How to Win at Vietnam Souvenir Shopping: The Ultimate Hack List

Let's make a pact, you and me. Promise me you won't leave Vietnam with just a generic, factory-made t-shirt or a flimsy plastic conical hat. You deserve better than that!

This country is a treasure chest overflowing with beautiful, authentic, handmade crafts. And as your local friend on the ground, I feel it's my solemn duty to guide you toward the real gems - the good stuff. These are the items that don't just sit on a shelf, they tell a story.

So, forget the boring souvenir stalls. I'm taking you on a real treasure hunt, a quest for gifts that are not only beautiful on the outside but also rich with soul on the inside. Ready? Let's begin the adventure!

The Áo Dài: Wear a Piece of Vietnamese Soul

First up, the icon, the legend: the Áo Dài. It's the physical embodiment of Vietnamese elegance, grace, and national pride. From schoolgirls in crisp white to ladies dressed for a wedding, the Áo Dài is a fundamental part of our lives. It’s a long, fitted tunic worn over loose trousers, and trust me, it’s designed to make anyone who wears it feel incredibly graceful and poised.

ao dai souvenir shops

Deeper meaning: The Áo Dài is both modest and form-fitting, subtly celebrating the body's curves while remaining elegant. It represents the balanced, harmonious beauty prized in Eastern philosophy.
Insider's tip: The ultimate experience is to have one custom-made. In places like Hoi An, skilled tailors can create a perfect piece in just a day. When choosing fabric, ask for "lụa tơ tằm" (pure silk) - it might cost a bit more, but its luxurious flow and feel are incomparable.
How much to budget?
- Ready-made: 600,000 - 1,500,000 VND ($24 - $60)
- Custom-tailored (good quality): 1,500,000 - 4,000,000+ VND ($60 - $160+) depending heavily on fabric and complexity.
Your treasure map:
- Hoi An: (The Tailoring Heaven): This is the place to be. The streets of Trần Hưng Đạo, Lê Lợi, and Nguyễn Thái Học are lined with tailors. Well-regarded shops include Yaly Couture, A Dong Silk, and Bebe Tailor.
- Hanoi: Explore Hàng Gai Street (aptly nicknamed Silk Street) or visit the established tailors on Khâm Thiên street.
- Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon): First, dive into the fabric paradise of Soái Kình Lâm Market (District 5), then take your chosen material to the skilled tailors on Pasteur or Hai Bà Trưng street (District 1).

Silk: The Soft Touch of Craftsmanship

Vietnam has a love affair with silk that goes back centuries. It's an art form here, known for its softness, light weight, and distinct sheen. A silk scarf, an embroidered pillowcase, or a fabric painting can become a priceless gift. Each stitch in a hand-embroidered piece tells a story - of lotus flowers, of boats on a river, of a peaceful countryside.

Vietnamese silk souvenir shops

Deeper meaning: The craft of silk weaving and embroidery showcases the patience, meticulousness, and skillful hands of Vietnamese artisans.
Insider's tip: To test for real silk, carefully burn a single loose thread (with the seller's permission!). Real silk smolders slowly, smells like burnt hair, and leaves a brittle ash. Polyester melts into a hard bead and smells of plastic.
How much to budget?
- Small silk scarf: 150,000 - 400,000 VND ($6 - $16)
- Embroidered pillowcase: 250,000 - 700,000 VND ($10 - $28)
Your treasure map:
- Hanoi: Hàng Gai Street is the can't-miss destination. For a deeper experience, take a trip to Vạn Phúc Silk Village (about 10km from the center) to see the looms in action and buy directly from the artisans.
- Saigon: Bến Thành Market (District 1) offers many choices, but be ready to bargain! For high-end, fixed-price items, visit boutiques on Đồng Khởi street.

Vietnamese Coffee & Phin Filter: Take Home a Daily Ritual

In Vietnam, coffee isn't just a drink, it's a culture, a ritual. We are a world leader in Robusta coffee, and we have a unique way of enjoying it. The star of this ritual is the phin filter, a small metal drip filter that sits atop your cup, teaching a daily lesson in patience as the dark, rich coffee slowly drips through.

vietnam coffee and phin filter

Deeper meaning: The phin coffee culture encourages a moment of "slow living." Pausing to watch your coffee drip is a way to slow down in the midst of a hectic day.
Insider's tip: Don't just buy the coffee beans, buy the complete experience! A bag of strong Robusta beans and a couple of phin filters make for a perfect, inexpensive gift. Also, be sure to try cà phê trứng (egg coffee) in Hanoi and cà phê cốt dừa (coconut coffee) everywhere!
How much to budget?
- A 500g bag of good Robusta coffee: 100,000 - 300,000 VND ($4 - $12)
- A metal phin filter: 25,000 - 50,000 VND ($1 - $2)
Your treasure map:
- Nationwide Chains: Trung Nguyên Legend, Highlands Coffee, and Phúc Long all sell their own convenient, beautifully packaged coffee.
- Specialty Shops: In Saigon, continue your coffee adventure with these amazing cafes. In Hanoi, visit the legendary Cà phê Giảng or Hancoffee.
- Markets & Supermarkets: You can find a huge variety of coffee and phin filters at Bến Thành Market, Đồng Xuân Market (Hanoi), and all major supermarkets.

