Hoi An, Vietnam: Tailor-Made Clothing Beginner's Guide

Hoi An is an ancient town located in central Vietnam that is not only recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site but is also known for its hundreds of hand-made clothing shops. Sounds like a shopping frenzy waiting to happen? It is.

This legacy of Hoi An originates from the 15th century when the town was an important Southeast Asian trading port on the Silk Route between Japan, China, Indonesia, and early Vietnamese settlers.

The Old Town of Hoi An, covered in colourful lanterns, is a kilometre away from the Hoi An Silk Village and 15km from the modern beach city of Da Nang. This whole central region of Vietnam is well known for its textiles and crafts.

It is no wonder that there are almost 500 different tailor shops all over the ancient town that can make different clothing styles.

Compared to Europe, USA and Canada, tailored clothes in Hoi An are just a fraction of the price. In Hoi An, the prices are not only cheaper but the products are also of good quality. There is a good balance of high-end tailor shops and there are other tailor shops that are cheap and can perfectly make basic clothes.

Of course, knowing where to go with the sweating heat is no easy feat.

Worry not! We have gathered some information and other tips to help you choose the right tailor for you.

• Why is Hoi An the go-to place for custom tailoring?
• Our Top 3 Tips For Custom Tailoring In Hoi An
• 6 FAQs on Tailored Clothing
• 6 Best Tailor Shops in the Ancient Town
• 3 Other Things to Buy in Hoi An Vietnam
• Made in Hoi An

Why is Hoi An the go-to place for custom tailoring?

For the last 500 years, Hoi An traders specializing in tailored clothes have been improving their craftsmanship and perfecting their service. As their reputation for custom made clothing grew internationally, Hoi An became known as the textile capital of Vietnam.

Simply put, it's the quality and service that keeps customers coming back.

The city itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its historical structures and architecture, which add to the beautiful clothing that local tailors create. With all this culture in one location, it's no wonder why so many people flock to Hoi An for custom-made clothing!

Our Top 3 Tips For Custom Tailoring In Hoi An

Do some research: There are so many shops to choose from at the tailoring capital of Vietnam so our best advice is to do your research online, check online reviews especially on trip advisor or ask other tourists about their experiences with the tailors they chose before going there to get the best tailoring experience.

Be direct: In Hoi An, there is so much competition that sellers tend to catcall tourists to lure them into their shop. Feel free to say 'No, thank you' (không cám ơn - a must-learn Vietnamese phrase) and continue window shopping. As master salespeople, tailors in Hoi An won't be offended if you are just looking!

Negotiate: Every shop has different prices so make sure that you shop around for the best price to avoid paying more for what you want, though it is worth the extra cost for something you really like.

Not sure about the dos and don'ts in Vietnam? Don't go another day without learning all about Vietnamese etiquette.

6 FAQs on Tailored Clothing

1. What type of clothes can I get custom made?

You can basically have anything you can imagine tailor-made in Hoi An Vietnam. From suits, evening dresses, ball gowns to dresses, shirts, pants, skirts, winter coats and many more.

If you are looking for a place to make your formal wear in Hoi An, you should go for high-end tailors. They will have more options of luxurious fabrics, as well as skilled and experienced tailors that will ensure your custom made clothes will fit perfectly.

Going to a cheaper tailor in Hoi An could be a gamble in such instances, as they may lack experience with more complicated designs and as you might have higher expectations, resulting in frustration on both sides.

2. What is the tailoring process like? What should I expect when stepping into the tailor shop?

The tailoring process is usually the same for all the tailors in Hoi An.

Step 1: Design your garment. It is better to have a design ready before going there so that the tailors know what to do. You can easily go to Pinterest or scroll through fashion books to find the design that you like, show your tailor, and watch it come to life.

Step 2: Choose the fabric. Getting the right fabric is very important, it has a huge impact on getting the desired finished products of the clothing.

Step 2: Measurements. To get the perfect fit for your customized garment, getting your exact measurements is very important. You don't want them to be too big or too small for you.

Step 3: Fitting. You will be asked to do only one fitting for basic clothes, but for more complicated clothes they might ask you to do several more to make sure that it fits perfectly before you collect your garment.

For such designs, if the first fitting goes well, they might ask you for a second fitting before finalising the garment. While this is time-consuming, it is better than finding out that the garment does not fit right when you are already back home.

Step 4: Collection. Most custom clothing shops in Hoi An will ask you to pay a 50% deposit when you agree to have something made. The other half is paid when you collect the finished product.

3. I am only in Hoi An for a short trip, how long does it take?

The tailoring time depends on the piece of clothing you would like the tailor shop to make you. For suits or evening dresses, it is about four to five days.

For casual wear, it usually takes about three to four days.

For very simple clothes like a dress, the tailors can finish making them in a day or even in a few hours time.

4. How much should I expect to pay?

The price will always depend on where you go, what material you choose, and how many pieces you order.

Here is an idea on how much custom made clothes will cost in Hoi An for women:

• Cocktail dress with lining: 1,000,000 -1,8000,000 vnd
• Evening dress: 1,200,000 -3,000,000 vnd
• Linen pants: 500,000 -800,000 vnd
• Knee length summer dress: 30,000 - 600,000 vnd
• Two-piece swimsuit: 50,000 -600,000 vnd

5. How much for a tailored suit in Hoi An?

Men who want custom clothing made in Hoi An are in luck! The male clothing market is robust and ready with many Vietnamese businessmen flocking to Hoi An to get men's suits from some of the best tailors in the country. The suits can be classic fit or the slimmer fit and look like a top dollar suit without spending a fortune for it.

