Unique And Authentic Things To Buy In Vietnam For Souvenirs, Gifts, And Cultural Keepsakes

An image of an Embroidered piece, among the best things to buy in Vietnam.

Vietnam is an ideal destination full of culture and attractions, making it perfect for tourists seeking diverse and extensive experiences. There are various things to buy in Vietnam, and tourists can get the opportunity to explore and immerse themselves in the local way of life. The country is known for its wide variety of local goods, perfect for gifts or personal keepsakes. Tourists can explore various options, including traditional clothes and handmade crafts, as Vietnam is packed with famous things to buy that reflect its culture and daily life.

Top 10 Things To Buy In Vietnam

There are several things to buy in Vietnam that tourists can explore to have unique experiences. Here is a list of 10 famous things to buy in Vietnam:

1. Silk Products

 An image of a person making silk products, which is among the popular things to buy in Vietnam.

Photo: John Cummings / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Vietnamese silk is one of the most popular things to buy in Vietnam due to its soft texture and vibrant colours. It is used for clothing, scarves, and even paintings and is an ideal versatile and lightweight souvenir for tourists. Silk made in Vietnam is handwoven and comes mostly from villages with a long history in the trade. Vietnamese silk is one of the cheapest things to buy in Vietnam Ho Chi Minh city , offering a unique view of the local way of life.

Where To Buy: Van Phuc Silk Village (Hanoi), Hoi An Silk Village

2. Ao Dai

An image of people wearing Áo Dài, a national dress among the famous things to buy in Vietnam.

Photo: Markus Winkler / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

The Áo Dài is Vietnam’s national dress and a famous thing to buy in Vietnam, especially for tourists who want a personal and cultural souvenir. It is a long, fitted tunic worn over trousers and is mostly made from silk. Many shops in Vietnam offer tailoring services, offering tourists an opportunity to get one made to their size. The Áo Dài is more of a special purchase than a daily souvenir, which holds great meaning in Vietnamese culture and fashion.

Where To Buy: Tailor shops in Hoi An, Dong Khoi Street (Ho Chi Minh City)

3. Vietnamese Coffee

 An image of Vietnamese coffee, which is among the popular things to buy in Vietnam.

Photo: HungryHuy / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Vietnamese coffee is one of the most popular things to buy in Vietnam, and it is ideal for coffee enthusiasts. It is known for its strong flavour and rich aroma and is mostly enjoyed with condensed milk as cà phê sữa đá. Tourists visiting Vietnam can buy ground beans, whole beans, or even drip filters to recreate the experience while at home. Vietnamese coffee is affordable, lightweight, and widely available, making it one of the cheap things to buy while exploring the country, and it’s also practical.

Where To Buy: Trung Nguyên Legend, local shops in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

4. Non-La, Conical Hat

 An image of Non-Lá, a classic symbol tourists can buy among the best things to buy in Vietnam.

Photo: terence / Wikimedia Commons

The Non-Lá is a classic symbol of Vietnam and one of the best things to buy in Vietnam for a unique photo or cultural display. It is made from palm leaves and is not only decorative but also protects against the sun and rain. The Non-Lá is mostly handmade, and each hat has a unique local touch. The Non-Lá makes a lovely wall piece or travel souvenir for tourists visiting Vietnam.

Where To Buy: Ben Thanh Market (Ho Chi Minh City), local shops in Hue

5. Lacquerware

An image resembling Lacquerware, which is among the famous things to buy in Vietnam.

Photo: Jing / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only

Lacquerware is one of the more artistic and famous things to buy in Vietnam, offering tourists access to the country’s way of life and giving them unique experiences. It is a shiny, colourful item that mostly comes in the form of trays, boxes, and dishes. Lacquerware is made by layering natural lacquer and hand-painting each piece with care. It’s a bit more fragile, so it’s ideal for tourists who have space in their luggage. Most of the Lacquerware designs include local scenes, flowers, or cultural symbols.

Where To Buy: Dong Xuan Market (Hanoi), Tay Son Lacquerware (Ho Chi Minh City)

6. Hand Embroidery

An image of a hand embroidery piece, which is one of the best things to buy in Vietnam.

