What comes to your mind when I say ‘Vietnam’? Communism? Buddhism? Vietnamese War? Keeping the history textbooks aside, this Southeast Asian country is known for its stunning coastlines, winding rivers and bustling street markets! And do not even get me started on the rich cultural heritage that Vietnam has on offer. But more than that, it is filled with interesting things you can take home…especially if you love shopping!
But how to bottle up the vibrant essence and the captivating history of this country and take it home? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with the best things to buy in Vietnam that capture its culture, creativity, and character. And the icing on the cake is – there are many affordable options to choose from. However, take this tip from someone who has shopped extensively in Vietnam- BARGAIN, BARGAIN, and BARGAIN. So when you are in Vietnam, this article will help you curate a list of souvenirs and gifts for yourself and your friends back home. Let’s get started:
1. Vietnamese Coffee
In the list of things to bring back from Vietnam, we HAVE to start with coffee. There’s a reason why Vietnam is the world’s second-largest coffee producer! Made with egg yolks, condensed milk, sugar and robusta coffee, the traditional egg coffee here will leave you asking for more. Seriously, you can’t stop at just once! But let me tell you this – you can also purchase robusta beans to recreate the experience at home – and you can get them ground as well. So where ever you are, a cup of Vietnam will take you back to the serenity and the peace the country is rich in.
- Where to Buy: Local markets, coffee shops in Hanoi markets and Ho Chi Minh City.
- Price Range: VND 50,000–150,000 per kg.
2. Bamboo products
Did you know that Vietnam is the third-largest bamboo products exporter in the world? It has more than 750 handicraft villages that make bamboo products. Also, it contains over 1,000 bamboo and rattan production and trading establishments and companies.
So, if you’re looking for budget-friendly Vietnam souvenirs, go for bamboo or wooden items like trays, baskets and home décor. They are lightweight, sustainable, intricately woven and showcase the country’s craftsmanship.
- Where to buy: Hang Gai Street in Hanoi and various gift and souvenir shops across the country.
- Price range: VND 30,000–500,000, depending on item and size.
3. Vietnamese Silk
For women, Vietnam is a great place to buy high-quality silk at an affordable price. The country produces some of the finest fabrics in Asia, and it makes for a great souvenir and a heritage gift for almost everyone. You can explore diverse items, ranging from silk scarves to pajamas and even ties. The fabrics feel soft and luxurious, and are often adorned with traditional motifs like lotus flowers, making them perfect gifts or personal indulgences. Vietnamese silk is extremely special because the traditional weaving techniques have been passed down through generations.
- Where to buy: The best places to go shopping are silk villages like Van Phuc in Hanoi and Hang Gai Street in the city’s old quarter.
- Price range: Around VND 150,000 per meter of fabric.
4. Spices
Do you love Vietnamese food, their bold flavors as much as I do? Well, I have been a fan of the lemongrass, star anise, cloves, ginger and white cardamom. Vietnam is also the second largest exporter of star anise- so you get the gist why spices make for a great gift for your friends and family back home.
Vietnamese spices can be unique souvenirs that are lightweight and easy to pack, go for Vietnamese spices. Be it turmeric, black pepper or cinnamon, the spices here are hand-picked and locally sourced. Their aroma is so good; it’s the ideal souvenir from Vietnam, to give to your mother!
- Where to buy: The Old Quarter’s Spice Shops located at 36 Hang Dong Street.
- Price range: The smaller bags cost VND 20,000 whereas the larger quantities cost VND 150,000.
5. Water puppets
Originating from the rice paddies of the Northern region, water puppets are one of the unique things to buy in Vietnam. The puppets are intricately crafted and make for memorable decorative pieces. They often depict scenes from rural life and folklore.
- Where to buy: Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre gift shop, 57B Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem District, and craft shops in Hoi An Water Puppet Show.
- Price range: VND 100,000–1,000,000, depending on size and intricacy.
6. Sim Wine
If you love hosting parties, you can’t miss out on Vietnamese like Sim wine! Made from the fruit of the Rose Myrtle tree (a wild berry called Sim that grows abundantly on the island’s hillsides), this wine is often used as a traditional remedy as well as a celebratory drink. its alcohol content can range from 10% to 29%, packing both flavor and a gentle kick!
- Where to buy: You’ll find bottles at local markets, specialty liquor shops, and family-run distilleries like Sim Son and Bay Gao on Phu Quoc Island. They often offer tastings so you can sample different vintages before you buy.
