If you are looking for local brands in Ho Chi Minh City, the Dong Khoi - Nguyen Hue area is an easy place to start. You can explore on foot, combining multiple stops in a single outing without spending too much time traveling. Right inside Vincom Center Dong Khoi, The New Playground brings together many Vietnamese brands in one space; HELIOS also has a store here on the B1 floor.
For tourists, local brands are appealing for a very simple reason: you can take home something created in Vietnam and continue to use it long after you return home.
It doesn't necessarily have to be a souvenir. It could be a shirt, a pair of glasses, a fragrance, a leather item, or a silver piece that you still want to wear after your trip.
Why are tourists increasingly looking for Vietnamese local brands?
When visiting a new city, many people don't just want to stop by familiar shopping spots. They also want to discover how that city lives, creates, and shapes its style through the brands made right there.
Local brands provide that sense more clearly.
You see how young Vietnamese designers choose clothing forms, handle materials, use symbols, create packaging, and build store spaces. Some are very street-style. Some are minimalist. Some carry cultural elements. Some are completely contemporary.
The value doesn't lie in the item being "very Vietnamese" at first glance. The value lies in it being born from a Vietnamese brand with its own unique language.
If you only have one afternoon, where should you start?
If your schedule is mainly in the city center, Vincom Center Dong Khoi is an easy choice.
The New Playground is located in the basement of Vincom and gathers many Vietnamese local brands in one place. This is especially convenient for tourists because you don't have to travel across many districts to visit individual stores.
You can browse fashion, accessories, and brands with very different styles in one area. Afterward, if you want to find something smaller, easier to carry home, and wearable for a long time, you can visit HELIOS right on B1.
What kind of brand is HELIOS?
HELIOS is a Vietnamese silver jewelry brand for men. Instead of creating products just to follow trends, HELIOS focuses on S925 silver, refined details, and designs that give the wearer a reason to keep them.
Some people are drawn to the shapes. Some prefer the weight of the silver. Some choose a piece because the symbol on it touches on something they care about.
HELIOS doesn't require you to memorize the entire brand story before walking into the store.
Just pick up an item. Try it on. Look closely at the surface. If it makes you want to keep it, the story can begin right there.
What should you buy from a local brand to easily carry home?
If you are a tourist, prioritize items that won't add weight to your luggage and can still be used when you get home.
- Shirts or accessories with easy-to-wear silhouettes
- Highly functional eyewear or leather goods
- Perfume in travel-friendly sizes
- Rings, bracelets, necklaces, or earrings if you want something smaller and more personal
Jewelry has an advantage: it doesn't take up much space, you can wear it immediately, and it can accompany you for the rest of your trip.
There is a significant difference between "an item bought in Vietnam" and "an item that can only be used as a souvenir of Vietnam."
HELIOS leans toward the former.
A piece of silver developed in Vietnam doesn't need to have the city's name printed on its surface. It can be unique enough to remind you of your trip, but natural enough to become a part of your style afterward.
That is one way to bring Vietnam home without turning the item into a souvenir.
If you want to visit HELIOS while exploring local brands in the center
HELIOS Vincom Center Dong Khoi
- Location: Booth 18 - 19, Lot B1 - 38 - 48, B1 Floor, Vincom Center Dong Khoi, HCMC
- Opening hours: 9:30 - 22:00
- Suitable for: Short-term tourists, those who want to discover Vietnamese brands, those buying gifts for men, those who want to try products in person
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The New Playground at Vincom Dong Khoi a local brand area?
Yes. It is a shopping area that gathers many Vietnamese brands in one space at Vincom Center Dong Khoi.
Is HELIOS located in this area?
Yes. HELIOS Vincom Center Dong Khoi is located on the B1 floor, booths 18–19.
If I only have a little time in HCMC, where should I visit?
If you are in the city center, Vincom Dong Khoi is a convenient destination because you can combine many local brands in one place.
Conclusion
A city is not only remembered for what it has had for a long time.
It is also remembered for the things being created today.
If you want to see a part of contemporary Vietnamese design while in HCMC, spend some time walking through the local brand area at Vincom Dong Khoi. And if you want to find something smaller, closer to the wearer, stop by HELIOS, try it on, and choose something you truly want to take with you.
