Ship áo dài and Vietnamese silk clothing home from Vietnam
Tailor-direct pickup from Hội An or Saigon — breathable acid-free packing — door-to-door delivery so your garments arrive wrinkle-free
Get a quote for your áo dài shipmentA garment worth shipping properly
The áo dài — literally "long shirt" — is far more than a piece of clothing. It is the defining symbol of Vietnamese identity: worn at graduations, weddings, Tết ceremonies, and everyday by women working in offices and schools. When tourists have one tailored, they are taking home something that carries real cultural weight.
Vietnam's tailoring tradition is centuries old, with its modern epicentre in Hội An, where hundreds of skilled tailors work at remarkable speed — often completing a custom áo dài in 24 to 48 hours. That speed is the practical problem: your garment is ready the morning you fly out, leaving no time to test the fit and certainly no room to pack it safely in a carry-on alongside three days of holiday clothes.
The Hội An tailor → ship-direct workflow
You don't have to carry your finished garments to the airport. Once your tailor confirms the pieces are ready, they can deliver directly to our Đà Nẵng or Hồ Chí Minh City office on your behalf. We take it from there — packing, documentation, and door-to-door delivery to your home address.
This workflow removes the biggest pain points of last-minute tailoring: no bulging carry-on, no risk of creasing silk in checked luggage, and no frantic ironing on arrival. Your garments travel separately and arrive in better condition than they would in any suitcase.
Tailor delivers
Your tailor brings finished pieces to our Đà Nẵng or HCMC office — or you drop them off before your flight.
We pack properly
Acid-free tissue between folds, breathable garment wrap, soft-sided outer protection. No plastic against natural silk.
Door-to-door delivery
Express courier (DHL / FedEx / UPS) to your home address. Tracking from the moment we hand it over.
Where tourists buy Vietnamese silk garments
Hội An — tailoring capital
The highest concentration of áo dài tailors in Vietnam. Most shops offer custom fitting with same-trip turnaround (24–48 hours). Prices are reasonable; quality varies, so ask for references.
Saigon silk markets — chợ Bến Thành and chợ Tân Định
Hồ Chí Minh City's central markets stock both ready-made áo dài and bolts of Vietnamese silk fabric. Chợ Tân Định (District 1) is especially well-known among locals for quality silk.
Hà Nội silk villages — lụa Vạn Phúc
Vạn Phúc village (Hà Đông district) has woven traditional Vietnamese silk for centuries. Lụa Vạn Phúc is recognised for its intricate brocade patterns — a popular souvenir for fabric lovers.
An Giang — lụa Tân Châu
Tân Châu town in the Mekong Delta produces a distinctive naturally-dyed black silk — lụa Tân Châu — known for its lustrous sheen and durability. Less common in tourist shops, but worth seeking out.
How we pack silk garments
Acid-free tissue between folds
- Acid-free tissue paper placed at every fold
- Prevents crease lines from setting during transit
- Safe for all natural silk weights
Breathable wrap — never plastic
- Natural silk needs to breathe — plastic traps moisture
- Muslin or non-woven garment bags used instead
- Prevents yellowing and odour during multi-day transit
Soft-sided outer protection
- Soft-sided garment box avoids hard pressure points
- Lightweight: typical áo dài shipment weighs 1–2 kg
- Dimensional weight may exceed actual weight — we assess both
Accessories packed separately
- Conical hats (nón lá) packed in their own rigid tube
- Sashes and belts in separate soft pouches
- Jewellery and hair pins in padded compartments
Wrinkle-free arrival: what to do on the other end
Even with perfect packing, natural silk benefits from a little attention on arrival. Hang the garment immediately after opening — most travel creases fall out within a few hours. If needed, use a clothes steamer on low heat and keep the steamer head 3–4 cm from the fabric. Do not iron silk directly — direct heat damages the natural protein fibres and leaves irreversible sheen marks. A pressing cloth between the iron and silk is the minimum precaution if you must use an iron.
