Sai Gon Money and Shopping
Vietnamese arts and crafts, or mass-produced resin knock-offs thereof, are sold by dozens of shops around the central tourist district. The best, most expensive items can be mostly found on Dong Khoi or the immediate side streets. The goods tend to get progressively simpler and cheaper as you move west toward Ben Thanh
market (though the best wood-carving shop is a stall on the back side of Ben Thanh). A few shops have authentic woven silk textiles from
Sapa and the north. Lacquered paintings, plates, bowls, etc. are quite striking and unique to
Vietnam. Vietnamese propaganda posters can be very impressive and offer a taste of history. When buying keep in mind that is very useful to have local currency. Be advised that banks and formal exchange businesses will provide you with a decent rate, especially when compared with agencies on the main Vui Ban street who will offer much lower rates. Goldsmith shops will also change money at decent rates, though as always it is better to know the going rate than to trust in luck.
- BoSua Local Street Wear, 55B1 Vincom Tower, Dong Khoi St, District 1, ☎ 0904142182, www.bosua.vn. 9AM-10PM. VND 145,000.
- Ginkgo T-shirts, 20, Le Loi, District 1, ☎ 0905493148, www.ginkgo-vietnam.com. 8am-11pm. Ginkgo makes original and quality souvenir t-shirts with creative designs inspired by Asian and Vietnamese cultures. Other store within District 1 is located at 56, Bui Vien. VND 210,000.
- Phuong Mai Art Gallery – The gallery focus on Vietnamese Comtemporary Original Art Works including oil painting, lacquer painting, water color painting, scupture…. Address: 129B le Thanh Ton str.,Dis.1 & 213C Dong Khoi str.,. email: info@vietnam-art.com.vn; website: www.vietnam-art.com.vn
