers at the mosque.
- Address: 72 Le Thanh Ton Street, Sai Gon ward (former District 1)
- Best for: Fashion and sports brands, electronics, air-conditioned browsing
- Google Maps: Open Vincom Center Dong Khoi in Google Maps
7. The Ramadan food market on Duong Ba Trac Street
During Ramadan, the Cham Muslim community in alley 157 Duong Ba Trac Street (former District 8), around Jamiul Anwar Mosque, runs a small afternoon market selling halal cakes, fried snacks, sweet soups and dishes for iftar. It is seasonal and very local, but a memorable visit if you are in Saigon during the holy month. Our guide to mosques in Ho Chi Minh City has more about this community.
What to Buy in Saigon: Muslim-Friendly Souvenirs
- Hijabs and fabric: Good-value cotton, chiffon and silk scarves and dress fabric on Nguyen An Ninh Street and in Ben Thanh Market.
- Tailored clothing: Baju kurung, jubah and abayas made to measure, or a Vietnamese ao dai, which suits modest dress when worn with loose trousers.
- Vietnamese coffee: Robusta and arabica beans from the Central Highlands, instant coffee mixes and a stainless-steel phin filter.
- Cashews and dried fruit: Vietnam is a major cashew producer. Dried mango, jackfruit and banana chips are popular gifts.
- Tea and pepper: Green and lotus tea, and black pepper, often sold as Phu Quoc pepper.
- Handicrafts: Lacquerware, mother-of-pearl boxes, embroidered pictures and bags, and the famous conical hat (non la).
- Cham brocade: Woven scarves and bags made by Cham communities, a meaningful gift that links to Vietnam’s own Muslim heritage. Learn more in our article on Muslim people in Vietnam.
Check food labels. Many Vietnamese snacks are naturally halal (nuts, dried fruit, coffee, tea), but some sweets contain gelatine, and dried “beef” or “chicken” snacks and some cakes may contain pork fat. Look for a halal logo, or buy from Muslim-run shops on Nguyen An Ninh Street.
How to Bargain in Saigon’s Markets
- Bargain in markets, not in malls. Haggling is expected at Ben Thanh, Saigon Square, Binh Tay and street stalls. Prices are fixed in department stores, malls and supermarkets.
- Ask first, then offer well below. Start with a counter-offer clearly lower than the first price and meet somewhere in the middle. Stay friendly; a smile works better than a hard line.
- Buy several items from one stall. A bundle price for five scarves or three bags of cashews is usually easier to negotiate.
- Be ready to walk away. The same goods are often sold at the next stall.
- Count your change. Vietnamese notes look similar (10,000 and 100,000 VND, or 20,000 and 500,000 VND), so check carefully.
Halal Food and Prayer Near the Shops
Shopping in central Saigon fits easily around meals and prayers:
- Halal meals: Nguyen An Ninh Street has several Muslim-run Malay and Cham eateries, and more halal restaurants are on Le Lai Street and Dong Du Street. See our full list of halal restaurants in Saigon.
- Saigon Central Mosque: 66 Dong Du Street, Sai Gon ward, about 15 minutes’ walk from Ben Thanh Market and 5 minutes from Vincom Center Dong Khoi.
- Jamiul Islamiyah Mosque: 459B Tran Hung Dao Street, Cau Ong Lanh ward, a short Grab ride from Ben Thanh.
Practical Shopping Tips for Muslim Travellers
- Cash or card: Markets and small shops prefer cash in Vietnamese dong. Malls and department stores accept cards. Money changers operate around Ben Thanh Market and Nguyen An Ninh Street.
- Prices in ringgit: Some shops on Nguyen An Ninh Street quote in Malaysian ringgit as well as dong. Agree on the currency before you pay.
- VAT refund: Foreign visitors can claim a VAT refund at international airports on goods bought from shops displaying the VAT refund sign. Ask the shop for the refund invoice, and keep the goods unused in your luggage for inspection.
- Heat and timing: Shop in the morning or late afternoon, drink plenty of water and plan an indoor stop at midday.
