10 Must-Buy Souvenirs in Vietnam

When visiting Vietnam, one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the local culture is by exploring the wide range of Vietnamese souvenirs and local specialties. From vibrant Vietnamese silk to aromatic Vietnamese coffee, these authentic products offer a glimpse into the country's rich traditions and craftsmanship. Whether you're seeking handmade artifacts, lacquerware, or wood carvings, Vietnam's unique arts and crafts are a must-see for collectors and travelers alike. The country's diverse landscapes also influence its selection of spices, bamboo products, and handwoven grass items, each reflecting the natural beauty of the region. If you're in search of something practical yet beautiful, silk wallets and bamboo products are perfect mementos to take home. So, whether you're in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, or the charming rural markets, these Vietnamese souvenirs offer both a meaningful and lasting connection to this enchanting country.

1. Vietnamese Silk

Vietnamese silk is famous for its luxurious texture and rich colors. This high-quality silk is often handwoven using traditional methods that have been passed down through generations. It is used to create stunning scarves, dresses, shirts, and other accessories that reflect Vietnamese culture. The fabric is lightweight, breathable, and perfect for warm climates, while maintaining elegance for special occasions. Vietnamese silk makes an excellent gift or souvenir, capturing the essence of the country's craftsmanship.

Where to Buy: Hanoi's Old Quarter or Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City. These markets offer a wide variety of silk items in vibrant designs and patterns.

2. Vietnamese Coffee

Vietnamese coffee has become one of the most popular coffees in the world with its unique flavor and rich cultural background. As the second largest coffee producer in the world, Vietnam produces a wide variety of coffees, the most famous of which are drip coffee (Cà Phê Sữa Đá) and egg coffee (Cà Phê Trứng). Vietnamese coffee beans usually come from plateau areas, where the soil and climate conditions give the coffee its unique rich aroma and mellow taste.

The reason why Vietnamese coffee is worth buying is first of all because it is rich in depth of aroma and taste, often with chocolate or nut flavors, and is deeply loved by coffee lovers. Secondly, Vietnam’s traditional coffee culture is very unique, especially the “drip-style” production method, which brings a unique experience to people. In addition, Vietnamese coffee is not only very popular in the local market, but has also become an important commodity in the export market because of its high quality and low price.

If you are a coffee lover, buying Vietnamese coffee is undoubtedly a rare cultural experience. Whether buying fresh Vietnamese coffee beans or trying local ready-to-drink coffee, it can bring you rich flavor and unforgettable memories.

Where to buy:Authentic Vietnamese coffee is available in many markets and coffee shops in Vietnam. You can find freshly roasted coffee beans at Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City or in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. If you want to take it home, you can also buy coffee beans and ready-to-drink coffee from local coffee brands such as Trung Nguyen, which is perfect as a souvenir or as a gift to relatives and friends.

3. Lacquerware

Vietnamese lacquerware is one of the important representatives of the country's traditional crafts and has profound cultural heritage and artistic value. The uniqueness of Vietnamese lacquerware is that it uses traditional handicrafts and is made through multiple processes. It usually uses resin paint as a coating and is decorated with gold foil, shells and other materials to create a smooth and layered effect. These exquisite lacquerwares not only have artistic collection value, but are also practical. Common lacquerware products include tableware, trays, vases, picture frames, etc.

The beauty of Vietnamese lacquerware is often reflected in its color and delicate craftsmanship. The surface of the lacquerware usually appears in deep black, red or gold, and the decorative patterns often include local traditional Vietnamese symbols, natural landscapes or animal patterns, reflecting Vietnam's unique cultural style. The production process of lacquerware is complex and requires a high degree of craftsmanship, so each piece of lacquerware is a unique work of art.

For travelers, Vietnamese lacquerware is not only a beautiful souvenir, but can also be used as home decoration to add an artistic atmosphere. In addition, it is a practical item with cultural value that can be given as a gift to relatives and friends.

Where to buy:Vietnamese lacquerware is very easy to find in many cities, especially Hanoi's Ceramic Street (Hàng Gai Street) and Ho Chi Minh City's Art Market. In these places, you can not only see a variety of lacquerware products, but also communicate directly with local craftsmen and learn about the production stories and craftsmanship skills behind the lacquerware. Whether purchased as a collection or given as a gift to relatives and friends, Vietnamese lacquerware is a work of art worth owning.

4. Vietnamese Spices

Vietnam is a country rich in natural resources. Its diverse climate and land allow for a wide variety of spices with excellent quality. Vietnamese spices not only play an important role in local cuisine, but are also widely used in traditional herbal medicine and natural remedies, so they represent the essence of Vietnamese culture. The most common Vietnamese spices include pepper, lemongrass, star anise, cinnamon, ginger, etc. These spices usually have a strong aroma and unique flavor and are key condiments in Vietnamese cuisine (especially Vietnamese hot pot and soups).