- Price range: Expect to pay between 150,000 VND and 250,000 VND per bottle—an affordable, flavorful souvenir that also makes a great gift.
7. Chocolates From Vietnam
Thanks to the French influence during colonial times, cacao trees took root in Vietnam, and today, the country is producing some seriously fine, bean-to-bar chocolate that’s turning heads globally. Two of the biggest names are Marou Faiseurs de Chocolat and Alluvia Chocolatier—both homegrown brands that focus on high-quality, single-origin cacao.
- Where to buy:
- Boutique chocolate shops in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang.
- Marou Maison (HCMC), Alluvia flagship stores.
- Book chocolate tours via Marou or through travel agencies.
- Price range:
- Chocolate bars: Varies by size, typically VND 40,000–150,000.
- Chocolate + cacao garden tour: Around VND 700,000 per person (and worth every bite!).
8. Vietnamese Jewelry
Next in the list of cheap things to buy in Vietnam is its handmade jewelry. From rustic woven bracelets adorned with beads and charms to sleek metal rings, necklaces, and earrings, Vietnam spoils you with options. Another hidden gem is Vietnam’s pearl industry. You will find Vietnamese women wearing pearl jewelry in various shapes and sizes on various occasions honoring their cultural traditions. Add a touch of ocean elegance, with authentic pearl necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings.
- Where to buy:
- Casual handmade jewelry: Night markets in Hanoi, Hoi An, Da Nang.
- Pearls and fine jewelry: Saigon Pearls (Nha Trang), shops in Ha Long and Van Phong Bays.
- Price range:
- Beaded & metal jewelry: VND 30,000–50,000.
- Pearl jewelry: VND 500,000 and up, depending on quality and design.
9. Dried Fruits
We cannot complete this list of things to buy in Vietnam without mentioning ‘O Mai’ .Hanoi’s beloved dried fruit delight is called ‘O Mai’. It’s equal parts sweet, sour, and spicy. From apricots, plums or kumquats to mangoes and peaches, O Mai hits all the right taste buds! You can enjoy these flavorful bites with a steaming cup of lotus tea. Did you know that O Mai has been gifted as a sign of respect and good fortune for generations?
- Where to buy: Popular and trusted brands like Hong Lam and Tien Thinh have perfected the art of O Mai, with packaging that’s as pretty as the treat itself, perfect for gifts.
- Price range: Depending on the fruit and brand, expect to pay anywhere from VND 40,000 to VND 150,000 per box.
10. Pottery
Still wondering what souvenirs to buy in Vietnam? If you want to give something to your mother, go for ceramic pots, bowls, dishes, or vases of colorful patterns. Also, if your mother happens to be in Vietnam with you, enjoy a pottery experience with her like me!
- Where to buy: Explore villages like Bat Trang (Hanoi), Phuoc Tich (Hue), and Thanh Ha (Hoi An).
- Price range: VND 20,000-VND 10,000,000.
11. Paintings
It’s time to skip the usual and boring fridge magnets and dive into Vietnam’s vibrant art scene! Painted not just on canvas but also silk and sand, these paintings depict scenes from the city streets, like lantern-lit markets, rice fields or fishing boats. Silk paintings are in fact, internationally admired, because they blend Vietnamese brushwork with French Impressionist influence. The result is flowing, dreamlike compositions!
- Where to buy: Art galleries in Hanoi’s Old Quarter and Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1.
- Price range: Between VND 250,000 and VND 1,500,000+.
12. Non La – The Traditional Conical Vietnamese Hat
Traditionally handwoven from natural materials like palm leaves, bamboo cataphylls, and the bark of the Moc tree, each Non La hat is a testament to Vietnam’s artisanal craftsmanship. Non La is a good thing to buy in Vietnam because it has history attached to it (was worn by fishermen/farmers). Also, it’s so practical; it guards you from the sun and the rains. It is an enduring symbol of Vietnam and makes for a great souvenir.
- Where to buy: Best quality versions come from craft villages like Chuong Village (Hanoi), Phu Cam, and Tay Ho (Hue).
- Price range: A steal at just VND 10,000 to VND 50,000.
13. War Souvenirs
If you’re wondering what is famous in Vietnam to buy beyond the usual food and fashion, consider picking up a piece of history (literally)! The legacy of the Vietnam War is deeply etched in the country’s past, shaping the journey towards its reunification and independence.
