Vietnam is a destination rich in cultural and culinary experiences as well as a diverse landscape to explore, from beaches to emerald paddy fields and alluring ancient cities. While traveling through this exotic country, you’ll have the opportunity to unearth some incredible souvenirs to bring back home as a token of your time spent in southeast Asia. Each region offers fantastic shopping, with items that appeal to every interest.
From handmade artisan goods and textiles to jewelry, intricate lanterns, and culinary delights, you’ll find that there’s an extraordinary variety of things to buy. Keep an eye out for these top Vietnam souvenirs during your travels.
Coffee Beans
Coffee
Purchase one of the best-known culinary products of Vietnam. The country is the second biggest coffee producer in the world, and the legacy of the French rule in the late 19th century is superb coffee shops and patisseries all over the country.
The locally grown Robusta bean gives Vietnamese coffee a distinct taste, while the slow drip method of brewing brings out the flavor. While traveling through the country, make sure to order the popular “ca phe sua da”, a mix of slow-roasted espresso and sweet condensed milk to offset the bitterness, served either hot or iced.
Binh Tay Market, Ho Chi Minh
Buying Vietnamese coffee beans and their specialized “phin” filter as a souvenir is a fantastic choice for coffee lovers looking to bring home a taste of the country’s culture. This metal filter blends the brewing methods of the French press and pour-over.
You’ll find freshly ground coffee beans or whole beans for sale at almost any market, as well as in specialty shops and grocery stores. Keep an eye out for coffee varieties at Ho Chi Minh’s Binh Tay Market, An Cafe in Nha Trang, and the Dong Xuan Market in Hanoi, to name a few. A couple of the most well-loved brands are Trung Nguyen Coffee and Highland Coffee.
Silk
Silk
Luxurious silk is one of the most popular items to buy in Vietnam. An important commodity throughout history, silk is produced here and woven into clothing, scarves, paintings, interior furnishings, tablecloths, and much more. Two of the best-known silk-weaving villages are Nha Xa, near Hanoi, and Ma Chau in the Quang Nam province.
Because silk is so popular, you’ll have no shortage of opportunities to find and purchase either bolts of fabric in vibrant colors or ready-made goods, including dresses and lanterns. Venture to Hanoi’s Old Quarter to wander the famous “Hang Gai Street”, or “Silk Street.” Unearth amazing silk finds and beautiful embroidery at family-run shops selling clothing, scarves, ties, tapestries, and more.
In enchanting Hoi An, the Cloth Market and the Hoi An Silk Village are both great choices when shopping for silk and you’ll be able to watch artisans practicing the ancient methods of silk weaving, too.
Ceramics & Pottery
Ceramics
Traditional pottery is one of the best things to buy in Vietnam. The country’s ties to ceramics date right back to the Bronze Age. More recently, ceramic making has been influenced by Chinese and French styles.
Perhaps one of the best-known types is the white and blue, called “Bleu de Hué” which rose in popularity during the Nguyen Dynasty in the early 20th century. Although pieces can be found throughout Vietnam, the village of Bat Trang, just outside of Hanoi, is well known for producing this particular style.
These gorgeous pieces of art can be found in most destinations in Vietnam, but the smaller villages known for ceramic crafting are the ideal place to shop, and you’ll help support the local communities, too.
One of the oldest pottery villages along the Red River Delta is Phu Lang, located just outside of Hanoi. A visit here offers a glimpse into the art of pottery making in Vietnam.
Most of the pottery products found in Phu Lang are adorned with a brown glaze and feature scenes such as landscape and sacred animals, among them elephants and horses. Household pots, jars, and vases available all make the perfect hand-crafted souvenir.
Jewelry
Jewelry
Jewelry is always an evocative memory of distant travels. Discover earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings at local markets and streetside souvenir stalls. Woven bracelets are one of the more popular jewelry items to take home.
If it’s more high-end jewelry that you’re after, shops such as Hoàng Gia Pearl in Ho Chi Minh, and Lac Viet in Hoi An are worth a stop. The northern city of Hanoi is known for producing beautiful silver and gold pieces, which can be purchased in the Old Quarter along Hang Bac Street.
Lacquerware
Lacquerware
For Vietnam souvenirs with a distinctive look, consider purchasing a lacquerware item. These gorgeous pieces of art range from bowls to vases, jewelry boxes, and paintings.
The method of creating lacquerware started in the 1930s in Hanoi, and consists of a lengthy process of mosaic designs, engravings, and intricate gold leaf patterns, sealed under tree sap resin, which is applied in layers to create a high gloss.
While traveling through Vietnam, you’ll have many opportunities to purchase a piece of lacquerware to bring home, as well as admiring display items. Galleries such as the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum in Hanoi exhibit this amazing form of art, including some ancient pieces.
