There is a small place on Quoc Tu Giam. I don't remember the exact address but it is a small "stall" just opposite the Van Mieu hotel. I have had several pairs of dress shoes made there and the cost is about 500 000 depending on design. If you don't want the leprechaun shoes that are popular with the locals, bring a picture of a style you like and they will copy it for you.
I checked out the place, which is still there and he makes nice-looking shoes for guys. Problem is, I'm a girl with size 11 feet looking for work-appropriate shoes, and he only makes men's styles. Anyone know a of other options in town? I know I should just go to Hoi An, but it'll be a while before I make it there and my shoes are dying now. Any leads would be great.
answered about 2 months ago by Candide
I feel your pain kparsons and I know it's a major drag but in my experience getting shoes made here is definitely not the answer. I've had shoes made and friends likewise and in all cases (except perhaps for thongs) they were so uncomfortable as to be almost unwearable. I forced myself through the pain in the case of one pair and to my relief they fell apart in about two months - others I just binned and put down to experience. This is one of the major myths of Vietnam - that you can outfit yourself in excellent clothes made from fine materials very cheaply. It isn’t so. If you pay very little you get very little. I've worked in the clothing industry for years and good quality fabric is expensive and almost exclusively sourced by big clothing manufacturers and I can guarantee you it's NOT heading off to Hoi An (a complete tourist joke in terms of clothing - a good way to ruin your holiday if you go there is to spend half of it getting fitted up for ridiculous, poorly made clown suits), most especially in the case of shoes. A proper pair of shoes involve quite a bit of clever design to accommodate the articulation of your feet - shoes that you get made here will certainly look almost identical to the picture of the pair of stylish brogues/funky sneakers/milano blahniks or whatever you take in but will feel like instruments of torture and be made from the cheapest types of fake leather/pleather/blends etc. and often be glued instead of stitched.
My advice - save your money and keep an eye out for a cheap flight to Bangkok and get something there. Alternatively, I've heard of something called "Western Shoe Street" somewhere off Kim Ma, I think, but haven't been and don't even know if it's just wishful thinking - someone else might have an exact address. Best of luck.
Ask A Question
Subscribe to This Question