Hanoi is a great place for shopping.  There are lots of things to buy at very reasonable prices.  Most stores are concentrated in the old quarter.  For silk and other clothes, walk down Hang Gai.  The street in front of the big French cathedral, Nha Tho, also has some nice shops.

Clothes-

Song (5 Nha Tho)-my favorite with beautiful designs from Australian designer.  There’s also a shop in Australia, and prices reflect that.


Khai Silk (121 Nguyen Thai Hoc)- very high quality silk and linen clothing with innovative designs and price tags to match.  There are several branches, but the headquarters with three floors has the widest selection.


F Silk (40D Hang Manh)- also high quality with innovative designs, a little cheaper than Khai Silk.  Other branches in Hanoi Towers and on Hang Gai.


Thuy An (179 Hang Bong)- quality silk but few designs.  If you know what you want and just need the cloth and tailor, this place has reasonable prices.


Co (18 Nha Tho)- very good tailor for both men and women when you know what you want to get made.  Good work, but are not fast.

Crafts-

Craft Link (43 Van Mieu)-not-for-profit store that serves as an outlet for ethnic minority products.


Lan Vietnamese Handicrafts (4b Yen The)- not-for-profit that provides education and training for young handicapped people. Specializes in quilts but also has other smaller items like hand-made cards and small dolls.


Craft Window (99 Nguyen Thai Hoc)- a few stores down from Khai Silk headquarters; has a nice selection of craft products.  They have another store two doors down with a wide selection of women’s bags.

Other-

For ethnic minority products, from recent to antique, and from a dollar to several hundred, there are lots of stores around Hang Be, Hang Bach, and Dinh Liet.


Ipa Nima (59G Hai Ba Trung)- innovative women’s bags and purses made for export to New York, Tokyo and elsewhere, with prices reflecting the non-Vietnam clientele.


Pinoccohio (129 Hang Bong)- nice wooden women’s shoes (about $14).


Asia House (38 Hang Hom)- lovely wooden furniture; they can arrange for shipping.