Deals Are Spoken Here
Little Saigon that borders Westminster and Garden Grove is an exotic neighborhood with nearly 3,000 businesses, most of which cater to shoppers looking for quality and value.
If you haven’t already visited the stores along Bolsa Avenue between Brookhurst and Magnolia streets, you will probably want to know that English is spoken in most shops.
Two Sites of Note
Asian Garden shopping center: This enclosed mall at 9200 Bolsa Ave. has gold bazaars and high-fashion boutiques featuring Giorgio Armani, Ted Lapidus, Bally and Christian Dior.
Asian Village: This strip mall at 9191 Bolsa Ave. has fabric stores, custom evening wear and bridal gown boutiques and custom shoe stores. At King Design, you can bring in a picture of a pair of shoes, pick out the leather, and it will be made to order. Average cost for men’s shoes is $65.
Advice
Look for the happy Buddha. The Vietnamese believe he brings prosperity, and each morning the shopkeeper says a prayer in front of the shrine for luck.
Beware of being the first customer in a store unless you intend to buy. The Vietnamese believe that if the first customer doesn’t purchase something, the rest of the day will go wrong. They’ll graciously go to almost any length to ensure a purchase.
Shop for bargains. David Nguyen of the Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce says: “There are reasonable prices here because of competition. Shop from store to store and compare for the best deals.” This is especially true in the Jewelry Center in Asian Garden.
“The second floor is always cheaper in an Asian store,” says Nguyen, “since rents are much lower there. This is also true of shops in the back rather than the front.”
The old idea of bargaining is still used now in many, but not all, shops. Although there are limits on how low a manufacturer will allow a retailer to sell its merchandise, the Vietnamese will go as low as they can, since they want to please customers so they will return.
Credit cards are widely accepted.
For more information about Little Saigon, call the Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce at (714) 839-2257. Tours can be arranged.
A LIST OF SHOPS
1. Jewelry: There are many jewelry stalls in the Jewelry Center in the Asian Garden shopping center. Go from stall to stall, bargain and compare prices. Also try Fook Hing Jade (U.S.A.) Inc. on the main floor and Tick Tock at the center’s entrance for brand-name watches.
2. Tailoring: Elegant Tailor in Asian Garden is just one of the many tailoring shops in Little Saigon. It makes suits, jackets, slacks and does alterations. A men’s three-piece wool suit costs about $200, depending on the fabric. A custom-made shirt with cuffs is around $25.
3. Fabrics: Fabric shops such as Vinaco in Asian Garden offer silk and velvet, as well as ready-made clothes, at reasonable prices. Large embroidered silk pieces that could be hemmed to make shawls are $25.
4. Accessories: Isana Rodeo Collection, Vog Tog Collection and Lazato Accessories on the second floor in Asian Garden have high-fashion men’s and women’s clothes and accessories such as sunglasses, jewelry, handbags, ties and belts.
5. Salons: Kim Van Institute de Beaute in Asian Garden is one of the many facial/beauty salons in Little Saigon. You can get Italian and French beauty products, as well as Asian ones.