Looking for a Shoemaker in Hanoi? Inside Colin Martin’s Workshop

Finding a shoemaker in Hanoi is not only a question of who can make a formal-looking shoe. The more useful question is what happens behind the finished pair: where it is made, who performs the work, how the structure is chosen and whether comfort is treated as seriously as appearance.

Colin Martin was founded in Hanoi in 2015 as one of the early independent Vietnamese brands committed to handcrafted classic footwear. Since then, our workshop has served more than 2,000 customers and completed over 5,000 pairs.

What should you look for in a Hanoi shoemaker?

A good pair should be judged by more than polished leather. Before ordering, ask who makes the shoes, which stages are completed in-house, what construction is being offered and how the maker approaches fit and comfort.

It is also worth checking whether the language used by a brand matches its actual service. “Handmade”, “made to order” and “bespoke” do not mean exactly the same thing. Colin Martin’s online collection is primarily made to order: the pair is produced after confirmation, using the style, colour, size and construction selected by the customer. Special requests should be discussed with our team before purchase.

Inside Colin Martin’s Hanoi workshop

Colin Martin operates its own Hanoi workshop with a team of ten skilled craftspeople. The work is divided among makers with specialist experience, allowing key stages to be carried out directly by the team: cutting and skiving leather, shaping lasts by hand, Goodyear welting, stitching and forming the soles, and applying patina colour.

These stages are connected. The way the leather is reduced at an edge influences how cleanly it can be shaped; the last establishes the silhouette; the construction affects structure and repairability; and the final patina gives depth to the surface without hiding the natural character of the leather.

Classic footwear with room for individuality

Our collection begins with enduring men’s styles: Oxford shoes, Derby shoes, loafers, monk straps and boots. We respect their established proportions, but do not believe classic footwear should remain visually frozen.

Colin Martin continuously explores sharper or softer lines, expressive hand-applied patinas and details that give a pair individuality without making it difficult to wear. Customers can select from the colours, constructions and sizes offered on each product page.

Comfort improvements beneath the surface

A shoe can be beautiful in a photograph yet tiring in daily life. This is why many of our most important improvements are almost invisible.

Reinforcement is carefully refined and reduced in selected areas so that the toe and heel can feel softer and more flexible while the shoe retains a clean, stable shape. Supple, breathable leather is selected for the lining and footbed. The aim is not to remove structure, but to place it more thoughtfully.

Customers ordering online can choose their usual US men’s size. Our size guide includes EU and UK equivalents together with foot length in centimetres and inches. Measuring your feet is optional, and our team can advise if you are between sizes.

Made to be worn and cared for

Durability is not a dramatic claim made on the first day. It is revealed over time: in how a shoe holds its line, responds to care and develops character with wear. Construction, material selection and the work of the maker all contribute to that result.

To help leather shoes age well, rotate them between wears, use shoe trees, brush away dust and apply a suitable conditioner sparingly. Avoid prolonged moisture and direct heat.

Visit a Colin Martin showroom

If you are searching for handmade shoes in Hanoi, you can visit Colin Martin at 100 Trần Phú, Ba Đình, Hanoi. Our second showroom is located at 180A Hai Bà Trưng, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

At the showroom, customers can see materials and finished pairs, compare styles and receive guidance on colour, construction and size. For an appointment, call +84 988 101 855 or message @colinmartinvn.

Ordering from outside Vietnam

Colin Martin ships throughout Vietnam and worldwide. International customers can browse the online collection, select the available options and contact our team for sizing or delivery guidance before ordering.

The reason to choose a shoemaker should not be a superlative written by the brand itself. It should be visible in the workshop, explained in the process and felt in the finished pair. We welcome customers to examine the work, ask questions and decide whether Colin Martin is the right maker for them.