- Bags and phones: Keep valuables in a zipped bag in crowded markets and on the street.
- Airline allowance: Leave space for fabric and coffee, which add weight quickly.
Shop Saigon on a Saigon Muslim Tour
Our Ho Chi Minh Muslim Shopping Tour 4 Days combines the city’s main sights with time on Nguyen An Ninh Street, Ben Thanh Market and the city’s malls, with a guide who can help you with tailors and bargaining. If you only have one day, the Ho Chi Minh City Muslim Tour 1 Day visits Saigon Central Mosque and finishes near Ben Thanh Market, and the Ho Chi Minh Muslim Tour 3 Days adds the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta. All meals included in our tours are served at halal restaurants. Browse all Ho Chi Minh Muslim tour packages or contact the Saigon Muslim Tours team to plan a shopping day around your own list.
Frequently Asked Questions about Saigon Muslim Shopping
1. Where can I buy hijabs in Ho Chi Minh City?
The best choice is on Nguyen An Ninh Street, opposite the west gate of Ben Thanh Market, where Cham Muslim and Malay-speaking shops sell hijabs and tudung in cotton, chiffon and silk. Ben Thanh Market also has scarf and fabric stalls.
2. Can I have baju kurung or jubah tailored in Saigon?
Yes. Several tailors on Nguyen An Ninh Street make baju kurung, jubah and abayas to measure. Allow one to two days, check a finished sample first and confirm the collection time and price in writing.
3. What is Nguyen An Ninh Street known for?
It is Saigon’s “Malaysian street”: a short street beside Ben Thanh Market with Muslim-run fabric and clothing shops, tailors, money changers and halal restaurants, popular with visitors from Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.
4. Is Ben Thanh Market worth visiting for Muslim travellers?
Yes, for souvenirs, coffee, cashews, dried fruit and ao dai in one place. Just remember that the food court is not halal; eat on Nguyen An Ninh Street next door instead.
5. Do I need to bargain in Saigon?
In markets such as Ben Thanh, Saigon Square and Binh Tay, yes: start clearly below the first price and settle in the middle. In malls, department stores and supermarkets prices are fixed.
6. What are the best souvenirs to buy in Saigon?
Popular choices are Vietnamese coffee with a phin filter, cashews and dried fruit, tea, pepper, lacquerware, embroidery, conical hats, ao dai, and fabric or hijabs from Nguyen An Ninh Street.
7. Are Vietnamese snacks halal?
Many are, such as nuts, dried fruit, coffee and tea, but some sweets contain gelatine and some dried meat snacks or cakes contain pork. Check for a halal logo or buy from Muslim-run shops.
8. Where is the nearest mosque to Ben Thanh Market?
Saigon Central Mosque at 66 Dong Du Street is about 15 minutes’ walk away. Jamiul Islamiyah Mosque at 459B Tran Hung Dao Street is a short taxi or Grab ride.
9. Is Saigon Square good for shopping?
It is good for cheap clothes, bags, shoes and travel cases. Quality varies and many branded-looking goods are not genuine, so buy for value and bargain.
10. Can I pay with Malaysian ringgit in Saigon?
Some shops on Nguyen An Ninh Street accept or quote prices in ringgit, but Vietnamese dong is the normal currency. Changing money locally usually gives you better prices.
11. Can tourists get a VAT refund in Vietnam?
Yes. Foreign visitors can claim VAT back at international airports on goods from shops showing the VAT refund sign. Ask for the refund invoice when you pay and carry the goods unused for inspection.
12. Is it safe to shop in Saigon’s markets?
Yes, generally. Keep phones and wallets in zipped bags in crowds, count your change carefully and use Grab or a metered taxi with your shopping bags.
13. Does Saigon Muslim Tours offer a shopping tour?
Yes. Our Ho Chi Minh Muslim Shopping Tour 4 Days includes guided time on Nguyen An Ninh Street, at Ben Thanh Market and in the malls, with halal meals, and we can add a shopping stop to any private city tour.
