Tailoring in Hoi An: 8 Essential Tips for Getting Clothes Made in Vietnam

Getting tailor-made clothes in Hoi An is not just a transaction; it’s a must-have experience!

Vietnam’s tailoring is known for its affordable, high-quality clothing custom-fitted to your wardrobe, budget, and body—and done within days!

Of course, during my digital nomad stay in Hoi An, we had to get fitted for new outfits. (And I still wear them today, a year later!)

After searching Hoi An’s Ancient Town for the best tailor, we finally found the perfect match. There are dozens (even hundreds?) of tailors in Hoi An, and many will scramble for your attention.

In my guide, I’ll tell you everything you need to know before you get custom-made clothing done in Hoi An.

Here’s what to avoid and what to know, plus my tailor recommendation for high-quality linens, suits, rompers, dresses, and shirts.

Hoi An Clothing Tailors: 8 Tips to Get the Perfect Fit

1. You’ll Need a Minimum of 3 Days in Hoi An

First, make sure you have at least three days in Hoi An to allow enough time for the tailoring process. On the first day, open a relationship with your chosen tailor.

Luckily, I had weeks to spend in Hoi An, so I could take my time.

However, if you’re just spending a few days there, you’ll need to plan your itinerary wisely.

Oftentimes, you’ll need to be called back into the store for extra fittings. So, flexibility in your itinerary goes a long way in keeping the relationship friendly.

Here’s what to expect:

• Day 1: Consult with chosen tailor, get your measurements
• Day 2: Basic fitting and adjustments to ensure you like your outfits (you might need a morning and evening check)
• Day 3: Final inspection and pickup

Travel Notes📝

If you’re visiting during holidays or over a weekend, consider extending your time in Hoi An to 4–5 days to allow more time to make custom clothing.

While the Vietnamese are quick with their hands, they are not capable of customizing clothes with less than 24 hours’ notice.

Even two days would be a stretch, and giving workers a minimum of three days or more is more ethical. Too often, tourists will demand faster tailoring times, but the garment workers are most likely already overworked to keep up with demand.

That said, please be kind. You shouldn’t force or argue if a tailor can’t meet your needs, budget, or time constraints.

2. Research the Best Tailors in Hoi An Before Your Trip

You may get lucky walking around Hoi An’s Ancient Town and find the perfect shop for your style and budget.

However, there are so many tailors that knowing a few shops that operate ethically and reliably can GREATLY shape your experience.

I’ve made the mistake of just assuming all tailors held the same high-quality standards before. Wrong!

The difference between my first tailoring experience in Hoi An versus my second (see my recommendation below!) couldn’t be more stark than night and day.

Best Tailor in Hoi An: Izi Wear (My Personal Pick)

Located in the Ancient Town, Giandon Izi (or just Izi Wear) is owned by two incredibly kind and skilled women, Phuong and Bich.

(There are two Izi locations in the Old Town, but you can find Phu and Bich at the Giandon location.)

• 📍 74 Le Loi, Hoi An
• 📱 Izi Wear / @izi_wear

While Phu and Bich don’t personally make your clothes, they do everything else: take your measurements, recommend pieces, inform you on fabric quality, etc.

I was particularly looking for custom-made linen clothing sets that I could wear. I ended up getting FOUR tailor-made linen outfits!!

We loved Phu and Bich so much that we brought our friends and family here, too. Everyone felt comfortable, and we all walked out with beautiful new clothes.

I browsed their magazines for inspiration, and they created the pieces exactly as I envisioned without pressure. Phu even recommended styles and colors based on my body type and complexion! She can instantly see if something will look good on you or not.

Overall, their customer service, attention to detail, and warm personalities made the experience seamless.

I’m still wearing my black linen top and pants and my cream/beige linen set a year later!

Other Tailors to Consider:

• Bebe Tailor: Popular on socials, features more polished pieces.
• Blue Eye Tailor: They seem to have fair pricing and good communication based on reviews.
• A Dong Silk: More reserved for high-end needs, such as custom suits and gowns.

3. Bring Example Photos or Go Open-Minded

It’s better to go prepared with an outfit you already have in mind. Otherwise, decision fatigue is extreme.

I knew I wanted something linen-based, which helped, but I had a hard time choosing the style of linen outfit I wanted. Luckily, I browsed the magazine and could easily communicate with my tailor to find something cute and appropriate for my body.

Tailors can also recreate pieces or glean inspiration from Pinterest photos. Having an easy folder to access on your phone during your consult will save you loads of time!

Any fabric preferences or special details should be communicated during your consult, not later at pickup or for your fitting.

The more info you can give straight away, the better!

4. Know Your Fabrics (& Quality)

This one is hard, but you shouldn’t go custom clothes shopping blindly.

Ask to feel and compare fabrics—real silk vs. blends, linen vs. cotton, etc. Ask about price differences and what would be best suited for the type of outfit you want.

For example, I knew linen would keep me cool in hot weather and allow my skin to breathe. But some outfit styles are hard to recreate in pure linen, so maybe a blend would be better.

Open up the conversation with your tailor, and be receptive to their suggestions!

5. Clarify Prices & Timeline

Beware of over-ordering and ordering without knowing the prices.

Fabrics such as linen and real silk are more expensive and might require more skilled workers to recreate your desired pieces.

If you have a friendly rapport with your tailor, you can keep things lighthearted. Don’t haggle too hard.

Pro tip: You will likely get a discount if you order multiple pieces!

From memory, I think I paid around $175–200 USD total for my four handmade, linen-based outfits, or about $35-$40+ per outfit. My partner had a long-sleeve button-up shirt fitted, and that cost him around $30.

6. Don’t Skip Your Fittings

Your other travel plans to explore Hoi An might clash with fittings. But don’t skip your scheduled fittings thinking, “It’ll be fine.”

As I mentioned earlier, you might have to repeat visiting the store multiple times across the three days to ensure the perfect fit.

We were able to message our tailors via WhatsApp to coordinate drop-by times for additional adjustments. And it made a big difference in the final fit!

7. Wear Quick-Change Clothes to Try on Your Outfits

Trying on outfits can become tedious when you have to step in and out of the changing room multiple times and undress in uncomfortable clothing.

Pack an easy throw-on, loose shirt, or shorts.

8. Save Your Measurements for Future Reference

Whether you want to re-order from the same shop or go to another tailor, it’s wise to keep your measurements!

You can even order pieces from the same tailor in Hoi An once you’re abroad—many will ship to you and have affordable rates.

I have thought about doing that for my linen pants, as they fit like a dream, and I would love to mix and match additional colors!

Yes—Tailoring in Hoi An Is Worth It!

It’s really important to plan ahead and know what to expect if you don’t want to miss out on getting custom-made clothing in Vietnam.

On that note, consider how you’ll carry home your new clothes (another reason not to overpack or over-order!). Bring a bag or extra packing cube to store your new custom clothes neatly. If you order a suit or gown, your tailor should provide appropriate packaging or some kind of cover.

Overall, getting clothes made in Hoi An is so much more than a shopping transaction—it’s an experience worth having for sustainable, high-quality clothing… with a story!

Again, a big shout-out to dear Phuong and Bich at Izi Wear for ensuring our clothes fit perfectly and providing such a seamless experience. We’ll be back, one day! 🩷

If you have any questions about tailors in Hoi An, drop a comment below!