Shopping for clothing and suits in Vietnam
Hoi An is famous across the world for its tailors
Vietnam is a great country for clothes shopping, because of the innovative designs, cheap prices and generally high standard of workmanship. The only problem is that it’s often difficult to find big sizes, as most clothing is made for the domestic market, and Vietnamese are much smaller than Westerners.
Whether it’s casual clothes or a tailor-made suit you are after, you’ll find a huge selection of ready-made garments or fabric sold by the metre from which to choose. Shoes are also reasonably cheap, though the quality is not always great and, as with garments, finding large sizes can be tricky.
Though silk is the most popular material for visitors to have clothes tailor-made, keep in mind that it can be uncomfortably hot in the tropics, since the weave is so tight that the material can hardly breathe. It’s no problem if you plan to wear the garment back at home, but if you’re looking for something to wear while in Vietnam, consider having the item made of cotton, which is cheaper and generally more comfortable in a hot climate.
If you want to have a suit, dress or ao dai made, get it done in Hanoi, Hoi An or Ho Chi Minh City, where you’ll find hundreds of tailors waiting for your business, all offering prices that are much cheaper than back home. If you plan to order several pieces, it’s a good idea to get just one made first to check the quality, then have the rest made once you’re sure of the tailor’s ability.
Getting fitted for a suit in Vietnam is generally great fun as you get to look through glossy magazines and choose from the latest designs of European designers such as Giorgio Armani and Hugo Boss. Then pick from a variety of great local fabrics and your tailor will measure you up in a jiffy. A quick return for a fitting the next day should iron out any impending issues, and then you are free to collect your finished purchase whenever is convenient.
Of course, it is wise not to pick up clothes on your way to the airport in case there are any problems with the fit which must be addressed. But many tailors will post parcels of clothes home for Western customers, and once your measurements are on file you can request more to be sent by phone or internet at any time in the future.
Apart from tailor-made suits, some of the most popular items of clothing that visitors buy are T-shirts with a picture of Uncle Ho or a yellow star on a scarlet background (the Vietnamese flag), though designs may include Vietnamese scenes such as cyclos and farmers in conical hats.
Also popular are jackets and bags embroidered with colourful designs by the ethnic minorities. While there’s no denying that such items are striking and are likely to impress your friends, take care when wearing such items, especially those dyed with indigo, as there’s a danger your skin will be a dark shade of blue when you take it off. To prevent such problems, steep the garment in salt water for 24 hours then dry it thoroughly before wearing.
