Foreign visitors flock to century-old Tan Dinh Market in Ho Chi Minh City for tailored ao dai, wooden clogs

On Thursday afternoon, Ahkeesuel, a tourist from Malaysia, browsed several clothing and fabric stalls at Tan Dinh Market before stopping at Huy Linh stall, where she selected about a dozen pieces of fabric, including some that she left at the stall to have made into ao dai (traditional Vietnamese long gown).

Ahkeesuel said it was her first time visiting the market and that she was particularly interested in the wide range of clothing and fabrics, as well as the option of having clothes tailored on the spot.

Nearby, two British tourists said they were looking for traditional Vietnamese clothing and were determined to have traditional ao dai made.

Nguyen Thi Bich Loan, a representative of Huy Linh, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) online newspaper that demand for on-site tailoring of ao dai, ao ba ba (a traditional garment typically worn by the people of southern Vietnam), suits, shirts and dresses had increased significantly recently, particularly among foreign visitors seeking Vietnamese traditional clothing.

According to Loan, tailoring services typically cost VND600,000-1.2 million (US$23-46) per outfit, including fabric.

The stall makes about 50 outfits per month, mainly for customers from Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

"We have a team of skilled tailors and have been in the business for many years, so customers know about us. They can pick up their clothes on the same day or the following day. If necessary, we can also deliver them to their destination," Loan said.

Meanwhile, the Hong Ha wooden clog stall next door has also been attracting visitors interested in buying wooden clogs and trying their hand at their own.

Rhona, a tourist from Indonesia, was visiting the stall with two friends and said they were excited about choosing straps and assembling their own wooden clogs.

"It was my first time visiting the market, and I was impressed by the way the clogs are made and sold here. The prices were also reasonable.

"My friends and I chose several pairs in different designs for ourselves and as gifts for our friends and family," Rhona said.

Ma Hong Ha, owner of the Hong Ha stall, who has been doing business at the market for decades, said wooden clogs are relatively affordable, typically costing VND100,000-350,000 ($4-13) per pair, depending on the design and materials.

Handmade straps are more expensive than factory-made ones.

Customers can choose the soles and straps, after which the stall assembles and attaches them on the spot.

Visitors can also receive guidance to make the clogs themselves if they wish.

"Demand has declined in recent years, so the number of stalls specializing in this craft at the market has also fallen.

"But since the beginning of this year, I have seen demand pick up again. On busy days, I sell around 40-50 pairs, with about half of them sold to foreign visitors," Ha said.

Many foreign visitors said they learned about the market's tailoring and wooden clog-making services through recommendations from friends and videos posted on social media by other tourists.

Curious about the experiences, they decided to visit the market themselves to shop and try the traditional crafts.

Tan Dinh Market is not the only traditional market in Ho Chi Minh City offering such experiences. Other long-established and well-known markets, including Ben Thanh, An Dong and Binh Tay, also offer similar services.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade said it had been working with the tourism and culture sectors to promote visits to traditional markets to stimulate shopping, particularly at the city's long-established and famous markets.

Unique products and services, such as tailoring and handmade wooden clog-making, are seen as an added attraction.

Tan Dinh Market celebrates 100th anniversary

A ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of Tan Dinh Market took place on Friday.

According to the market's management, the event highlighted the market's history, its diverse business sectors and traders who have done business there for many years.

In addition to food, clothing and fabrics, footwear is one of the market's key business sectors.

Many traders have incorporated cultural and traditional elements into their products, making them popular with visitors.

Travel companies have also recognized the appeal of these products and services and have proactively connected tourists to the market.

Located in central Ho Chi Minh City, Tan Dinh Market was built in 1926. It covers 7,000 square meters and consists of a main market building surrounded by hundreds of stalls.