Muslim Shopping in Ho Chi Minh City (2026): What to Buy, Halal Food Gifts & Modest Fashion
By Jimmy Nguyen, Founder & Director of Vietnam Muslim ToursHo Chi Minh City is the best place in Vietnam to shop as a Muslim traveller: you can buy hijabs and fabric on Nguyen An Ninh Street – the city’s “Malaysian street” beside Ben Thanh Market – have an ao dai tailored in one to two days, and stock up on coffee, cashews and dried fruit to take home. This guide focuses on what to buy and how to buy it halal-smart: which Vietnamese food gifts are naturally plant-based, which contain lard or alcohol, how to read a halal logo, how to bargain, and how to claim your VAT refund at Tan Son Nhat Airport under the 2026 rules.
Status (checked October 2026): Ben Thanh Market is open as usual after its exterior facelift in early 2026; most stalls trade from early morning until about 18:00. Saigon Square opens about 9:00–21:00. VAT refunds for tourists follow Decree 181/2025/ND-CP (in force since 1 July 2025).
Muslim Shopping in Ho Chi Minh City: Quick Answers (2026)
| Best for hijabs and fabric | Nguyen An Ninh Street, beside Ben Thanh Market |
|---|---|
| Best food gifts | Coffee, cashews, dried fruit (check labels) |
| Avoid | Banh pia, mooncakes and sausages, which often contain lard or pork |
| Modest fashion | Ao dai or baju kurung tailored in 1–2 days |
| Bargaining | Yes in markets; fixed prices in malls |
| VAT refund | 85% of VAT, from 2,000,000 VND per invoice, claimed at Tan Son Nhat Airport |
| Halal groceries | Duong Ba Trac Street, Chanh Hung Ward (former District 8) |
| Halal food | Nguyen An Ninh Street, Le Lai and Dong Du streets |
| Nearest mosque | Saigon Central Mosque, 66 Dong Du – about 15 minutes’ walk from Ben Thanh |
What to Buy in Ho Chi Minh City
| Item | Halal check | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnamese coffee (beans, ground, phin filters) | Plain coffee is plant-based; check flavoured blends for added ingredients | Ben Thanh Market, supermarkets, coffee brand shops |
| Cashews and macadamias | Plain roasted or salted nuts are usually fine; check coatings | Ben Thanh Market, supermarkets |
| Dried fruit (mango, jackfruit, banana) | Usually plant-based; read the label | Ben Thanh Market, supermarkets |
| Hijabs, scarves and fabric | – | Nguyen An Ninh Street, Ben Thanh Market, Saigon Square |
| Tailored ao dai or baju kurung | – | Tailors on Nguyen An Ninh Street and around Ben Thanh |
| Lacquerware, embroidery and silk | – | Ben Thanh Market and craft shops in the city centre |
| Banh pia, mooncakes, sausages | Often contain lard or pork – avoid unless halal-certified | Not recommended |
How to Check Whether a Vietnamese Food Gift Is Halal
Very few Vietnamese snack brands carry a halal certificate, so most Muslim visitors check the ingredients. Vietnam’s national halal certification centre, HALCERT, issues certificates under the national standard TCVN 12944:2020, and the certificate number is printed on certified packaging. Certificates from recognised foreign bodies on imported products are also a good sign. When there is no logo, look for these Vietnamese words on the label:
| On the label | Meaning | Halal? |
|---|---|---|
| thịt heo / thịt lợn | pork | No |
| mỡ heo / mỡ lợn | lard (pork fat) | No |
| gelatin | gelatine (source usually not stated) | Avoid unless certified |
| rượu | alcohol, liquor | No |
| chay | vegetarian | No meat; still check for alcohol |
For meals while you shop, see our guide to halal food in Ho Chi Minh City.
