Want to refresh your wardrobe with some top quality bespoke pieces without paying a fortune? The famous Hoi An tailors can create absolute magic, here’s all you need to know before placing your orders.
Hoi An is the world’s tailoring capital, with countless skilled tailors who can make everything from casual clothes and swimwear to formal gowns and custom suits.
But with hundreds of tailor shops lining the streets, and an infinite number of combinations of fabrics, styles and patterns to choose from, it can be super overwhelming. Believe me, I’ve suffered from ‘tailor analysis paralysis’ more than once!
And even if you can handle the tenacious sales assistants, the stuffy changing rooms and the fabric walls so colourful that they look like a unicorn vomited on them, navigating the tailoring process to ensure you’re getting the best value for money without compromising on quality is easier said than done.
I’ll help you with both of those. After two dedicated clothes tailoring sessions in Vietnam, I’ve learned the ins and outs of the process and can run you through it step by step. I’ve also included photos of the pieces I got made, along with pricing and details on the tailors I used.
Whether you’re after a few cheap and cheerful wardrobe upgrades, investing in high-quality timeless pieces, or seeking something special for an event, this Hoi An tailor guide will ensure your clothes tailoring experience is… well, seamless! (Sorry, I had to!)
Please note this blog contains affiliate links that give me a small commission from any purchase, at no extra cost to you. I would never advertise anything I wouldn’t use myself, and this commission helps Finding Alexx reach more travellers. Thank you for supporting me!
Hoi An tailor guide: Quick links
The best tailors in Hoi An (according to me!)
Other things to do in Hoi An
Where to stay in Hoi An
- Babylon Luxury Resort for a premium stay close to the Ancient Town
- Silk Sense for a 5* resort experience away from the chaos
- Calm House 2 Hostel for somewhere cheap and cheerful
Other tips for Vietnam
- Save 10% on hundreds of Vietnam experiences on Klook with the promocode FINDINGALEXXKLOOK
- Get your Vietnam eSIM through MobiMatter, they’re way cheaper than Airalo, Holafly, Jetpac etc.
- Read my three week Vietnam itinerary for a full country guide
Why is Hoi An known for tailoring?
Hoi An’s legendary tailor scene has been going (or sewing…) strong for centuries. Okay, I’m done with the puns. For now…
The city’s Ancient Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised in 1999 as a near-perfectly-preserved trading port dating back to the 16th century, and it was added to UNESCO’s list of Creative Cities in 2023 for its dedication to craft preservation.
Its strategic location along a busy shipping highway resulted in it becoming a commercial centre for merchants from Japan, China, Thailand and European countries, who traded everything from jewels to spices to textiles.
Skilled artisans from around Vietnam moved to Hoi An for better work opportunities, and global influences from Hoi An’s diverse merchant base expanded their skills beyond traditional Vietnamese garments and into different styles and fabrics. Other crafts boomed here too, including lantern-making, ceramics and wood carving.
Bureaucratic dramas and international trade bans all but destroyed Hoi An’s trading scene in the 19th and 20th centuries, but UNESCO recognition and the city’s commitment to preserving and restoring its heritage has helped bring it back to life, with tailoring and other traditional creative skills at the forefront.
These days there are hundreds of tailors in Hoi An that can turnaround top quality custom pieces within a matter of days, for a fraction of what you’d pay almost anywhere else in the world.
It’s not only recognised as the best place to have clothes made in Vietnam, it’s known as the tailoring capital of the world.
What you need to know before getting clothes tailored in Hoi An
I make travel mistakes so you don’t have to, so learn from my f*ck ups and take note of these essential Hoi An tailoring tips.
You get what you pay for
Tailored clothing here is cheap cheap cheap, like literally 80-95% cheaper than what you’d pay for custom garments in most places, but the old adage “you get what you pay for” still rings true.
Some tailors sell made-to-measure items from as low as $5-10USD, but you have to consider how that’s possible or sustainable. Items this cheap are probably not going to be made of decent material, probably not going to be made with care or precision, and if they are well-made with good material then you can be fairly certain that whoever’s making them isn’t being fairly compensated for their time.
But the good news is that for a little extra cost you can find skilled tailors, choose better quality fabrics, and add pieces to your wardrobe that will stand the test of time.
