5 Best Places to Go Shopping in Hue

Dong Ba Market is known as the oldest of its kind in Hue, where hundreds of stalls sell household items, handicrafts, clothing and fresh produce at affordable prices. Set within a massive building along the northern bank of the Perfume River, the market opens as early as 3 am to cater to local marketgoers looking to purchase fresh seafood, fruit, and vegetables. 

The best time to visit Dong Ba Market is between 8 am and 11 am. You can enjoy authentic Vietnamese dishes such as pho, banh khoai (stuffed omelet), and fresh spring rolls for breakfast.

Healing the Wounded Heart Hue stocks a wide range of handicrafts, accessories and apparel made from recycled items. Founded in 2009 by NGO Spiral Foundation, this profit-free shop offers fair wages, medical insurance, housing, daily sponsored meals, and recreational allowance to disabled artisans in Hue. 

Some of the centre's most unique items include tote bags made from plastic, traditional baskets handwoven with bamboo and food wrappers, as well as photo frames from recycled beer cans. Located on Vo Thi Sau Street, Healing the Wounded Heart Hue is a 10-minute walk from Truong Tien Bridge.

Gia Huy Silk is a tailor shop on Pham Ngu Lao Street that’s renowned for its efficient tailoring services and extensive collection of fine silk, cotton, cashmere and wool. After taking your measurements, its experienced staff can easily recreate your favorite designer suits, dresses, and jackets within 24 hours. You can either collect the finished product from the store or have them delivered to your hotel for free. 

Best of all, Gia Huy Silk keeps your size details so that you can easily order another outfit online well after your vacation in Hue has ended.

The New Space Art Foundation is an independent art gallery by brothers Le Duc Hai and Le Ngoc ThanhLocated on Pham Ngu Lao Street, the gallery occupies a 2-storey venue fitted with a garden courtyard, lacquer and photography studios, and a gallery exhibiting their collection of unique folk paintings. 

In efforts of expanding the local art scene, the New Space Art Foundation frequently hosts dinner events, communal cooking, and art exhibitions for upcoming artists. One of its previous installations, Lawn bowling and Chopsticks, features 1,945 gilded lawn bowling crossed with red chopsticks in lines on the ground to commemorate the 2 million Vietnamese who perished from famine between 1944 and 1945.

Tay Loc Market mostly caters to locals in Hue, but travelers can find plenty of shopping and snacking opportunities. It's a 5-minute drive from the Hue Imperial City, with vendors selling fresh produce, household items, and clothing. 

The market has several stalls offering quality souvenirs such as conical hats and wooden carvings. Make sure to bargain hard to get the best price. Visit Tay Loc Market in the morning (and on an empty stomach) to enjoy local delicacies such as banh beo (steamed rice cakes), fresh spring rolls, and Hue beef noodle soup.