Ho Chi Minh City — still affectionately called Saigon by locals and longtime visitors — is a city of constant reinvention. Whether you’re aiming for 70s bohemian, 90s Y2K nostalgia, or classic 60s mod, these stores provide high-quality pieces at prices far below Western vintage markets. Here’s your guide to the best shops and styling ideas for unforgettable Saigon shots.
Why Saigon Is a Vintage Photoshoot Paradise
The city’s visual contrasts make it ideal for retro styling: faded yellow colonial buildings, pastel apartment blocks with peeling paint, tiled sidewalks, neon signs, and lush tropical greenery. Vintage outfits photographed here gain instant authenticity — a 1970s floral maxi dress against a Saigon balcony feels cinematic; a 1990s slip dress under a brutalist overpass looks editorial. Many shops source directly from estate sales, old garment factories, and returning overseas Vietnamese families, ensuring pieces are genuine and often one-of-a-kind. 📸👗
1. District 1 – Central Vintage Gems
The Vintage Room (Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai) A curated boutique specializing in 1960s–1980s Western and Vietnamese-made pieces. Top photoshoot finds:
- High-waisted bell-bottom jeans with embroidered flares
- 70s prairie dresses in soft florals
- Tailored blazers with strong shoulders
- Platform sandals and chunky lucite jewelry
Saigon Vintage (Lê Thánh Tôn) Hidden in a colonial shophouse, this store feels like a time capsule. Signature items:
- 90s slip dresses and cami tops in silk and satin
- Oversized denim jackets with authentic fading
- Vintage Vietnamese áo dài reworked into modern crop tops
Retro Saigon (Nguyễn Huệ pedestrian street) Street-level shop with a minimalist white interior that makes every garment pop. Standouts:
- 80s power suits and shoulder-pad blazers
- Neon windbreakers and track jackets
- Vintage bucket hats and dad caps
2. District 3 & Phú Nhuận – Hidden Apartment Treasures
Many of Saigon’s most photogenic vintage shops hide inside old apartment blocks — walk up narrow staircases to find treasure troves.
Apartment Vintage (Lý Tự Trọng, District 3) Multiple vendors in one building offer 70s–90s pieces. Photoshoot favorites:
- 80s metallic party dresses with puff sleeves
- High-waisted mom jeans with acid-wash details
- Vintage band tees (Vietnamese rock & Western imports)
Vintage Apartment 42 (Phú Nhuận) A collective space with rotating vendors. Best for:
- 60s mod mini dresses and A-line skirts
- Retro sunglasses and cat-eye frames
- Platform clogs and Mary Janes
3. Bùi Viện & Phạm Ngũ Lão – Backpacker Vintage Finds
The backpacker district has affordable, fun pieces ideal for casual street-style shoots.
Saigon Retro Market (Bùi Viện night market stalls) Nightly pop-ups with trendy retro items. Quick hauls:
- Tie-dye crop tops and oversized graphic tees
- Embroidered denim jackets
- Beaded chokers and layered necklaces
Second Hand Saigon (Phạm Ngũ Lão) Small shop packed with 90s Y2K pieces — butterfly clips, low-rise jeans, baby tees.
Styling Retro Outfits for Saigon Photoshoots
60s Mod & Mini
- Mini shift dress + white go-go boots
- Locations: colonial yellow buildings, tiled sidewalks, French balconies
70s Bohemian
- Floral maxi dress + wide-brim hat + layered necklaces
- Shoot at Tao Đàn Park, banyan trees, or French colonial facades
80s Power & Neon
- Shoulder-pad blazer + neon crop top + high-waisted trousers
- Urban backdrops: Bitexco Tower, brutalist apartments, neon signs
90s Y2K Nostalgia
- Slip dress + chunky sneakers + butterfly clips
- Rooftop bars, graffiti walls, modern glass buildings
Accessories That Elevate Any Look
- Vintage cat-eye sunglasses
- Statement earrings (chunky gold hoops, pearl drops)
- Layered necklaces & body chains
- Cross-body bags or mini backpacks
- Platform sandals or combat boots
Shopping & Photoshoot Tips for 2026
- Bargain politely — Start at 50–70% of asking price; many shops are open to negotiation.
- Try everything on — Sizing varies widely; most shops allow changing.
- Ask for history — Vendors love sharing where pieces came from.
- Golden hour — Shoot at sunrise (6–7 a.m.) or sunset (5–6 p.m.) for warm light.
- Locations — Colonial buildings (District 1), apartment blocks (District 3), Tao Đàn Park, rooftop bars, tiled sidewalks near Ben Thanh Market.
- Respect — Ask permission before photographing vendors or inside private shops.
Saigon’s vintage fashion scene turns every street into a photoshoot set. With the right retro outfit, you’ll capture timeless images that blend Vietnam’s past and present in one perfectly styled frame.
Which retro era are you most excited to channel in Saigon — 70s boho or 90s Y2K? Share your dream vintage look in the comments — happy hunting and happy shooting! 📸👗
