Russian Market in Ho Chi Minh: History, What Things to Buy

Russian Market in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnamese: Chợ Nga) attracts many domestic and foreign tourists to visit and buy. The corner reminds people who have lived in Soviet Unions about their second home country. Furthermore, the market has become a favorite place to buy winter clothing, accessories and products made in Russia. Although there are more and more markets and shopping centers open in former Saigon Vietnam, the Russian Market in Ho Chi Minh City is still a favourite place for thousands of customers every day thanks to good location, prices, quality service.

Location: Central Garden Building at 328 Vo Van Kiet, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 09:00 am – 07:00 pm daily

1. History of Russian Market in Ho Chi Minh City:

The Russian Market in Ho Chi Minh City was sstarted in 2000 by Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong. He was a Vietnamese soldier who was sent to Russia for pilot training from 1982 to 1986. When he returned to Vietnam, he decided to open a store in Tax Trading Center, then moved to Saigon Square.

In 2000, Mr. Cuong opened a store in the Central Garden building and called his friends and vendors who were selling Russian products to locals and Vietnamese products to Russian partners to join the “Russian Market”.

Through many ups and downs, the 3 floor of the Central Garden Building has become a market that attracts lots of locals and foreigners including expats and tourists. In the past, Russian products, especially winter clothes could be found at Tax Trading Center. After Local Gorvernment Closed the Tax Center, most of the sellers moved to the Russian Market.

In 2009, Tong Linh Giang Joint Stock Company decided to invest the money for renovation of the market, which then attracts vendors selling Russian products, and winter clothing in Tax Center and other places in Saigon.

2. Why is it called "Russian Market" in Saigon?

It is called the name "Russian Market" because there are selling a lot of diverse products, most of them made from Russia including fashion clothes, handicrafts, ... People call it the Russian market because this is the trading point of goods produced in Vietnam, then exported to Russia as well as specialties from Russia imported to Vietnam.

The market is like a miniature of Soviet Unions in the center of Ho Chi Minh City. There is a Russian atmosphere from the exterior decoration to the inside. Moreover, you can find in this market most of the sellers used to study and work in Soviet Unions. They can speak several languages like Vietnamese, English, and even Russian.

3. What to buy at the Russian Market in Saigon?

The Russian market has nearly 200 stalls selling all kinds of goods from warm clothes, food to typical Russian souvenirs. The main products are warm clothes produced in Vietnam for export to the countries which have cold weather such as Russia, Korea, etc.

Walking along the stall selling warm clothes, visitors think that they are walking in shops in Russia because all the stores are hanging billboards in Russian. The items sold at the Russian market are all high-quality Vietnamese goods, exported to Russia and Eastern European countries, and are very popular in foreign markets. The prices at the market are also very affordable for the budget traveler. Moreover, most of the items have listed prices so it is easy to buy.

Besides clothes from Russia, you can find many other products from Russia as well as from other countries such as the USA, Australia, Japan, Korea, and Thailand. Here customers can find Russian souvenirs such as Matryoshka dolls, nesting dolls as well as the famous Raffaello chocolates, sunflower seeds, canned foods including salted herring and canned peach, Russian dumplings, BBQ shashlik marinate spices, caviar, cured pork fat, ketchup, etc.

5. How to Get to Russian Market in Ho Chi Minh City?

Russian Market is located in city center at 328 Vo Van Kiet Street, Co Giang Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Location is only about 2 km from Ben Thanh Market, 2.5 km from Saigon Opera House, so it is easy to reach the market by grab taxi that costs VND 16,000/km or motorbike taxi which costs VND 5,000/km. You can also download Google Map Photo for dirrections to walk there on foot.

6. Tips for the best shopping experience in Russian Market:

If you are intending to visit or buy some goods in the Russian market, here are some of travel experiences of buying things in the market you can refer to:

When shopping at the Russian market, wear low-heeled shoes, and comfortable clothes because the aisles in the market are very narrow. Wearing comfortable clothes helps sightseeing and shopping more enjoyable.
Prepare cash for shopping at the market as most of the sellers accept cash only. You have to be extremely careful because the market is crowded and it is easy to be stolen.
Do not wear expensive jewelry, furniture, personal belongings, phones, wallets as you can be stolen as well.
Russian Market is famous for its big size clothes for foreigners and tall people who find it difficult to buy medium-sized clothes at Vietnamese markets.
Sellers at this market are very friendly, approachable and do not entice customers or cut off like other markets in Saigon. However, you should still be careful, consult the prices around the market to find the stalls selling the best prices.
If you want to find a place to relax and enjoy some Russian culture. Café Shops and Restaurant here will be the right choice to try amazing Russian specialty foods cooked by experienced chefs in a warm atmosphere.

Today the Russian market is not only a major trading center for Vietnamese and Russian businesses but many domestic and foreign travel agencies have also included this market in the list of places to visit for Vietnam Itinerary. Russian market contributes to promoting economic development and building a sustainable friendship relationship in all aspects between Vietnam and Russia.

Adventure Journey

See Also: