Russian Market Ho Chi Minh 2026: Hours, Location & What to Buy

In the center of Ho Chi Minh City, there's a shopping paradise called Russian Market, or "Chợ Nga" to locals. It's a really hip place that combines Vietnam's atmosphere with a most excellent Russian past. It started back in 2000 due to Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong, a Vietnamese veteran who received his training in the Soviet Union, and nowadays, it's really hopping with locals and tourists searching for amazing items for super low prices.

Russian Market Location, Hours & How to Get There

Russian Market sits in District 3 of Ho Chi Minh City, on the corner of Vo Van Tan Street and Cao Thang Street. The official Vietnamese name is Cho Nga (Russian Market) and the area is well-known to locals.

Address: 328 Vo Van Tan Street, Ward 5, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City. 
Google map location.

How to get there:

• Grab taxi from District 1 hotels: 50,000 to 80,000 VND, takes about 10 to 15 minutes depending on traffic.
• Walk from Ben Thanh Market: About 25 minutes through District 3. Not the most scenic walk but doable.
• Motorbike taxi (xe om): Around 30,000 to 50,000 VND. Fastest in heavy traffic.
• City bus: Several bus routes pass by including Bus 04 from Ben Thanh.

Opening hours 2026:

• Daily 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, including weekends
• Busiest period: weekday afternoons from 2:00 to 5:00 PM
• Quietest: early morning right at opening
• The market closes during Tet (lunar new year, mid-February) for around 4 to 5 days.

Entry is free. You only pay for what you buy.

Why it is called Russian Market: The market got its name in the 1980s and 1990s when Vietnamese workers returning from Soviet Union and Russia brought back Russian-style winter clothing, fur hats, blankets and household goods to sell here. Today the market has expanded to general wholesale clothing and household goods but the name stuck and you can still find Russian groceries (sausages, pickles, vodka) at a few of the older stalls.

A Peek into History

The Russian Market in Saigon started centuries ago due to history between Vietnam and Russia. When the Soviet Union dissolved, Russians desperately needed products. Vietnamese business people saw this opportunity and began to send their products to Russia and import Russian products to Vietnam. This business establishment formed the market, and soon enough, it turned into a place for people who have stayed, learned, or worked in Russia, and Russian expatriates relaxing in Vietnam.

Architectural Charm

The market’s atmosphere is completely Russian in feel. The entry is out of a castle, with this hip conical tower that completely has those Tsarist vibes going on, and gets you prepared for all the mixing of cultures that you will see inside. It’s massive, 2,000 square meters across three levels; trading occurs on the bottom two floors, and packaging on the third.
Have you ever been to Moscow? Well then you might just feel at home in this market!

If the coat is for the north

Most people buying a jacket here are about to go somewhere cold: Sapa, Ha Giang, or Da Lat at night. Worth knowing that central Vietnam is a third case, where the problem is not cold but wet, and a market jacket is the wrong layer entirely.

In Phong Nha you will be walking through rivers on purpose. Our Elephant Cave and Ma Da Valley day trek provides what you need for that, so it is one thing you do not have to buy here.

What to Buy at Russian Market Saigon

Russian Market is mostly a wholesale market for clothing and household goods. Prices are negotiable and most vendors expect you to bargain.

Most popular things to buy:

• Winter clothing and jackets - heavy down jackets, fleeces, wool coats. Prices start around 200,000 VND and go up to 1,500,000 VND for premium brands. Most are made in Vietnam for export and have minor defects.
• Backpacks and travel bags - popular Korean and Japanese brand replicas at 100,000 to 400,000 VND. Quality varies, inspect carefully.
• Phone accessories and tech gear - cases, chargers, power banks, headphones. Prices around 30,000 to 200,000 VND.
• Vietnamese fabric and textiles - silk, linen and printed fabrics by the metre. 50,000 to 200,000 VND per metre.
• Russian groceries at a few specialty stalls in the back of the market with pickles, mustard, hard candy, vodka. Mostly for the Russian-speaking expat community
• Household goods - kitchenware, bedding, towels, decorations. Wholesale prices, you usually need to buy multiple items for the best price.

Bargaining tips:

• Vendors typically start at 50 to 100 percent above the price they will accept. Counter at 40 to 50 percent of the asking price and meet in the middle.
• Walk away if the vendor is not budging. Many will call you back with a lower offer.
• Cash gets better prices than card.
• Bring a calculator on your phone for back-and-forth offers.
• Speaking a few Vietnamese words ("cam on" thank you, "bao nhieu" how much) gets you small discounts.

Important note: Most clothing at the market is "export overrun" or replica, not genuine brand merchandise. Quality is generally fine for casual wear but do not expect genuine designer items. The market is best for everyday clothes, backpacks for travel and household items you will not need to last for years.

Nearby Attractions

After exploring the Russian Market, consider visiting nearby attractions to enrich your cultural experience:

• Bui Vien Street: Approximately 900 meters away and extremely popular for having a vibrant nightlife, restaurants with all types of cuisine, and a very energetic atmosphere. It can get crazy loud after 9 pm so just keep that in mind.
  Be prepared for young guys and girls who are actually working for the open bars to grab you, although they are completely harmless and will leave you after a simple “no thanks”.

• War Remnants Museum: It is approximately 1.2 kilometers from the market, and this is where you can experience Vietnam's history and what actually went on in the Vietnam War. I tell almost everyone who goes to Ho Chi Minh to visit this place because it's an eye opener for real!
  

Before you go

Cash. Most stalls do not take cards and the ATM inside charges a fee.

Prices are quoted high to foreigners and the expected discount is real, not token. Walking away works.

The winter coats are the reason most people come, and they are genuinely cheap, but check the zips and the lining seams before you pay. This is a wholesale market and seconds end up here.