Vietnamese pepper is particularly famous, especially black pepper from Ha Tinh Province, which is favored by the international market for its high quality and unique spiciness. Lemongrass is often used to add a fresh aroma to food and is an essential ingredient in making traditional Vietnamese spring rolls, Pho and other delicacies. Other spices such as star anise and cinnamon are also widely used in Vietnamese desserts and stews, giving food rich layers and unique flavor.

For travelers who love cooking, bringing back spices from Vietnam not only allows you to recreate the authentic Vietnamese taste at home, but also allows you to experience more cooking creativity and inspiration. In addition, Vietnamese spices are beautifully packaged and can usually be easily transported, making them ideal as gifts for friends and family.

Where to buy:Markets in Vietnam are the best places to buy spices, especially Cholon Market in Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Hung Market in Hanoi. You can find fresh and dried spices at these markets, as well as a variety of beautifully packaged spice gift boxes, perfect for taking home or giving as gifts. If you’re traveling in rural areas of Vietnam, explore the small local markets and villages, which often offer more authentic and high-quality spices.

5. Handwoven Grass Products

Handwoven grass products, such as hats, baskets, and mats, are a unique and eco-friendly souvenir from Vietnam. These items are made by local artisans using traditional weaving techniques. The items are lightweight, durable, and feature intricate designs. A handwoven hat or basket is not only practical but also carries the spirit of Vietnam's rural life and craftsmanship.

Where to Buy: Hanoi's Old Quarter or Ho Chi Minh City's markets, where you can find a wide range of handcrafted grass products.

6. Wood Carvings

Vietnamese wood carvings are known for their exceptional detail and craftsmanship. Common designs include depictions of local animals, mythological figures, and scenes from Vietnamese folklore. These carvings are often made from local wood varieties and are a great way to bring home a piece of Vietnam's rich cultural heritage.

Where to Buy: Hanoi's Tràng Tiền Street or Ho Chi Minh City's Nguyễn Thái Học Street, where artisans offer a wide selection of hand-carved wooden artifacts.

7. Silk Wallets

Silk wallets and cardholders are compact, stylish, and elegantly crafted, making them perfect gifts or personal keepsakes. Made from high-quality Vietnamese silk, these wallets are both practical and fashionable. The silk texture combined with traditional Vietnamese designs offers a chic touch to everyday accessories.

Where to Buy: Saigon Centre in Ho Chi Minh City, which features several boutiques selling silk products including wallets, purses, and accessories.

8. Bamboo Products

Vietnam is known for its sustainable bamboo products, which are both environmentally friendly and durable. Items such as bamboo kitchenware, furniture, and accessories are popular as souvenirs. Bamboo's natural aesthetic and eco-friendly appeal make it a great choice for those looking for unique and sustainable keepsakes.

Where to Buy: Hanoi's Hàng Bông Street or Ho Chi Minh City's local markets, where you'll find a variety of bamboo items crafted by local artisans.

9. Vietnamese Tea

Vietnamese tea culture has a long history and is deeply rooted in the daily life of local people. There are many types of tea in Vietnam, from refreshing green tea to rich black tea to uniquely flavored floral teas, each with its own unique aroma and taste. Vietnam's tea-producing areas are widely distributed, especially the tea mountains in the north and the plateau areas in the central part of the country. The soil and climate conditions in these areas are very suitable for the growth of tea trees, giving the tea a rich taste and natural aroma.

An important feature of Vietnamese tea is that it is natural and pollution-free. Many tea leaves adopt traditional hand-picking and production techniques to ensure the purity and quality of the tea leaves. The most representative Vietnamese teas are lotus tea (Cà Sen), jasmine tea (Trà Nhài) and green tea (Trà Xanh). Among them, lotus tea is popular for its refreshing fragrance and unique floral aroma, jasmine tea is popular for its sweet aroma, and Vietnamese green tea is famous for its fresh and sweet taste, which is very suitable for daily drinking.

In addition, tea in Vietnam often has certain medicinal value. In many places, natural herbs such as chrysanthemum and wolfberry are added to the tea, which not only tastes delicious, but also helps clear away heat, detoxify and relieve stress.

Where to buy:Vietnamese tea can be purchased in many markets and tea shops, especially in Hanoi's Old Quarter (Hàng Gai Street) and Ho Chi Minh City's Ben Thanh Market, where there are many specialty shops offering high-quality local tea. If you travel in tea-producing areas, the tea gardens in Anzi Mountain (Tam Dao) in the north and the plateau areas in the center also provide freshly picked tea leaves, which are usually cheaper than the market and of higher quality. When purchasing, you can choose local specialty organic tea or traditional herbal tea, which are very memorable gifts and tea for your own use.

10. Handmade Artifacts

Vietnam's traditional handmade artifacts, such as pottery, ceramics, and embroidery, showcase the country's rich cultural heritage. These items are often intricately designed and are perfect for collectors or anyone looking for authentic Vietnamese handicrafts. Whether it's a hand-painted ceramic plate or a beautifully embroidered textile, these artifacts make meaningful and unique gifts.

Where to Buy: Hanoi's Old Quarter or Saigon Square in Ho Chi Minh City, where you can find a diverse range of handmade Vietnamese crafts.