The best Vietnamese souvenirs that you should buy

Created by Minh Hue at 2024-01-11 10:38:15 , Updated by Mai PHAM at 2024-12-21 11:35:14
Vietnamese souvenirs are a vibrant reflection of the country's rich cultural heritage, offering diverse items that encapsulate the beauty of Vietnam

Vietnam has a diverse range of souvenirs that reflect its culture and history. From the iconic Non La hats to the traditional handicrafts, each item offers a tangible connection to the rich heritage of this country. Let's explore the handpicked list from Asia King Travel to gain insight into the must-have treasures in Vietnam, and have a journey to get the best souvenirs that perfectly capture the essence of this fascinating nation, ensuring your keepsakes will always evoke the spirit and memories of your adventure to this beautiful land.

Top 12 Vietnamese souvenirs for travelers 

Non La hats 

The conical hat, also known as "Non La," is a significant part of Vietnamese culture and heritage, symbolizing harmony, grace, and simplicity. Its unique form and pattern represent tenacity and classic beauty, and its adaptability as a wearing ornament or distinctive decor piece connects individuals to Vietnam's rich cultural tapestry, making itself a lovely souvenir.

Non La is a special souvenir symbolizing Vietnamese culture

Special designs of Non La 

Non La hat can be found in local markets like Ben Thanh in Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Xuan in Hanoi. Craft villages like Chuong and popular tourist areas like Hoi An offer authentic options. Street vendors and artisan workshops can offer more impressive and distinctive options with colorful and artistically designed hats presented. 

On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1.50 to $9.00 (30,000 VND to 200,000 VND) for a Non La, depending on location, quality, and the intricacy of its design.

Ao Dai

Buying an Ao Dai, or traditional Vietnamese dress, as a memento is a fascinating way to embrace Vietnam's cultural heritage. Its timeless elegance and precise craftsmanship represent the country's rich legacy, making it a memorable keepsake that perfectly captures the essence of Vietnamese tradition and style.

Ao Dai is a fasinating memento showcasing Vietnam's cultural heritage

Ao Dai dress

For a stunning Ao Dai souvenir, tourists can consider reputable tailor shops such as Ao Dai Vinh in Hanoi, or Ao Dai Ngu Thuy in Ho Chi Minh City. In Hoi An, many shops are selling Ao Dai and offer amazing fantastic customized services at reasonable prices. You can also visit traditional markets for a variety of styles reflecting authentic Vietnamese craftsmanship. A basic Ao Dai might start from around $10.00 to $50.00 (200,000 VND to 1,000,000 VND) or more, depending on fabric quality, design complexity, and branches or tailor reputation.

Tailor-made clothings

Getting Vietnamese tailor-made clothing as a memento provides a one-of-a-kind and customized experience, as professional tailors use traditional techniques to make distinctive apparel that precisely fits your own style, resulting in a memorable and stylish souvenir.

A great way to get a keepsake of your trips in Vietnam is to get tailor-made clothings

A tailor shop in Vietnam

You can head to established tailor shops like A Dong Silk in Hoi An, Saigon Fabrics in Ho Chi Minh City, and Kimmy Tailor in Hanoi Old Quarter for a personalized experience and a wide range of fabrics. Like Ao Dai, prices can range from $10.00 to $200 or more for a tailored item, on average.

Coffee

Vietnam, the second-largest coffee-producing country in the world, is well-known for its robusta beans and distinctive flavors and coffee-drinking experience. There are numerous coffee shops in the country, and it is not unusual to see Vietnamese people sipping coffee there. Buying locally sourced coffee lets you enjoy its unique flavors at home and connects your senses to your travels in Vietnam.

Vietnamese coffee has special flavors that will connect your senses to your travel in Vietnam

Vietnamese coffee can make an amazing souvenir

To obtain authentic Vietnamese coffee as a souvenir, you can visit local wholesale markets, or local coffee shops and specialty stores in regions like Dalat or Buon Ma Thuot to ensure you have high-quality, locally sourced coffee, providing you with a genuine taste of Vietnam.

Generally, you can find a bag of quality Vietnamese coffee ranging from $5.00 to $20.00 (100,000 VND to 500,000 VND) or more, depending on the brand, quality, packaging, and quantity. Specialty or rare coffee varieties may be at a higher price point.

Jewelry

Jewelry from Vietnam is a unique and enchanting souvenir that showcases the country's rich cultural heritage. Crafted with traditional materials and patterns, it represents the artistic flair of the country. Purchasing such items not only enhances personal style but also ensures the survival of the craft, preserving Vietnam's long-standing craftsmanship.

Vietnamese Jewelry represents the artistic flair of this country

Jelwery from Vietnam

It is common to see different jewelry souvenir shops in many attractions in Vietnam. You can explore Hanoi's Old Quarter and Ho Chi Minh City's Dong Khoi Street, which features numerous jewelry stores with a diverse selection. The price ranges from $2.00 to $10.00 (50,000 VND to 250,000 VND) or more, depending on the material, the structure, or the branch. 

Traditional handicrafts

Having traditional handicrafts as gifts in Vietnam connects you with the country's cultural history. These items, including textiles, lacquerware, and wood carvings, showcase centuries-old artistic skills of Vietnamese artisans, who maintain traditional crafts and assure their transmission through generations, providing a tangible means to appreciate and share Vietnam's cultural heritage.

Having traditional handicrafts as souvenirs in Vietnam connects you with the country's cultural history

Vietnamese handicrafts

Vietnam offers authentic traditional handicrafts through local markets, artisan villages, and reputable stores. Hanoi's Old Quarter and Ho Chi Minh City's Ben Thanh Market are popular hubs for these crafts. Villages like Bat Trang (ceramics), Hoi An (textiles), and Dong Ky (wooden crafts) specialize in specific crafts. Engaging directly with artisans or purchasing from government-approved stores will help you ensure authenticity and support local craftsmanship.