So, if you’re a history buff, there’s a lot in store for you from old photographs and miniature flags to vintage posters and books about the war years. Some are reprints while some are authentic relics. Owning a piece of this memorabilia isn’t just about souvenirs; it’s about holding a small fragment of Vietnam’s complex, resilient heritage.
- Where to buy: War Remnants Museum, Ho Chi Minh City
- Price range: VND 100,000 to VND 2,000,000
14. Lacquerware
Vietnamese lacquerware isn’t just beautiful; it’s also surprisingly affordable, especially when compared to similar handcrafted goods elsewhere. If you’re on the hunt for things that are cheaper in Vietnam than India, lacquerware is a clear winner.
Whether it’s vases, trays, bowls, furniture, or decorative panels, each piece of lacquerware is layered, polished, and painted over a meticulous process that can take up to four months to complete! Many lacquerware items include subtle Buddhist artefacts or motifs, like lotus flowers, Bodhi trees, and wheel-of-Dharma symbols.
- Where to buy: Hang Bac Street and Hang Trong Street (Hanoi) and An Dong Craft Market (Ho Chi Minh City).
- Price range: Depending on size and intricacy, expect to pay between VND 150,000 and VND 1,500,000.
15. Lanterns
This is the perfect mesmerizing gift for kids’ rooms! Among all the charming Vietnamese things you can buy, the most enchanting ones (popular among foreigners) are lanterns from Hoi An. Did you know that Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage town? Traditionally made from silk/brocade, these lanterns are stretched over bamboo frames and some are even collapsible (making them perfect for tourists).
- Where to buy: Hoi An’s Night Market.
- Price range: VND 10,000 to VND 200,000
16. Calligraphy
Among the best things to buy in Vietnam, Vietnamese calligraphy stands out as a meaningful souvenir that beautifully combines art, language, and tradition. If you’re looking for aesthetic things to add to your home, go for these scrolls and wall hangings. They feature blessings, proverbs, or single powerful words like Phúc (Happiness), Lộc (Prosperity), or Thọ (Longevity).
- Where to buy: Hanoi’s Temple of Literature during Tet and Hue’s Old Quarter.
- Price range: Between VND 200,000 and VND 500,000
17. Fish Sauce
If you’re searching for Vietnamese things to bring home that capture the true taste of the country, fish sauce (nước mắm) should be at the top of your list. Unlike the commercial versions found in supermarkets abroad, the aroma of authentic Vietnamese fish sauce is more delicate, the amber color more natural and the flavor is deeper. So, go for it to make your kitchen smell great and to take your cooking to the next level!
- Where to buy: Directly from producers in Phu Quoc Island, such as Khải Hoàn or Hưng Thịnh factories.
- Price range: A 650 ml bottle of high-quality Phu Quoc fish sauce typically costs between VND 150,000 and VND 180,000.
18. Fruit Shirts
When I went to Vietnam with our Guests, I bought the iconic banana shirts for my dad and my brother. And they look so cute when they twin it! If you want to remember Vietnam’s tropical spirit, this can be your fun and memorable way. You can also find maxi dresses and canvas shoes, with an explosion of fruits like pineapples and watermelons.
- Where to buy: Found in abundance at tourist markets like Ben Thanh Market (Ho Chi Minh City), Dong Xuan Market (Hanoi), and Hoi An Night Market.
- Price range: VND 100,000 for a shirt.
19. Ao Dai
If you’re looking for cheap things to buy in Vietnam that still carry deep cultural value, you must go for ready-to-wear Áo Dài options. You can also buy your own fabric and customize one within just 24 hours! Once worn daily, this traditional dress is now worn on special occasions like weddings or festivals.
- Where to buy: Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hue, and tourist markets like Ben Thanh or Dong Xuan.
- Price range: VND 500,000–2,000,000.
20. Vietnamese Hand Embroidery
Vietnam has a tradition of embroidery that dates back centuries, and the skill of its artisans is just breathtaking. From quilts to table runners, Vietnam has a wide range of hand-embroidered items. These are not just delicate but also very durable.
- Where to buy: Sapa Valley, Craft villages like Quat Dong, Hanoi Old Quarter and Dong Xuan Market.
- Price range: VND 50,000 to VND 1,000,000
Finally, as you wrap up your journey, don’t just depend on photos to remember your trip; bring back something you can taste, touch, or wear. The best things to buy in Vietnam aren’t just gifts; they’re a way to keep Vietnam close, long after your flight home. Happy shopping, and chúc bạn một chuyến đi tuyệt vời (wishing you a wonderful journey)!
