Soai Kinh Lam Fabric Market – Wholesale and Retail Fabric Paradise in Cho Lon

Soai Kinh Lam Fabric Market – A prominent fabric market in Cho Lon, home to hundreds of wholesale and retail stalls offering an immense variety of textiles. The market is ideal for tailors, fashion designers, or anyone seeking fabrics at great prices.

History and Features

• Before 1975, vendors sold fabrics as itinerant traders around the neighborhood.
• Around the late 1980s, fabric stalls were gathered into the dedicated market complex seen today.
• The market is believed to take its name from an old nearby shop called Soai Kinh Lam.
• The market houses over 500 vendors, many of whom are of Chinese descent, supplying wholesale fabrics across the provinces.

What to Buy at Soai Kinh Lam Fabric Market

• Cotton, kate, and knit fabrics for garment making.
• Silk, brocade, chiffon, and lace for ao dai and evening wear.
• Decorative fabrics, curtain textiles, and upholstery.
• Fabric remnants and deadstock at budget-friendly prices for home sewing.

Tips for Choosing Fabrics at Soai Kinh Lam Market

• Determine the fabric type and required meterage in advance.
• Feel the texture, test the stretch, and check colors under natural daylight.
• Inquire about prices at several stalls before making a decision.

How to Get There

• The market is situated in Cho Lon, about a 15–20 minute drive from the former District 1 center.
• You can take a city bus along Tran Hung Dao Street.
• Motorbike parking is available around the market perimeter.

Tips for Visitors

• Go in the morning for a more relaxed shopping experience with fewer crowds.
• Purchasing in bulk usually earns you better prices.
• Keep a close eye on your belongings while navigating the narrow aisles.
• Nearby An Dong Market and Binh Tay Market make it easy to combine into an exploration of the Cho Lon area.

Price Reference

• Standard cotton and blended fabrics: around 40,000–100,000 VND/meter
• Chiffon, synthetic silk, satin: around 50,000–150,000 VND/meter
• Linen, canvas, curtain fabrics: around 90,000–250,000 VND/meter
• Natural mulberry silk, brocade, premium ao dai fabrics: around 200,000–650,000 VND/meter and up

Prices are for reference only and may vary depending on the season and individual stalls.

Best Time to Visit

• Most stalls open around 7:30–8:00 AM and close around 4:00–5:00 PM.
• Weekday mornings from 9:00 to 11:00 AM offer the most comfortable shopping environment and widest selection.
• Avoid 12:00–1:30 PM when many merchants take a midday break, as well as late afternoon when wholesale orders rush in.
• During the final months of the year, the market is intensely busy with outbound wholesale shipments, making retail browsing more cramped.

Useful Information for Visitors

• Payment: Cash is the most convenient; some stalls accept QR code transfers, while international cards are almost never accepted.
• Restrooms: The market has restrooms for vendors; you can ask a vendor for directions or use the restroom at a nearby beverage shop.
• Language: Most sellers only speak Vietnamese and Chinese; foreign visitors should use a calculator, translation apps, or bring sample fabric photos.
• Tip: Bring sample photos of the clothes you plan to make and the required yardage/meterage so sellers can assist you faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the opening hours of Soai Kinh Lam Fabric Market?

The market operates during the day, usually from morning until late afternoon.

Does Soai Kinh Lam Market sell retail?

Yes, in addition to wholesale, many stalls still cut fabric by the meter for retail.

What types of fabric are available at Soai Kinh Lam Market?

The market offers cotton, kate, jersey/spandex, silk, brocade, chiffon, lace, and decorative fabrics.

See Also

• Ben Thanh Market
• Ben Thanh Night Market
• Binh Tay Market
• Dan Sinh Market