The main rule of shopping in Ho Chi Minh City, as the tourist reviews will tell you, is bargaining. Bargain everywhere and with everyone. Practice shows that Vietnamese sellers initially quote exorbitant prices. You can "knock them down" at least threefold.
The largest shopping centers in Ho Chi Minh City are located in District 1. These are Parkson, Vincom Center, Zen Center, and Square Shopping Center. You'll find everything from designer clothes to cheap souvenirs.
The best shopping center in Ho Chi Minh City is Diamond Plaza. It's on Pham Ngoc Thach Street in District 1, right opposite the bus stop. The first floor of the mall is occupied by boutiques with expensive jewelry and natural cosmetics. The rest of the floors are only branded clothing, footwear, sporting goods and toy stores.
Any reviews of shopping in Ho Chi Minh City will lead you to one of the local markets: Ben Thanh, Qui Hoa or Minh Phung. The first one is daytime and the latter two are night markets. There's just tons of Asian delicacies, skillful brand knock-offs and other trivia.
There are no outlet malls in Ho Chi Minh City or near Ho Chi Minh City. Malls have absolutely failed to take root in Vietnam. They have been completely supplanted by markets where you can buy things much cheaper, albeit not branded.
What to bring from a shopping tour in Ho Chi Minh City as a gift for yourself and your family? In Vietnam very cheap pearls (the best quality - from Phu Quoc Island), silver and jewelry with sapphires. As souvenirs bring ceramic dishes, silk, bags and purses made of crocodile or python, coffee and Asian spices.
