Vietnam is a treasure trove for backpackers worldwide; pho, the famous motorcycle loops, coffee, and history were all on my to-do list before I visited this breathtaking country.
Fortunately, my packing was light, as I was unaware of the abundance of beautiful shopping boutiques, vintage markets, and, most importantly, bespoke tailors on the streets of Vietnam.
After some research, I deduced that the vibrant city of Hoi An, which is aptly nicknamed the tailoring capital of the world, would be the place to have some pieces made to fit.
I believe many underestimate the power of a good tailor; having garments repaired and refitted rather than the constant purchasing of new ones is great for our pockets and the environment, and when I do buy new pieces, having them made to fit is a whole different level of luxury that fast fashion has all but erased.
Hoi An’s tailoring scene is deeply woven into the city’s past. For over 400 years, this was a thriving trading port on the Maritime Silk Road, with merchants from China, Japan, and Europe bringing high-quality fabrics into town, creating a city of master tailors and refining their craft across generations.
Even when the river silted up, global trade slowed and moved elsewhere, the tailors remained, passing down their expertise from mother to daughter and father to son. When UNESCO recognised Hoi An as a World Heritage site in 1999, the tailoring industry saw a revival, transforming the city into a global destination for bespoke fashion, with tourists coming from all continents to buy fitted suits, wedding dresses, and staple pieces for their wardrobes.
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Many of Hoi An’s most respected tailoring shops are women-led businesses built on generations of skill. Silk weaving, hand-stitching, and embroidery are all traditions women have protected in Vietnam, ensuring that craftsmanship survives alongside the pressures of modern fashion and fast fashion houses that persist in attempts to cheaply replicate the work of talented tailors such as Hoi An.
Modern tailoring in Vietnam is a collaborative and personal experience. Foreign visitors often bring ideas to the tailors, pictures and patterns of pieces they had imagined, and the talented Vietnamese tailors bring them to life, often in days.
Recently, the conversation around ethical and sustainable fashion has drawn new attention to places like Hoi An. Choosing a locally made garment tailored by skilled hands offers an alternative to the mass-produced clothes that dominate global markets. For many travellers, such as myself, this experience gives us a wearable souvenir of our time in Vietnam and creates a sense of respect for this craftsmanship and the incredible people who sustain it.