Where to Shop: Verified Addresses for Muslim Travellers (October 2026)
Every address below was checked on Google Maps and against recent Vietnamese press in October 2026. Ward names follow Ho Chi Minh City’s 2025 reorganisation, with the former district in brackets. Small shops change often, so we confirm opening times before each tour.
| Place | Address | Best for | Map |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nguyen An Ninh Street (“Malaysia Street”) | Opposite the west gate of Ben Thanh Market, Ben Thanh Ward | Hijabs, Islamic clothing, tailoring, halal food | Google Maps |
| Ben Thanh Market | Le Loi Boulevard, Ben Thanh Ward | Coffee, nuts, dried fruit, souvenirs | Google Maps |
| Saigon Square | 77–89 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Ben Thanh Ward | Budget clothes, bags, scarves | Google Maps |
| Duong Ba Trac Muslim quarter | Duong Ba Trac Street, Chanh Hung Ward (former District 8) | Halal groceries, Ramadan market, wholesale clothing | Google Maps |
| Soai Kinh Lam fabric market | 481 Tran Hung Dao (former District 5) | Fabric by the metre, wholesale | Google Maps |
| Tan Dinh Market | 48 Hai Ba Trung, Tan Dinh Ward | Fabric, tailoring | Google Maps |
| Saigon Centre / Takashimaya | 65–67 Le Loi; Takashimaya entrance 92–94 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia | Brands, cosmetics, fixed prices | Google Maps |
| Vincom Center Dong Khoi | 72 Le Thanh Ton, Sai Gon Ward | Fashion, sportswear, electronics | Google Maps |
| Binh Tay Market | 57A Thap Muoi, Binh Tay Ward (former District 6) | Wholesale goods, morning visits | Google Maps |
Nguyen An Ninh Street: Saigon’s “Malaysia Street”
This street of just over 100 metres faces the west gate of Ben Thanh Market. Its Muslim character began with Basiroh, a Cham woman who made Islamic clothing from 2002 and rented a shop here in 2011; customers asked her for halal food, and restaurants and clothing shops followed. Today the area spills into Thu Khoa Huan and Truong Dinh streets, many vendors speak Malay, and headscarves typically cost about 150,000–180,000 VND. It is busiest from late afternoon. Two shops worth knowing:
- My Sang Tailor, 12 Nguyen An Ninh – baju kurung, jubah and fabric, plus made-to-measure suits; recent visitors report turnaround in under 24 hours and English-speaking staff. Google Maps
- Basiroh Fashion, 33 Nguyen An Ninh – the Basiroh family’s Islamic clothing shop. Google Maps
Muslim-run eateries on the same street, such as Haji Osman (No. 35) and Jamilah (No. 16), make it easy to shop and eat in one stop.
Ben Thanh Market
Opened in 1914, the market is the easiest place to buy coffee, cashews, dried fruit, lacquerware and souvenirs under one roof. Its exterior was repainted in January–February 2026 and trading continues as normal; most stalls open from early morning until about 18:00. Bargain at every stall, and note that the food court inside is not halal – eat on Nguyen An Ninh Street instead.
Saigon Square
A covered market of small stalls at 77–89 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, open about 9:00–21:00, good for inexpensive clothes, scarves, bags and shoes. Prices are bargainable, and it is air-conditioned – a pleasant stop in the midday heat.
Duong Ba Trac: the Muslim Quarter of Chanh Hung Ward
Around Jamiul Anwar Mosque in Chanh Hung Ward (former District 8) lives one of the city’s largest Muslim communities, about 3,000 people according to Vietcetera. It is the place to buy halal groceries, snacks and spices to cook at your apartment or take home:
- Muslim Halal Mart Vietnam SA NI, 8 Duong Ba Trac – halal grocery products. Google Maps
- Halal Food Quan 8, 157B/14 Duong Ba Trac – halal grocery store. Google Maps
- JULEY Wholesale, 157A1/23 Duong Ba Trac – wholesale baju kurung, scarves and telekung; call ahead, as recent reviews are few. Google Maps
During Ramadan, alley 157 hosts a once-a-year halal food market selling curries, samosas, satay-style skewers and Cham sweets; in 2026 it ran from 18 February to 19 March. Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around 8 February 2027.
