My first gym in Da Nang in 2018 was a small, open-air gym with no windows, just a small waist-high gate guarding the rusty equipment. I think I paid 200.000 VND to join for the month. There were some fans spread out, and most locals trained barefoot.
After that sweaty workout, the next step was to find some creatine and protein powder. WheyStore Da Nang was the first place I bought gym supplements; that store is still there today.
Fast-forward to today – I’ve lived in Saigon long-term, trained at over a dozen gyms, and purchased workout supplements online and at several stores. Here’s where and how I get my gym supplements in Ho Chi Minh City.
If you’re buying supplements, you’ll need a place to train. Here’s my guide to the best gyms with day passes in Ho Chi Minh City.
Gym Supplements in Ho Chi Minh City
1. Shopee or Lazada (Mobile Apps)
Websites and apps: Shopee • Lazada
Using either the Shoppe or Lazada app will provide the best and most diverse selection. I sometimes order MyProtein Impact Whey from Shopee. It’s also convenient if you don’t have your own motorbike or want to take taxis to different stores. I recommend downloading both and browsing, though I mainly use the Shopee app.
After you enter what you’re searching for, click the Filter button, then select Ho Chi Minh City to filter the search results. You can order from other cities like Hanoi and overseas, but I usually find what I need right in Ho Chi Minh.
The only downside to both is that delivery drivers will come anytime during the day with little or no heads-up. Sometimes, they will come days earlier than the apps say. Also, your packages will arrive separately if you order from different vendors. So, if you’re looking for things in a similar category (e.g., gym supplements), try and get everything from the same vendor. You can browse a specific vendor’s shop directly in the apps.
You can attach your credit card to the apps or pay with cash on delivery (COD), which I do.
2. WheyStore Nguyễn Trãi (District 5)
Address: Google Maps • Facebook Page • Website
This WheyStore is on the opposite side of the city as the one in Binh Thanh and is outside the touristy areas. If you are in District 1 or anywhere near Bui Vien, though, this WheyStore will be your closest. The store is less than a 10-minute ride from Bui Vien.
You can pay with credit and debit cards at the WheyStore chain. In addition to Visa and Mastercard, they also take Discover Card.
My recommended gym in this area of the city is The New Gym Nguyễn Chí Thanh.
3. WheyStore Bạch Đằng (Binh Thanh)
Address: Google Maps • Facebook Page • Website
If you’re in Binh Thanh District, this is one of your closest supplement stores. The WheyStore in Da Nang was my first exposure to Vietnamese health supplement stores, so I am partial to this chain. My first-ever purchase was a 1 kg bag of MyProtein’s Impact Whey Protein.
This store is about a 10-minute drive from the popular Ward 19 in Binh Thanh.
My recommended nearby gym is The New Gym Ung Văn Khiêm. I trained here for four months.
4. Nutrition Depot (District 1)
Address: Google Maps • Facebook Page • Website
This nutrition depot is where I picked up my latest protein and pre-workout powder batch. As with all of these stores, check their individual websites for promotions. They had a discount on a protein powder combo and a pre-workout, which included a free tub of BCAAs.
Some stores sometimes throw in a free shaker cup or wrist wraps. You can pay with credit and debit cards at the Nutrition Depot chain, and like WheyStore, they also take Discover Card.
My recommended gym in the area would be Gym One in District 3.
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5. Nutrition Depot Thao Dien (District 2)
Address: Google Maps • Facebook Page • Website
This Nutrition Depot branch is located inside Thao Dien. Nutrition Depot also does deliveries over a certain amount. Reach out to them via their website or on Zalo or Facebook Messenger.
Thao Dien itself has a wide range of fitness centers, depending on what you’re looking for. There are high-end gyms like California Fitness and Elite Fitness, more specialized gyms for martial arts and boxing, and several boutique and class-oriented gyms like CrossFit. My recommendation for a normal gym in the area is Body Fix, which is across the highway.
For a normal gym directly inside Thao Dien, I recommend Body Shape.
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6. Gymstore Quận 5 (District 5)
Address: Google Maps • Facebook Page • Website
This Gymstore is actually located around the corner from the WheyStore in District 5, as well. So these two stores are also good candidates for shopping around. I came to this branch first for protein one time but found they were out of stock of the MyProtein I was looking for, so I went to the nearby WheyStore in District 5.
Since I already recommended The New Gym Nguyễn Chí Thanh as a nearby gym, another recommendation is FIT CENTER Lê Hồng Phong.
7. Gymstore Bình Thạnh (Binh Thanh)
Address: Google Maps • Facebook Page • Website
This Gymstore is conveniently located on the Dien Bien Phu highway, so it’s easy to stop here en route to other districts. It isn’t too far from the WheyStore in Binh Thanh, either. This makes it easy to shop around.
So if you’re near this area, check each company’s website to see if either has a promotion or deal you’re interested in. The different chains tend to have similar protein brands, but that’s where it stops. I’ve found that each one has different pre-workouts, vitamins, and other supplements. So shop around.
In addition to The New Gym Ung Văn Khiêm that I already recommended for the area, check out CT Gym Fitness & Yoga as well.
Next: Best Gyms in Da Nang (By an Expat)
Gym Supplements in Ho Chi Minh City (FAQs)
Where can I buy vitamins in Ho Chi Minh City?
Many basic vitamins and health supplements can be found in Pharmacity, the popular and reputable nationwide pharmacy chain. Most vitamins can also be found on the Shopee and Lazada apps. Some gym supplement stores like WheyStore, Gymstore, and Nutrition Depot carry them as well, but they will vary depending on the branch and their stock.
Can I find international supplement brands in Ho Chi Minh City?
Many international supplement brands are imported into Ho Chi Minh City. Certain supplement stores import and then resell the products. There are also vendors who import supplements and then resell them exclusively on the Shopee or Lazada apps. If you’re using the apps, always check the merchant’s reviews. Regarding brands, NOW Foods, Optimum Nutrition, MuscleTech, Blackmores, Nutricost, OstroVit, and more are readily available.
Can you get protein powder and creatine in Vietnam?
Yes, protein powder and creatine are readily available in supplement chain stores throughout Vietnam and on the Shopee and Lazada apps. Look for WheyStore, Gymstore, Nutrition Depot, and Whey Tot for in-person stores.
