Best souvenirs from Vietnam – A trip to Vietnam is an opportunity once in a lifetime and you’ll most definitely want to take home some unique memorabilia to remember your amazing adventure. Here are 10 of the best souvenirs from Vietnam that you need to buy while in Vietnam.
Vietnam is a paradise for shoppers. In Vietnam, there are so many excellent things to buy, including food, souvenirs, clothes, and artwork. Some of the many great items available for purchase, the best places to buy these products, will be introduced in this guide. These are the best souvenirs from Vietnam and ideas for Vietnamese gifts for friends and family to take back!
Ceramics and Pottery
Incorporating influences from China, India, and Cambodia, ceramics are still a part of the daily life of the Vietnamese people and can be found everywhere. The ceramics you find in Vietnam are handmade using traditional methods, and the intricate detailing is noteworthy. You’ll find a wide variety of ceramics in all shapes, colors, and sizes. They make a long-lasting souvenir and a gift from Vietnam.
Pottery is fragile, so be sure to pack it well before you travel and consider taking it in your luggage to make sure the products return home safe. Another tip – if you’re going to buy pottery, bring the bubble wrap with you.
Where to buy:
- Bat Trang pottery village
- Phu Land pottery village
- Thanh Ha in Hoi An
- Phuoc Tich in Hue
- Many pottery and handicraft shops in the main cities: Hey Camel Ceramics (116/19A Tran Quoc Toan Street, Ward 7, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City), Quang’s Ceramics (93 Ba Trieu Street, Nguyen Du Ward, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi)
How much:
- Prices start at VND 20,000.
Bamboo products
Bamboo-made items are some of Vietnam’s most popular souvenirs. The added bonus is that it is an environmentally friendly, sustainable product.
You will find a variety of handmade products, such as kitchenware, bowls, baskets, and hats, at prices that are appropriate for every budget. Another cool bamboo item that would make a fun gift is the dragonfly. Unique to Vietnam, the Bamboo Dragonfly can stand on any surface of its mouth.
Where to buy:
Markets and souvenir shops in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City not limited to:
- Bamboo Village Shop: 108 Xuan Dieu Street, Hanoi
- Mekong Creations: 68 Le Loi, Ben Thanh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
How much:
- The price of these products vary depending on the size and intricacies involved.
Guoc Moc Wooden clogs
Guoc Moc is a traditional shoe for men and women in Vietnam. It’s basically a wooden clog – a flip flop that was traditionally worn with Ao Dai. Wooden clogs are considered to be part of the national dress. Outside of this, it’s considered old fashioned and not often worn, but you can still find some if you want to own one as a souvenir.
Where to buy:
- In Hanoi: Dong Xuan market, The Old Quarter
How much:
- Expect to pay between VND 10,000 to VND 30,000 for a pair of wooden clogs.
Musical Instruments
Music plays a large part in the culture of Vietnam. Three popular tourist instruments are flutes, violins, and xylophones.
The bamboo flute is the best choice for those with a small luggage room. The mini t’rungs, like small xylophones, are also a great pick as they can be easily removed and transported. Dan Nhi, a Vietnamese violin, is both the most expensive and takes up the most space, so plan ahead to make sure you have enough space to take it back home.
Where to buy:
- Ho Chi Minh City: Nguyen Du Street in the Ben Thanh area and Cach Mang Thang 8 Street are recommended
- Hanoi: Hao Nam and Hang Manh Streets
How much::
This depends on the quality and on the type of instrument.
- Bamboo flute: VND 10,000 – VND 100,000
- Mini t’rungs: VND 300,000 – VND 1,000,000
- Vietnamese violin: VND 500,000 to VND 1,500,000
Travel tip: Make sure that wood products are allowed in your home country and that the wood has been treated prior to purchase.
back to menu ↑Lanterns
Lanterns are an integral part of the celebrations in Vietnam. During the Mid-Autumn and Tet (Lunar New Year) festivals, you’ll find plenty of lanterns that add colorful classic charm to Vietnam’s cities. Typically, you can find lanterns sold on markets in any major city. Although, Hoi An is the most famous place to buy picturesque light.
Single colored plastic lanterns are very cheap to buy. We would recommend spending a little more and buying hand-painted wooden lanterns. There are so many ornate designs to choose from, and they can be folded down, making packing easier and making it possible to purchase a larger lantern.
