XQ Saigon

Handmade embroidered pictures require plenty of skill and patience. XQ Saigon at 52 Pham Hong Thai Street in District 1 is a famous shop selling these works. XQ was set up by Vo Van Quan and his wife Hoang Le Xuan. XQ now has three shops in HCM City. Embroidered XQ pictures depict subjects as diverse as landscapes and portraits. At XQ Saigon, visitors are briefed on the history of the embroidery trade while having tea. In some cases, it takes an artisan three months to finish a single work. At XQ, an embroidered picture is for sale after it passes strict quality tests. 

Saigon Jewelry Center 

SJC and PNJ are the two top jewelry makers and they have shops in the list of 22 shops of tourism service standard. What is special about the products of these two companies is that they are handmade. At the Saigon Jewelry Center at 66 ter Le Loi Street, District 1, visitors can choose products on display or have their favorite items customized.

My Nghe Phuong Nam

My Nghe Phuong Nam on 219 Nguyen Trai Street, District 1, is a favorite address for tour operators serving tourists in groups. The shop offers customers a wide choice of handicrafts, from lacquerware paintings and jewelry cases to furniture. Visitors are guided to the shop's in-house factory where lacquerware products are made.

Handicrafts From The Handicapped

A business that has handicapped people carrying out its key tasks has been recognized by HCM City Service of

Tourism as one of the 22 top shopping venues for tourists. The center specializes in producing and trading handicrafts made by its handicapped workers. A part of 27-7 Company, the 27-7 Product Advertising Showroom (Trung tam Quang cao va Trung bay San pham 27-7) is attracting more attention from tourists.

From materials such as bamboo, rattan, fern, cypress, seaweed and eggshell, the craftspeople at the center create jewelry boxes, bowls, baskets, wooden shoes, lacquer paintings, and the like. These products bear a Vietnamese style and are favored by tourists who visit the center. Tran Thanh Tam, 27, a worker with a deformity in her leg, says that every day she has to assemble pieces of processed eggshell for a set of four small pictures of different topics. It takes about two months to complete a lacquer painting.

At the center, visitors can find lovely souvenirs or export products like wine cabinets and 11-drawer chests for interior decoration. They can also watch the people make beautiful and subtle products.

Every three days, the center launches a new design. The center is exporting its products to many countries. In particular, ceramics and lacquerware are exported to Japan, and antiquated porcelain vases with stone powder of mossy color are exported to Germany.

Phan Huu Dinh, the center manager, says its next big step is to build in its yard a restaurant featuring southern-style dishes.

27-7 Product Advertising Showroom
Address: 153 Xo Viet Nghe Tinh St., Ward 17, Binh Thanh District, HCM City.
Tel: 8408351.

Khaisilk   

Khaisilk shops at 107 and 38 Dong Khoi Street, District 1, offer high-class fabrics and gowns, especially Vietnamese dresses, suits, scarves and handbags. The designs at Khaisilk are elegant and not too complicated.

My Nghe Dong Phuong

Traveling on Le Duan Street in the direction of Saigon Zoo, you will reach a three-way intersection. On your right is Le Van Huu Street, and along it, not far from the intersection, is My Nghe Dong Phuong Shop.

Here, you can find favorite souvenirs among an abundance of items. There are statues of Buddha, statues of the gods of luck, prosperity and longevity; sofas made of precious hardwood; and lacquer paintings in single units or sets with different topics such as countryside landscapes and a woman with flowers.

In particular, you can also find bracelets and necklaces from Russia. They are made of amber. An assistant says that these products serve as body ornaments and can also reduce blood pressure.

Silver ornaments, handbags, and wallets made of crocodile leather are also available.

Address: 5 Le Van Huu St., District 1, HCM City
Tel: 8228668

Saigon Woolen Carpet and Embroidery Shop

Handily located in downtown HCM City, the Saigon Woolen Carpet and Embroidery Shop is an essential stopping point for tourists.

The shop sells mainly woollen carpets, silk carpets and hand-embroidered pictures. Other items on sale are oil paintings, ceramics, and bamboo and rattan handicrafts.

The woollen carpets of this shop are made completely from natural materials such as sheep wool, cotton and silk. They are much favored by foreigners.

The products are exported to Russia, France, the United States, Germany, Australia, Hungary, Pakistan, Japan, and more.

The shop belongs to Saigon Export Woollen Carpet Factory.

Address: 14 Nguyen Hue St., District 1, HCM City
Tel: 8244803

Creations

On Dong Khoi Street, HCM City's premier downtown shopping street, Creations Shop is well-placed to offer tourists garments made mainly of silk. The wide range of goods on sale includes scarves, ao dai, night dresses, and wedding dresses. There are different sizes for customers to choose. At this shop, tourists can have a set of garments made with their own measurements.

Apart from garments, wallets are also available. They are made of silk, bear different styles, and are decorated with colored plastic beads.

Employees at the shop can speak Japanese.

Address: 105 Dong Khoi St., District 1, HCM City