The worldwide appeal of Ho Chi Minh City is reflected in its selection of top shopping malls. From the yesteryear charm of Vincom Center A to the modernity of ICON68, malls in Saigon are as eclectic and unique as the city’s residents.
Though not as renowned or recognized as Milan, New York, or Paris, Ho Chi Minh is a terrific shopping destination for any budget and tastes. Its impact on commerce is only becoming more and more pronounced. To help you get the most out of your shopping escapades, let’s look at the best malls in HCMC and the type of attractions each one possesses.
In addition to modern shopping malls, and for even better deals on local goods, add one of Saigon’s colorful markets to your shopping spree. But unlike the stores listed below, the vendors in the markets rarely take credit cards.
For those who’ll be visiting the capital city to the north on your holiday, discover the top shopping malls in Hanoi.
In no particular order, here are the best shopping centers in Ho Chi Minh City:
Saigon Square – District 1
Located 3-minutes away from Ben Thanh Market, Saigon Square is one of the busiest malls in HCMC. Famous for its abundance of clothes, jewelry, and household items, this bustling mall is famous for its reasonable prices and bartering culture. Saigon Square is hugely popular with both locals and tourists – so expect a bustling atmosphere with plenty of character.
Keep your wits about you, though, and be sure to politely interact with vendors to get the best possible bargain. In addition to its eclectic range and cheap prices, Saigon Square is also fully air-conditioned – proving relief from the intense heat of Ho Chi Minh City during the apex of summer. There are also plenty of food and drinks stalls nearby for some post-shopping refreshments.
Saigon Square is located on the corner of Nam Kỳ Khởi and Le Loi. The mall was opened in 2000 and is open from 8 am until 10 pm.
Vincom Center A & B – District 1
This opulent-looking mall is so expansive that it’s divided between two main buildings: Vincom Center A and Vincom Center B. Whilst there are distinct architectural differences between the two, both offer a world-class shopping experience.
Housed in an ornate, French-style building, Vincom Center A epitomizes luxury shopping in Vietnam. Iconic fashion brands line the Baroque window fronts and the smells of expensive perfume draft through the pristine hallways. Upscale apparel isn’t the only strong point of the Vincom Center A, however, as it also boasts a number of electronic stores and unique household shops.
There’s even a kids’ area on the basement level, along with several food outlets – including the famous Paris Baguette, one of the bakery chains found around the city. Vincom Center A is located at 171 Dong Khoi and is open from 9 am until 10 pm.
Vincom Center B is in stark contrast to the old-world glamour of its neighbor. Located in a formidable glass skyscraper, its panoramic windows were designed to let in as much natural light as possible. Though the building encompasses 26 stories, only a handful are dedicated to the Vincom Center B Mall.
Visitors can find everything from fashion, to technology, to entertainment outlets along with a supermarket, a cinema, and even a health clinic. Center B certainly feels like the more modern of the two and it covers a much larger space. For refreshments, visitors have an eclectic range of restaurants to choose from including Thai, Japanese, Italian, and American food outlets.
Vincom Center B is located at 72 Lê Thánh Tôn Street, a short distance away from the Saigon River. The mall is located in a 26-story skyscraper and opened in 2010. It has the same opening hours as Vincom Center A.
Diamond Plaza – District 1
The luxurious Diamond Plaza opened its doors to the public in 1999 and is situated in front of a glass skyscraper. Located in the heart of District 1, this impressive shopping center offers a variety of electronic, cosmetic, and entertainment stores. Its classy colonial appearance meshes well with the old-world charm of nearby Notre Dame Cathedral and the lush greenery of April 30th Park.
Diamond Plaza offers shopping facilities that are nothing short of world-class. The first floor is dedicated to cosmetics and jewelry, whereas the second floor is where designer clothing is housed. Shopping isn’t the only major attraction, as Diamond Plaza is also home to a bowling alley, a cinema, and an arcade – making it ideal for relaxed indoor recreation.
It’s best to head to the cinema during the quieter midweek period. SuperBowl Vietnam, the in-house bowling alley, has 32 lanes, meaning that there is usually some space no matter what the time of the week. The shopping center is located at 34 Le Duan Street – just a few blocks away from the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Saigon Post Office. It’s open from 9:30 am until 10 pm.
Saigon Garden Malls – District 12
The unique Saigon Garden Mall is notable for its eye-catching design and status as HCMC’s greenest shopping facility. The Garden Mall achieves the perfect equilibrium between urban and rural. The luscious outside greenery gives it an eco-friendly touch whereas its trendy shops and modernized amenities are distinctly 21st-century.
