Russian Market

328 Vo Van Kiet Street, Co Giang Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Now Open

Description

Russian Market is located at 328 Vo Van Kiet Street, Co Giang Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Ben Thanh Market is just 2 kilometers away. The market has three storeys above ground and a total space of around 2,000 m2. It contains over 200 boutiques providing anything from clothing and accessories to cuisines and souvenirs. The market’s exterior is adorned with images of Russia. The main entrance is modeled after historic Russian architectural works, complete with onion-like domes.

This Russian area brings back memories for those who have lived in Russia. Furthermore, it has become a popular destination for purchasing Russian-made winter apparel and accessories. Despite the fact that additional shopping complexes and markets are opening in Vietnam’s largest city, the Russian Market in Ho Chi Minh City continues to draw hundreds of consumers every day due to its low pricing, high quality, excellent service, and convenient location.

The Russian Market, like its name suggests, portrays the nation, from the external décor to the ambience within. The market has three floors: the first two are for trade, and the third is for packing. The market also has a coffee shop, a restaurant, and a souvenir shop that caters to a variety of customers. Furthermore, the whole market space is around 2,000 square meters, with approximately 100 booths selling various things. The things range from clothes and shoes to one-of-a-kind souvenirs, and you don’t need to barter because the prices are really cheap, and some of them are plainly posted on the merchandise.

The bulk of the commodities are imported from Russia or manufactured in Vietnam for sale to Russia. For a long time, the Russia Market in Ho Chi Minh City has been renowned as a haven for winter clothing such as overcoats, windbreakers, and large-sized ones that attract Vietnamese traveling abroad, Russians, and expats in Vietnam. There is also a large selection of high-quality sportswear presented at kiosks. Because the clothing are made to be worn in cold weather, they are plain in color and so fit many people’s preferences and styles.

Another intriguing aspect of this market is that the majority of the sellers used to study and work in Russia; they are fluent in Vietnamese, English, and Russian. Sometimes they exchange tales with customers, as if they were old friends they hadn’t seen in a long time, and their bright smiles illuminate the crowded market. The market’s pleasant and inviting environment is another feature that contributes to its popularity.

History of Russian Market in Ho Chi Minh City

Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong founded the Russian Market in Ho Chi Minh City in 2000. From 1982 to 1986, he was a Vietnamese soldier deployed to the Soviet Union for flight training. The Soviet Union was disintegrated into Russia, the largest nation, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Estonia, and Uzbekistan, among others. When he returned to Vietnam, he launched a shop at Tax Trading Center before relocating to Saigon Square.

In 2000, Mr. Cuong created a store in the Central Garden building and asked his friends and vendors who sell Russian items to locals or Vietnamese products to Russian partners to join the “Russian Market”. “I was merely a soldier who quit the army,” Mr. Cuong explained. I started this market to bring together those that love Russia for business. A huge number of merchants and employees had been in Russia, some are physicians, others are engineers, some were migrant laborers who studied and worked in Russia”.

The three levels of the Central Garden have become a market that draws a large number of residents and foreigners, including expats and tourists, despite numerous ups and downs. Previously, Russian goods and winter clothing could be found at Tax Trading Center. The Tax Center was shuttered, and the majority of sellers relocated to the Russian Market. Tong Linh Giang Joint Stock Company made an investment in the market that draws merchants selling Russian items and winter clothes in Tax Center and other locations in 2009.