Photo: Daderot / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Hand embroidery is a quiet but beautiful tradition and one of the best things to buy in Vietnam for tourists who appreciate detailed work. Tourists visiting Vietnam can find napkins, pillowcases, and wall hangings with delicate stitched designs, which are mostly made by skilled artisans in rural areas. Each hand-embroidered piece tells a story, mostly about nature or daily life in Vietnam. It is easy to carry and long-lasting, making it ideal for tourists seeking a long-lasting cultural piece.

Where To Buy: XQ Hand Embroidery (Da Lat and Hue)

7. Bamboo Products

An image of bamboo products, which are among the most popular things to buy in Vietnam.

Photo: Rin Mamori / Wikimedia Commons

Bamboo products are practical and eco-friendly, making them popular things to buy in Vietnam. Tourists exploring Vietnam can find baskets, cups, and chopsticks, as these items are handmade and mostly sold by local craftspeople. Bamboo grows fast and is strong, making it a useful and sustainable souvenir for tourists to purchase. Most items made from bamboo in Vietnam are simple and reflect the country’s connection to nature and traditional materials, making them ideal for cultural enthusiasts.

Where To Buy: Quang Ba Night Market (Hanoi), handicraft shops in Da Nang

8. Ceramics And Pottery

An image of Ceramics and Pottery pieces, which are among the famous things to buy in Vietnam

Photo: Gryffindor / Wikimedia Commons

Vietnamese pottery is well-known for its patterns and smooth glaze, offering tourists an immersive experience of the country’s culture. It is one of the famous things to buy in Vietnam for tourists who enjoy home décor. Tourists exploring Vietnam can find bowls, mugs, vases, and more. Most of the pottery pieces are hand-shaped and painted in local styles, making them unique souvenirs for tourists to purchase. They can be heavy; hence, tourists should choose smaller items if flying with hand luggage, as it is a nice way to bring a bit of Vietnam into their homes.

Where To Buy: Bat Trang Ceramic Village (near Hanoi)

9. Paper Lanterns

An image of paper lanterns in Hoi An Old Town, one of the cheap things to buy in Vietnam.

Photo: katiebordner / Wikimedia Commons

Paper lanterns are colourful and light, making them a great option for tourists seeking cheap things to buy in Vietnam. Hoi An is famous for these lanterns, which are usually made during the full moon festivals. Tourists exploring Vietnam can find paper lanterns of different shapes and patterns, which can be folded flat for easy packing. Some shops in Vietnam offer tourists opportunities to design their own colourful lanterns. These paper lanterns are ideal souvenirs that tourists can use as home decorations or gifts.

Where To Buy: Lantern shops in Hoi An Old Town

10. Local Spices

An image of local spices tourists can buy, which are among the best things to buy in Vietnam.

Photo: Anthere / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

For tourists who enjoy cooking or want to bring home a taste of the country’s way of life, local spices are one of the best things to buy in Vietnam. Tourists visiting Vietnam can find local spices ranging from star anise to lemongrass and chilli blends, as most of the flavours are bold and unique. Many of the local spices are dried and packed in small bags, making them ideal for travelling. Some markets in Vietnam also sell ready-made mixes for pho or other Vietnamese dishes, making them ideal for gifts.

Where To Buy: Ben Thanh Market (Ho Chi Minh City), Han Market (Da Nang)

Vietnam offers a great mix of useful, handmade, and tasty souvenirs, which is ideal for tourists who are into fashion, food, or crafts, as the things to buy in Vietnam suit all types of travellers. Tourists visiting Vietnam can find various cheap and famous things to buy, as each item is part of local culture. Plan your trip today with TripXL and explore some of the famous things to buy in Vietnam.

Cover Photo: George Dolgikh / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

Frequently Asked Questions

Popular items include conical hats (nón lá), silk lanterns, Lacquerware, and traditional áo dài dresses. These souvenirs beautifully represent Vietnam's rich culture.
You can find high-quality Vietnamese coffee in markets like Ben Thanh in Ho Chi Minh City or in speciality coffee shops. Don’t miss trying the famous Trung Nguyên or Weasel Coffee brands.
Yes, Vietnam is known for affordable, high-quality, tailored suits and dresses, especially in cities like Hoi An. The expert craftsmanship ensures perfect fits in just a few days.
Consider coconut candy, dried fruits, or Phu Quoc pepper as tasty and unique souvenirs. These snacks make thoughtful and delicious gifts for friends and family.
Yes, look for bamboo products, ceramic pottery, and hand-painted 3D pop-up cards in local markets. These crafts are created by skilled local artisans and make wonderful keepsakes.

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