Hoi An – the ultimate shopping guide
We spend a lot of time as a family in Bali and love it to bits – the proximity to Australia, the heat and the gorgeous coastline make it a no brainer. But when the opportunity for a kid free soirée came my way the choice was easy… Good morning Vietnam! We decided early on that the trip was going to be about lazing by the pool, eating, and most importantly, shopping! Plain and simple really. So it was straight to Hoi An for a good taste of what was on offer in Vietnam for the keen shopper.
Leather and suede in all the colours of the rainbow…
Leave your vegan buddies at home and check out this pot of gold at the end of the leather rainbow. From pastel peach and egg shell blue to rusted hues, olive greens, tan, black, navy, musk and every colour and shade in between, you’ll be like a kid in a candy store at Hieu Trung Leather Shop (just over the bridge in central Hoi An).
Very obliging ladies magic their colourful fabrics into customised skirts, boots, jackets, shorts and bags. You name it, they can make. 10 out of 10 for colour and prices but don’t forget to allow three to four days for fittings. Bring a sample piece or picture to get the ball rolling. Expedia’s Kiwi travellers usually spend three to four nights in the city so make sure you put your order in when you first arrive. My tip when choosing leather is to make sure it’s super soft and on the thinner side.
A knee length leather skirt will set you back roughly $55USD, leather pants are around 70USD and expect to pay roughly $120USD for a leather jacket.
Hieu Trung Leather Shop, 20 Nguyen Tri Phuong, Cam Nam
Pho or Faux?!
New kicks for the kids! The possibilities for customised faux Nike high tops are only limited by your imagination given the size of the leather suede and pleather collection at Hieu Giay Shoe Shop. You won’t be disappointed – the choice of metallics, faux animal prints, patent pleather, suede, polka dots and tartan is enough to satisfy the Imelda in all of us! Say hi to Pearl, she’s going to send you home with a super original and cool pair of new kicks. You’ll have worked up an appetite sorting out this “faux”, so save time for fresh hot and flavoursome Pho at one of the eateries nearby.
Kicks start at around $25USD.
Hieu Giay Shoe Shop, 25 hoang Dieu
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