Pricing depends on lots of things
In saying that though, higher prices don’t necessarily guarantee a better product.
Pricing can vary drastically from tailor to tailor, in my experience many sales assistants kind of look at you, consider how savvy you are likely to be, and throw out a number to see how you react. I had a pair of shorts I wanted copied in a basic lightweight cotton and got initial quotes ranging from $25USD to $70USD.
Prices are generally negotiable so it’s expected to haggle for a better price, though an acceptable haggle will depend on the shop and the items. Most of the things I bought I ended up paying 25-40% lower than the original price they quoted me, except for my dresses from Milan Linen who weren’t open to negotiation (but these were brilliant value to begin with).
The main factors that will influence the price / the potential to haggle are:
- The quality of the fabric you’ve chosen
- The uniqueness of the fabric, many shops have the exact same material so you can haggle more, but if it’s a particular patterned fabric only available in one place then they’ll be less likely to discount
- How many items you’re getting made there, they’ll give you a better deal for a bulk order
- Complexity of the garment
- Whether you’re going off an existing pattern that they’ve already made vs. asking them for something they’ll have to design from scratch
- The amount of material you use, unfortunately this does mean that bigger sizes will get charged more than the same item in a smaller size
Do keep in mind that while you want to get the best deal, you also want to make sure the craftsperson’s work is fairly compensated. Better to pay a bit more money for a reputable tailor that looks after their staff, rather than getting a bargain at a sneaky stall that’s farming out their orders to a dodgy garment factory.
The tailors in Hoi An can pretty much make anything
The tailoring talent in Hoi An is honestly next level. If you can dream it, they can seam it! (I acknowledge that that one didn’t quite land, I’ll try again soon)
From perfectly-fitted suits and wedding dresses, to replicating a Pinterest look flawlessly, to copying your favourite jacket that’s on its last legs, they’ll be able to deliver something that exceeds your expectations.
I even found a tailor that could make Eras Tour sequinned bodysuits for $250USD, that’s an absolute steal for something handmade!
It’s easier when you have a vision
The opportunities are endless here, but that means it can be haaaard to make a decision, which makes you more susceptible to being convinced to buy more than you need. I’d recommend having a good think about what you’re actually looking for before you start the tailor-hopping process.
But listen to the tailors too, they’re the experts
In saying that, the staff at the tailors (who are usually sales assistants rather than actual tailors, but they still know what they’re talking about) might have some helpful feedback for you if you’re open to it.
They’ll be able to guide you on what is flattering for your body shape and what materials suit different cuts.
One example here is that I was adamant that I wanted pockets in all my items (omg how great are pockets) buttttt the ladies at Milan Linen warned me that a pocket in my linen dress would stop it from sitting correctly. I said I was willing to compromise on the fit, but at the first fitting it was clear that they were totally right and I was wrong (a very rare occasion 🙃).
I admitted defeat, asked them to remove the pockets, and was much happier with the final result. How embarrassing.
Be prepared for brutal honesty
Vietnam is statistically one of the shortest and slimmest countries in the world, and East Asia as a region is known for its propensity for body-shaming, so when some Vietnamese locals (particularly older ladies) see foreigners with different shaped bodies to what they recognise as ‘ideal’, they might make comments that may seem insensitive.
I’m not trying to excuse them because these comments can absolutely be hurtful, but they generally aren’t intended to offend. The stigma towards bigger bodies is just a sad part of Vietnamese culture that has been passed down through generations.
Most sales assistants these days have very good changing-room-manner, but it wouldn’t be unheard of for a tailor assistant to comment on your height, your weight, your waist size, your boob size, etc.
If you’re not comfortable with this, or if these comments might be triggering to you, I’d recommend going to one of the more commercial tailors (like Yaly, Tuong or BeBe) as they have more Westernised and professional processes.
I personally haven’t experienced any offensive comments, but I did have one lady measure my boobs, remeasure, remeasure again, and then say “hmm one is bigger than the other” in a small shop with five other customers next to me 😂😂😂 Thanks for giving me a new insecurity!
Compare tailors before making any decisions
Not all Hoi An tailors are made equal, so you’ll want to check out multiple options to check fabrics and get quotes before confirming your order.
