EmJust so you know: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I may also earn a small commission if you book a tour, hotel, or buy something else through these links. It helps me keep this blog running and full of travel tips. Thanks for your support!
Looking for the best tailor in Hoi An? You’re not alone. With hundreds of shops lining the lantern-lit streets, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of options—each promising perfect fits, glowing reviews, and “premium fabrics.” But as many travellers quickly learn, not all tailors are created equal. From stiff seams to fading dyes, the wrong choice can turn your dream outfit into a suitcase regret. In early 2025, I had two casual pieces tailored here: think breathable, flattering, wear-everywhere items that I now rotate constantly while on the road – as well as my new go-to sandals – and I’m here to help you find your dream casual items.
All images in this article were taken by me during my travels.
Why get clothes tailored in Hoi An?
Hoi An has earned its reputation as Vietnam’s tailoring capital for a reason—getting clothes custom-made here is not just a shopping experience, it’s a cultural one. And when done right, it’s one of the most satisfying souvenirs you can take home. While you can get cheap clothes tailored across Vietnam – you’ll find tailor shops in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Han Market in Da Nang, for example – they’re nowhere near as famous or as high quality as in Hoi An.
In this guide, I’ll cut through the noise—no sponsored fluff, no tourist traps. Just honest, practical advice to help you find quality, style, and craftsmanship without the stress. Whether you’re after a breezy linen set or a timeless shirt dress, you’ll find everything you need to get it tailored right the first time.
Top tips:
- Do your prep before you go, and plan a route – especially if it’s hot!
- Don’t bring water with you – almost all the shops I visited offered me complimentary bottles of water during quotes, measuring and fittings.
- Be prepared to bargain. In most shops, the first price is not the anticipated final price.
Why Is Hoi An So Famous for Tailoring? A Quick Dive into the City’s Stylish Past
Hoi An’s tailor-made fame isn’t just hype—it’s woven into the city’s history. Back in the 15th to 19th centuries, Hoi An was one of Southeast Asia’s most prominent trading ports. Ships from China, Japan, India, and Europe docked here, bringing not just spices and ceramics, but also fine fabrics, fashion trends, and tailoring techniques. Local artisans picked up these global influences and developed an impressive reputation for skilled, adaptable craftsmanship.
Fast forward to the 1990s: as tourism in Vietnam grew, savvy travellers began discovering Hoi An’s tailors—many of them family-run shops with decades of experience. The city quickly became known as the place to get stylish, high-quality clothing custom-made at surprisingly affordable prices, often within just 24–48 hours. This was definitely the case when I visited in 2010, even if I couldn’t afford to get anything made back then (and in my 20s, had no clue what I wanted, either).
Today, Hoi An’s tailors are a signature part of the travel experience here. Whether you’re after a bespoke suit, a breezy linen dress, or something totally unique, getting fitted by a local tailor is not just a souvenir—it’s a cultural encounter.
If you’re interested in Vietnam’s history, try one of the incredible novels about Vietnam in my guide to books about Southeast Asia.
Want help planning Vietnam without overwhelm?
Vietnam, Unlocked is a culture-rich travel guide with itineraries, transport guidance, and planning tools — built for independent travellers who want depth, not rush.
Or, if you’re just getting started, you can sign up for my free Culture-First Traveller’s Guide to Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia — focused on history, everyday culture, and travelling thoughtfully.
And if you’d prefer someone to build a personalised itinerary just for you, I also offer custom trip planning.
👉 Request a custom Vietnam itinerary
Why do I need another guide to tailoring in Hoi An?
- Overly positive reviews: I did a lot of research before I went for my tailoring experiences in Hoi An. I found the guides online incredibly useful – more so than reviews, because I know from experience that many Vietnamese businesses ask customers to provide reviews in person, which means reviews skew positive.
- Plus size experiences: I also valued hearing about individual experiences. As a bigger woman, there’s always the worry of being judged, or people being impolite, so I wanted to hear about the specific experiences of different people.
- Casual clothes: The majority of the guides and reviews I found online didn’t cover the type of items that I wanted to get. Understandably, many people go to a tailor in Hoi An for that showstopper piece, whether it’s a black-tie dress or the business suit they’ll wear for years. But I don’t need those – in contrast, what I wanted was everyday items that fit me so perfectly that I’ll love wearing them day in and day out.
- Shoes: I found almost no information on getting shoes made. I’m fussy about my feet, and usually find a summer and a winter pair of shoes that get worn until they die. My current summer pair were on their last legs – holes growing in both the outer and inner sole – so I desperately needed a replacement. This guide will talk you through my experience of getting tailored shoes in Hoi An as well as casual clothes.