Fabric Markets: Soai Kinh Lam and Tan Dinh
If you want fabric to have clothes made at home or by a tailor here, Soai Kinh Lam Market (481 Tran Hung Dao, opens from 7:00) is the city’s big wholesale fabric market, while Tan Dinh Market (48 Hai Ba Trung) has fabric stalls and tailors in a more central, compact setting. Buy fabric in the morning and take it to a tailor on Nguyen An Ninh Street.
Muslim Fashion Wholesalers Outside the Centre
Two well-known wholesalers popular with Malaysian shoppers sit far from the centre, so they suit visitors buying in quantity. Phone ahead before making the trip:
- Linda wholesale, 616/61/46 Le Duc Tho, An Hoi Dong Ward (former Go Vap) – baju kurung and kurta, about 40 minutes by car from Ben Thanh; visitors report cash payment only (VND or Malaysian ringgit), and reviews of service are mixed. Google Maps
- Danny fashion house, 2G Street No. 34, Binh Phu Ward (former District 6) – fabric, prayer garments and Muslim fashion. Google Maps
Malls with Fixed Prices
Saigon Centre (65–67 Le Loi) with Takashimaya (entrance at 92–94 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia) and Vincom Center Dong Khoi (72 Le Thanh Ton) open until about 22:00, with air-conditioning, lifts and international brands. They are the most comfortable choice for older travellers and the most likely to issue VAT refund invoices. Check labels in the supermarket and food halls, as many items contain pork or alcohol.
Binh Tay Market
The great wholesale market of Cholon at 57A Thap Muoi opens from 7:00 and is best in the morning. It is more for bulk buying and photography than souvenirs, and halal food nearby is scarce, so eat before you go.
Modest Fashion: The Ao Dai
Vietnam’s national dress – a long tunic worn over loose trousers – is naturally modest, and tailors will happily add longer sleeves or a higher collar. Tailors around Ben Thanh Market and on Nguyen An Ninh Street usually need one to two days and one fitting. Bring an outfit you like as a pattern.
How to Bargain Politely
- Markets bargain, malls do not: haggle at Ben Thanh, Saigon Square and street stalls; pay the tag price in malls and branded shops.
- Start low and smile: offer well below the first price, then meet in the middle; walking away politely often brings a better offer.
- Buy several items from one stall for a better total price.
- Check your notes: the 20,000 and 500,000 VND notes are both blue and easy to confuse.
- Cash is king in markets; malls and larger shops accept cards.
VAT Refund for Tourists at Tan Son Nhat Airport (2026)
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Who | Foreign passport holders leaving Vietnam |
| Minimum spend | 2,000,000 VND per invoice, one shop, one day |
| When bought | Within 60 days before departure |
| Shops | Only registered VAT-refund retailers (ask before paying); you need the VAT refund invoice |
| At the airport | Show the unused goods, invoices and passport to customs before check-in, then collect the refund after passport control |
| Amount | 85% of the VAT paid (15% is kept as a service fee) |
Market stalls do not issue VAT refund invoices, so the refund usually applies to purchases in malls and larger shops. Arrive at the airport early if you plan to claim.
Halal Meals and the Nearest Mosque
Ben Thanh Market and Nguyen An Ninh Street sit in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City’s halal food area. Saigon Central Mosque at 66 Dong Du Street is about 15 minutes’ walk from the market, opposite certified-halal Halal@Saigon. On our tours we pre-book certified-halal meals wherever a halal restaurant exists, as it does here; elsewhere we agree alternatives with you in advance, such as vegetarian food, seafood without meat or halal-friendly dishes.
If you are in town during Ramadan, the evening food market in the alley at 157 Duong Ba Trac Street, near Jamiul Anwar Mosque, is a lively place to buy Cham and Malay snacks for iftar.
Tips for Muslim Families, Women and Older Travellers
- Shop early: mornings are cooler and less crowded; many market stalls close by about 18:00.
- Pack light: carry a foldable bag for purchases, and keep phones and wallets in a front pocket.
- Older travellers: Saigon Centre and Vincom are air-conditioned with lifts, a comfortable alternative to the markets at midday.