Some Hoi An tailors have in-house production teams with decades of experience, some are particularly skilled at working with specific fabrics or creating certain garments, some are snake-oil salespeople who take your money and outsource your order to a mass-production factory outside of the city.
It can be hard to know exactly what you’re going to get but visiting the shops, conversations with their staff, asking about their processes can help you sort the seasoned professionals from the dodgy dealers.
Check reviews *and* photos
On that same note, always always always check reviews on Google and TripAdvisor. but particularly look for ones that include photos.
Many tailors encourage customers to write a review when they’re standing at the payment desk, maybe even looking over their shoulder while they do it, so a 5* review doesn’t actually hold the weight you’d expect.
Look for detailed reviews that mention specific highlights of the tailoring process, with photos of the final result, rather than single-line ‘thank yous’.
Many tailors have Instagram and TikTok accounts too with photos and videos of the garments they make, which can give you a good idea of what to expect.
Take hotel or tour guide recommendations with a grain of salt
I don’t know who needs to hear this but for the love of the travel gods, do not go to the first tailor your hotel recommends and order five items straight away.
Hotels and tour guides have commission-based relationships with tailors, which means they get a kickback if you follow their recommendation.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that the tailor isn’t good, affiliate partnerships like this are super common in the travel industry and a hotel wouldn’t want to recommend somewhere shit because then it reflects badly on them, but the ones that can afford to pay commission generally have higher mark ups on their prices.
Treat these recommendations like you would any other potential tailor, by checking reviews and looking at photos for proof of quality.
There are sometimes benefits with taking your hotel’s recommendation though, like free transport to and from the tailor or free delivery of the items once they’re finished.
Allow three days absolute minimum, ideally 4-5
If you’ve got your heart set on getting clothes made in Vietnam then you need to stay at least three days to have enough time for comparing, initial measurements, a fitting and then final delivery.
A first version based on the initial measurements and concept conversation will generally take 24-48 hours. If you’ve chosen a cheaper tailor then that might be the final version with no additional fittings, but for the better quality tailors they’ll usually offer at least one fitting to check the sizing and then make any adjustments in the next 24 hours or so.
Staying four, five or more days just gives you more time to shop around and toss up your options, and a longer potential turnaround time means the tailor won’t need to rush your order.
My first visit to Hoi An was too rushed to get anything decent made, so I set aside a full week in Hoi An during my recent three week Vietnam trip, and it was ideal!
It can be overwhelming
I’ll be real with you, navigating the Hoi An tailoring process can be a bit of an assault on the senses.
Every shop has persistent assistants keen to convert you as a customer (the whole “I’m just browsing at the moment, thanks” doesn’t really work here), many shops don’t have air con and can get unbearably stuffy in the afternoon heat, there are so many kaleidoscopic fabric linings the walls that it might make your eyes hurt.
Treat it like an extreme sport: stay hydrated, take breaks, and keep your eye on the prize, which is a bunch of epic custom-made clothing to take home.
Step-by-step process for clothes tailoring in Hoi An
By now you’ve got a good idea of what to do and what not to do, so lets run through each of the steps from start to finish.
Are you (th)ready? (Nailed that one.)
1. Figure out your Hoi An tailoring wishlist
Before you even get to Hoi An, think about what you actually need and want. Consider the following:
- Are there any key garments missing from your wardrobe?
- Do you have any items of clothing that you love but don’t wear enough, because you have nothing to combine it with?
- Do you have any events coming up that you need a new outfit for?
- Do you have any existing items that you absolutely love and want in different colours, or need in a different size, or just need a copy of in case you lose the one you’ve got?
- Have you got any screenshots of outfits you’ve seen online that you saved for future reference?
- Are there any styles you’ve always wanted to try but have never been able to find an item that fits you?
These questions should help you put together a wishlist of things you actually want and need, rather than being sucked in by the fun of the tailor experience.
2. Research the best tailors in Hoi An
Once you’ve got your wishlist sorted, start looking for tailors who will be able to deliver your vision.