How to prep for your tailoring experience
Let’s dive right into how you should start your Hoi An tailoring experience: prep. Yes, that sounds boring, but it will make all the difference to your finished items. This is how I prepped:
Item inspiration
Not only did I do research on Tiktok and generally online, I looked back at the clothes I’ve loved in the past. I flicked back through my cloud storage to find the clothes that I wish hadn’t disintegrated, or that I sized out of. This led me to one of my items – a replica of my favourite casual dress that’s now just too big for me.
My current wardrobe
Given I’m travelling long-term, I’m unlikely to need office clothes for a while. In contrast, I hate wearing my shorts and wear my short skirt until it is well overdue a wash. I decided that a copy of this skirt would be a great addition to my small travel wardrobe.
Budget planning
Tailoring prices in Hoi An vary wildly, and if you don’t have at least a ballpark figure in mind, it would be so easy to really blow your budget in one of the tailoring shops that’s more upmarket (arguably an investment) or one that simply has better advertising (significantly less of an investment).
Shop Research
I read other people’s blogs, looked at detailed Tiktok videos, and then cross-referenced these with Google Reviews. While doing this, I kept my budget in mind to make sure that I was finding shops at the right price range for me.
Once all these steps were complete, I had a shortlist of shops! I prepared my inspiration pictures and got ready to move onto stage two.
The start of my Hoi An tailoring experience
Once the boring prep was over, I moved onto stage two of my tailoring experience: in-person research. I set aside a morning in Hoi An to visit the shops I had shortlisted, and plotted the right route between them.
Map of the Hoi An tailors I visited
At each shop, I showed the salesperson my inspiration pictures. I asked about timelines and cost, and examined the materials available. As my items were both going to be patterned, the patterns available played a huge part in my decision making. I took pictures of the material at each tailor, and made notes on the price and fabric once I’d left.
Over lunch, I examined my pictures and notes, and made my decisions. Then I headed back to get my measurements taken.
You’ll need to give at least 24 hours, ideally 48 hours, for tailors to make your clothes. In the meantime, check out my guide to day trips from Hoi An to fill your time, or head to one of the beautiful cafes in Hoi An’s rice fields.
My experience: Milan Linen Clothings
Item: direct copy of short skirt
Cost: 700K VND (updated from 800K VND based on measurements)
Milan Linen came up in a lot of the reviews and guides I read, and when I visited, I found they lived up to the hype. This no-nonsense shop specialises in linen, and has a range of example items out if you’re not sure what you want.
I asked them to copy my favourite short skirt, including the pockets but without the belt (which annoys me every time I wear it). It was a very simple process – I picked the material, and the saleswoman measured the skirt.
I’d read not to barter here, and I didn’t – not least because the price was very reasonable. She initially quoted me 800K VND but reduced this to 700K VND when she’d measured the skirt. I found this very honest, as it was clearly based on the amount of material used.
There was no measuring needed, as it was a direct copy of my existing skirt. They kept this to make sure they got it right.
Two days later (they close on a Sunday) I returned to get my skirt. I tried it on and it was a perfect fit first time. They snipped a couple of loose ends and I was good to go!
My experience: Hoan Kim Tailoring
Item: copy of mid-length dress I previously owned from picture
Cost: 1.3M VND (negotiated from 1.7M VND)
Despite all my prep, Hoang Kim Tailoring was not on my initial shortlist. But as I was walking through Hoi An, I spotted their very prominently displayed ‘Featured in Lonely Planet’ sign and decided to have a look – partly because I hadn’t yet found the right material for the dress I wanted.
The saleswoman was friendly and kind, and gave me water to cool me down. We examined the materials and I found one I really liked. She initially quoted me 1.7 million VND – a price I knew was way too high, especially as she quickly lowered it when I left to carry on my research.
When I returned, I was able to negotiate a much lower price for my dress. We did a fitting, which only took a few minutes, and agreed a date for my fitting.
When I went in for my fitting, the dress was far too small around the waistline – I couldn’t do up the zip. I was a bit surprised, given that measurements had been taken. We also agreed to take the length up. I returned the next morning and the fixes had been made.
While I really like the dress, in the end it doesn’t quite fit perfectly around the bust. I should possibly have asked for more amendments, but I was staying in An Bang and didn’t want to come back into Hoi An again the following day. As a result, this is the item I’m least pleased with, though I’m sure it’ll still get lots of wear. However, had I asked for further amends, I’m sure this would have been fine.
