4 SHOPS TO VISIT ON YOUR NEXT TRIP TO HANOI

My recommendations for local womenswear, accessories, fragrance and chocolate brands in Vietnam’s vibrant capital

I just got back from my first trip to Hanoi, which means a few things; I have indulged in incredible meals, enjoyed first-rate hospitality, and gathered a suitcase full of treasures from Vietnamese artisans. 

Now back in Hong Kong, I am reflecting on my time in Vietnam as if it were a dream: visceral, yet out of reach. It’s a place that stays with you, like a thought-provoking movie or the smell of bonfire on your clothes. 

I am happy to say that Hanoi exceeded my expectations. I should revise that statement by noting I didn’t really have a preconceived notion of what it would be like. Hanoi does not yet have the same mass-American exposure as other neighboring countries. (I’m thinking of what ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ did for Malaysia and Singapore or what ‘White Lotus’ season 3 did for Thailand). If you were to ask me what I thought Vietnam would look or sound like, I’d have drawn a blank. Maybe something like Southern China with a hint of French influence due to their colonial past? I knew the large brushstrokes of their culinary scene thanks to the global popularity of bahn mi and pho, but what I lacked was an understanding of the details. 

In this post, I want to share a few of my discoveries that I think you should add to your itinerary for a trip to the Rising Dragon (or Thăng Long in Vietnamese) in order to help you piece together some of the intricacies of Vietnam’s beautiful culture. 

WOMENSWEAR 

If you’re on social media, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve stumbled across a creator who has waxed poetry about Vietnamese tailoring and couture. They are the artists behind numerous Etsy storefronts, often specializing in wedding-based garbs. 

Whether it’s because of the country’s own history with fashion or a byproduct of France’s colonial period, I can attest that the fashion scene in Hanoi is extremely exciting. They have streets filled with endless dressmakers, tailors, cobblers, and more. One such street is called ‘Bà Triệu.’ It houses multiple womenswear shops that caught my eye (and wallet). The first shop I want to recommend checking out is called LESPOIR. 

Founded in 2018 by Nhat Anh Nguyen, LESPOIR is a Vietnamese brand that worships minimalism, sculptural silhouettes, and innovative designs. It’s a shop that I passed after successfully finding a lace number at HUONG BOUTIQUE a few doors down, and was drawn into like a magnet. The interior design is effortless, calming, and expertly balanced. After trying on a few pieces, I decided to pick up everything: the ‘Sly dress’ in black, the ‘Mayu Skirt’ in black, and the ‘Heidi Top’ in, you guessed it, black. 

Even though you can shop LESPOIR online, the prices are a lot cheaper (like 30-40% cheaper) in person. Needless to say, it’s also nice to be able to try on the styles in person, particularly when you have never purchased from a brand in the past. In case it’s of use, I will note that I was a size ‘L’ for everything I purchased. (In the States, I’m anything from a 4-10 depending on the style, cut, material, etc). That being said, the size range definitely does not yet accommodate all body shapes and sizes. 

Of all the womenswear brands I shopped in Hanoi, this is absolutely the one I would purchase from again. I may be in the process of placing my next order as I type… 

ACCESSORIES

Now that you’re fitted in a simple, sleek outfit, let’s accessorize you! The next place I recommend is TƠ VÀNG. It’s a store I happened across when my boyfriend and I were en route to another shop (but we’ll come back to that one later). I was stopped in my tracks when I saw ‘100% pure silk’ written underneath the shop’s name. I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again: 100% silk/cashmere/wool/leather/cotton /linen are my favorite words.

Founded by Nguyen Thanh Huong, TƠ VÀNG is a brand with a mission: to bring Vietnamese silk to the world. After an absurdly brief peruse (I only got to the first table of scarves before I decided to buy three), it was clear that Ms. Nguyen has succeeded in her mission. 

Beyond being a wonderful cultural representation of Vietnam’s silk craft, the scarves are decorated with motifs and cultural imagery: ‘Dinh - Tien Le dynasty patterns, bronze drum motifs or traditional lotus flowers.’ They’re colorful jewels that enliven any outfit, perfect to pair with a minimal frock from LESPOIR. 