Check if there are tailors that are particularly known for the kind of thing you’re looking for, some specialist tailors are:
- Milan Linen for linen
- A Dong Silk for formalwear
- Golden Silk for beautiful silk scarves, tops and dresses
- Bao Diep Tailor for men’s suits
- Blue Chic Tailor for men’s suits
- Vanda Tailor for men’s suits
- Yaly Couture for fancy outfits
- Rô Shoe Shop for shoes and bags
If you’re looking for a more general tailor to get multiple pieces made, some of the popular all-rounders are:
- Tuong Tailor, my personal favourite for the shopping experience
- 45 Thu Tailor, their shop’s not as slick but the pieces I got here were brilliant
- Kimmy Tailor, one of the oldest in Hoi An
- Bebe Tailors, another smooth commercial operation but I personally didn’t rate it
And finally, if you are on a tight budget, wander through the Cloth Market and down the side streets or slightly outside of Ancient Town to find smaller tailors that offer more competitive prices. Just be aware that this could go one of two ways:
- You might stumble upon a hidden gem where a highly-trained tailor has opened their first shop after building their skill set at one of the major stores
- Orrrr you find a shopfront that just outsources their orders to a garment factory which has no quality control
It’s a risk for sure, but it might pay off! Check reviews and photos, ask who actually makes their clothes (they might lie but you might be able to tell), and negotiate accordingly.
Two of the more affordable tailors in Hoi An that I’ve used personally are:
- Mrs An (shop #90 in the Cloth Market), average quality materials but fairly priced, perfectly made to the photos I had, no opportunity for adjustments
- Se Se Tailor away from the main tailor area, fantastic service, many good quality fabrics and patterns that I hadn’t seen in any other shops
3. Tailor-hop and compare
After looking at your tailor options and checking their reviews and photos, you should have a shortlist for ones you want to visit. Now it’s time for the fun part: speed-dating!
Plot out your potential tailors on Google Maps and figure out a route that makes sense, then start your visits.
In each tailor, the first thing to check is if they have the right kind of fabric in a colour or pattern that suits you. If they don’t have a fabric that works for you then cross them off the list and move to the next one.
If they do have material that suits, chat to a sales assistant about what you’re looking for. See if they have any samples on mannequins that you can use as an example, or go through their catalogues or social media, or show them the photos you’ve saved. If you want them to copy a garment you already have, take it with you.
Through this initial chat you should be able to get a quote for the item or items you want made, as well as expected turnarounds and if they offer fittings and adjustments. More items from one place will get you a better deal! They will probably put pressure on you to order immediately but just tell them that you have to consider your options overnight and will be back in tomorrow.
Or if you’re really happy with what they’re offering, order straight away!
4. Place your orders & get measured
Once you’ve got quotes from your shortlist, look through the options and decide what to go for. Consider pricing, turnaround time, the materials they have, the communication with the sales assistant, online reviews and photos, and of course the price.
If the shops are still open for the day then head back in to place your orders (most shut between 8-10pm), or head in first thing the next morning to finalise your orders and get your measurements taken.
The time for measurements will depend on what you’re getting made, for multiple pieces with complex styles it could take up to 30 minutes, but for a typical dress, shirt or trousers it should take 5-10 minutes max.
Most tailors ask for a 50% deposit, some take card (usually with a 1-3% card fee) and all take cash. Once you’ve made your order they’ll book you in for your fitting or the final pick up if it’s a cheaper tailor that doesn’t offer adjustments.
5. Initial fitting
The initial fitting is usually 24-48 hours after your order is placed, depending on how much time you have in Hoi An. You’ll have a set time for your fitting appointment, be sure to arrive on time to avoid messing with their calendar for that day.
At this stage you’ll be able to see the first version of your clothes, woohoo! It probably won’t be perfect, they’ll check how well it fits and can adjust things like length, stitching, neckline, elastic, etc.
The most important thing here is to be honest with them! A good tailor/assistant will be able to tell anything that needs to be changed from a fitting/quality perspective, but if there’s something you’re unhappy with or if it’s not what you expected, just have an open conversation with them because chances are they’ll be able to fix it.
6. Fine-tuning if necessary
For simple pieces a single fitting is often enough, but for complex pieces or expensive items you might get two or three to make sure they’re exactly what you want.
For my dresses at Milan Linen I had two fittings before my final pick up, and for my trousers at Yaly Couture I had two fittings as well.
7. Collect your clothes
Once you’re happy with the final product, you’ll pay the remainder of your balance and then get to take your clothes home!
If there are any small adjustments to be made after the final fitting then some tailors might be able to get the clothes delivered to your hotel rather than needing you to come in for pick up.
