What to Buy in Vietnam: 15 Souvenirs That Carry the Spirit of the Country

Whether you’re sipping strong coffee in Hanoi, cruising along the Mekong Delta, or wandering lantern-lit streets in Hoi An, Vietnam offers treasures that are both beautiful and meaningful.

Vietnam is a land of contrasts — limestone karsts, dense rivers, ancient pagodas, and rising skylines. Its souvenirs mirror that — art, utility, flavor, and tradition. Below are 15 items I recommend bringing home.

1. Áo Dài (Vietnamese Traditional Dress)

Why pick this up: Elegant, iconic, and custom‑made versions are surprisingly affordable.
What to look for: Quality silk or fine fabric, good stitching, proper fitting in the shoulders and length.
Price bracket (2025): ₫300,000–₫1,500,000+.
Where to find it: Tailor shops in Hoi An, Hanoi, or Ho Chi Minh City.

2. Lacquerware

Why pick this up: Glossy, multi-layer art — trays, boxes, bowls — they reflect light and culture.
What to look for: Smooth finish, consistent color, artisan marking (sometimes small imperfections mean handmade).
Price bracket (2025): ₫100,000–₫1,000,000+.
Where to find it: Craft shops in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Ho Chi Minh City markets.

3. Vietnamese Coffee & Phin Filters

Why pick this up: Coffee culture is strong in Vietnam — the drip (phin) filter is part of that experience.
What to look for: High-quality ground beans or whole bean, sturdy metal phin filter.
Price bracket (2025): ₫50,000–₫300,000+.
Where to find it: Trung Nguyên stores, local roasters, cafés in Hanoi, Da Lat.

4. Conical Hats (Nón Lá)

Why pick this up: Lightweight, symbolic, and perfect as a display piece.
What to look for: Good leaf weave, pointed shape, secure string.
Price bracket (2025): ₫20,000–₫100,000+.
Where to find it: Street markets (Hanoi, Hue), souvenir stalls everywhere.

5. Silk Scarves & Ties

Why pick this up: Soft, elegant, wearable and lightweight.
What to look for: Real silk, vibrant colors, smooth finish.
Price bracket (2025): ₫100,000–₫500,000+.
Where to find it: Tailor shops in Hoi An, boutiques in Hanoi.

6. Water Puppets

Why pick this up: A uniquely Vietnamese art form — small puppets make for playful souvenirs.
What to look for: Well-painted detail, articulated limbs, stable base.
Price bracket (2025): ₫50,000–₫200,000+.
Where to find it: Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre shop (Hanoi), puppet shops in the Old Quarter.

7. Hand‑Embroidered Linens

Why pick this up: Delicate stitching with local motifs — table linens, napkins, pillow covers.
What to look for: Fine threadwork, consistent stitching, natural fabric.
Price bracket (2025): ₫100,000–₫800,000+.
Where to find it: Artisan villages around Hanoi, craft shops in Da Lat.

8. Rice Paper Art & Calligraphy

Why pick this up: Fragile yet beautiful — paintings or calligraphy on rice paper depict Vietnamese life and poetry.
What to look for: Good paper texture, skillful brushwork, signatures.
Price bracket (2025): ₫50,000–₫300,000+.
Where to find it: Galleries in Hue, Hanoi art shops.

9. Ceramics from Bat Trang

Why pick this up: A pottery village famous for centuries — useful and decorative ceramics.
What to look for: Glazed finish, artisan stamp, uniform thickness.
Price bracket (2025): ₫50,000–₫500,000+.
Where to find it: Bat Trang village (near Hanoi) or shops in Hanoi selling Bat Trang ceramics.

10. Bamboo & Rattan Goods

Why pick this up: Eco-friendly, lightweight, and classic tropical home décor.
What to look for: Good weaving, smooth finish, consistent structure.
Price bracket (2025): ₫20,000–₫300,000+.
Where to find it: Village markets, craft stalls in Hội An, central Vietnam markets.

11. Fish Sauce (Nước Mắm)

Why pick this up: A foundational ingredient in Vietnamese cuisine; the Phú Quốc version is prized.
What to look for: Clear bottle, stable packaging, origin label (Phú Quốc or local areas).
Price bracket (2025): ₫50,000–₫300,000+.
Where to find it: Markets in Phú Quốc, supermarkets nationwide.

12. Green Tea & Lotus Tea

Why pick this up: Light, floral, and soothing — helps balance heavy flavors.
What to look for: Loose leaf, sealed packaging, regional labels (e.g. Thai Nguyen).
Price bracket (2025): ₫50,000–₫300,000+.
Where to find it: Tea shops in Hanoi, central highland areas.

13. Tailor‑Made Suits / Clothing

Why pick this up: Vietnam’s tailoring is well regarded — made-to-measure suits, shirts, dresses.
What to look for: Quality fabric, good fitting, reasonable turnaround.
Price bracket (2025): ₫500,000–₫3,000,000+.
Where to find it: Tailors in Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi.

14. Snake Wine

Why pick this up: An unusual souvenir — a snake or cobra infusion in rice wine, often believed medicinally potent.
What to look for: Clear bottles, sealed label, legal shop.
Price bracket (2025): ₫100,000–₫500,000+.
Where to find it: Specialty liquor shops or markets in tourist zones.

15. Lotus Sweets & Lotus Seed Products

Why pick this up: Lotus is Vietnam’s national flower — you’ll find candies, cereals, and snacks flavored with lotus.
What to look for: Sealed packaging, authentic branding.
Price bracket (2025): ₫20,000–₫200,000+.
Where to find it: Hanoi tea shops, specialty souvenir stores.

🛍️ Vietnam Shopping Tips & Cultural Notes

Fragile items (ceramics, lacquerware) should be wrapped in clothing and carried with care.
For edible or liquid goods, retain original sealed packaging and receipts in case of customs.
Tailored garments usually require 24–48 hour turnaround — plan accordingly.
Be polite when haggling — markets expect some negotiation (start ~20–30% lower).
Ask “Được làm ở đâu?” (Where was this made?) to get local-made goods instead of imports.

Vietnam’s souvenirs are an echo of its landscapes, rivers, traditions, and flavors. Choose one that transports you back to morning markets, lanterns glimmering, or the drip of strong coffee over condensed milk.

Colin is the founder of SouvenirsIdeas.com and a passionate traveller with a soft spot for ceramics, markets, and food tours. He writes practical, first-hand guides to help you bring home souvenirs that actually mean something — not just more clutter.

Souvenir Ideas to Take Home from Every Country and City