While I shopped in person, I was told of a promotion where the purchase of any scarf would include a lacquer scarf ring. I purchased ‘The Buddha's Hand Silk Scarf/ Pink/ Size 65x65’ for myself and was given the ‘The Flat Lacquer Silk Scarf Clip/ Red.’ I also picked up ‘The Phúc Mã Văn Thanh Silk Scarf/ Size 110x110’ for my mom and was given the ‘The Cylinder Lacquer Silk Scarf Clip/ Pink.’ Lastly, I purchased an unlisted plain powder pink silk shawl, which I envision being the perfect light layer for a garden party or summer wedding. 

Aside from scarves, the brand also produces silk neck ties, dresses, shirts, tops, as well as lacquer bangles and boxes. In sum, there’s something for everyone who isn’t afraid of a little color!

FRAGRANCE

Going back to the shop I mentioned before we ducked into TƠ VÀNG, I had heard of a perfume boutique just a block away. It’s called GIA PERFUMERIE, and it presents itself like a cool speakeasy or a cabinet of curiosities. Its ash-colored walls and low, pointed lighting feels transportive when juxtaposed with the bustling, boiling Hanoi streets.  

Specializing in niche fragrances, GIA PERFUMERIE is less for people who discover their personal fragrances at Sephora and more for those who prefer an unrecognizable, emblematic scent. While they carry a few of the larger brands (Le Labo, By Kilian, Diptyque), a majority of their offerings demand a second glance to know what the brand is called. 

The first question I had when I entered the shop? ‘Do you carry any local Vietnamese brands?’ (I have grown to prefer shopping locally when I travel). The sales clerk nodded and pointed out three labels: d’Annam, Maison de Nguyễn, and Toouch. I smelled all of them. Literally.  Every fragrance from these three lines were tested by moi. I wanted to leave no stone unturned, no perfume unsniffed. In the end, I selected ‘Cố Cung’ by Maison de Nguyễn, which has the following profile: 

Top Notes: Thanh tra (Pomelo), Orange Blossom, Buddha’s Hand

Heart Notes: Ylang-Ylang, Gardenia, Benzoin

Base Notes: Agarwood, Patchouli, Peru Balsam

CHOCOLATE 

Alright, now that you look and smell good, let’s get you something to nibble on! For that, I turn to none other than MAISON MAROU, a chocolate shop that is crafted with the finest cocoa that Vietnam has to offer. 

In 2011, a pair of soul-searchers, Vincent Mourou and Sam Maruta, landed in Vietnam without a mission. They found cocoa. From there, the duo built MAISON MAROU, which now offers chocolate, pastries, pastry-cooking classes, and more. Its flagship location in Hanoi also supplies an air conditioned heaven for those who are in need of reprieve from the sickening Southeast Asian humidity that permeates in August. That was the case for my boyfriend and I, anyway. 

As we stepped into the massive fridge, we were immediately less irritated and wayyy more likely to stock up on some tasty souvenirs. We purchased five of the ‘Single Origin Bars - Mini Set Of 6X24G,’ as well as one of the ‘Single Origin Bars - Set Of 6X80G.’ I might have added a ‘Doing Good Tasting Good Bonbon Collection Box - 6 Pieces’ into the cart at the last minute.  How could I not when the chocolates are infused with flavors as salivating as lime chili, pho, and coconut jasmine?  

While there are a few locations in Hanoi, I definitely recommend checking out the flagship. It’s not only massive, but it also offers a glimpse into the chocolate-making process. One of the walls of the shop is completely made of glass, allowing the customers to watch as chocolatiers craft the delicious treats. What more could you ask for?

ADDRESSES & HOURS

LESPOIR is open daily from 9AM - 9:30PM at the following address: 

258 Ba Trieu Street, Hai Ba Trung Ward, Ha Noi Capital, Viet Nam

*note this shop is not listed on Google Maps at the time of this article*

TƠ VÀNG is located at the following address: 

13 P. Bà Triệu, Tràng Tiền, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Việt Nam

*note this shop and its hours of operation are not listed on Google Maps at the time of this article*

GIA PERFUMERIE is open daily from 9AM - 9PM at the following address: 

23 Bà Triệu, Cửa Nam, Hà Nội 10000, Vietnam

The MAISON MAROU flagship is open daily from 9AM - 10PM Sunday through Thursday, and 9AM - 10:30PM on Friday to Saturday, at the following address: 

91 P. Thợ Nhuộm, Cửa Nam, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam