Shopping in Nha Trang is one of the most popular activities for both tourists and locals alike. There are many shops in Nha Trang offering a variety of great mementos, sourvenirs and desirables to appease even the most avid shopper. Shopping in Nha Trang is such an exciting and fulfilling experience that you will most definately be back for more.
Seashell sellers in Nha Trang sit near the port with their interesting artefacts made out of sea shells!
To get the most out of your Nha Trang shopping exprience, take a look at out Nha Trang Shopping Guide below. Read on for some great Nha Trang souvenir ideas and learn a little more about the best places to shop in Hanoi. If hunger strikes you down during your shopping spree, stop for an energy boost at one of the Nha Trang restaurants or cafes surrounding the marketplaces. Visit our Vietnam Shopping page for information about shopping around the country.
Nha Trang Shopping Guide
Shopping in Vietnam is a treat in itself, but in an unconventional way. For there are no snazzy malls or designer outlets, just the local markets filled with things. However, from handicrafts to antiques, from war souvenirs to clothes and gems, Vietnam has pretty much everything.
The Nha Trang market located near the city centre is the main market where you can shop. It is a typical Vietnamese market with many trinkets and knick knacks. The prices in this market are reasonable, but it is always good if you know the art of bargaining. Bargaining even at fixed prices is a given here. You can easily ask for a 10 % discount if you have bought multiple items. A word of caution though - be respectful while negotiating for a discount or bargain.
The Dam market is the biggest and most popular market in Nha Trang with the locals. Most of them have their businesses here and hence find it convenient to shop around in the same vicinity. A lot of consumer goods and local handicrafts and souvenirs are sold here. Some of the local favourites are seashell souvenirs, salangane nests, dried cuttle fish and other seafood. The distinct architecture of this market attracts a lot of tourists.
Most of the tourist infrastructure is currently in the southern part of the town around Biet Thu. Cho Dam in the northern quarters is where the locals reside. Hence the density of visitors in Biet Thu and its markets is more. The tourists also visit Cho Dam market when they are in Nha Trang.
Nha Trang is not the conventional shopper's paradise, with sleek designer outlets, like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. But it still delivers a bit of retail therapy. You can browse through the daily market on Doc Lop Street for genuine art work and sea shell souvenirs. The art works are hand painted by the local artists and each is a piece for posterity. One of the highlights while shopping in Nha Trang is tailor made clothes. You can have your clothes stitched to your size by one of the many tailors in town. However, opt for a tailor recommended by the locals or other visitors.
The seashell sellers sit near the port with their interesting artefacts made out of sea shells. Outside the gates of the port, there are lines of souvenir shops in Nha Trang providing the usual gift articles. For a wider selection, Dam market is the best bet.
Typical take-home gifts that announce you have been to Vietnam are lacquer painting, embroidery, reed mats, tailor-made ao dais (female national costume) and mother-of-pearl inlay on ornaments. Of course, the trip is not complete without purchasing the ubiquitous conical hat.
You can get colourful woven bags and clothing from the tribes of the Central Highlands and from the north of the country. Local fruits are also a great buy, as some of them are not available elsewhere and even if they are they are priced highly.
VAT or Value Added Tax, is included on most items sold. Currently there is no system for foreign visitors to be able to claim this back as in some other tourist destinations.
Currency
The official currency of Vietnam is Dông (VND; symbol ₫). They come in denominations of 100, 200, 500, 1000 and so on.
Currency Exchange
As in many countries, the US dollar is the most favoured foreign currency. The Japanese, Singaporean, British, Euro, Australian and Thai currencies can be changed in the bigger cities. Exchanging other currencies can be a bit of a problem. Banks usually charge commission charges for changing money at their counters.
Shopping hours
Business hours are generally between 8.00 am and 9.00 pm daily.
Meet the team from InnoViet - we are your local connection in Nha Trang! We want your trip to Nha Trang to be a learning experience about the real Vietnam, its people and culture. We also hope that we are able to share our local knowledge with you to make your trip unforgettable!
