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 | Ho Chi Minh City Clothes Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 20 |  |
 | |  |  | Clothes: Fancy an ao-dai? | Tip Rating:   |  |  | |  |
There are many tailor shops in HCMC, especially in areas like Dong Khoi and De Tham Street that will tailor an ao-dai in 24 hours or less. Yes, at first I was a bit sceptical but how could I resist tailoring an ao-dai for a lot less than what I would pay at home for a blouse?
Get a lovely , tailor -made Vietnamese ao-dai ( say ow-yai ) for USD20 or less. These lovely dresses go for USD10 at Ben Tanh Market but they won't fit you properly as they are catered for the local sizes. I had my Ao Dai tailored at a small shop in De Tham St and it fitted me like a glove. Naturally, I choose Vietnamese Silk as they have a very lovely sheen. Needless to say, drive a hard bargain. I got mine at a US20 or so after I agreed to make 2 suits. Just walk away if you feel that the price is not right. But take this advice with a pinch of salt, afterall, some of my friends have commented that I'm the customer from hell. Tip update: Though there are a number of good tailors in De Tham St, you can go to "Nha May Cuong" owned by Mr Cuong. He has shops at 59 Ly Tu Truong and at 247 Le Thanh Ton. Best of all, this tailor will escort you to Ben Thanh Market to help you select the fabric first. Another fine choice is Albert Thanh, whose shop is at 22 Vo Van Tan Street District 3. Note:I'm tempted to remove this tip. Honestly, after I posted this, I received more than a thousand emails asking me how much a tailor-made suit or dress would cost. To be honest, I don't know since I'm pretty much a pret a porter girl when it comes to western dress. I've only tailored traditional dresses like the ao-dai, cheong sum and the kebaya since these dresses need to fit like a glove and will not be available in your average calvin klein store.
Do expect to pay about USD 30- 40 per ao-dai. cp Leave a Comment Theme: Women's ClothesDirections: See tip above
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| | | | Clothes: Miss Saigon in Modern Day! | Tip Rating: | | | | |
When you are in Saigon, do get an ao-dai tailored within 24 hours. A traditional ao-dai would take about 6 hours to be made. When you are there, try to ask for "party" ao-dai. This type of ao-dai combines the "East-Meets-West" design. Something that you can bring back to your hometown to wear during your friends' weddings or important functions and dinners. A good seamstress is able to produce a set that fits you on the first trial. The seamstress that did mine was fantastic - she personally came down to my hotel to see whether the ao-dai fits me or not and let me select the type of embroidery design. In all, I made one traditional set and two "party" sets!
Don't be fooled when the shopkeeper tells you that he/she can do embroidery on Vietnamese silk - either he/she is cheating you on the material or you're going to get a big hole. Embroidery can be done on Thai Silk or Organza. Non-pure silk can take embroidery work. If you like hand-painting, only polyester material can take such works. Embroidery can be done within a day. Don't be fooled if the shopkeeper says that it would take 3 days - unless you are sewing a picture of Angkor Wat or Statue of Liberty on the :"apron". You may have heard or read from other postings not to pay more than USD 25 for an ao-dai. Well, it is true to some extent. However, do note that you get what you pay. A good tailored ao-dai can cost up to USD 70. Depending on your budget and your expectation of what you want, do go around and shop for a good tailor or shop that sells quality fabric. Do note that not all so-called Vietnamese silk is pure silk. For the amount I paid, the tailor used pure Thai Silk (as Vietnamese silk is not able to hold embroidery) and quality organza. In addition, the embroidery is good worksmanship and the tailor personally delivered the ao-dai to my hotel so that she can see whether it fits me nicely. If not, she would go back to do re-adjustment.
An exquisite "party" Ao-dai with lots of details and good materials costs less than USD40, depending on the design, materials and length of time for completion. My "party" ao-dai was rushed out within 24 hours at USD 35. The embroidery work is fantastic. The seamstress actually did a masterpiece of Vietnam's national flower - Lotus on the front "apron". Leave a Comment Theme: Women's ClothesAddress: 1st, Thanh Duc, Ben Luc, Long An, VietnamPhone: 072-631626Directions: The Silkco Ltd is located at the Handicrafts Village, if you are on the way to Mekong River. However, it has a branch in HCMC. Give the shop a call and they can direct you to its shop in HCMC. You will get a better price if you make more than one set.Other Contact: baosilk@hcm.vnn.vn
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| | | | Clothes: Tshirts, shirts, jeans, trousers...you name it ! | Tip Rating: | | | | |
The nice ladies (Ms Hiew and her sister Ms Vicky) are so helpful in your selection of the shirts,pants and all types of clothes. Speaks wonderful English and helpful in many ways. Ah...prices of the shirts, depends on the quantity you buy. I was there 2 consecutive days buying t-shirts and t-shirts at BARGAINABLE prices. You got to check this place out and if the price fancies you, buy your tshirts, sportswear, pants from here. You don;t need to go anywhere else Ms Hiew and Vicky's aunt - Nga, is also so helpful. But she can't speak English but gives all kinds of ideas what you may want to buy. (Note: You have to get a size larger to allow for "shrinkage". My mistake, I didn't know this until I machine washed the tshirts)
All types of clothes - Shirts, sport shirts, women sport shirts, pants, working shirts, khakis, shorts.
Ooo... you have to bargain the best price. I think I got the best price for my shirts....but then again, you may get better prices. Leave a Comment Theme: OtherAddress: Gate South Ben ThanhPhone: 0908.257200Directions: Shop 264-266 (number printed clearly on shoplot) You enter the main entrance of Ben Thanh and walk a couple of paces before you see the rows starting/ending with 200 plus. You'll find the Shop easilyWebsite: vickyduonggvn@yahoo.com
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| | | | Clothes: Go Ahead, spoil yourself and your friends. | Tip Rating:  | | | | |
This is a perfect place to pick up silk, mens suits, womens clothing and more. The silk robes are perfect gifts. The "ao dais", a long gown with slits on either side that is the traditional woman's dress of Vietnam, the blouses and dresses where the best I found anywhere in the country or for that matter south east Asia. Ask for Ms. Nguyet Yen. If she still works there you will have an exceptional experience at the hands of a very lovely young woman. I bought something here for a girlfirend, an ex-girlfirends, a daughter, my ex-wife, my Vietnamese hairdresser and a good friend. All agreed it was one of the nicest gifts I or anyone had given them. Come on - any time you please six women something is working right. THe Nam Phan's are a family that also own at least two of the better restaurants in HCM City.
The traditional "ao dai", a long gown with slits on either side Custom tailored pants, coat or suit Intimate wear Silk Robes Blouses - formal and casual Anything else that strikes your fancy. Be sure to go upstairs!!!!!!!!!!
I paid about $250 American for mine and I got a lot ( I mean over six high quality items) of stuff. Theme: Women's ClothesAddress: 38 Dong Khoi Street, District 1, HCM City, VietnamPhone: (84-8)829 3968Directions: District one HCM City - ask for Nguyet Yen No pictures, a bar girl stole my camera on my first night there.
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