Also in Hanoi, the An Dong Craft Market and Hang Bac Street are popular shopping destinations where you can uncover stunning lacquerware dishes and other meticulously designed items. In Hue, a well-known destination for quality lacquerware products and souvenirs, head for Dong Ba Lacquerware.
Traditional Hat (Nón Lá)
Traditional Hat (Nón Lá)
The Nón Lá conical hat is one of Vietnam’s iconic sights. The hat derived from a traditional legend about a goddess who descended from the skies during a torrential storm, wearing a hat so large it chased away the clouds.
Over time, it has evolved into an essential piece of headgear for farmers and outdoor laborers, where protection from the hot sun is necessary. In addition, the hat shields from the short, sharp rain showers of the tropics and in markets, can double up as a basket of sorts.
The Nón Lá hats are also an important piece in authentic costumes for performances and cultural festivals or events. There are more than 50 types of conical hats used in Vietnam today, usually made from palm leaves and bamboo.
Visit any market or souvenir shop in Vietnam and you’re almost guaranteed to come across the Nón Lá hats. In Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll have luck at the Binh Thanh Market and in Hanoi, the Dong Xuan Market and Old Quarter will have a wide array of conical hats to choose from.
Vietnamese Musical Instruments
Vietnamese musical instrument
Music is a key feature of Vietnamese culture, and popular instruments like flutes, xylophones, and violins can make a great gift or souvenir. You don’t have to be a virtuoso to appreciate the cultural significance of these items, although the type of instrument you choose may depend on the available space in your carry-on.
Perhaps the most popular item is a bamboo flute, sau truc, a fantastic choice both for its packable size, as well as its spiritual and cultural significance. The 10-hole flute was typically played by farmers taking a rest from their work day in the countryside.
Another intriguing instrument found in Vietnam is the bamboo t’rung, traditionally used in folk music and performed anywhere from family parties to village festivals. These are available to purchase in a smaller, more portable size as a souvenir.
The Vietnamese violin, dan nhi, is a key instrument in the country’s arts and culture scene as well and can be heard in traditional orchestra performances. It produces a distinct sound more similar to that of a human singer than a conventional violin.
Any of these Vietnamese instruments can be purchased at music stores in major cities, including Nguyen Du Street and Cách Mạng Tháng 8 Streets in Ho Chi Minh City, and Hang Manh Street in Hanoi.
Lanterns
Lanterns
Vietnamese lanterns aren’t just beautiful to look at; they’re also a symbol of good fortune, love, and happiness. These authentic lanterns are handcrafted from silk and bamboo, with intricate patterns and vibrant colors.
One of the best places to visit in Vietnam, the Old Town of Hoi An is a mecca for lantern shopping and is famous for its nighttime display of colorful stalls filled with these beautiful lights. Hoi An’s night market is a fantastic spot to find the perfect lantern. Or visit one of the small shops on Tran Phu Street, such as Thuy Tam or Ong Canh.
Lanterns are handwoven and painted with delicate patterns or floral motifs. Each color has its own meaning; red is for luck and love, yellow for wealth and prosperity, blue for hope, purple for nostalgia, and less cheerily, green for jealousy. Most fold up so are easy to transport home.
Tailored Clothing
Tailored clothing
Having an outfit tailor-made is a fine way of creating an authentic memory of your time in Vietnam. Not only will you have something to take home with you, but you will also have a unique experience.
The city of Hoi An has some of the most skilled tailors in southeast Asia. The clue is to come prepared. Bring items of clothing from home that you’d like replicated, or even just photos of something you want made to fit.
From selecting the fabric and getting measured to the final fitting is astonishingly quick, whether you’re after a suit, dress, skirt, or jacket. The Old Quarter’s Hang Gai Street is lined with tailors’ shops. Yaly Couture is a favorite within Hoi An for high-quality pieces.
Chopsticks
Chopsticks
Whether you’ve mastered the art of eating with chopsticks during your time in Vietnam or still need a bit of practice, these eating utensils are a popular souvenir to bring home.
Vietnam has a fresh, exciting cuisine, with world-renowned street food at its heart. A set of chopsticks is one of the most practical souvenirs to remind you of all the amazing dishes you tried during your Vietnam adventure, too.
Commonly made from bamboo, wood or coconut palm, chopsticks are on sale in any souvenir shop or street market.
Read: Best Food in Vietnam
Hoi An
Explore the exciting country of Vietnam and discover delicious cuisine, bustling markets, arts and culture, and historic villages. A cruise is a fantastic way to shop for authentic Vietnam souvenirs as a memory of your unforgettable vacation in southeast Asia. Browse cruises to Vietnam on our website and plan your trip today.
