This post is on the update for my friend’s Crumpler bag shop in Saigon, HCMC.
If you have missed the earlier posts, what happened is this: Phi, a cool and very friendly chap, first opened a shop selling Crumpler bags in Saigon backpacker’s hostel area. This was when I did the 1st virtual tour of his venture. When a new collection of Crumpler bags came in a few weeks later, I went to do a 2nd virtual tour. Also went on to blog about it. He has since moved to a bigger space just 3 mins from the backpacker’s area by cab ride.
This is when this post comes in. The following are pictures of his new Crumpler bag shop in HCMC:
Crumpler bag shop in Saigon- Bagvina
Address: M52 Nguyen Huu Hao Street, Ward 6, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City
Website: www.bagvina.com
Thanks Ben for the recommendations. We took a taxi and got lost along the way and had to bargain with the metered taxi driver for the fee (because he wanted us to pay the metered fare even though we agreed on a pre-arranged price)
I visited his shop and found that he indeed had a large range of bags. I also found out that he was the supplier (as i was told by him) of many other shops. Because of that, he had a range of newer designs. However my friends couldn’t find the particular bag they spotted at another shop near Ben Thanh which we learned was an older design.
The lady who was attending to me and my friends refused to give us any discount.
In the end we went back to a shop along Le Lai next to Ben Thanh to buy the bags we wanted at a cheaper price.
Though we didn’t eventually buy anything there, but we had fun shopping. Thanks once again for introducing the shop =)
Thanks again CK for dropping a note here.
Speaking about bags and seeing a Nike here, I wonder if there’re any place / shop where you can get knock off original Nike? Since certain Nike merchandise are exclusively licensed to be made in Vietnam like shirts, sneakers etc.
cheers, bonnie
Saigon Square will be a good place to try catching them
Thanks!
Already penciled in Saigon Square for Nike!
Ben,
I will be visiting Dai Nam the amusement park some 1.5 hours away from HCMC. Strange because this place is not very much PR-ed in most Vietnam travel sites.
I don’t see any article on Dai Nam here? It’s supposedly grand and exciting! Hope you could do a feature as well!
Dear Bonnie,
I haven been to nor heard of Dai Nam but I’ve been to Dam Sen, the amusement park and water theme park relatively near to city. You can take bus 11 to reach there from Ben Thanh market.
You can afford to give Dam Sen amusement park a miss since you might be the only person on rides there (and the rides may be thrilling because you worry they might give way when you are on it) but you can give Dam Sen water park a try. Some of their rides are really good but as lonely planet reviewed it, you don’t really know how safe it is =)
Hope this helps..
Hi Ck,
Here, I found one link for you on Dai Nam :
http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=801659
There seems to be so little publicity on it, I wonder if it worth going. It’s impressive from the pixs, yes?
Haven’t heard of locals commenting / reviewing on it though.
Thanks CK for your input.
Bonnie, Dai Nam is about 70km from HCMC. I read that the construction is divided into 3 phrase with attractions and rides being the 1st 2 completed. The 3rd is a casino and I was thinking of checking it out after that
Very cool. Have penciled in Dai Nam! My trip is next weekend, looking forward to it already!
Have fun Bonnie!
Hi. Thanks for this website. This is useful, indeed.
Can you possibly help me further? My friend and I will be travelling to Saigon early September and she wants to buy Kipling bags. Do you know where we can find original Kipling bags?
One more thing, do you know a good tour company to help us with our itinerary? I particularly would like to visit historical museums. Thanks.
Thanks Anette for the compliment
If u are looking for the real stuffs, try Vincom Center which has been featured in this site. For sometimes real, sometimes knock-offs, go to Saigon Square (also on this site).
I use Sinh Cafe often. But u need to know that they are not consistent. When good, they are very good. Other times, people hate them to the core.
Parting note: Vietnam is VERY EASY to DIY. For moving around, check out the tag ‘How-To-Get-To’ on this site. Have fun!
Interesting site and looking forward to our trip in November, first stop Razs shop to stock up with a few bags then off for a cold beer after a long trip from the uk.
Keep up the good work with this site its interesting.
Regards richard and Gill
Thanks Richard for your encouragement!
