Souvenirs when traveling to Vietnam – Special and Affordable

Vietnam, with its beautiful nature, diverse culture, and hospitable people, is an attractive destination for international tourists. In addition to experiencing the stunning landscapes and rich cuisine, visitors often seek out souvenirs that carry the essence of Vietnam to commemorate their trip. Therefore, in this article, Vietnam Motorbike Tours will explore friendly and affordable souvenirs to consider when traveling in Vietnam. 

Decorative and display objects 

Coming to Vietnam, you cannot miss the unique decor and home decoration items, imbued with Oriental culture. If you don’t know anything, let Vietnam Motorcycle Tours Club introduce it to you. 

Bat Trang ceramics 

Located about 20km from Hanoi, the Bat Trang craft village is renowned for its long-standing tradition of pottery production. Intricate handcrafted items that embody Vietnamese culture, such as teapots, flower vases, Buddha statues, and ceramic paintings, are highly cherished by visitors.

The advantages of Bat Trang ceramic gifts include high quality, durability, easy maintenance, and their unique and sophisticated beauty that reflects Vietnamese identity. Additionally, the reasonable prices, ranging from a few hundred thousand to several million VND, make them affordable for various budgets.

To purchase high-quality ceramics in Bat Trang, visitors can visit the production workshops directly or the display shops. These products can also be found at night markets in Hanoi or on e-commerce websites. Some reputable stores include:

– Minh Long Ceramics: 85 Ton Duc Thang Street, Dong Da, Hanoi.

– Phung Gia Ceramics: 1st Floor, Dong Do Apartment Building, Nghia Do Street, Cau Giay, Hanoi.

– Vietclay Store: 1083 Hong Ha Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.

Conical hat 

The symbol of Vietnamese culture, the conical hat (nón lá), is made from palm leaves, coconut leaves, and combined with bamboo materials to create beautiful, elegant hats. With diverse designs, the nón lá is not only a fashion accessory but also a meaningful souvenir.

The advantage of this gift is its traditional, refined beauty, making it very suitable for home decoration.

Conical hats can be purchased at night markets, tourist stalls, or handmade goods stores. If you want to own beautiful and unique conical hats, you can visit traditional conical hat-making villages such as Thanh Hà (Hội An), Cẩm Châu (Hội An), or Sơn Tỉnh (Thanh Hóa).

Silverware 

The art of silver crafting is renowned in Vietnam, especially in the silver crafting village of Đồng Xâm (Thái Bình). The silver products are meticulously crafted, such as rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets, with unique patterns that reflect the sophistication and elegance of the Vietnamese people. 

These products are more expensive compared to other types of souvenirs, but they also provide true value to their owners. 

Exquisitely designed earrings, bracelets, rings, and necklaces are reasonably priced at only about 50,000-300,000 VND. You can purchase these silver items at Hàng Bạc – Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

Bamboo and rattan products 

Bamboo and rattan are among the most common materials for Vietnamese people, used to create a wide variety of beautiful and diverse products. Items made from bamboo and rattan, such as baskets, bins, gift boxes, and handbags, are excellent choices for souvenirs when traveling in Vietnam. These bamboo and rattan products can be easily found in markets, souvenir shops, or through traditional craft makers.

Work of art 

Traditional lacquer and oil painting 

The art of painting has existed in Vietnam for a long time and is considered one of the distinctive features of the nation’s cultural arts. Lacquer paintings and oil paintings are two types highly valued for their artistic worth and can be regarded as special souvenirs for tourists visiting Vietnam.

These paintings often embody philosophical, spiritual values, and the traditional beauty of the Vietnamese people. Artists use special materials and techniques to create unique and sophisticated works of art. Particularly, lacquer paintings are often of high value and can be displayed as lasting mementos for visitors.

Lacquer and oil paintings can be found in art shops, specialty markets, or art exhibitions, such as:

Thái Sơn Oil Paintings: 139L Nguyễn Thái Học Street, Điện Biên Ward, Ba Đình District, Hanoi 700000, Vietnam

Traditional hand embroidery 

Embroidery is one of the traditional arts of the Vietnamese people and is considered a symbol of the elegance and soul of Vietnamese women. Hand-embroidered paintings with intricate patterns and vibrant colors provide tourists with a unique and special impression when looking for souvenirs.

Hand-embroidered products are also quite diverse, including carpets, clothes, scarves, and paintings, with prices starting from just 120,000 VND.

You can purchase hand-embroidered craft products at the following souvenir shops in Hanoi:

– Thêu Việt Store: 64A Ton Duc Thang Street, Dong Da, Hanoi.

– Tân Mỹ Store: 61 Hang Gai Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.

– Craft Store: 23 Hang Thung Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.

