How long does it take to get clothes made in Hoi An?
Minimum 24 hours, but 48–72 hours is recommended for proper fittings. Simple items (shirts, pants) can be done in 24h. Suits and dresses need 2–3 fittings over 48–72h. Rush service (12h) costs 20–30% extra. Best practice: order Day 1, first fitting Day 2, final pickup Day 3.
The realistic timeline
Here’s what actually happens:
Day 1 (Morning): You walk into a tailor. Pick fabric. Get measured. Discuss design. Deposit paid (30–50%).
Day 2 (Afternoon): First fitting. The garment is basted together (loose stitches). You try it on. The tailor marks adjustments with chalk.
Day 3 (Morning): Second fitting. Alterations done. Fit is close. Minor tweaks marked.
Day 3 (Afternoon): Final pickup. Garment finished. You pay the balance.
This is the recommended 48–72 hour timeline. It allows for proper fittings and adjustments.
Minimum vs. recommended
| Item | Minimum | Recommended | Rush Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shirt | 12–24h | 24–48h | Yes (6–8h) |
| Pants | 12–24h | 24–48h | Yes (6–8h) |
| Dress | 24h | 48–72h | No |
| Suit | 48h | 72–96h | No |
| Áo dài | 24h | 48–72h | No |
Rush service costs 20–30% extra and skips fittings. For simple items, it’s fine. For suits, it’s gambling.
Why fittings matter
The first fitting is not about the finished garment — it’s about the cut. The tailor pins the fabric to your body, marks where it’s too loose or tight, then takes it apart and recuts.
The second fitting checks the alterations. This is where you catch issues: sleeve length, shoulder width, waist suppression.
The final fitting is confirmation. If everything looks good, you pay and pack.
Skipping fittings = Russian roulette. You might get lucky. You might get a jacket that pulls at the buttons.
The rush option
Some tailors offer rush service:
- 6–8 hours: Shirt or pants only. No fittings. You give measurements, they sew, you hope.
- 24 hours: Simple dress or áo dài. One fitting at the end.
- Cost: +20–30% on top of the base price.
When rush makes sense: You’re leaving tomorrow. You need one more shirt. You’ve ordered from this tailor before and trust their cut.
When rush is stupid: First time at this tailor. Complex garment (suit, wedding dress). You care about fit.
Pre-ordering before arrival
If you know what you want, email the tailor 1–2 weeks before your trip:
- Send your measurements (chest, waist, hips, inseam, shoulder width)
- Send photos of the design you want (front, back, details)
- Agree on fabric type and price
- Pay 30–50% deposit via bank transfer
On arrival, you go straight to first fitting. The fabric is already cut. Turnaround: 24–48 hours instead of 72h.
Tailors that accept pre-orders: Yaly Couture, Be Tailor, Kimmy Fashion. All have English-speaking staff and respond to email within 24h.
Price impact of timeline
| Timeline | Shirt | Pants | Suit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (48–72h) | 400k VND | 500k VND | 2.5M VND |
| Rush (24h) | 500k VND | 650k VND | 3M VND |
| Super rush (6–8h) | 600k VND | N/A | N/A |
Rush is expensive. Plan your trip with 3 days in Hoi An if you want custom clothes.
What to do while you wait
Day 1: Order clothes. Explore old town. Eat Cao Lầu.
Day 2: First fitting. Visit Thanh Hà pottery village. Get coffee at ReMotion.
Day 3: Final pickup. You’re done.
If you’re cutting it tight (leaving on Day 3), ask the tailor to deliver to your hotel — most will do this for free.