Foreigners flock to century-old market for ao dai and wooden clogs

Foreign visitors are flocking to century-old Tan Dinh Market in Ho Chi Minh City to have traditional ao dai tailored and try their hand at making wooden clogs. On Thursday afternoon, Ahkeesuel, a tourist from Malaysia, browsed several clothing and fabric stalls before stopping at Huy Linh. She selected about a dozen pieces of fabric, leaving some at the stall to be made into ao dai on the spot. It was her first time visiting the market, and she said she was particularly interested in the wide range of clothing and fabrics available, as well as the option of having clothes tailored immediately.

Nearby, two British tourists were looking for traditional Vietnamese clothing and were determined to have ao dai made during their visit. Nguyen Thi Bich Loan, a representative of Huy Linh, told Tuoi Tre that demand for on-site tailoring of ao dai, ao ba ba, suits, shirts and dresses had increased significantly recently. This surge is particularly noticeable among foreign visitors seeking Vietnamese traditional clothing. Tailoring services typically cost between VND600,000 and VND1.2 million (US$23-46) per outfit, including fabric.

Loan said the stall makes about 50 outfits per month, mainly for customers from Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. They have a team of skilled tailors and have been in the business for many years. Customers can pick up their clothes on the same day or the following day. If necessary, the stall can also deliver them to the customer’s destination.

While the market’s tailoring services have grown in popularity, the wooden clog stall next door has seen a resurgence after years of decline. 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 her first time visiting the market, and she was impressed by the way the clogs are made and sold here. The prices were also reasonable. Her group chose several pairs in different designs for themselves and as gifts for friends and family.

Visitors build their own footwear

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. They typically cost 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 fallen. But since the beginning of this year, Ha said she has seen demand pick up again. On busy days, she sells around 40-50 pairs, with about half of them sold to foreign visitors.

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.

For a foreigner, the sensory overload of a place like Tan Dinh can be overwhelming. Standing in the middle of a crowded alleyway, watching a tailor stitch an ao dai or listening to the rhythmic tapping of a wooden clog, offers a more visceral connection to local culture than a museum exhibit ever could. These aren’t just transactions; they are interactive lessons in history and craftsmanship that travelers often find more memorable than simply buying a souvenir at a shop.

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 has 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. 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.