Best Supermarkets & Grocery Shopping for Expats in Ho Chi Minh City 2026

Where to Shop for Groceries in Ho Chi Minh City as an Expat

One of the first things expats need to figure out when moving to Ho Chi Minh City is where to buy food and groceries. HCMC offers a wide range of options from modern supermarkets and international grocery stores to traditional wet markets and online delivery services. This guide covers everything you need to know.

1. Major Supermarket Chains in HCMC

Vinmart / Winmart

Vinmart (now rebranded as Winmart) is one of Vietnam's largest supermarket chains with numerous branches across HCMC. They offer a wide range of local and imported products at reasonable prices. You'll find branches in most residential areas.

Best for: Everyday Vietnamese groceries, fresh produce, household items
Price range: Budget-friendly
Locations: Throughout HCMC, including District 1, 2, 3, Binh Thanh

Co.opmart

Co.opmart is a Vietnamese cooperative supermarket chain that is very popular with locals. It offers a wide variety of products including local produce, packaged foods, and household goods at competitive prices.

Best for: Local Vietnamese products, fresh seafood, affordable groceries
Price range: Budget to mid-range
Notable location: Co.opXtra (Ly Thuong Kiet, District 11) is one of the largest

Lotte Mart

A Korean-owned hypermarket with several large branches in HCMC. Lotte Mart is particularly popular with expats for its large Korean and Asian food selection, as well as imported goods.

Best for: Korean products, Asian imports, large shopping trips
Price range: Mid-range
Key branches: District 7 (Phu My Hung), District 11, Go Vap

Aeon Mall Supermarkets

The Japanese AEON Group operates large supermarkets inside their malls. These are popular with expats for their extensive Japanese and international product selections, including Japanese snacks, sauces, and fresh imports.

Best for: Japanese products, international imports, quality fresh produce
Price range: Mid to high-range
Locations: Binh Tan (Aeon Mall Binh Tan), Tan Phu (Aeon Mall Tan Phu), Binh Duong

Big C / GO! Supermarkets

Big C has been rebranded to GO! in Vietnam. These large hypermarkets offer a wide range of products at budget-friendly prices and often have extensive fresh sections.

Best for: Budget shopping, bulk buying, fresh produce
Price range: Budget to mid-range

2. International & Expat-Friendly Grocery Stores

An Nam Gourmet

An Nam Gourmet is the go-to store for high-quality imported products. They stock a wide range of European cheeses, wines, cold cuts, specialty health foods, and hard-to-find international ingredients.

Best for: Imported European products, specialty items, wine and cheese
Locations: Thao Dien (District 2), District 1, Phu My Hung
Price range: Premium

Citimart / Emart

Citimart stores (some now under Emart) offer a good selection of local and imported goods and are conveniently located in many parts of the city.

Organik Store

For health-conscious expats, Organik and similar organic stores offer certified organic produce, natural health foods, and supplements. These are increasingly popular in Thao Dien and District 1.

3. Wet Markets – The Local Experience

Wet markets (chợ) are where most Vietnamese people buy their fresh produce, meat, and seafood. They offer the freshest ingredients at the lowest prices but require some adjustment if you're not used to them.

Ben Thanh Market (District 1): Iconic but mainly tourist-oriented. Good for trying local foods.
Tan Dinh Market (District 3): A real neighborhood market popular with locals.
An Dong Market (District 5): Large market with diverse products.
Thao Dien local markets: Small neighborhood wet markets perfect for daily shopping.

Tip: Go early in the morning (6–9 AM) for the freshest produce. Bring your own bags and small change.

4. Online Grocery Delivery in HCMC

Online grocery delivery has grown enormously in HCMC, especially post-pandemic. Several apps make it easy to get groceries delivered to your door.

Grab Mart: Fast delivery of convenience items and groceries through the Grab app.
ShopeeFood / Shopee Mart: Wide selection with competitive prices and frequent promotions.
Bachhoaxanh.com: Vietnamese grocery delivery with an extensive selection of everyday items.
Lazada: Good for dry goods, packaged foods, and household supplies.
AEON Online: AEON's online store delivers Japanese and international products.

5. Specialty Food Stores for Expats

Indian grocery stores: Several shops in District 1 near Pham Ngu Lao area carry spices, lentils, and Indian ingredients.
Korean stores: K-mart and Korean grocery shops in District 7 cater to the large Korean expat community.
Japanese stores: Maruzen Supermarket (District 1) offers Japanese imports.
Health food stores: Organik Store, Love Earth, and similar shops carry organic and health-focused products.

Practical Tips for Grocery Shopping in HCMC

Bring reusable shopping bags – many stores charge for plastic bags.
Download the ShopeeFood or Grab apps for easy online ordering.
Prices at wet markets are negotiable; at supermarkets, they are fixed.
Look for expiry dates carefully on imported products.
Most supermarkets accept credit cards, but wet markets are cash-only.
Early morning is best for wet markets; supermarkets are less crowded on weekday mornings.

Conclusion

Ho Chi Minh City offers excellent grocery shopping options for expats at every budget level. From premium imported goods at An Nam Gourmet to fresh local produce at neighborhood wet markets, you'll find everything you need to cook and eat well in HCMC. As you settle into city life, you'll likely develop a mix of go-to stores that fit your lifestyle and preferences.