The first floor is mostly dedicated to food outlets. Upstairs on floor two, visitors can immerse themselves in culture by visiting HCMC’s largest bookstores – where over 50,000 books can be found. Other facilities include the 150-seat Theatre de Cholon, where a variety of traditional Vietnamese performing arts are held, and the One Club Fitness and Yoga Center.
An all-encompassing, comprehensive shopping and cultural facility, the Saigon Garden Mall is a highlight of Ho Chi Minh City commerce. It’s located at 190 Hong Bang Street in District 12.
ICON68 – District 1
The soaring Bitexco Financial Tower houses the acclaimed ICON68 Mall, located in the heart of District 1. The six-story mall is home to some of the world’s finest brands and shops. Whether you wish to treat yourself to a new mobile phone or simply window shop at the luxury stores, ICON68 has something for everybody.
Like most Saigon Malls, ICON68 possesses an eclectic food court on its upper floors, however, a unique feature within the building is the Saigon Skydeck – a stunning observation deck offering panoramic views of the city. Despite its relatively recent construction, ICON68 has already become one of HCMC’s finest malls.
If you’re looking for somewhere to splash the cash and treat yourself, be sure to head there and enjoy all of their opulent offerings. ICON68 is open from 9:30 am until 9:30 pm during the week, with an extra hour added on during weekends.
Takashimaya (Saigon Center) – District 1
Ho Chi Minh’s Saigon Center can be found in District 1 and is also referred to as Takashimaya HCMC. The first Japanese department store in the city, Takashimaya features a global product range and classy, high-end architecture. The malls’ architectural splendor is reflected in its line of shops.
Here, shoppers have access to luxury makeup, fashion, and recreational brands from all over the world. From fine European footwear to cutting-edge Japanese technology, there’s no shortage of places to spend your money in style.
The upper floors of the Takashimaya Mall are dedicated to an expansive food court – consisting of mainly Japanese and Vietnamese outlets. A relaxed, posh, and stately mall, the Takashimaya Mall is perfect for those looking to indulge in some retail therapy in Ho Chi Minh City. This mall is open from 9:30 am to 9: 30 pm daily.
Landmark 81 – Binh Thanh
In July 2018, Vietnam welcomed its tallest building to the public – the 481.5 meters (1,513 ft) Landmark 81 building. The skyscraper was built and primarily funded by Vietnamese real estate giants Vinhomes and can be found on the banks of the Saigon River in the Binh Thanh District.
Shopping at Vincom Center Landmark 81, the building’s in-house mall covers 6 floors for a total area of 59,000 m2. As you’d expect, the mall is lined with world-famous brands and has all the bells and whistles of a modern supermall. Visitors have plenty of choices when it comes to satisfying their fashion, jewelry, kitchenware, and recreational needs.
The massive mall caters not only to adults but kids as well thanks to the huge Funnyland Toystore – where kids can view toys from all over the world. In addition to the abundance of retail choices, Landmark 81 also houses the CGV Cineplex, the Vincom Ice Rink (the largest rink in the country) as well over 30 restaurants of several worldwide cuisines.
Your trip to Landmark 81 would not be complete without a visit to the observation deck. Located on the three highest floors of the building, visitors will be treated to spectacular views of the city, the flowing Saigon River, and beyond. Level 79 features a coffee lounge where visitors can sit back, relax, and observe the unrivaled view. Landmark 81’s mall is open from 9:30 am until 10 pm.
Pearl Plaza – District 2 & Binh Thanh
The Pearl Plaza malls are located in District 1 and 2 respectively. Although they greatly differ in terms of size, they both offer unique shopping experiences.
Pearl Plaza Thao Dien in District 2 is a small mall located in the heart of a backpacking district, Pearl Plaza 1 offers shops and a UFC Gym for visitors to keep fit. Pearl Plaza 2 in Binh Thanh district is much larger than Pearl Plaza 1, offering a larger range of shops, along with additional amenities for those living in the apartments above.
HCMC has plenty of unique and stunning malls. As its economy continues to grow, shoppers will be spoilt for choice when it comes to spending their money and time. With a wide range of stores, activities, and restaurants, these big malls truly cater to every type of shopper. Housed in some of the tallest buildings in Vietnam, a trip to any of these locations is sure to be a fun-filled time.