Glad the contact issue worked out for u
hi, your blog is very interesting and useful. I will be visiting HCM end of this month. my 3rd time there but i realised i missed out so much after reading your blog!! haha
from bagvina’s website there is a D1 address. is it a real shop? can i buy bags there or do i have to travel to D4?
Thank u Cookie for dropping by here at Vietnam720
Phi’s (BagVina’s boss) parents have a shop in D1. The shop is under going renovation now. The shop is D4 belong to Phi’s wife. So, techically, BagVina has 2 shops.
thanks for your speedy reply ben :0)
i will be staying at D1. how far is the journey if i m to travel all the way to D4 by taxi?
No problem Cookie. It’s only a little over a bridge from D1′s backpacker’s area. Will only take u about 3 to 5mins.
Yipeeee….i am so happy!!!
Cheers. Enjoy Vietnam
Hi. Great blog! Will be back in Saigon next week for some serious wholesale shopping. I’m confused….are there 2 Saigon Square stores? Went to the one you posted but some say there is another one. Also, what are your thoughts on shopping in Lucky Plaza? Pls message me, have queries regarding Bagvina. Cheers!
Dear Mitch, thank you for dropping by Vietnam720.
There are indeed 2 Saigon Square. Use the search box, type in Saigon Square 2 n u’ll see
Yet to do Lucky Plaza. My email is at Ben {at} Vietnam720 {dot} com.
Hi Vietnam720 and Bonnie, I will be in Saigon next week and we are also planning to go to Dai Nam Theme Park. That is different from Dam Sen right? I checked your how to get to page and I was wondering if you could give me some tips on how to get to Dai Nam from Cong Quynh. I also couldn’t figure out what time the park is open and how much the tickets are because I don’t read Vietnamese
I tried to Google translate their website below but to no avail:
http://www.laccanhdainamvanhien.vn
Really wish you could help me!! Great idea for the How To Get to page!!!! keep up the good job
Hey Muffin Girl, thanks for your compliment
Dai Nam and Dam Sen are 2 different places. Dai Nam is about 70km from Ho Chi Minh City so you’ll need to take a taxi there. Ticket is only 50,000vnd which is under US$3. Opening time is 8am to 5pm. Have fun there
can used to credit card to pay at bagvina… going to HCMC in early dec.. staying in cong quynh area
Pay cash
Very interesting info. I will be in HCMC on 2nd day of CNY 2011 and just being told by friend that 99% of the shops will be closed. Can you please suggest the options for a 4D3N visit during CNY 2011?
Hope this will help Jennifer, assuming all are opened
http://www.Vietnam720.com/travel-tips/things-to-do-in-saigon/
Will be visting HCMC sometime in May. I am interested in getting Original Timbuk2 bags. Are they sold in HCMC?
James, send the guys at BagVina a mail to check. They’ll get back to you with all the models
where can i get kipling bags in vietnam. We are going to Ho Chi Minh in March 11. Muslim food. any place to recommend? Is the quality of Crumpler Bags in Ben Thanh Market and Bagvina the same? The price in Bagvina in more expensive than the market.
Kipling bags can be found in Saigon Square.
The quality of the bags in Bagvina are definately better than Ben Thanh Market and this partly explains the price
Jeff, it’s not my shop unfortunately. Try contacting the guys from Bagvina for your questions.
But let me give u what I know:
1) Possible. They have shipped more than that to Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand before.
2) I think in USD. Not sure about this.
3) I’d say 80% up to date.
Hai VIETNAM720,
Amazing blog…I’ve been to Ho Chi Minh 2 years ago and now planning to go there again on February 2012. I am looking for Kipling bag (imitation) and some lingerie silk/silk ladies pajama..any reference you could share with? and i remembered i visit one shop by the name of “Cotton Shop” but i cant the road and how to get there.. do you know where it is…Please advice..Thank you…
Hi Ita,
Saigon Square will be where you can get all your stuff
Hi, Good Day! Do you know, any online shop that sell kippling in Vietnam?? TQ
No idea. Sorry Anita
thank you everybody for supporting US
many thanks
[...] blogged about my friend Phi’s business selling Crumpler bags before. This link will give you an idea of his background and this virtual tour will bring you right into his [...]