Vietnamese Tea: A Cup of Hospitality and Serenity

If coffee is the energetic heartbeat of Vietnam, then tea is its serene soul. On a hot August afternoon like this, nothing beats a cup of iced tea. Tea is the first thing offered to any guest entering a home, a symbol of hospitality and respect. Bringing home Vietnamese tea is like bringing home the ability to share a moment of peace with your loved ones.

vietnam tea shop

Deeper meaning: The act of brewing and sharing tea is a quiet ritual that builds relationships and fosters conversation. For something truly special, look for Lotus Tea (trà sen), where green tea leaves are painstakingly scented with fresh lotus blossoms. It represents purity, serenity, and the refined aesthetic of Vietnamese culture.
Insider's tip: For high-quality lotus tea, look for packages where you can see the dried lotus stamens mixed with the tea leaves. Also consider trying trà atisô (artichoke tea), a healthy and unique specialty from the cool highlands of Da Lat.
How much to budget?
- Standard box of tea (e.g., Jasmine, Green): 75,000 - 150,000 VND ($3 - $6)
- High-quality Lotus Tea (100g): 250,000 - 500,000+ VND ($10 - $20+)
Your treasure map:
- Hanoi: The Old Quarter is a tea lover's paradise. Wander down Hàng Điếu or Thuốc Bắc Street to find traditional tea shops with giant canisters of fragrant leaves.
- Nationwide Brands: You can find beautifully packaged tea from reputable brands like Phúc Long or Vinatea in any major supermarket.
- Specialty Regions: If you visit Thái Nguyên, you're in the capital of green tea. If you go to Da Lat, be sure to bring back some artichoke tea.

Hand-Painted Fans: A Foldable Piece of Vietnamese Grace

In a country blessed with tropical sunshine, the quạt giấy (paper or silk fan) is more than just a tool to create a breeze; it's an accessory of elegance and a canvas for art. The simple, satisfying flick of the wrist that opens a fan is a gesture of grace you'll see throughout Vietnam. They are beautiful, practical, and incredibly easy to pack.

Beautiful hand painted fans

Deeper meaning: The hand fan is a symbol of refinement and intellectual charm. In traditional performances, it's often paired with the Áo Dài to complete a look of classic femininity. The artwork on the fan - often depicting serene landscapes, lotus ponds, or lines of poetry - transforms it from a simple object into a piece of portable art that tells a story.
Insider's tip: Look for fans that are hand-painted on silk or dó paper rather than those with printed designs for a more authentic and artistic souvenir. Check that the bamboo frame is sturdy and opens smoothly. A larger, more ornate fan can also make for a stunning piece of wall decor back home.
How much to budget?
- Simple paper fan: 50,000 - 100,000 VND ($2 - $4)
- Hand-painted silk fan: 200,000 - 500,000 VND ($8 - $20)
Your treasure map:
- Hanoi: The souvenir shops throughout the Old Quarter are your best bet. You'll find a fantastic selection around the Temple of Literature and on art-focused streets like Hàng Gai and Hàng Trống.
- Hoi An: The ancient town's artistic atmosphere is the perfect place to find beautifully crafted fans in many of the local boutiques and souvenir shops.
- Saigon: Explore the souvenir stalls within Bến Thành Market and the surrounding shops in District 1.

The Nón Lá: The Graceful Icon of Vietnam

Is there any image more symbolic of Vietnam than the simple, elegant Nón Lá? It's a masterpiece of functional design, protecting people from both the scorching sun and sudden downpours. More than a hat, it's a symbol of the countryside, of hardworking farmers, and of timeless Vietnamese grace.

Buying non la vietnam

Deeper meaning: The conical hat represents the diligence and resilience of the Vietnamese people and the simple, rustic beauty of its women.
Insider's tip: Look for the special "poem hats" (nón bài thơ) from Hue. They have lines of poetry cleverly embedded between the layers of leaves, visible only when you hold the hat up to the light.
How much to budget?
- A standard hat: 50,000 - 200,000 VND ($2 - $8). It's wonderfully affordable!
Your treasure map:
- Everywhere! From the bustling Bến Thành Market to the smallest village market, the Nón Lá is a ubiquitous sight.
- Craft Villages: Visit Chuông Village near Hanoi or the hat-making villages around Hue to see the artisans at work.