8. Leave reviews
Once you’ve got your clothes, please take photos of you wearing them (the sales assistants will be happy to do this for you in the shop if you want) and upload a detailed review for other customers to see when they’re going through their tailor search too.
My Hoi An tailor recommendations (with prices & photos)
It would be impossible to give a definitive list of the best tailors in Hoi An without having tried them all, but here are my personal recommendations, plus photos of what I bought and some info about my experience.
Quick note: Many of these shop names use Vietnamese characters but these can cause display issues on some browsers so I’ve used the English spelling, Google will still recognise them if you search them like this.
Tuong Tailor
Address: 65 – 67 Tran Hung Dao
Instagram | TripAdvisor | Website | Google reviews
Tuong Tailor had the best tailoring experience overall for me, they’re my top recommendation if you’re looking for an all-rounder with good quality material, skilled staff and a smooth process.
✅ What I loved about Tuong Tailor
- The duo who helped us (Ty and Mi) were so friendly and helpful, not pushy at all
- Huge selection of materials including many patterns I didn’t see anywhere else
- The shop was spacious and comfortable, with free bottled water for customers
- One of the items I was asking them to copy was a pair of trousers that were actually too long for me, they hemmed them for free ❤️
- Committed to getting things perfect, they noticed a small imperfection at my mum’s final fitting for the jacket she got made and they asked to keep it for another few hours to fix it up, even though we didn’t notice it!
➖ Not-so-great things about Tuong Tailor
- One of the more expensive options but that’s because they are a full commercial operation, still very good value but probably not good if you’re on a tight budget
What we ordered at Tuong Tailor
I got two pairs of pants and Mum got a jacket, $240USD total after a discount for multiple items. The rough breakdown here would be $100USD for the jacket and $70USD for each pair of trousers.
I had these blue and white pants modelled off an existing pair I had, the material is quite different so they’re stiffy and less flowy than my original pair, but the tailoring is perfect.
I’d been needing a simple pair of black pants for aaaages and hadn’t found anything, so I got a black linen pair made at Tuong. Unfortunately I accidentally left these in London at a friend’s house so I don’t have them with me to take photos, but I’ll update this post when I get back to them in December.
And Mum got this jacket made, it’s modelled off this Zara jacket which she bought years ago and both of us love the shaping. Tuong were the only ones with this rope pattern and it was exactly what she was looking for.
45 Thu Tailor
Address: 06 Hoang Dieu St
Instagram | TripAdvisor | Google reviews
45 Thu have a smaller range of materials than Tuong, and their retail experience isn’t as smooth, but they offer excellent value for money without compromising on quality.
✅ What I loved about 45 Thu Tailor
- Fantastic value for the quality of the tailoring
- Smaller selection of fabrics but they had patterns I didn’t see elsewhere
- My sales assistant, Luy, was incredibly knowledgeable about materials and found me the ideal ones to use for what I wanted
➖ Not-so-great things about 45 Thu Tailor
- Smaller shop so at busy times of the day it can get super stuffy
- They were quite pushy for me to order straight away even though I explained I needed to take some time to think about it and make my orders the next day
What I ordered at 45 Thu Tailor
Two jackets (modelled off the same jacket my mum used for her one from Tuong), $140USD for both. Quite a bit cheaper than the Tuong Tailor one Mum had made, but the material she used was more silky than mine and Tuong was the only one with the rope pattern she wanted.
Very happy with these two, I will wear them so much!
Milan Linen
Address: 116 Trần Cao Vân
Instagram | TripAdvisor | Google reviews
Milan Linen are a small tailor slightly away from the main drag of clothing shops, they specialise in linen (obviously) but they also have other fabrics to choose from.
✅ What I loved about Milan Linen
- Extremely fair pricing, not willing to negotiate but that’s because their initial price was already excellent value
- Lots of samples to look through and try
- Plenty of linen options but they have some other materials too, mostly single colours
- Particularly known for their dresses, jumpsuits and matching sets
- Super attentive, I had two fittings to get things perfect and then they had some final adjustments to make before I picked them up
- No fucking around, these ladies are here to get shit done. No niceties, no yapping, they just take your measurements and then get down to business.
