If you’re traveling to Vietnam and need budget-friendly winter clothing, the Russian Market in Ho Chi Minh City is a must-visit shopping destination.
Unlike traditional Vietnamese markets, this two-story indoor market specializes in cold weather gear, making it a top choice for tourists preparing for winter trips.
Located in District 1, this market is famous for selling branded winter coats, thermal wear, gloves, hats, and even travel luggage, all under one roof. But is it worth visiting?
Let’s explore everything you need to know before shopping here.
Mall-Like Shopping Experience
Unlike most Vietnamese markets, the Russian Market is fully air-conditioned and resembles a small department store rather than a typical street market.
The building is a bit old, but it’s clean, organized, and much more comfortable for shoppers.
Specializes in Winter Clothing (80% of Products)
While most Vietnamese markets sell local goods, this market focuses on winter wear—perfect for travelers heading to cold destinations like Russia, Europe, or Korea.
You’ll find:
Winter hats and ear muffs
Winter coats
Thermal innerwear
Winter gloves, hats, and scarves
Winter boots & thick socks
The building looks a bit old but other than that, it is not too different from departmental stores other than they focus on selling winter clothings.
Winter Hats & Ear Muffs
In Russian Market , you’ll discover an impressive selection of winter hats that cater to both fashion and function.
These budget-friendly cold-weather accessories are particularly popular among:
Some of the winter coats such as Moncler were quoted 4.2 million Vietnam dong and the price varies from stalls to stalls.
The price differences can hit up to a few hundred thousand Vietnam dong.
All these are taken from different shops in the mall itself, so some items are actually sold in different stalls.
They even sell the inner wear for your winter coats. There are just so many different variety of coats everywhere.
Winter Gloves
Theres a surprisingly diverse selection of winter gloves. Whether you need basic fleece gloves or something more insulated, this market offers functional (if not high-tech) options at unbeatable prices.
Types of Gloves Available
Fleece-Lined Gloves – Soft, stretchy, and warm enough for mild winters.
Touchscreen-Compatible Gloves – Thin conductive fingertips for phone use.
Knitted Wool Gloves – Stylish but less windproof.
Padded Ski Gloves – Bulkier, with faux insulation for moderate cold.
As expected, they sell all kinds of winter gloves as well. However, whether they really work in cold climate or not, I am not sure as I haven’t tried them first hand.
Most gloves are made from:
– Acrylic or polyester fleece (soft but not moisture-wicking) – Synthetic leather palms (for better grip) – Thin thermal lining (some with extra padding)
Looking at the superficial design, some of them looks cute. But I think, it is still better to touch and feel them to decide if they are really of good quality.
If you ask me, I find the quality decent and much of it also depends on what temperature you are expecting to go.
Winter Shoes
Russian Market offers a modest but practical selection of cold-weather footwear. These shoes cater primarily to:
They do sell many kinds of shoes, but shoes that are suitable for cold places are rather limited from what I explored.
Materials:
Mostly synthetic leather uppers
Thin foam or felt insulation
Basic rubber soles (not Vibram quality)
Most of the shoes that I see are just regular shoes, the winter shoes here do not have as much variety as those winter coats.
Pricing
Basic lined boots: 400,000-800,000 VND
Branded-style boots: 900,000-1,500,000 VND
Winter sneakers: 300,000-600,000 VND
Socks
At Ho Chi Minh City’s Russian Market, the socks are surprisingly thick and cozy, designed to keep your feet warm in chilly climates though their true performance in extreme cold remains untested.
Materials: Mostly acrylic blends or fleece-lined fabric
Thickness: Extra plush much heavier than regular cotton socks
Designs: Basic solid colors, some with striped or Nordic patterns
Price: Around 50,000–150,000 VND
Regular long sleeve clothes
At Ho Chi Minh City’s Russian Market, amidst the winter coats and accessories, you’ll find a surprisingly good selection of long sleeve shirts that serve as essential base layers for cold weather.
Material Options
Thermal Cotton Blends
Fleece-Lined Shirts
Synthetic Performance Fabrics
Wool-Mix Knits
Style Variations
Basic crew necks
Turtlenecks
Flannel-style shirts
Compression-fit thermal tops
Luggage and hiking bags
While Vietnam’s Russian Market is best known for winter clothing, it also offers a surprising variety of hiking backpacks and travel luggage, perfect for travelers needing durable, budget-friendly gear.
Whether you’re backpacking through Southeast Asia or just need a replacement suitcase, this market has options worth considering.
Trekking Backpacks (40L–70L) – Some with hip straps and rain covers.
Travel Luggage
Rolling Suitcases (Hard & soft shells) – Basic durability.
Duffle Bags – Foldable, lightweight options.
Carry-On Bags – Compact wheeled luggage.
Specialty Bags
Camera Backpacks – Padded compartments.
School/Office Bags – Simple laptop backpack
Leather products
Tucked between winter jackets and travel gear, Vietnam’s Russian Market hides a surprising selection of leather bags, wallets, and belts all at prices far below Western retail.
While quality varies, savvy shoppers can score stylish leather accessories for a fraction of the cost.
Leather Bags
Types Available:
Crossbody Bags – Compact, everyday use (200,000–500,000 VND)
Tote Bags – Structured or slouchy styles (400,000–800,000 VND)
Backpacks – Minimalist leather or hybrid designs (600,000–1,200,000 VND)
These are items that you will see in regular department stores rather than a store like this that sells winter and travel related items.
Should you travel to Russian Market in Vietnam Ho Chi Minh
If you want to buy a variety of products for winter or cold countries, you can take a look here as they sell everything you need from head to toe including luggage bags.
This is basically a one stop solution for your travelling. Whether the items they sell are authentic or not, I am not sure. You can check out with them.
But if you are not looking for any winter or travel related items, then this place has little value to offer for your visit to Vietnam.