My experience: Song Da Shoes
Item: Birkenstock style sandals with a heel strap
Cost: 500K VND
Given the state of my existing sandals, this was the most essential part of my Hoi An tailoring experience, but the one I could find least information about online. I stumbled across a review for Song Da, and visited to check them out. They were very clear in explaining what they could and couldn’t do: yes to putting in extra cushioning and arch support for my terrible flat feet, but no to a rotating Crocs-style heel strap. I had expected this, so quickly agreed.
I didn’t barter at Song Da, as the alternative shoe shop had quoted me a much higher price and their price seemed very reasonable.
They drew around my feet, and told me that not only is one larger than the other (old news), but that it’s also significantly wider than the other – this was new to me. It was reassuring to know there’s a reason I struggle so much to find shoes that fit!
Two days later I went back to the shop for my fitting – this allowed me to combine it with my visit to Milan Linen, which was closed on the first day after my measurements. However, they could have made the shoes in 24 hours if necessary. We did a fitting and found that the arch support wasn’t in the right place – they assured me this was fixable.
A day later I returned and the arch support was in exactly the right spot. I walked around in the shoes to check the fit and took them home. It’s been two weeks of wearing the shoes and they are amazing – the cushioning is excellent and they fit very well! With enormous relief, I was able to throw away my disintegrating sandals when I left An Bang.
The shops that didn’t make the cut, and why
As part of my research, I visited a number of other shops in Hoi An that I didn’t end up selecting. Here’s why:
- Two Ladies Tailoring: I really wanted to use this shop, primarily because they have aircon! They also have excellent reviews, and I was impressed with the sales experience. But ultimately, they didn’t have the right material for my dress. For casual items, they also talked about the items being made in a factory. While this could be a translation issue – ‘factory’ could potentially mean small home tailoring workshop, it did also put me off a bit.
- Lana Tailor: While this has good reviews, when I passed it was clear that they had a focus on silk and formal clothing. This wasn’t what I was looking for, and I couldn’t see any examples of casual clothes, so I didn’t end up visiting.
- Sese Tailor: I found really strong reviews for this shop in other long-form blogs. I really liked my visit – it’s clear they’re a smaller, less well-known shop and they were keen for my custom. I’d happily have gone with them if they had the right material, but unfortunately, the patterns just weren’t right.
- Ro Shoe Shop: This was the only other shoe shop I could find with strong reviews. While the saleswoman impressed me with her knowledge, they wanted quite a lot more for shoes with the gold leather I wanted (compared to more traditional colours), so I declined.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to get clothes tailored in Hoi An?
Prices vary depending on the fabric, complexity, and shop. Casual items like skirts or linen dresses typically cost between 500,000 to 1.5 million VND, while suits or evening wear can be significantly more. If the shop has a bigger presence or reputation, you’re likely to pay more.
How long does tailoring take in Hoi An?
Most tailors can complete clothing within 24 to 48 hours, though multiple fittings may be needed for best results. Shoes typically take around the same time. If possible, be considerate and give your tailors more time.
Do tailors speak good English?
Most tailoring shops will have a salesperson who speaks very good English, and their job is to liaise between the customers and the tailors.
Is it worth getting casual clothes tailored in Hoi An, or just formal wear?
Yes! While many people focus on suits and gowns, casual, travel-friendly clothing (like linen sets or skirts) can be tailored affordably and are often more useful for long-term travelers. There were a few tailors specialising in linen items, like Milan.
Can plus-size travelers get tailored clothes in Hoi An?
Absolutely. Many tailors are skilled at working with a range of body types, though some travelers may feel more comfortable at shops known for sensitivity and clear communication. I did not have any issues with my tailoring and never felt like it was an issue. However, if you tend to get hot easily, you might want to prioritise finding a shop with airconditioning to make your fitting more comfortable.
Should I barter when getting clothes or shoes tailored?
In most shops, yes—especially for clothing. However, some shops (like Milan Linen Clothing) have fixed, reasonable pricing. Be polite but firm, and don’t be afraid to walk away.
What should I bring with me when visiting a tailor in Hoi An?
Bring inspiration photos, budget guidelines, and (if replicating) a piece of clothing you want copied. Also bring patience—it’s worth it for a perfect fit.
Can I get custom shoes made in Hoi An?