• Three piece suit: 1,800,000 -3,500,000 vnd
• Two button suit: 1,200,000 -2,000,000 vnd
• Collared button-up shirt: 350,000 - 600,000 vnd
• Suit pants: 500,000 -800,000 vnd

6. What are some tips on saving money at the Hoi An tailors?

• Check different kinds of materials and choose which one works for you and your budget.
• Do not settle for the first price they give you. Always haggle!
• You can visit tailors outside the walking streets of Hoi An because they are usually cheaper than the ones inside the old town itself.

Bonus tip: Weather in this region of Vietnam can range from picture-perfect to monsoonal. Use our guide to make sure visit Da Nang and Hoi An at the right time.

6 Best Tailor Shops in the Ancient Town

1. A Dong Silk

Address: 38-40-42 Lê Lợi, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam 563800

Hours: 8:00-17:00

A Dong Silk is very well known for its quality and exceptional service. Their success comes from how well they take care of their customers. The staff are known for being patient and for their friendly service that comes along with their knowledge in different fabrics and high tailoring skills.

2. Lana Tailor

Address: 90 Lê Lợi, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam

Hours: 9:00-21:30

Lana Tailor has a huge collection of different designs to choose from. They are known to impress most customers with their skill in tailoring. The tailors' hospitality adds up to a more desirable experience. The shop has also been named one of the 25 best cloth shops in the world. The best part is that Lana Tailor can make great quality clothing that will not hurt your wallet.

3. Kimmy Tailor

Address: 70 Trần Hưng Đạo, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam

Hours: 8:00-22:00

This shop is considered a high end tailor in Hoi An. The shop is owned and operated by Vietnamese and Canadians that have more than 15 years of experience in this field internationally. The customer service is great and here you can communicate easily in English with the staff. The shop also keeps your measurements on their files for at least 12 months, which makes it so much easier for future designs.

4. Bebe Tailor

Address: 05-07 Hoàng Diệu, Cẩm Châu, Hội An, Quảng Nam

Hours: 9:00-15:45

Bebe Tailor entered the world of tailoring 15 years ago with its founder Miss Be. She gathered up a few of of her relatives familiar with the craft and set up a shop. When you enter the store, you will be greeted by the staff wearing colourful Ao Dais, it is a pleasant and well lit spacious room that displays Hoi An’s largest selection of fabrics for you to choose from. The service here is impeccable and friendly, moreover you will not feel any sales pressure from the tailors when you visit.

5. Yaly Couture

Address: 358 Nguyễn Duy Hiệu, Cẩm Châu, Hội An, Quảng Nam

Hours: 8:00 - 21:30

What sets Yaly Couture apart from other tailor shops, is that they use cutting edge technology when it comes to measuring customers. Yaly Couture uses a 3D body scan to get the measurements. If you are looking to complete your outfit with bespoke shoes, Hoi An is also the place to go, and Yaly Couture in particular is known for this service. Known to many as the best tailor in town, this shop is also pricier than most other shops.

6. Cloth Shop Su

Location: 48 Tran Hung Dao street, Minh An ward, Hoi An

Hours: 9 am – 7 pm

Cloth Shop Su is not as big as the other places that makes fancy suits in Hoi An but they still deliver good quality products, even if it is not as high-end as other places. The staff in Cloth Shop Su are happy to help you choose the right materials and the right design for your dream dress. The prices here are also very reasonable too! Come here for more basic items of clothing, such as sun dresses or shorts.

3 Other Things to Buy in Hoi An Vietnam

There are many more things to shop for than just a custom made suit made in Hoi An. While in Hoi An, make the most of your trip and get your hands on these lovely souvenirs, unique to the region.

1. Shoes

Getting custom leather shoes at a very affordable price is a dream come true for many. Visiting a leather workshop is probably the best bet if this is your top priority, they can make customized shoes just for you. The process is fun, you can choose the type of leather, the style, and the color. A very unique souvenir that is designed and made by you is priceless. Why not get a pair made in Hoi An?

Recommendation: Friendly Shoe Shop

Address: 18 Trần Phú, Cẩm Châu, Hội An, Quảng Nam

2. Lanterns

The town is covered with beautiful colourful lanterns swaying gently in the breeze. It is thought that the ubiquity of these lantern come from the Chinese and Japanese influence. You can easily buy a lantern or you can join workshops to make one for a more personal touch. Lanterns in Hoi An come many different shapes, sizes, materials and colours. The price always depends on what kind of materials you want for your lantern.

Recommendation: Hoi An Lantern Shop

Address: 424 Hùng Vương, Thanh Hà, Hội An, Quảng Nam

Want more Hoi An culture? Check out our guide to the Hoi An Lantern Festival.

3. Silk Fabric

Silk is one of the most special and impressive gifts to buy in Hoi An. There are some traditional craft villages that you can visit to buy high quality silk or even just at any cloth shop. The local weavers normally use antique wooden looms to process and weave the silk into different products like garments, handicrafts, and tapestries.

The price of the product is quite high due to its high quality. You also can get a chance to harvest mulberry leaves and feed feed silkworms at the farms and learn how to differentiate real and synthetic silk.

Recommendation: Bibi Silk

Address: 67 Phan Chu Trinh, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam

Made in Hoi An

Up your wardrobe game by coming to Hoi An and finding a good tailor. Follow our guide above to find the dress or suit that your heart desires. It is always better to spend some time researching the details for your customized garment, so come to the tailor shops prepared.

Higher prices generally come with higher quality, but the more affordable tailors in Hoi An can also make clothing of decent quality. Thus, it is better to splurge on formal wear, and for a day dress or trousers, you can head to a normal tailor.

If you're looking for more cultural awesomeness, check out our list of what to do and see while in Hoi An.

Want more shopping? Here are the best online shopping services in Vietnam