Artistic sand painting 

Sand painting is a unique and relatively new art form in Vietnam. The materials used to create these paintings are natural colored sands, which are employed to craft vivid and sharp images. What makes sand paintings particularly special is that they are not only aesthetically pleasing souvenirs but also meaningful gifts for health, as the sand grains are benign and non-allergenic. These sand paintings can be purchased at art shops or through night markets. 

Artistic sand painting 

Tay Ho lotus tea 

West Lake Lotus Tea is a specialty tea from Hanoi. Made from fresh lotus buds, this tea has a refreshing and delicious taste. Not only is it a unique souvenir, but it also has health benefits such as cooling the body, reducing stress, and boosting the immune system.

Lotus tea is priced between 200,000 VND and over 600,000 VND, depending on the type and quantity. You can visit the following stores to enjoy a cup of tea and purchase some as a gift:

– Ninh Hương Lotus Tea: 22 Hang Dieu Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

– Dong Son Store: 169 Nghi Tam Street, Tay Ho, Hanoi

– Tra Viet: 34 Giang Van Minh Street, Ba Dinh, Hanoi

Trung Nguyen coffee 

Trung Nguyên coffee is one of the most famous coffee brands in Vietnam, known for its delicious and unique coffee beans. Buying Trung Nguyên coffee is not only a way to bring a great coffee flavor home but also an opportunity to experience the distinctive taste of Vietnamese coffee. Trung Nguyên coffee is also very affordable, ranging from 30,000 to 100,000 VND per box, and can be found in any grocery store or supermarket across the country.

Famous cakes 

Vietnam is famous for its many delicious and unique traditional cakes such as cốm (young green sticky rice), ô mai (preserved fruits), giò chả (Vietnamese pork sausage), kẹo dừa (coconut candy), bánh pía (pied pastry), mangosteen, and more. Buying these cakes is not only a way to enjoy their distinctive flavors but also a wonderful way to gift them to loved ones and friends upon returning from a trip. These cakes can be easily purchased at supermarkets and street shops. 

Vietnamese traditional costumes 

Ao Dai 

The áo dài is a traditional Vietnamese garment, known for its elegance, refinement, and grace. Purchasing an áo dài is a wonderful way to commemorate a trip to Vietnam and also an opportunity to experience the beauty of this traditional outfit.

The price for an áo dài can range from 200,000 VND to over 2,000,000 VND depending on the material and design. Here are some places in Hanoi where visitors can buy áo dài as souvenirs:

• Áo dài Thùy Linh: 179 Tôn Đức Thắng Street, Đống Đa, Hanoi.
• Tiệm Cô Cải: 2 Lê Văn Hưu Street, Hai Bà Trưng, Hanoi.
• Áo dài Tulip: 65D Trần Nhân Tông Street, Hai Bà Trưng, Hanoi.

Van Phuc Silk 

Van Phuc Silk is a renowned type of silk fabric from Vietnam, made from natural silk and of high quality. Purchasing products made from Van Phuc silk is not only a way to own a unique souvenir but also an opportunity to experience the beauty and value of traditional handcrafted products. 

If you can’t travel far, you can buy silk at the following reputable stores:

– Kenly Silk: 108 Hang Gai Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.

– Silky Viet: 5 Hang Bong Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.

Experience when buying souvenirs in Vietnam 

Vietnam is a country with a rich culture and history, so there are many unique and meaningful souvenirs you can bring home. Here are some tips for buying souvenirs in Vietnam:

• Choose reputable sources: Buy souvenirs from reputable stores or markets to ensure product quality. Avoid purchasing from street vendors or unclear sources.
• Negotiate prices: If shopping at markets or small stores, visitors should negotiate prices for a fair deal. Be polite, friendly, and respectful when bargaining. Start negotiating from 30-50% below the suggested price.
• Pay attention to product quality: Carefully inspect the product before buying to avoid counterfeit or poor-quality items. For handmade products, check the details, patterns, and materials to ensure craftsmanship. If buying electronics, test the product to ensure it works well. Request documentation proving the product’s origin if necessary.
• Choose suitable products: Pick souvenirs based on personal preference and ensure you bring back something you like. You might want to buy some iconic items related to the tourist destination you visited. Avoid overly bulky or hard-to-carry items.
• Note the origin of the product: For special items like artwork, make sure to note the origin and significance of the piece.

The above are some friendly and distinctive souvenirs you can find while traveling in Vietnam. From decor items, artworks, and traditional clothing to local specialties, each offers unique and meaningful experiences. Buying souvenirs is not only a way to remember your trip but also an opportunity to learn about Vietnam’s culture and art. Wishing travelers an enjoyable and memorable experience in this beautiful country!