Yes! Shops like Song Da specialize in custom sandals and shoes with arch support, and can adjust for foot width or orthopedic needs. They can also vary the amount of cushioning in the inner sole.
Are Hoi An tailor reviews online trustworthy?
Many are—but be aware that shops often request reviews in person, which can skew feedback positively. (This is common across Vietnam, for example for hotels and spas). Long-form blog posts and detailed comparisons tend to be more reliable.
What are the best materials for tailored clothes in a tropical climate?
Linen and lightweight cotton are ideal for Vietnam’s heat and humidity. Avoid synthetic fabrics unless they’re part of a blend specifically suited for travel wear. Silk formalwear is extremely popular as well.
What if the tailor gets my measurements wrong?
Mistakes can happen, so build in time for a fitting or two. Good tailors will make adjustments quickly. If you’re not satisfied, ask for amends—most shops are used to this.
What is the best time of year to visit Hoi An?
The dry season, from February to May, offers the best weather—perfect for tailoring, sightseeing, and cycling. Avoid the rainy season (Oct–Dec) when flooding can occur.
How many days should I spend in Hoi An?
At least 3 full days allows enough time for tailoring fittings, exploring the Old Town, and taking a day trip or two.
Is Hoi An walkable?
Yes—Hoi An’s Old Town is compact and pedestrian-friendly. Just note that midday heat can be intense, so start early or explore in the evening.
To go longer distances between tailoring shops, many hotels offer bikes for free or a small fee. You can also use Grab, including Grab Bike, which helps you to move quickly around the city.
Can I pay with credit cards in Hoi An tailor shops?
Some shops accept cards, but many are cash-preferred. Always ask ahead and have Vietnamese dong on hand for deposits or bargaining.
What else can I do while waiting for my tailoring to be completed?
You can explore local cafés, take a cooking class, rent a bicycle, or enjoy day trips to My Son Sanctuary, Marble Mountains, or An Bang Beach.
Getting clothes tailored in Hoi An should feel exciting—not exhausting. With the right tailor, you’ll walk away with pieces that fit beautifully, suit your style, and last beyond your trip. After my own experience in 2025, I can confidently say it’s one of the most worthwhile things to do here. Trust your instincts, use this guide to narrow your choices, and enjoy the process—you deserve clothes that feel made just for you.
Been to Hoi An? Share your tailoring tips or horror stories in the comments below – I reply personally!
Planning a Trip to Vietnam?
If you want a detailed, culture-first Vietnam travel guide with realistic itineraries, destination deep dives, transport advice, and practical planning tools, Vietnam, Unlocked is designed to help you plan a confident, well-paced trip — without overwhelm or rushed decisions.
👉 Explore Vietnam, thoughtfully with Vietnam, Unlocked
If you’re still in the inspiration or early planning phase, you can also download my free Culture-First Traveller’s Guide to Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia — a thoughtful introduction to travelling Southeast Asia with context, care, and curiosity.
👉 Get the free culture-first guide
And if you’d prefer someone to build a personalised itinerary just for you — tailored to your time, interests, pace, and travel style — I also offer custom trip planning.
👉Request a custom Vietnam itinerary
Em is the writer behind Em’s Globetrotting Gems, a blog where she shares practical tips and personal stories from her travels around the world. Having visited Hoi An three times, she finally experienced its famous tailoring scene during her most recent trip — and couldn’t wait to share the process. Her blog aims to help fellow travellers navigate new experiences with confidence, curiosity, and a down-to-earth approach.
✅ All images in this article were taken by me during my travels. No stock images were used.
This was very interesting! I wouldn’t even have thought of having my clothes tailor made. What a unique and fantastic idea for a souvenir.
It’s the thing to do in Hoi An – it’s certainly not something I can afford to do in the rest of the world!
What a great experience for you and a fascinating read. I appreciate how you shared all the details – enlightening and inspiring!
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
What a treat to be able to have casual, comfortable and fair priced clothing, and shoes made to fit. I’ve had favourite clothes replicated, that have been a disaster. Always on the lookout for quality, and comfortable casual clothes for a fair priced, that last.
Honestly, the shoes are a dream – it’s months later and I’m wearing them everyday, and they’re much better than my previous shoes. And the replica skirt gets worn all the time as well!
Your guide was very interesting to read. I didn’t know getting tailored clothes and shoes was a thing in Hoi An. I would keep it in mind for future trips! It would be good to get a dress.
It’s very much the thing in Hoi An! Definitely get a dress made if you go – they have all kinds of styles pre-prepared or you can get something unique designed (or replicated, like I did).