➖ Not-so-great things about Milan Linen
- It’s a very small shop with only one changing room, so if it’s busy you might wait a while. They open at 9am so go first thing in the morning.
What I ordered at Milan Linen
Three dresses for $92USD total, which is crazy!
Absolutely obsessed with this black maxi dress, it’s ultra lightweight so perfect for travel, it fits beautifully, one of my favourite things in my suitcase.
I needed a summery pop of colour for my suitcase and this does just the trick, this was based on one of their sample dresses but with significant changes to the neckline, distance between straps and the shaping around the waist.
I also LOVE this blue wrap dress, I don’t own anything in this colour, but it’s made with a really nice linen which is heavier than I expected (my fault, not theirs) so I actually left it in storage in London. I have to stick to 23kg when I am on the road so have to balance weight vs. how much wear I’ll get from it. I know I’ll wear it a lot when I’ve got a base though!
Se Se Tailor
Address: 311 Nguyen Duy Hieu
Instagram | TripAdvisor | Google reviews
This small family-owned tailor is a hidden gem for sure, it’s away from the main shopping area so you wouldn’t really stumble across it unless you’re walking to your hotel, but it is 100% worth a visit. Very affordable, so helpful finding the perfect materials, and the shorts they made for me are exactly what I wanted.
This was a late discovery for me and I’d already made some orders so I only ended up getting one thing made here, but next time I’m in Hoi An I’ll go here first and get a bunch of stuff!
✅ What I loved about Se Se Tailor
- Owned by two sisters I believe, Anna (who helped me) was one of them and she is just sunshine personified. So happy, so bubbly, so helpful.
- Excellent communication, Anna kept in touch through WhatsApp to let me know when to come in for my fitting and pick up
- Super skilled tailoring, the shorts I had made were actually very tricky due to the fabric’s width and the pattern needing to be in a certain place to make the shorts flattering, but they totally nailed it!
- Very affordable
➖ Not-so-great things about Se Se Tailor
- Small shop which can get hot if you’re trying on lots of things, but that’s the only negative I can think of!
What I ordered at Se Se Tailor
I just had a pair of shorts made, but I wish I had space in my suitcase for more. The shorts were $30USD as I choose a premium material (that was a nightmare for them to use due to the pattern haha) and they were lined, but for a basic material and unlined they would’ve been $15-20USD.
Yaly Couture
Address: I went to their branch at 358 Nguyen Duy Hieu but they have multiple locations, you can see them all here >
Instagram | TripAdvisor | Website | Google reviews
Yaly Couture are probably the best known tailors in Hoi An, they have three retail stores which are all very slick and smooth. They specialise in occasion-wear and they have loads of premium fabrics and exclusive patterns. They’ve also got off-the-rack pieces which they can alter to fit you if you’re in a rush.
✅ What I loved about Yaly Couture
- The biggest selection of bright and beautiful patterns
- Lots of silk and satin if you want something fancy
- The best air con of any tailor in Hoi An
- Very skilled in-house production workshop
- They dropped my pants off to my hotel once they were ready
➖ Not-so-great things about Yaly Couture
- Felt very impersonal, they churn through customers quickly! Lots of tour companies and hotels recommend them (usually for commission) and provide transport so groups of 10-15 people turn up and just get ferried through the process.
- One of the most expensive tailors for sure, to make the bomber jacket Mum and I both wanted (in a similar material to what I ended up using at 45 Thu) they were going to charge $145USD, more than twice the price.
What I ordered at Yaly Couture
This pair of satin trousers which I ADORE, $89USD so the most expensive thing I bought, but once I saw this pattern I knew I couldn’t live without it in my suitcase.
I also got a few things made at Yaly during my first visit to Hoi An in February 2020, I can’t remember prices (pre-Covid travel feels like a different lifetime) but here are some details and photos.
- Strawberry top & pant set, l loved the concept of this but was disappointed with the result. The top was a terrible option for my body (yes it was my choice to order, but I wish they’d explained that it wouldn’t sit nicely haha) aaaand the pants were actually made with the material upside-down, which they didn’t realise until I told them, and I didn’t have time for them to redo them.
- Ladybird shorts, obsessed with these and still wear them!
