When it comes to touring Southeast Asia, which particularly city do you think is ideal for shopping? In recent times, a booming fashion scene backed with strong social media exposure and promotions is turning Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam as a major shopping hotspot and the shopping craze there is only intensifying, according to an article by VnExpress.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the article of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…
Ho Chi Minh City is quickly becoming a shopping hotspot, thanks to a booming fashion scene that has been promoted widely on TikTok and Instagram as both affordable and accessible.
Chloe, a 22-year-old traveler from Australia, arrived on Tran Quang Dieu Street at the end of September with an empty suitcase and spent nearly US$800 in a single afternoon on clothes.
She planned to stay in Vietnam for a few weeks before returning home, saying: “I was inspired by a TikToker who came here with an empty suitcase just to fill it by shopping here.”
“The clothing quality is incredible, and everything is so cheap it feels surreal. It is like paradise for me.”
Recently, Ho Chi Minh City earned a spot among the 50 most attractive shopping destinations globally in a ranking by Travel and Tour World, a leading Indian travel publication.
The city is an ideal destination for travelers seeking handcrafted goods, textiles, and Vietnamese-style fashion, the report said.
Chloe is far from the only tourist visiting just for shopping.
Jasmine, a 26-year-old from Malaysia, says she travels to Vietnam specifically to buy clothes worn by her favorite idols.
“I am a huge K-pop fan, and I think Vietnamese clothing not only makes it easy to connect with my idols, but walking the fashion streets here also makes me feel amazing.”
She says she discovers brands and shopping locations primarily through Instagram, adding, “Every time I try on something here, I know I can afford it.”
Tina Yong, a prominent content creator with nearly four million followers, whose viral “Vietnam Haul” videos have helped put the local scene on the global map, points out that the appeal lies in discovery.
“People love discovering a brand they haven’t seen everywhere already.
“The designs are what catch my eye first, but the quality is what makes me go back.”
Other visitors echo this sentiment.
A visitor from Singapore says Vietnamese clothing craftsmanship is remarkable. She says she can buy about 10 times as many trendy items in Ho Chi Minh City, and for a fraction of the cost back home.
According to U.K. magazine Conde Nast Traveller, Vietnamese retail stands out for its high-quality craftsmanship and use of the same production lines as global brands like Nike and GAP at a cost that is a fraction of western retail prices.
The rise in foreign shopper numbers has changed how local boutique owners run their stores.
Nguyen Huu Hoang, 22, consultant for a shop on Le Van Sy, a famous retail street in HCMC, says foreigners make up 80-90% of his shop’s clientele, most of them walk-in customers.
To reach them, his brands focus on Instagram, posting regular “fit-check” videos to turn online views into real store visits.
For added insight about shopping in HCMC, watch the video below.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Ho Chi Minh City’s strong appeal as a major fashion and shopping hot spot will last for several years and contribute a lot to the economy of Vietnam? Do you personally know anyone who visited Vietnam mainly for shopping? Do you think there are lots of people who are too influenced by social media to come to go overseas with shopping in mind?
You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.
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