Where to buy:
- Hoi An is absolutely the best place for lanterns to be bought. Walk through the Old Quarter streets and you’re almost guaranteed to find the perfect Vietnamese souvenir.
How much:
- The price varies depending on style and quality. VND 50,000- 400,000.
Dó paper products
Made from the bark of the Rhamnoneuron Balansae Dó tree, a wild plant commonly found around the local river banks, this handmade paper is another great souvenir. The papermaking process is complex, taking up to three months to complete, but it truly captures Vietnam’s creativity and imagination.
This paper has played a crucial role in Vietnam’s tradition and history since folk artists have painted historical moments and events in this paper throughout history. Nowadays, the paper is not widely used, but it still contains relevant documents, books, and valuable paintings. The traditional work of making Do paper originated in the province of Bac Ninh. It is used for making Dong Ho paintings.
Where to buy:
In Ho Chi Minh City:
- Tan Phat stationery store. A1/16, Hưng Long – Quy Duc
- Ngan Thong Craft Supply. 64 Lê Lợi, Ben Nghe, District 1
In Hanoi:
- Old Quarter
- Zó Project. Adjacent to the rail track and find house no 27, 10A Dien Bien Phu.
How much::
- The prices vary depending on the print, starting at around VND 35,000
Propaganda Posters
During the Vietnam War, propaganda and slogans were used to encourage the local population and rally troops. These war memorials are now available for purchase. Comprising graphic representations of the country’s ideology and patriotic past, they make an interesting and unique memory of your time in Vietnam.
Most of the propaganda is made by famous local artists so that they can also be considered a type of art. You can choose from current and historical varieties. Propaganda posters are the most popular, but there are also photographs, uniforms, medals, flags, and books available.
Where to buy:
In Ho Chi Minh City:
- Dan Sinh Market: 104, Yersin, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1
- Le Duan Street
In Hanoi:
- Old Propaganda Posters Shop: 1 Nha Chung, Hang Trong, Hoan Kiem
- Hanoi Gallery Old Propaganda Posters: 98 Ma May, Hang Buom, Hoan Kiem
How much:
- Prices vary greatly depending on whether it’s a replica of an original. Replicas are usually in the range of VND 200,000 dependent on the size.
Buying tip: If you buy posters and paintings, you can easily find a piece of plastic pipe that makes rolled posters ideal for storage. These can be found costing just a few cents at many of the local shops.
back to menu ↑Paintings
Whether you’re taking a stroll around the shops or sitting enjoying a drink on Beer Street, the opportunity to purchase a beautifully hand-painted picture is always there. Arts and crafts are very much part of Vietnamese culture, so you’re sure to find a lot of locals sitting outside their shops or homes working on their mesmerizing artwork. The best thing about buying a painting is that you can roll it up carefully and it won’t take up a lot of space in your luggage.
Paintings are one of Vietnam’s most popular things to buy. Galleries have a wide range, from traditional and imaginative styles to completely innovative works, representing everything from local scenes and activities through re-interpretations of popular images. They come in all sizes. Each painting tells a story filled with rich colors.
Where to buy:
- Hanoi: in local boutique stores in the Old Quarter. The Nguyen Art Gallery is known for having eye-catching original pieces of handcraft, pottery, and artwork.
- The streets of Hoi An are filled with art. Alternatively
How much:
- Price range: VND 200,000 – 1,500,000 for a small hand painting without a frame. This is dependent on the size, the amount of detail, and time that goes into each painting.
T-shirts
Vietnam has a huge collection of cheesy and fun T-shirts to buy for yourself and for family and friends to take home. In the night markets in Saigon and Hanoi, you can find tee-shirts with national icons, funny graphics, knock-off logos, or witty text, not to mention some small shops everywhere.
In Vietnam, there are few things as plentiful as printed T-shirts. They are fun and inexpensive souvenirs from Vietnam. In Vietnam, printed t-shirts are plentiful. To choose from, there are so many designs and colors. Many of them will have punny or witty sayings that make for a great laugh while browsing. The target market here is tourists, so they offer western sizes of up to 3XL.
Where to buy:
- The local markets and night markets are filled to the brim.
How much:
- Prices start at VND 100,000 for unbranded items and VND 200,000 for fake branded shirts.
