Top 5 Hidden Antique Spots in Ho Chi Minh City Only Locals Know About
The antique market in Ho Chi Minh City is vast and intricate. Not everyone knows the secret haunts where local collectors hunt for treasures at fair prices with proven authenticity. If you’re passionate about antiquing and seeking unique spots known only to locals, this guide will take you straight to them.
1. Cafe Chợ Đồ Cổ Cao Minh – The “Thousand-Dollar Flea Market” in Bình Thạnh
The antique market at Cafe Cao Minh is a beloved hangout for Saigon’s collectors. Nicknamed the “thousand-dollar flea market,” it’s not a fixed shop but a Sunday-morning community swap meet where enthusiasts chat, trade, and share their passion.
Cafe Chợ Đồ Cổ Cao Minh Items range from everyday relics costing just a few tens of thousands of VND to rare pieces worth tens or even hundreds of millions. You’ll find vintage radios, typewriters, mechanical clocks, high-value ceramics, ancient coins, old photos, and household items from bygone eras. The lively, friendly, ultra-local vibe is its biggest draw. The market buzzes mainly on Sunday mornings; arrive by 6:00 AM to catch the best pieces as they’re unveiled. Address: 311/27 Nơ Trang Long, Ward 13, Bình Thạnh District, HCMC Hours: Every Sunday morning
2. Vua Đồ Cổ Đinh Công Tường – A Private Museum of Over 8,000 Artifacts
Mr. Đinh Công Tường, dubbed the “King of Antiques,” houses more than 8,000 items—mostly ceramics from the Sa Huỳnh, Óc Eo, and Đông Sơn cultures. His display feels like a mini-museum preserving millennia of Vietnamese heritage.
Trading with the Antique King Đinh Công Tường Though not a commercial store, Mr. Tường regularly meets fellow enthusiasts to exchange pieces. Long-time local collectors revere this address. Address: 72 Zone 5, Hiệp Thành Ward, District 12, HCMC Note: This is a private residence, not an official shop. Contact in advance and gain the owner’s consent before visiting or trading.
3. Quang Râu – A Quintessential Old-Saigon Antique Shop
One of District 1’s oldest antique stores, Quang Râu specializes in wooden furniture, lacquer paintings, ceramics, vintage clocks, and French-colonial household items.
Quang Râu Antique Shop The rustic, nostalgic layout evokes classic Saigon. Owner Quang is deeply knowledgeable and happy to advise customers. It’s perfect for anyone seeking time-worn treasures. Address: 114C Trần Quang Khải, District 1, HCMC
4. Lê Công Kiều Antique Street – The Collector’s “Holy Land”
Though well-known among enthusiasts, only locals know how to score rare finds at reasonable prices on this <200 m stretch. Dozens of shops sell ceramics它是, clocks, coins, military gear, old photos, and vintage books.
Lê Công Kiều Antique Street Each shop has its own character, and most owners are seasoned experts. Newbies should bring a local friend to point out the most trustworthy vendors. Address: 27/3 Lê Công Kiều, Nguyễn Thái Bình Ward, District 1, HCMC
5. Thế Giới Đồ Cổ – Rare Antiques with Provenance
Thế Giới Đồ Cổ gathers meticulously authenticated items: vintage Zippo lighters, wristwatches, feng-shui objects, ritual artifacts, rare-wood furniture, and culturally rich daily utensils spanning feudal to modern times. Transactions are transparent, with multiple payment options and delivery service.
Thế Giới Đồ Cổ in Bình Tân Branch 1: 50/19 Chiến Lược, Bình Trị Đông, Bình Tân, HCMC Branch 2: 146 Tên Lửa, Bình Trị Đông B, Bình Tân, HCMC
We hope this top 5 of local-trusted antique spots helps you uncover exciting discoveries and succeed in your quest for “timeless treasures” in Saigon.