- Wrap skirt, exactly what I asked for and I got a lot of wear out of this
Mrs An, Cloth Market
Address: Shop #90 inside the Cloth Market, 01 Tran Phu
The Cloth Market is on the corner of the no-car-zone in the Ancient Town, it’s got loads of stalls promising bespoke tailoring for much, much cheaper than the standalone tailors. Unfortunately, but unsurprisingly, these stalls are very hit and miss.
They pretty much all have the same basic, synthetic fabrics, many of them get their orders made at factories so there’s no consistency or quality control, and most of them only take your initial measurement and won’t offer fittings.
BUT if you are just looking for cheap and cheerful casual pieces, and you’re not too fussed about the quality of the material, there are some gems offering the most affordable tailoring in Hoi An.
On my first visit to Hoi An in Feb 2020 I got a bunch of things made by Mrs An, her stall is #90. The pieces were exactly what I asked for, it was a very quick turnaround, and I can’t remember exactly how much I paid but I know it was cheap because I was on a backpacker budget back then! She’d be my top recommendation for inside the Cloth Market.
✅ What I loved about Mrs An
- Wide range of patterns
- Fast turnaround
- Budget-friendly
- I *believe* she makes items herself along with a few of her own tailors, but I’m not 100% certain of that
➖ Not-so-great things about Mrs An
- I wouldn’t go here for anything too complex or fitted
- Mostly low-to-average quality synthetic materials, not very durable
What I ordered at Mrs An
This red tie top which I still love, not very breathable but it looks nice.
This red dress, it was what I asked for but again I wasn’t really aware of how it would sit on my body. Didn’t love it as a dress, but I wore it with a t-shirt over the top so it just looked like a skirt.
And other tailors I visited but didn’t end up ordering from
- BeBe Tailor: Recommended by our hotel, very well known, but I didn’t like it. They have very good reviews for men’s suits and fancy dresses, but for casual clothes they charge twice as much as other tailors even for cheap, synthetic material. I was quoted $45-50USD for basic, unlined shorts, $60-75USD for a lined but fairly simple skirt, and $160USD for the bomber jacket.
- A Dong Silk: Widely regarded as the best Hoi An custom suits tailor, A Dong Silk is a pricier option but you pay for the quality. They had a small display of their silks at the resort I stayed at outside of Hoi An, Silk Sense, and the patterns were so beautiful.
- Blue Eye Tailor: Fantastic reviews and they were very helpful, they just didn’t have any fabric to suit what I was looking for.
- Tina Design: They had some epic party outfits and sequin bodysuits on display that looked incredible, they’d be a good option if you need something for a special event.
FAQs about getting clothes made in Hoi An
Are the Hoi An tailors worth it?
One thousand percent yes, the tailors in Hoi An are probably the most ‘worth it’ tailors in the world.
Quality can vary depending on how much you spend + the tailor you choose of course, but if you pick a good one (like any of the ones I’ve recommended) then the value for money is unbelievable.
Can Hoi An tailors replicate existing garments?
They sure can, this is one of the best ideas for getting clothes made!
If you have something in your wardrobe that you wear all the time and couldn’t live without, or that you get constant comments on, or that you love but that no longer fits or sits properly, bring it with you and get a tailor to make a replica.
I did this with three items: my mum’s bomber jacket (because she got sick of me stealing it 🙃), a pair of flowy pants I wanted in a different colour, and a pair of shorts I wanted in a better quality material.
Is it illegal to get clothes copied in Vietnam?
This is a bit of an ethical grey area, but patterns of clothes (as in the template to put the garment together, not the artistic pattern) cannot be copyrighted, so taking in an item and asking a tailor to make a copy is totally legal.
I personally don’t like the idea of doing this for an item that was from an independent designer or a small, ethical brand, but I have no qualms about taking a Zara jacket or a pair of shorts from H&M to be replicated because all those brands are known for ripping off small designers anyway 🤷🏼♀️
Is it ethical to get clothes tailored in Vietnam?
Another grey area, and the answer is that it really depends on how you go about the tailoring process, as well as what you’re comparing it to.
Vietnam doesn’t have strong protections in place for workers, and some tailors in Hoi An outsource to mass-producing garment factories, which likely aren’t the most comfortable or fair work environments. Even the tailors with in-house production have cramped workshops, long working hours and no air conditioning.