Ethnic minorities products

Vietnamese ethnic minorities products are valuable souvenirs that showcase unique craftsmanship, cultural diversity, and traditional skills. They contribute to the economic well-being of these communities, preserve cultural identity, and foster appreciation for Vietnam's diverse ethnic cultures. These products can be traditional clothing, accessories, decorative items, or housewares, presenting the culture and lifestyle of each ethnic group.

Vietnamese ethnic minority products are valuable souvenirs that showcase unique culture of each group

Vietnamese ethnic minorities products

If you visit any attractions in a remote region of Vietnam, such as Sapa or Ha Giang, you can consider visiting markets and villages there. Explore local cooperatives and engage with communities to purchase handmade products. The price is usually reasonable, except for products made from rare materials, such as gemstones or rare herbs.

Sculptures

Vietnam has a long history of sculpture, with artists crafting elaborate sculptures that depict the nation's mythology, history, and way of life. Not only getting you valuable and meaningful souvenirs from your journey, buying sculptures in Vietnam also promotes the expert workmanship of local artists.

Buying sculptures offers you meaningful reminders about Vietnam's culture

Vietnamese sculptures

You can visit respectable art galleries, artisan workshops, and markets in major cities like the Old Quarter in Hanoi, Dong Khoi Street in Ho Chi Minh City, and art-focused areas like Hue and Hoi An to find genuine and high-quality sculptures as gifts in Vietnam. The cost of sculptures in Vietnam varies significantly based on factors like size, material, design complexity, and the artist's reputation. Small sculptures can cost around $5.00 (100,000 VND), while larger, more intricate pieces can cost $100.00 (more than 2,000,000 VND) and more.

Vietnamese Paintings

Vietnam offers a variety of painting styles and genres, each presenting a unique perspective on the country's artistic heritage. Silk paintings, Dong Ho folk paintings, and lacquer paintings are notable styles, showcasing different aspects of nature, daily life, and symbolism. Purchasing a Vietnamese painting not only brings home a beautiful artwork souvenir but also symbolizes the nation's distinctive culture and creativity.

Purchasing a Vietnamese painting helps you bring home a beautiful artwork souvenir

A Vietnamese lacquer painting

The Fine Arts Museum, Apricot Gallery, Old Quarter in Hanoi, or Bui Vien Street and Nguyen Hue Street in Ho Chi Minh City are well-known spots to buy authentic Vietnamese paintings. The prices vary significantly based on the artist's reputation, artwork size and complexity, and medium used. The price starts at around $5.00 (more than 100,000 VND), and it can reach thousands of Vietnam Dongs, or hundreds of dollars, and even much more.

You may also like: Shopping and handicraft paradise in Hoi An

Vietnam Posters

Vietnamese posters are colorful and eye-catching mementos that encapsulate the essence of the country's culture, landscapes, and history. They frequently depict classic imagery such as the grandeur of Ha Long Bay, lively city scenes, or propaganda-style artwork from various times, making them one-of-a-kind and decorative souvenirs.

Vietnamese posters are eye-catching mementos that encapsulate the beauty of the country

Vietnam Posters

Posters in local markets and small stores can cost anywhere from $5 to $20 (100,000 VND to 500,000 VND) for standard-sized prints. Larger or intricate posters, particularly those with original artwork or high-quality printing, can cost $50 (more than 1,000,000 VND) or more.

Herbs & Spices

You may bring the flavors of real Vietnamese food into your house by bringing home keepsakes of herbs and spices from Vietnam. Spices such as star anise, cinnamon, and lemongrass are fragrant and physical reminders of the lively marketplaces and diverse cuisines you have visited while traveling.

Vietnamese cuisine is particularly flavorful, thanks to the abundance of herbs and spices in this nation

Vietnamese Herbs & Spice

To find high-quality herbs and spices in Vietnam for your souvenirs, you might want to visit local markets, specialized spice shops, or supermarkets. Additionally, spice-producing regions like Da Lat are excellent places to buy directly from local sources.

Vietnamese banknotes

Vietnamese banknotes offer a unique way to keep as a souvenir of your journeys alive

Vietnamese banknotes

Vietnamese banknotes, with their vivid hues and historical symbols, offer a unique way to keep as a souvenir of your journeys alive. These dongs, like the iconic image of Ho Chi Minh and beautiful landscapes, relate as physical memories of the various events and intriguing history encountered during your visit. They offer a unique, lightweight memento that can be kept or shared as a priceless remembrance, all while capturing the spirit of the country.

Tips when buying souvenirs in Vietnam

  • Bargain: Bargaining is common in Vietnamese markets. Politely negotiate for a fair price, but also be respectful of the seller.
  • No instant decision: Compare prices and qualities of the products at different stores before making a purchase.
  • Check Customs Regulations: Be aware of customs regulations for bringing certain items (like food or cultural artifacts) back to your home country.
  • Inspect quality: Before finalizing a purchase, carefully inspect the quality of the item.
  • Learn a few phrases: Basic Vietnamese phrases can go a long way. Even a simple "Xin chào" (hello) or "Cảm ơn" (thank you) can enhance your interactions with locals and improve your shopping experience in Vietnam.

In conclusion, Vietnamese souvenirs offer a rich tapestry of cultural heritage. Each item is a tangible expression of Vietnam's unique traditions, making for cherished and meaningful keepsakes. Asia King Travel is always happy to help you if you ever need any further assistance regarding this topic. Please do not hesitate to contact us, and we will respond to you as soon as possible.

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