Customs and duties for textile shipments
Most áo dài and silk garments are classified under HS code 6204 (women's suits and garments). Textiles generally clear customs without issue in all five major tourist-origin countries.
United States
Textiles clear easily through CBP. Since August 2025, the de minimis threshold is $0 — all commercial shipments are dutiable regardless of value. Duty rates on Vietnamese silk garments typically range from 7–12% depending on fabric content. Declare the actual purchase price; keep your receipt.
Australia
Clears under biosecurity (silk and cotton garments are fine — no animal or fresh plant materials). Duty-free for goods under AUD 1,000 (personal imports). Declare accurately for goods above the threshold.
United Kingdom
20% VAT applies on goods above £135. HS 6204 is the standard classification for women's garments. Duty rates on textile imports from Vietnam average 9–12%. Gift shipments below £39 may be exempt.
Canada
Vietnam–Canada CPTPP: 0% duty on most textile categories. De minimis thresholds: CAD 20 (commercial), CAD 60 (gift). Goods below these thresholds clear without formal entry. CBSA may inspect at border.
Germany (EU)
EVFTA: 0–2% duty on Vietnamese textile imports. 19% VAT applies on commercial imports above €150. Gift exemption: €45. Declare as "Vietnamese traditional garment" for clearest classification.
Pricing
Contact us for current rates. We do not publish per-kilogram prices for garment shipments because silk and áo dài are lightweight but voluminous — dimensional weight often determines the final cost more than actual weight. A single custom áo dài with accessories may weigh 1.5 kg but occupy a 40 × 30 × 20 cm box. We assess both and give you a clear, itemised quote before you confirm.
Áo dài and silk shipping FAQ
What if my tailor finishes the áo dài after I have already left Vietnam?
No problem — this is one of the most common situations we handle. Your tailor can deliver the finished pieces directly to our Đà Nẵng or Hồ Chí Minh City office on your behalf. Just give us the tailor's contact details and agreed delivery window before you fly, and we coordinate the rest. Your garments ship within 1-2 business days of receipt.
Can you ship to two different addresses — one for a gift, one for my home?
Yes. We can split a single pickup into two separate shipments going to different addresses — useful if you bought pieces as gifts for family overseas and want your own items shipped home separately. Each shipment gets its own tracking number and customs declaration. Request split-delivery when filling out the quote form.
How do I prevent my silk áo dài from arriving wrinkled?
We pack with acid-free tissue paper at every fold and use breathable (non-plastic) garment wrap — plastic traps moisture against natural silk and sets creases. On your end, hang the garment immediately after opening; most transit folds fall out within a few hours. If needed, use a clothes steamer on low heat held 3-4 cm from the fabric. Do not iron silk directly — direct heat damages the protein fibres and leaves permanent sheen marks.
Will I have to pay customs duty on áo dài and silk garments?
It depends on your destination. Australia is duty-free under AUD 1,000. Canada benefits from CPTPP 0% duty on most textile categories. Germany/EU applies EVFTA rates of 0-2%. The UK charges 20% VAT above £135. The US eliminated the de minimis exemption in August 2025, so all shipments are dutiable regardless of value — typical rates for Vietnamese silk garments run 7-12% under HS 6204. We include guidance on accurate declaration with every shipment.
How much does an áo dài shipment typically weigh, and how long does delivery take?
A single custom áo dài with standard accessories typically weighs 1-1.5 kg. Multiple pieces or accessories (conical hats, sashes) can reach 2-3 kg. Because silk garments are voluminous, dimensional weight often determines cost more than actual weight — we assess both and quote accordingly. Delivery time is typically 3-5 business days via DHL/FedEx/UPS express to the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and Germany.
Get a quote for your áo dài shipment
Tell us what you have — garments, accessories, number of pieces — and we'll come back with a clear door-to-door quote
Ship via the DHL, FedEx & UPS network