Unfortunately, this is the norm for Vietnam. Labour is cheap here, workplaces are largely unregulated, most people work six days a week, and this goes for hotels, tour companies, restaurants, and most other industries we’d come into contact with as visitors to the country.
The inconvenient but undeniable truth is that, as international travellers, we benefit from these conditions. We get exceptional value for money and high quality service, but it’s important to recognise that this is sometimes comes at the expense of worker welfare. That’s why it’s so important for us to spend our money wisely, especially in developing countries, to ensure that our tourism creates more positive than negative impact.
My view is that if you choose a reputable tailor with their own dedicated workshop, or a small, family-owned tailor where the garments are made in-house, it can be one of the most ethical ways to buy clothing.
Your money goes directly to local business owners and craftspeople, one-off tailored pieces result in minimal waste, and you’re not supporting global retail giants that exploit factory workers and contribute massively to pollution.
However, the impact of your purchases can be less clear if you’re using a tailor that’s not transparent about their production process, like many of the stalls in the Cloth Market. If these stalls aren’t making the clothes themselves then chances are they’re farming their orders out to a garment factory, which is likely the same kind of place fast fashion brands use anyway.
This is probably still better than buying from Zara or H&M (because at least the money’s staying in Vietnam). but unless you visit the factory yourself, you can’t be certain of the ethics behind your purchase.
How long does it take to get clothes made in Hoi An?
It really depends on the complexity of the garment, but if you’re in a rush then many tailors in Hoi An can turn around most items within 24 hours, though this might result in cutting corners. If you are getting something complex made, like a full suit or a formal dress, 48 hours would probably be the fastest delivery for the final result.
If you aren’t in a rush, then 3-4 days is the typical timeline for most tailors to complete your garments, this leaves time for better quality work as well as one or two fittings for adjustments.
Which city in Vietnam is best for tailors?
Hoi An is widely considered the best city in Vietnam for tailors (in fact it’s the best city in the world for tailors), but Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have reputable tailors too. These are generally more viefocused on formalwear and business clothing, prices are higher, and turnaround times won’t be as quick as the tourist-friendly Hoi An shops.
Where to stay in Hoi An
I split my time in Vietnam between two places, one closer to the Ancient Town for easy access to the tailors, and then a few days at a dreamy eco-resort away from the chaos at the end.
9.7/10 on booking.com from 160+ reviews
This brand new 5* hotel is perfect if you want to be close to the old town, it’s only a 15-20 minute walk to many of the tailors I’ve mentioned as well as the Hoi An clothing market tailors. If you catch a Grab or use one of the free bikes you can be there in a matter of minutes.
It is incredibly good value too, you can get rooms here from as low as $40USD! Beautiful interiors, comfortable beds, two swimming pools, breakfast included, very helpful staff, honestly this was the perfect place for our time exploring Hoi An.
Silk Sense River Resort
9.1/10 on booking.com from 80+ reviews
If the Ancient Town crowds and traffic aren’t your jam (haha see what I did there), Silk Sense River Resort offers a peaceful escape that’s still within easy Grab distance of the tailors. It’s paradise here!
This eco-hotel is the first zero plastic waste resort in this region of Vietnam, and they’re committed to protecting the environment and community they operate in. They’ve got all these fancy sustainable processes in place including energy reduction, a recycling programme (very rare in Vietnam!), their own organic herb garden for the restaurant, and biodegradable toiletries.
Aside from all that, the resort is just an absolute haven. Huge swimming pool, lots of free activities like afternoon tea, craft classes and tai chi, and a free shuttle to and from the Ancient Town for when you’ve got tailor appointments.
Final thoughts on Hoi An’s tailors
Getting clothes tailored in Hoi An is hands down one of the best things to do in Vietnam, and whatever you get made here can double as a souvenir too.
Choosing the right tailor is the tricky bit, because you don’t want to waste money on shitty items that’ll fall apart after a few wears, but hopefully this Hoi An tailor guide has given you some tips and tricks to navigate the process smoothly.
If you do end up choosing any of these tailors or if you have one you want to recommend then please let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear your experience!
Other Vietnam & Southeast Asia blogs you might like:
- The perfect three week Vietnam itinerary
- How to spend three days in Hanoi
- How to spend three weeks in Malaysia
- Two week Malaysian Borneo itinerary
- Solo travel guide to Kuala Lumpur
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