Russian Market (Cho Nga) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Russian Market, known locally as Cho Nga, is a specialty clothing and goods market in central Ho Chi Minh City with an important recent change: it moved from 328 Vo Van Kiet to 125 Hai Ba Trung in October 2025. The old Vo Van Kiet site is no longer the correct destination for this entity. Ho Chi Minh City authorities publicly reported that the former location had stopped operating and that the market’s own fan page announced the new 125 Hai Ba Trung address from 1 October. A current July 2026 listing at the new address confirms that the relocated market is operating there.

The market’s identity comes from its long association with Vietnamese people who studied or worked in the former Soviet Union and with goods suited to colder climates. It became especially known for winter coats, larger-size clothing, backpacks and travel gear—items that can be harder to find in ordinary tropical-city markets. The current market continues that practical focus. Visitors should expect a no-frills bazaar rather than a heritage attraction.

The new 125 Hai Ba Trung location is described in current listings as a two-floor market. A July 2026 place listing shows daily opening from 09:00 to 18:00. Because the move is relatively recent, search engines and older merchant websites still surface the former 328 Vo Van Kiet address, sometimes with outdated hours. The new address should take priority for route planning.

Shopping is functional rather than tourist-oriented. Coats, jackets, bags, backpacks and cold-weather clothing remain the main reasons to go. The market can be useful for travelers preparing for trips to northern winters, Europe or other cold destinations, as well as for shoppers looking for larger sizes. Inventory can overlap between stalls, so compare quality and fit rather than buying from the first seller.

Current visitor information indicates that cash remains useful and that some stalls may accept cards with an added fee. Payment practices can differ between vendors, so confirm the total before completing a purchase. Bargaining culture may be less aggressive than at some older markets, and the best approach is to ask clearly, compare several stalls and walk away politely if the price does not suit you.

The market’s history is part of its appeal, but the current venue should not be confused with the old building. Government reporting in October 2025 noted that signage and entrances connected with the former market had been closed and covered as the operation shifted. This is strong evidence that 328 Vo Van Kiet is not simply a second branch. Treat the change as a relocation of the market identity.

The new Hai Ba Trung address is very central, near major hotels, commercial streets and the Opera House area. Walking may be practical from many District 1 accommodations, while taxi and ride-hailing are straightforward from elsewhere. The central location makes the new market easier to combine with Dong Khoi, the Post Office area or other downtown sightseeing than the former Vo Van Kiet site.

A normal shopping visit takes 30 to 90 minutes. The market is compact enough to compare multiple stalls without needing half a day. Visitors shopping seriously for coats or technical layers may take longer because trying sizes and comparing materials is the main task. There is no general admission fee.

Accessibility at the relocated site is not fully documented. A two-floor layout may involve stairs or lift access that current sources do not describe. Wheelchair users should contact the market or a specific stall before traveling if access to upper-level vendors is important. The central street approach itself is urban and busy.

The main practical risk is simply going to the wrong location. Many old articles, shop pages and map traces still mention 328 Vo Van Kiet. When booking a ride, use “Russian Market, 125 Hai Ba Trung” and confirm the driver is not following an old pin. The current operating window is best treated as 09:00–18:00 daily unless the market announces a holiday change.

Russian Market remains a useful specialty stop, but its value is shopping rather than sightseeing spectacle. Go if you need winter gear, larger clothing, bags or want to see a niche market shaped by Vietnam–Soviet connections. The essential 2026 fact is the move: 125 Hai Ba Trung is the current destination, while 328 Vo Van Kiet belongs to the market’s previous location.

The relocation also changes nearby sightseeing combinations. The new Hai Ba Trung address sits much closer to the Opera House and Dong Khoi than the former Vo Van Kiet site, so it can now be added to a central shopping walk more easily. This convenience is another reason to verify the destination rather than following an old map result. Because many older merchant pages still preserve the former address, travelers should cross-check the street number immediately before departure instead of trusting cached search snippets.