The best places to go shopping in Hai Phong include modern retail and recreational spaces that dot the booming town. Some good examples are the large plazas and adjacent supermarkets alongside the town’s residential projects and commercial complexes. Most feature a host of satellite businesses as well.
At the other end of the scale, visitors who plan to buy something for loved ones back home at little cost should have a look around the markets and along downtown’s Tran Phu Street. Items to look for include lacquerware, porcelain items, ceramics, wood carvings and silk products. Vietnam is a great country in which to buy handicraft products and Hai Phong is known for its high-quality tapestries and carpets. Read on for some ideas on where to shop in Hai Phong and what to buy.
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GO! Hai Phong
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GO! Hai Phong, formerly known as BigC Supermarket, is one of over a dozen stores around Vietnam offering plenty of fixed-price retail therapy. It features more than 70 shops ranging from fashion stores to those selling household items. When you’re feeling peckish and in need of a break while shopping, there are choices of international fast-food outlets such as KFC and the highly popular local Vietnamese coffee shop chain, Highlands Coffee.
As one of the larger shopping places in Hai Phong, the supermarket provides a comfortable indoor shopping experience and items sold are reasonably priced in general. There’s also an ATM corner with machines of international banks inside.
Location: Lot 1/20, Nga Nam Urban Area, Dong Khe, Ngo Quyen, Hai Phong, Vietnam
Open: Monday–Thursday from 8 am to 10 pm, Friday–Sunday from 8 am to 10.30 pm
Phone: +84 (0)949 286 285
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Cho Sat Market
- Shoppers
Cho Sat is the city market in Hai Phong, located next to Tarn Bac Bus Station where you'd take buses to Hanoi. It is a busy place covering a large area and it’s far from touristy. The market has stalls selling all kinds of daily goods imaginable, ranging from clothing and groceries to cheap gadgets and electronics. The market is also often referred to as the ‘Iron Market’, due to its predominantly steel construction in the late 19th century.
Even if you don’t plan to buy anything at Cho Sat Market, it’s still an interesting experience to observe local life in this busy downtown area of Hai Phong. Head up to the 3rd and 4th floors where you can dine and drink with views of the waterways.
Location: Quang Trung Street, Hong Thai, Hong Bang, Hai Phong, Vietnam
Open: Daily from 7.30 am to 8 pm
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Hang Kenh Tapestry Factory
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Hang Kenh is a long-established tapestry factory and is currently the country’s biggest exporter based in Hai Phong. Located on the southern side of Tam Bac Lake, it is included in most Hai Phong daily tour packages as a must-visit place.
Started by 2 French businessmen back in 1929, Hang Kenh is famous for its high-quality handmade woollen carpets. Visitors will get the chance to observe the impressive production techniques which use traditional methods from beginning to end as well as maybe buy some products while visiting.
Location: Van Khe, An Lao, Hai Phong, Vietnam
Open: Daily from 9 am to 10 pm
Phone: +84 (0)912 888 219
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Parkson TD Plaza
- Shoppers
Parkson TD Plaza opened in January 2007 as part of the 19-storey, twin-tower TD Plaza Condominiums (also known locally as Thuy Duong Plaza). This large luxury mall has an extensive range of famous brand-name goods. Gucci and Chanel are among the many international brands here.
There's also a cosmetics and jewellery section on the 1st floor, a supermarket on the 4th floor, a 10-pin bowling centre and video games arcade on the 4th floor, and a cinema on the 5th floor. The complex also features an interesting food court and several restaurants. Parkson is a popular department store company based in Malaysia that first opened in Vietnam in 2005. It currently has a growing number of stores around the country.
Location: 1st floor Thuy Duong Plaza Lot 20A, Le Hong Phong, Dong Khe, Ngo Quyen, Hai Phong, Vietnam
Phone: +84 (0)225 372 0856
Mapphoto by An Nguyễn Hải (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified