Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam
Parkson Saigon Tourist
Parkson Saigon Tourist
Parkson Saigon Tourist

Another dull shopping mall

Reviewed on 2014-09-10 (Updated on 2020-11-25)

I’ve basically summed it up already. Parkson is just another dull shopping mall, full of people who have attached a large part of their identity to their consumerism. And people who think that buying lots of stuff makes them happy. And people who like to flash their cash with gaudy and kitschy jewellery, clothes and make-up of questionable taste.

This is where independence comes to die. An overly-clean place full of characterless tiles and characterless shoppers, shopping for characterless brands, such as Marc Jacobs, Lacoste, Calvin Klein, and lots of others with forgettable names that I’d never heard of before. Although if I said that while I was in the place I would probably have been branded a heretic.

There’s not too much fun anyone can have in this place, especially if you’re doing your best to hold back tears as you look around and realise just how hegemonic corporate late capitalism can be.

Despite all this, it’s got a great bowling alley. So if you want to do some ten pin bowling, go there. If you don’t, never ever step food inside the place. Unless, of course, you’re a completely vacuous person who just wants to buy more stuff.