- Sister guide: for a market-by-market walking guide, see our sister site’s Saigon Muslim shopping guide.
- Customs at home: check your own country’s limits on food, nuts and coffee before you buy in bulk.
Shop Ho Chi Minh City on a Private Muslim Tour
Our Ho Chi Minh City Muslim tour (1 day) and Ho Chi Minh City Muslim travel package (4 days 3 nights) can include free time at Ben Thanh Market and Nguyen An Ninh Street, with a guide who knows the halal shops and fair prices. Combine shopping with Independence Palace and the Saigon Central Post Office, both within walking distance. Every tour is private and tailored, with a best price guarantee when you book direct; we usually reply within 24 hours. More ideas in our Ho Chi Minh City guide for Muslim travellers.
Frequently Asked Questions about Muslim Shopping in Ho Chi Minh City
1. Where can I buy hijabs in Ho Chi Minh City?
On Nguyen An Ninh Street, opposite the west gate of Ben Thanh Market, where Muslim-run shops such as My Sang Tailor (No. 12) and Basiroh Fashion (No. 33) sell hijabs, Islamic clothing and fabric. Ben Thanh Market and Saigon Square also sell scarves.
2. What are the best souvenirs to buy in Ho Chi Minh City?
Vietnamese coffee and phin filters, cashews, dried fruit, lacquerware, embroidery, silk scarves and a tailored ao dai.
3. Are Vietnamese snacks halal?
Many plain snacks such as coffee, cashews and dried fruit are plant-based, but very few carry a halal certificate. Check the label for pork (heo or lợn), lard (mỡ heo), gelatin and alcohol (rượu). Banh pia and mooncakes often contain lard.
4. How do I recognise a halal-certified product in Vietnam?
Look for a halal logo with the certifying body named and a certificate number, such as Vietnam’s national centre HALCERT or a recognised foreign halal body on imported goods.
5. Can I have an ao dai tailored quickly?
Yes. Tailors around Ben Thanh Market and on Nguyen An Ninh Street usually need one to two days and one fitting. Ask for longer sleeves or a higher collar if you prefer.
6. Do I need to bargain in Ho Chi Minh City?
Yes in markets such as Ben Thanh and Saigon Square; no in malls and branded shops, where prices are fixed.
7. Can tourists get a VAT refund in Vietnam?
Yes. Foreign visitors can claim 85% of the VAT on goods bought from registered retailers, with at least 2,000,000 VND per invoice, within 60 days before departure, at international airports such as Tan Son Nhat.
8. Where is the nearest mosque to Ben Thanh Market?
Saigon Central Mosque at 66 Dong Du Street, about 15 minutes’ walk from the market.
9. What time does Ben Thanh Market open?
Most stalls trade from early morning until about 18:00. Go in the morning for the calmest shopping.
10. Where can I buy halal groceries in Ho Chi Minh City?
In the Muslim quarter on Duong Ba Trac Street, Chanh Hung Ward (former District 8): Muslim Halal Mart Vietnam SA NI at No. 8 and Halal Food Quan 8 at 157B/14 sell halal groceries and snacks.
11. Is there a Ramadan market in Ho Chi Minh City?
Yes. Every Ramadan, alley 157 on Duong Ba Trac Street near Jamiul Anwar Mosque hosts a halal food market. In 2026 it ran from 18 February to 19 March; Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around 8 February.
12. Where can I buy Muslim clothing wholesale in Ho Chi Minh City?
Wholesalers such as Linda wholesale (616/61/46 Le Duc Tho, An Hoi Dong Ward) and Danny fashion house (2G Street No. 34, Binh Phu Ward) sell baju kurung, prayer garments and fabric in quantity. They are far from the centre, so phone ahead.
Photo credits: Ben Thanh Market, Ho Chi Minh City: trungydang / CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons; Stalls inside Ben Thanh Market: 源義信 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons; Clothes at Saigon Square: Fox Travels / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Updated 16 October 2026 by the Vietnam Muslim Tours team. Shop details, opening hours and VAT refund rules are checked against recent official and local sources; they can change, so we re-confirm them for every guest.
