Malay Street in Saigon

Everyone can purchase hijabs, enjoy Halal food, and drink kopi in the Malay Street area beside Ben Thanh Market.

Malay Street in Saigon

By 7 p.m., Nguyen An Ninh Street, opposite the Western entrance of Ben Thanh Market, comes alive. Food stalls set up, small vendors spill onto the streets, and tourists stroll leisurely. The atmosphere and items here are unlike other shopping streets in Vietnam.

On the sidewalk, even under the street, mannequins draped with scarves sometimes startle pedestrians. These mannequins serve as signs for tourists: 'Hijabs for sale here.'

“Hijab, also known as tudung, is a head and neck covering, leaving the face of Muslim women uncovered. In this area, scarves are sold for about 15 - 16 ringgit (90,000 dong) or less, depending on length, fabric quality, and pattern,” Mr. Phuong, owner of a hijab specialty shop, explained to customers in both Vietnamese and Malay. The scarves are neatly folded in nylon bags, allowing tourists to unwrap and try them on.

If Hue and Hoi An offer same-day ao dai tailoring services, Malay Street also has several establishments for traditional Malay attire. Jubah, a long-sleeved dress-like garment, and baju kurung, a similar outfit but with a separate top and skirt, are available starting at 25 ringgit (approximately 150,000 dong) pre-made. Customers can visit fabric stalls in the street to choose their preferred material, then take it to nearby tailors for customization. The price for tailoring any outfit on the same day is 350,000 dong.

The street currently boasts nearly 100 businesses, predominantly owned by Cham Muslims who are fluent in Malaysian. Politeness is a norm, with everyone saying Tơ-ri-mơ ka-sêh (Terima kasih: thank you). Alongside clothing stores, the street also features six restaurants serving Malaysian and general Muslim cuisine.

Among the popular dishes is nasi goreng, a common favorite comprising fried rice with beef, chicken, seafood, and various vegetables. Vietnamese pho, especially beef pho, is highly favored by many Malay visitors. Most dishes have distinct spicy flavors and aromas, with prices starting from 80,000 dong. Muslims abstain from pork consumption, and all meats must be slaughtered and prepared according to religious customs.

Additionally, numerous street vendors in Malay Street also sell food and beverages such as kebabs, kopi (coffee), waffles, crispy pancakes, fresh fruits, and more. Kopi, which means coffee in Malay, is priced at 3 ringgit (60,000 dong) per cup. All restaurants and street vendors serving food and drinks are labeled with 'Halal' signage, indicating compliance with Islamic dietary laws. Only dishes meeting religious standards and values can be consumed by Muslims.

Souvenirs including keychains, fridge magnets, decorative conical hat stickers, ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress), banknotes, flags, architectural replicas, and more are highly sought after here. Not only do Malaysian tourists purchase these items, but visitors from other places also take an interest. 'The prices of the items are clearly marked; sometimes, even without knowing English or Malay, customers can understand,' shared a Vietnamese shop owner.

There are fewer than 10 hotels along the street, and these addresses are always bustling with taxis picking up and dropping off guests. 'We chose a hotel on this street because there are many Halal eateries nearby. It's convenient for us to buy gifts such as Islamic scarves before heading to the airport,' shared Roslina and Shimawany Halim, proudly displaying boxes of snacks they bought for their room.

Recognizing the potential from Malaysian tourists, Salim, originally a tour guide, became one of the pioneers in opening a tour agency here. 'Malaysian guests enjoy shopping and taking photos. They prefer Ho Chi Minh City for its abundance of Islamic goods,' Salim revealed. In recent years, this group favors visiting Da Lat and the Mekong Delta. Even at the beach, they opt for photo sessions rather than swimming, according to Salim.

In January 2020, Vietnam welcomed approximately 50,000 Malaysian visitors, a 5.5% increase compared to the same period in 2019, with Ho Chi Minh City being the primary destination. Malaysian tourists have consistently been among the top 10 largest tourist markets for Vietnam in recent years.

Source: Spiritual Insights/ Vnexpress

***

Reference: Travel Guide Mytour