Ethnic Minority Handicrafts: Woven Colors of the Mountains

Vietnam is a beautiful mosaic of 54 ethnic groups, and the communities in the northern mountains are master weavers. You will be blown away by the explosion of color and intricate geometric patterns in their hand-woven brocade fabrics. Buying a bag, a scarf, or a wall hanging is a wonderful way to bring home a piece of their culture and support the artisans directly.

buying ethnic minority handicrafts

Insider's tip: To ensure you're buying authentic, ethically sourced products, look for "fair-trade" shops like Craft Link in Hanoi. The quality is guaranteed, and you know the artisans are being paid fairly.
How much to budget? This varies wildly.
- Small purse or bracelet: 100,000 - 250,000 VND ($4 - $10)
- Scarf or small bag: 300,000 - 700,000 VND ($12 - $28)
Your treasure map:
- At the Source (The Best!): The local markets in Sapa, Bắc Hà (Lào Cai province), or Đồng Văn (Hà Giang province) are a feast for the eyes.
- Hanoi: The area around St. Joseph's Cathedral and streets like Lý Quốc Sư have many shops selling these goods.

Cute Keychains: A Tiny Piece of Vietnam for Your Pocket

Sometimes the best souvenirs are the smallest! Keychains are the perfect, easy-to-pack gift for friends, family, and colleagues back home. But forget boring plastic ones; in Vietnam, you can find incredibly charming keychains that capture the spirit of the country in miniature form.

vietnamese symbol cute keychain

What to look for: Keep an eye out for tiny, detailed versions of iconic symbols: a miniature phin filter, a little girl in an Áo Dài, a tiny Nón Lá, a cute water buffalo, a classic motorbike, or even a miniature bowl of Phở! They come in all materials, from wood and metal to hand-embroidered fabric.
Insider's tip: These make for fantastic "bulk" gifts to bring back to the office. Look for vendors who offer a discount if you buy five or ten at once. They also make great zipper pulls for backpacks to add a little bit of Vietnamese flair to your gear.
How much to budget?
- A standard keychain: 20,000 - 100,000 VND ($0.80 - $8)
Your treasure map:
- Everywhere! Seriously, every souvenir shop, market, and tourist spot will have a huge selection. You'll be spoiled for choice at Bến Thành Market (Saigon), throughout Hanoi's Old Quarter, and at the Hoi An Night Market.

Coconut Candy: The Sweet Soul of the Mekong Delta

I have to warn you, this next one is dangerously delicious! We're talking about the one and only Kẹo Dừa (coconut candy) from Bến Tre province. This chewy, fragrant candy is the signature sweet of the Mekong Delta, made from rich coconut cream, sugar, and malt. The taste is simply divine.

coconut candy ben tre

Insider's tip: The best experience is to join a tour in the Mekong Delta that stops at a small, family-run coconut candy workshop. You can see the entire process and taste the candy while it's still warm and gooey.
How much to budget?
- A standard box/bag: 50,000 - 100,000 VND ($2 - $4)
Your treasure map:
- At the Source: Bến Tre province, the coconut capital of Vietnam.
- Nationwide: Don't worry if you're not going to the Delta! This beloved candy is sold in every supermarket and specialty food store across the country. Just look for the words "Kẹo Dừa Bến Tre."

A Few Pro-Tips: Bargaining and Packing

The art of bargaining: In markets like Bến Thành or on Hàng Gai Street, bargaining is part of the fun! Always smile, be polite, and start by offering around 50-70% of the initial price. If you can't agree, the "walk-away" is your ultimate power move. More often than not, you'll be called back with a better offer! (Note: Don't bargain in modern stores with fixed price tags.)
Packing like a pro: For fragile items like ceramics, always ask the shopkeeper to wrap them for you - they are experts at this. For the Nón Lá, the best trick is to simply wear it onto the plane. It's a free carry-on and a fantastic travel photo op!

Come shop with Vespa A Go Go

On our tours, we always give you the best experience of Saigon!

Souvenirs in Vietnam showcase its deep cultural heritage and skilled craftsmanship. Whether you’re looking for something practical like Vietnamese coffee or silk, or a decorative item such as a rattan basket, there’s something special to be found for every traveler. By choosing locally made products, you not only take home a piece of Vietnam’s culture but are also supporting communities that make these beautiful items possible. Come join a tour with us and get some souvenirs while we’re out!

Vietnam Travel