It would be inappropriate to take you to a Godiva Chocolate shop while you are in Vietnam. Indeed, that would be the case. In my experience with the chocolate and cacao production in this country, I can say with certainty that imported chocolates are not the focus in Vietnam, despite the fact that the country produces more than its fair share of chocolate and cacao. The future lies in locally produced chocolate of the highest quality (known as sôcôla in Vietnamese), and fortunately for us, there is no shortage of it. Even more impressive is the fact that Vietnam boasts a thriving coffee and chocolate wine industry.
Just keep in mind that you should monitor your purchases at all times.
Take note that because the metro system in Saigon was scheduled to be completed in 2020 but has not yet been built, the most convenient way to get around the city is by using a taxi or a motorbike. Because of this, the most effective method for finding the shops is not to use a metro station but rather to use offline maps and GPS after providing the driver of your taxi with the address. Use only taxis marked with the MaiLinh or Vinasun logo, and make sure to insist that the driver use a meter. Check out this article for more information on how to organize your vacation to Vietnam.
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Maison Marou Chocolat
If you have even just Googled “chocolate in Vietnam,” you have most likely seen Marou’s name at the top of the results. Samuel Maruta and Vincent Mourou, two Frenchmen who are the driving force behind the company, launched it in 2011 with the intention of producing chocolate in Vietnam from start to finish. These days, Marou produces tons of chocolate each year, and all of it is made solely with Vietnamese cacao sourced from six different regions in southern Vietnam. They proudly display this fact in their cafes, as it is a choice they clearly value. Yes, plural. When you first enter their large chocolate shop in Saigon, not only do you see a massive machine roasting cacao, but you can also smell the results of their labor and even see into the kitchen.
There are a few Marou bars that are only sold in the cafe that I feel obligated to recommend to you even though the majority of the Marou bars are sold elsewhere in the world. I would suggest the signature chocolate drink over ice for those who are just beginning their chocolate addiction. On the other hand, for those who are completely obsessed with chocolate, I would suggest the egg cream drink, which is a chocolaty take on the egg coffee drink popular in northern Vietnam. Pastries, bonbons, and filled chocolate bars are some of the other items that are only available at the cafe. To the greatest extent that is practicable, Marou gets all of its ingredients from within Vietnam. They even go so far as to change their recipes in order to keep everything as locally sourced as possible. Additionally, chocolate tasting events and classes are now available at Marou’s cafe.
Address: 167-169 Calmette, Phường Nguyễn Thái Bìn, Ho Chi Minh City, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Hours & Prices: 9am-10pm, daily {open until 11pm Fri-Sun} (100,000VND per 80g bar)
Belvie Chocolate
Despite the fact that it has been in business since 2016, Belvie has already established itself as a leading player on the international chocolate scene. The company, much like Marou, has six different origins of cacao from southern Vietnam; however, in addition to their own bars, they also sell bars made by a few other manufacturers who use Vietnamese cacao. In addition to that, they provide cocoa wine, a wide selection of other beverages, cakes, candies, and free samples of each and every chocolate bar. I have not yet encountered a single person who refuses to accept free samples. After sampling all of the chocolates, you will have the option of purchasing full-sized versions of any bar as well as miniature versions of their 70% single origins chocolate.
Purchase only items here. I strongly recommend that you try some of their smooth 100% and 85% bars, as well as their creamy milk chocolate with nibs. All of their chocolate is produced in small batches and uses beans that have been carefully chosen. On both occasions, I was dissatisfied with the bonbons because they have very thick shells and ganaches that have a flavor that is difficult to distinguish. The manager has an excellent command of the English language and will gladly respond to any inquiries you may have regarding the chocolate or the country of Vietnam. During the course of our travels, she shared with us that the name of the company is derived from two different countries: Belgium (from which the company’s founder hails, denoted by the prefix “Bel”) and Vietnam (from which the cacao is sourced, denoted by the prefix “Vie”).
Address: 84 Lý Tự Trọng, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Hours & Prices: 9am-10pm, daily (100,000VND per 80g bar)
Vietnam Chocolate House
Vietnam Chocolate House is the country’s first shop to sell nearly a dozen Vietnamese bean to bar chocolate brands. It opened in the summer of 2019 and is the newest addition to the chocolate scene in Saigon. The incredible local selection is the primary draw to the store, despite the fact that they also sell their own flavored chocolate bark and have a limited beverage menu. All of the producers from as far away as a thousand kilometers (TBROS) to as close as just a few blocks away (Belvie) will be present and available for sampling. As soon as you walk in, the chocolate barks will be the first thing that catches your eye, followed by the wall of nibs that is directly across from the tables of bars that are arranged just in front of the brick wall. The staff is very helpful, and they speak English to a satisfactory level.
At one of the tables in the back, where there are a few of them, you can relax and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa or cacao tea. The goal appears to be to maintain a selection of the finest chocolates that Vietnam is capable of producing, and chocolate makers that I had not yet heard of were represented with a variety of products. Cacao tea, cacao nibs mixed with fruit, and a plethora of mini chocolate bars are also available for customers who are looking for a more unusual or manageable way to satisfy their chocolate cravings. Note that on our very first visit, we experienced some difficulties with our credit card being overcharged, but the issue was resolved in a timely and expert manner.
Address: 281 Lý Tự Trọng, Phường Bến Thành, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Hours & Prices: 9am-9:30pm, daily (110,000+VND per 80g bar)
Stone Hill Chocolate
Stone Hill is widely regarded as one of the best chocolate manufacturers in Vietnam, despite the fact that they do not yet operate their very own shop in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). Beginning in the late 1990s, the proprietor of the business started collaborating with cacao farmers in Vietnam in order to cultivate cacao of a high quality and to categorize that cacao into its dozens of distinct varieties. This endeavor is still ongoing. A little more than two decades have passed since then, and Stone Hill now produces their very own chocolate, in addition to a wide range of cacao-based food and skincare products.
