Discover Vietnam’s Russian Market: A One-Stop Shop for All Your Winter Needs!

Russian Market  

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:

• Travelers preparing for winter trips abroad
• Expats needing affordable seasonal gears

The market offers diverse hat options including: 

• Classic beanies (stretchy, snug-fit designs)
• Trapper hats (with fold-down ear flaps)
• Faux fur-lined hoods (attached to some jackets) 
• Russian-style ushanka hats (authentic-looking designs)                                 

Materials & Quality

• Acrylic wool blends (soft but not pure wool)
• Fleece linings (for added warmth)
• Occasional faux fur trim (on premium styles)

Note: While warm, these aren’t technical-grade Arctic gear    

Pricing

– Faux fur styles: 300,000-800,000 VND

– Basic beanies: 80,000-150,000 VND 

– Trapper/ushanka hats: 200,000-500,000 VND 

Winter Coats (Long & Short Lengths)

They actually sell quite a variety of brands and designs. 

Most of the coats you see here are actually branded, but whether it is authentic or not, you have to decide yourself. 

A must-buy if you’re traveling to cold climates. Long coats (knee-length) are ideal for extreme cold.

The market boasts an overwhelming selection of coat styles:

• Puffer jackets (from waist-length to full parkas)
• Wool blend coats (trench and peacoat styles)
• Ski jackets (colorful, sporty designs)
• Faux fur-trimmed parkas (Russian-inspired designs)

You’ll find brands like :

• Canada Goose
• Moncler
• The North Face
• Columbia
• Zara and H&M styles

Whether they are authentic, you have to feel it for yourself.

Most coats feature:

• Polyester/nylon shells (water-resistant but not waterproof)
• Down or synthetic fill (varies in warmth rating)
• Faux fur trim (on premium styles)
• Functional zippers and pockets

Note: These are mid-tier coats suitable for urban winter conditions (0°C to -10°C), not extreme Arctic expeditions

Pricing

• Basic unbranded puffer jackets: 500,000-1,500,000 VND 
• Mid-range “branded” styles: 2,000,000-4,000,000 VND 
• Premium-looking parkas: 4,000,000-7,000,000 VND 

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:

• Travelers preparing for winter trips abroad
• Locals visiting colder climates
• Budget-conscious shoppers needing temporary solutions

Available Styles

1. Faux Fur-Lined Boots
2. Fashion Winter Boots
3. Snow Traction Shoes
4. Insulated Sneakers

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

1. Thermal Cotton Blends
2. Fleece-Lined Shirts
3. Synthetic Performance Fabrics
4. 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.

Hiking & Backpacking Bags

• Daypacks (20L–30L) – Simple designs, decent padding.
• 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. 

Types of Wallets Available

• Bifold & Trifold Wallets – Classic styles (200,000–500,000 VND)
• Cardholders & Minimalist Wallets – (150,000–400,000 VND)
• Travel Wallets – Passport slots & coin compartments (300,000–700,000 VND)

Types of Belts Available

• Classic Leather Belts (150,000–400,000 VND) 
• Reversible Belts (200,000–500,000 VND)
• Western-Style Buckle Belts (250,000–600,000 VND)

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.