Being regular visitors to Vietnam is a honour and a pleasure. Through such frequent albeit fast trips we have become stringent in how any downtime is spent. Although our focus is on visiting our makers, we always seem to squeeze in some time to shop, even if its delirious at 9pm! Here are a few must do's when in HCMC next;
Tuhu Ceramics
Where else would two ceramics designers go when travelling and looking at ceramics in our factories all day long? Ceramics stores of course! Chances are if you are reading this blog you love ceramics too, duh, so TUHU Ceramics is worth a visit!
"TUHU is a song bird in Vietnam, who lays her eggs in the nests of other birds. She borrows something of value to make another beautiful song bird for the world to enjoy." Taking traditional Vietnamese ceramic styles and giving them life again in modern shapes is Tuhu's ethos. Trying to keep the Lai Thieu ceramic craft alive, Tuhu preserve Vietnamese traditions by making fresh designs with time honoured techniques.
Set in a small shopfront amongst residential homes in District 2, the store is layed out with one large table stocked with indigo ceramics in the centre (above image) and surrounded by an eclectic mix of vintage dressers and bookcases through out. Homely and warm, the quality of the clay is heavy and substantial. Any blue lover will spend hours here pouring over the different patterns and effects. If your luggage doesn't allow for a whole dinner set, do what we did and buy some pieces for your jewellery storage.
Tuhú Ceramics
Showroom & Store: No. 42, Street 41, Thaodien Ward, District 2, Ho chi minh city, Vietnam
https://www.facebook.com/tuhuceramics
SADEC DISTRICT
We have visited this store in a few incarnations on many trips, they have recently opened this store also in District 2, it's situated in a charming little enclave full of artisan stores. Sadec focuses on handmade artisan goods created in villages and countries that span the Mekong.
Mostly specialising in one style of beautiful organic fine earthenware porcelain made in Vietnam, this range is available in a myriad of sumptuous colours and sizes (seen below). From the smallest dish (to pop in your shoes in your luggage) to the largest vessels. They also have gorgeous flatware including bottle openers from Thailand (which may be easier to carry home). The prices here tend to be a little higher here at Sadec than Tuhu, which is priced more for the local market.
Sadéc District Two
63 Xuan Thuy. District 2. HCMC. Vietnam
https://sadecdistrict.com/