The new fruit and nibs collection from Stone Hill is delectable, and if you want my recommendation, go for the mango or pineapple flavors. The entire family that runs the company has been a significant driving force behind the advancement of Vietnamese cacao in terms of both quantity and quality, and the fact that they make delicious chocolate is undeniable evidence of this fact. Stone Hill products can be found in a variety of stores in and around Ho Chi Minh City, including Vietnam Chocolate House (see above). For a complete list of retailers, please visit the company’s website.
Address: 113 Lê Thánh Tôn, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Bến Nghé
Hours & Prices: 9am-9pm, daily (245,000VND per 90g bar)
Alluvia Chocolatier
In spite of its name, Alluvia is, in fact, a producer of chocolate from bean to bar. They sell each and every one of their numerous milk and dark chocolate bar varieties at their factory and cafe in Saigon. Alluvia Chocolate, in contrast to Belvie and Marou Chocolate, utilizes only a single origin of cacao, namely that grown on their farm in southern Vietnam. At Alluvia, our primary objective is unquestionably to expand the Vietnamese cacao industry and inspire an increased number of local farmers to engage in the production of high-quality cacao.
In addition to chocolate desserts, cacao powder, and cocoa butter, their cafe provides several distinct variations of chocolate and coffee beverages that are offered at affordable prices. After sampling all of their bars, the ones that particularly stood out to me were the milk chocolate varieties, which can be purchased either plain or adorned with a number of different add-ins. Follow the link provided above to access the article where you can read my comprehensive reviews of each bar. Be aware that many Alluvia bars are now also available at the Duty Free shop in the International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, so there is no need for you to feel discouraged if you are unable to visit their shop.
Address: No. 14 Street No.2, 13C Greenlife Residence, Nguyen Van Linh Boulevard, Bình Chánh Dist
Hours & Prices: 8am-5pm, Mon.-Sat. (80,000-120,000VND per 80g bar)
Cyrus Patisserie & Chocolaterie
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Cyrus is one of the very few cafes in Saigon that also serves food, and not just any food; it serves actual food. People will most likely stop in for the lattes and delicious-looking pastries, but they will remain for the quiche. In addition to that, they have a rotating selection of a wide range of French-style pastries, truffles, and macarons available for purchase.
If you are unable to stay for a cup of tea, be sure to look through their boxes of bonbons and prepared chocolate treats so that you have something to take away with you as a memento of your visit. The food, the welcoming service, and the atmosphere are what keep customers coming back time and time again, despite the restaurant having been open for only a few years.
Address: 96b Phan Ngu, Da Kao, D1, Ho Chi Minh, Hồ Chí Minh 700000
Hours & Prices: 8:30am-7pm, daily (28,000VND per truffle)
Legendary Chocolatier
This quaint little shop is just too adorable on the inside and out to pass up. Even though at the moment they only sell bonbons, their selection is enormous and takes inspiration from Vietnam in many ways. There is unquestionably something that will pique the interest of every chocolate enthusiast, from the traditional fruit flavors and classics like rum raisin to the more out-there flavors like sesame or durian chocolate. Legendary is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Saigon, much like the majority of the other stores featured in this guide.
However, I discovered that the couverture chocolate that they used was of a quality that was somewhere between average and poor. The fillings that they make are nice, but the milk and white chocolates both left a powdery taste in my mouth, so if I wanted to avoid this side effect, I would either stick to the stronger flavors that they make, or I would buy from a different shop. Both the Vietnamese and English names for each of their two dozen different flavors are provided on their website.
Address: 46 Trương Định, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, 700000
Hours & Prices: 8am-9pm, daily (21,000VND per truffle)
D’Art Chocolate
This is not only the place in Vietnam where you can pick up a nice box of truffles, but it is also the place where you can admire and purchase edible art pieces. There are several locations throughout the country. D’Art Chocolate has show pieces such as chocolate shoes and chocolate bars with your company logo on them, in contrast to the majority of the other chocolate shops in Ho Chi Minh City, which are primarily focused on the French style of chocolate making and the use of fresh ingredients.
Their bonbons are some of the most beautiful in Vietnam and are very reasonably priced. They are made with thin chocolate shells that are colored in a rainbow of hues. Bonbons made with coconut caramel or passion fruit mango come highly recommended from me. Visit D’Art if you’re looking for bonbons that are not only posh but also a little bit out of the ordinary. The prices are reasonable. For instance, the nine-year-old company released their line of single origin Vietnamese chocolate bars for the first time in the year 2017.
Address: 184 Đường Trần Hưng Đạo, Phường Nguyễn Cư Trinh, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Hours & Prices: 8am-9pm, daily (110,000VND per 85g bar)
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A sizeable portion of Vietnam’s chocolate is consumed in the country of origin, but the vast majority of it is still exported, primarily to the countries of Russia and Japan. On the other hand, if you want to sample all of the ephemeral flavors that are distinctive to Vietnam, I cannot recommend taking a self-guided chocolate tour of Saigon enough.
Visit Chocolate House Vietnam if you have very little time in the city or if you are unable to visit any of the cafes in the area because of the short amount of time you have available. The Takashimaya Mall is another option; on the B2 level of their gourmet grocery store, you can find a variety of Marou, Alluvia, and Belvie bars in addition to imported chocolates.
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Which chocolate shop in Ho Chi Minh City do you want to visit first if you have the chance?
