More tourists return every year to stock wardrobes with their own creations made cheaply in Hoi An. Prices are rising but this is still one of the cheapest places to shop on earth!

The tailor shops in Hoi An carry many different fabrics. You will find an array of different colours, patterns, textures & quality of fabric.

Here''s some tips to help you shop...

Chill Out - Saving face is very important in Vietnam. Remain calm, shopping can be stressful. We strongly suggest that you do not buy in the first shop you come to. Going slow only costs time - have fun.

Be Realistic - Indulge what you have always wanted at your own risk. The tailors of Hoi An will try to make whatever you ask for, but they can''t work miracles. Go with what you know!

Select Quality Fabric - This is the difficult part! All the tailor shops carry a range of quality. Some shops carry better quality fabric to others. The fabric is more expensive than the cost of the tailoring.

Shop Around - Different shops carry different patterns and the ''walk-away'' is the best way to find out if you are paying too much. Look for the best fabrics instead of the lowest price.

Bring a Photo -The shops only have "The Next Catalogue" to show you. You will need to choose cut and style after choosing fabric. Bring fashion magazines, catalogues or photos - show them what you want!

Bring clothes - The tailors in Hoi An can copy the size but not necessarily the fabric. With a template to copy, you can expect your new fitted clothes returned in 2 days. It is possible to do it in 1 day but rushing leads to inferior quality. Size is a lot easier to explain when you can point and say, "like that!" The shops find jeans particularly difficult to make.

Take Time - Minimum time for one order: 1-2 days. Ideal length of stay for a shopping holiday 4+ days. Some shops are open 7 days a week till 10pm. Remember a Savile Row tailor could have 5 fittings on a new suit order. If you ask them to rush they will. Don''t get carried away and blow your wad in the first shop you come to, there may well be a better one around the corner.

2 or 3 Fittings - At the start, explain that you prefer a good job to a fast job, ask for at least two fittings. If they can''t do it in 3 you are in the wrong shop, they will hope to complete in one fitting.

Be Clear - Simpler products are cheaper to make - clearly express what you require: type of hem, collar or cuff - fitted or not - how many buttons. Once you throw in patterns, the options are endless.

Eye for Quality - Did they give you what you asked for? Any lumps and bumps in the fabric? Secondary stitching? Re-enforced stress points? There are many ways to cut corners.

Remember this is a business transaction - Having all the money. You are in a great position to haggle, however, if you haggle too hard, you will get stiffed on quality. The highest quality available represents fantastic value for money. We suggest you insist on quality instead of penny-pinching.

The first thing you''ll notice when you arrive in Hoi An is the multitude of tailor shops. It''s a bit out of control as most of the shops are not trained tailors.

The list below helps you choose out of ten shops that have positive reviews on the web already & often get recommended by word of mouth locally. We suggest you try two different shops & mind our advice.

A DONG SILK - 40 Le Loi, Hoi An, Vietnam
Tel: (84-510) 863-170Customer Quote: My daughter & I have just come back from our second holiday in Hoi An. Both times we had clothes made at A Dong Silk & were extremely pleased with both the quality & the service. Garments are fully lined and finished off in a professional way. This time I had a few friends tried them & they were all very impressed."

BAO KHANH SILK - 101 Tran Hung Dao, Hoi An, Vietnam
Tel: (84-510) 861 818 / Visit their website
Description: Popular tailors specialising in made-to-measure fashion, formal wear & casual clothing. Well patronised & has a good reputation. Ask for Mr Binh.

BIBI SILK - 13 Phan Chu Trinh, Hoi An, Vietnam
Customer Quote: We found our tailor from "Rough Guide" & we were very happy about it. It might be one of those "cheaper places", but very professional and service minded. It ''s run by an expat/Vietnamese couple. We spent almost 400$ & we don''t regret it."

MY MY - 164 Tran Phu, Hoi An, Vietnam
Customer Quote: "A little shop by the Japanese covered bridge, so I went there and started explaining the various items that I wanted made. My My takes Mastercard and even though the items were only $7-$15 each, it didn''t take me long to spend $205."

PHUOC AN CLOTH SHOP - 6 Le Loi, Hoi An, Vietnam
Customer Quote: "They whipped up a suit for my girlfriend in 3 hours, which fitted perfectly for $48. I bought two perfect suits for $ 110. Check if the company double stitches and what kind of fabrics they offer. You can go a lot cheaper but this was western quality."

TAN TOAN TAILORS - 18A Hai Ba Trung, Hoi An, Vietnam
Email: tantoanclothshop@yahoo.com
Customer Quote: "The staff is very friendly & professional, they have good taste and their advice in colour, style and cut was very competent. We found the tailor shops where nobody tries to drag you in are the ones who provide quality service."

THUONG GIA - 41 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Hoi An, Vietnam
Tel: (84-510) 910 712
Description: Foreign-managed tailor shop housed in a converted ancient shophouse which was used as a set during the filming of The Quiet American. Known for having international standards in making stylish bespoke clothing.

THU THUY - 60 Le Loi, Hoi An, Vietnam
Visit their website
Description: Madame Thuy claims to be the first tailor shop to open in Hoi An. Her shop has a wide range of silks compared to other shops in town. The Queen of Spain ordered clothes in Thu Thuy on her trip to Hoi An.

TONY the TAILOR - 294 Nguyen Duy Hieu, Hoi An, Vietnam
Tel: (84-510) 861 923
Description: Tony and his family opened their tailor shop in 1996. They have a great reputation for warm & friendly service and VERY reasonable prices. Men''s suits are especially well done here. They also dedicate 10% of their revenues to the Kianh Foundation- supporting the local orphanage for disadvantaged kids.

YALY COUTURE - 47 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Hoi An, Vietnam
Tel: (84-510) 910 474 / Visit their website
Description: Classy bespoke tailors catering to women & men. Suits, shirts, dresses and more in traditional or modern styles. Known for detailed bead work & embroidery. Most expensive in town but can be worth it