When it comes to shopping in Hanoi, visitors are easily amazed by a mixture of the emerging modernism of a quickly developing city and the traditional aspect of the old town. You will never be stuck for something to do in Hanoi, where ancient and proudly preserved Vietnamese culture is felt most keenly by visitors. In case you don’t have much time shopping around, these are the typical places that you can choose to visit as they reflect the truest local taste and essences of Hanoi’s heritage.
1. Collective Memory
In our understanding, collective memory is far from an intangible thing. It is touchable. Visible. Usable. Edible. Smell-able. Collectable and Memorable. The concept comes from a collective cultural mindset that values local identity over global homogenization, originality over cliche, and quality over quantity.
Founded by a Vietnamese duo of travel writer and photographer, the concept for Collective Memory emerged from a shared enthusiasm for Vietnamese culture. While constantly on the move for assignments, the creators use these opportunities to scour the country for the best products that Vietnam can offer.
The concept brings together authentic and high-quality brands under one roof. While individually each brand has its own unique story, a collective of brands forms a larger narrative about a country that is constantly evolving.
Collective Memory styles itself on the idea of an independent and locally made magazine targeted to a global audience. Just as a magazine approaches its editorial content, Collective Memory plans to regularly curate its artifacts and product lineup in order to celebrate an ever-changing pool of local talent. It’s a hybrid between a mini salon-style gallery and a museum-style concept store.
Located centrally at 20 Nha Chung (historically known as Rue de la Mission), just a stone’s throw from the imposing St Joseph’s Cathedral, Collective Memory is in the heart of Hanoi’s Parisian-style chic designer district.
Address: 12 Nhà Chung, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội 10000
Hours: 9:30AM - 7PM
Phone: 098 647 42 43
Distance from our hotel: 900 m - 10 min walk
2. Shop Craft Link
Craft Link is a Vietnamese not – for – profit Fair trade organization which helps traditional craft producers to revive their culture and improve their livelihoods through handicraft production and marketing.
All groups with which Craft Link works meet basic criteria such as fair wages, environmental and employee safety. Craft Link does not work with state-owned factories or joint-venture organizations because these groups already have access to market opportunities. Craft Link works as closely as possible with the people who actually produce the handicrafts.
Craft Link gives preference to producers who are marginalized or disadvantaged, such as ethnic minority people in remote areas, street children, and people with disabilities. Producer groups, organizations, or small businesses that are investing in the handicraft producers' social welfare and not simply treating them as a means of production are given preference.
Nonprofit shop offering clothing & housewares made by ethnic minorities & disadvantaged groups.
Address: 43 &, 51 Văn Miếu, Đống Đa, Hà Nội
Hours: 9AM - 6PM
Phone: 024 3733 6101
Distance from our hotel: 2.2 km - 10 min by car
3. Tanmy Design
TanMy Design is an airy, 3-level store offering stylish housewares, apparel & jewelry from Vietnamese designers.
Founded in 2009, opposite to Tan My shop 66 Hang Gai, Tanmy Design has become the first choice for lovers of fashion, art and homeware products. The store is located in a three-storey French building with the ancient architecture of Hanoi combined with the modern interior design, bringing new breath to the traditional Tan My brand.
Products in Tanmy Design as well as the design of the building are traditional but still unique and novel. The products designed by the top fashion, interior, jewelry deisngers from Vietnam, Italy, France, USA, Japan, Indonesia, etc.. using materials and made in Vietnam. Looking at the embroidered pillows with "unique" patterns or handicrafts of ethnic minority, you will be amazed by the variety of our items.
Address: 61 Hàng Gai, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội 10000
Hours: 8AM - 8PM
Phone: 024 3938 1154
Distance from our hotel: 500 m - 5 min walk
4. Ajisai Vietnam
Ajisai Vietnam Co., Ltd. was established on July 1, 2013, specializing in souvenir products, book bags, silk scarves and the system of Sushi restaurants and Vietnamese dishes in Hanoi and Hoi An ancient town (Quang Nam).
With a variety of designs, many dishes of regional cuisine, experienced management team and professional hard working staff, Ajisai Vietnam Co., Ltd. brings you quality products, delicious food, with reasonable prices to meet the needs of customers.
Currently, the main branch of Ajisai Vietnam Co., Ltd. is located at: 12 Church, Hang Trong Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
With the desire to bring customers the best products, the most attentive service and gain customer satisfaction, Ajisai Vietnam Co., Ltd. is trying to perfect ourselves from time to time to create and win customers' trust.
Address: 8 Nhà Chung, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Hours: 9AM - 8PM
Phone: 024 3938 0219
Distance from our hotel: 900 m - 10 min walk
5. Chie Handmade
Established in 2011, Chie Tây Bắc is a fair - trade business specializing in providing handicraft items that are self-designed and handmade from ethnic brocades. Up to now, Chie handmade has 3 shops that are located in Hang Trong and Hang Gai streets and very near the Old Quarter. The shop focuses on producing and selling handicrafts that are handmade from ethnic minority groups’ brocade in North West of Vietnam. Our mission: & To preserve the Vietnamese traditional hand weaving & To create jobs for the ethnic minority women & to deliver handicrafts of highest quality to customers.
Address: 66 Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Hours: 8:30AM - 9PM
Phone: 091 268 49 50
Distance from our hotel: 700 m - 9 min walk
6. Dong Xuan Market
Established in 1889, Dong Xuan Market is housed within a four-storey Soviet-style building on the northern edge of Hanoi Old Quarter. It’s also known as Hanoi’s largest indoor market, offering a wide range of goods such as fresh produce, souvenirs, accessories and clothing, as well as electronic and household appliances.
Dong Xuan Market has a bustling wet market section on the ground floor, where locals shop for seafood, meat, and vegetables while the back section sells an array of pets (cats, dogs, and fish) and fresh flowers from all across Vietnam. If you’re looking to shop for souvenirs, head to the upper levels, where you can find numerous stalls selling tee shirts, fabrics, school uniforms, handbags, handicrafts, all of which are sold at wholesale prices.
There’s also a massive dining area within Dong Xuan Market, with food vendors selling Vietnamese coffee and exotic local dishes for as low as VND 15,000. Highly recommended dishes include tiet canh (duck blood soup), fried frog, bun cha (marinated grilled pork served with noodles), and banh cuon (rolled cake).
Opening Hours: Daily 06:00 - 19:00
Address: Dong Xuan Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Distance from our hotel: 1.1 km - 5 min by car - 13 min walk