Things to do

15 Best Things To Buy In Vietnam

Photo: Collected

Vietnam has many great products, from food, clothes, and artwork. Check out this article to see how to bargain and buy things in Vietnam.

1. Paintings

Purchasing paintings is one of the best ways to preserve your memories of Vietnam.

Wandering around towns or city centers, you can find little painting shops with a collection of works from anonymous artists to famous painters.

Most of the displayed paintings describe the arty parts of Vietnam’s daily life, locals, and natural scenery. Price can vary from $10 to thousands of dollars for a piece.

2. Embroidery art

Vietnam is famous for its embroidery art. You can buy many embroidered products, such as embroidery quilts, tablecloths, bags, clothes, scarves, purses, nightgowns, bedsheets, pillow covers, etc.

Vietnamese embroidery products are mostly produced in Northern Region (Source: Collected)

3. Chopsticks

Chopsticks are essential items in the daily life of Vietnamese people.

Thanks to modern technology combined with traditional techniques, chopsticks have different patterns and designs.

Chopsticks are essential items in the daily life of Vietnamese people (Source: Collected)

You can find specially designed chopsticks at souvenir shops.

4. Conical hat

The conical hat has long been a symbol of Vietnam that originates from Vietnam’s rice culture.

Shaped like a round cone, the conical hat is made of palm leaves and is an ideal souvenir for tourists to Vietnam.

There are diverse styles, along with sizes and quantities, that you can choose from. The hat is best for people who like outdoor activities.

You can find conical hats at most souvenir shops across the country at low prices.

5. Ao dai

Ao dai is the national costume of Vietnam. It is a combination of elegant tight dress and stylish pants, offering both traditional and temporary styles.

Because Ao Dai is available at many stores throughout the country, you can easily find one suitable for you or as a gift.

Typically, this costume is already available for purchase, but if you’d like to choose the material and style, you can buy fabric first and then order at some tailors.

Tips: To learn more about Ao Dai, you can visit the Ao Dai Museum in Ho Chi Minh City.

6. Ceramic pottery

Pottery is another ideal souvenir of Vietnam that you can take home.

There is a wide range of ceramic products, including vases, bowls, plates, mugs, etc. They are well-designed and beautiful, with different colors and patterns.

All of these pottery items are handcrafted based on traditional methods.

7. Carvings

Purchasing little gifts carved from wood is another idea to add to your shopping list.

Carved products carry rustic beauty and sophistication, resulting from a hard, creative labor process from artisans.

You can buy carved products in Vietnam at a reasonable price.

8. Vietnamese cookbooks

If you love Vietnamese food and enjoy cooking, purchasing some Vietnamese cookbooks would be a fantastic idea.

I recommend joining a Vietnamese cooking class to get some basic techniques to use the cookbook easier.

If you live outside of Vietnam, you can easily find the ingredients from the Asian market.

9. Lanterns

If you’ve traveled to Hoi An, then you probably know lanterns are considered an indispensable feature of this old town.

Just walking around the winding roads, you can admire the beauty of thousands of lanterns with eye-catching colors and extremely diverse designs.

The lanterns here are usually made of paper, so you can wrap and store them when transporting.

10. Coconut candy

Coconut candy is a great Vietnamese gift for those who have sweet teeth.

Coming from Ben Tre province, the land of coconut, coconut candy is a sweet specialty of Vietnam.

There are many flavors, such as plain, durian, or chocolate. A unique feature of this candy is the thin edible rice crust surrounding it.

11. Vietnamese Coffee

If you are a coffee lover, it would be a miss if you haven’t tried Vietnamese coffee. Vietnam has long been famous as one of the largest coffee-exporting countries in the world.

You can find coffee anywhere in the country, from local markets, cafes, shopping malls, and coffee companies.

12. Tea

Tea is one of the favorite drinks of Vietnamese people, and it plays an essential role in Vietnamese culture.

There are three main types of tea: green tea, black tea, and aromatic tea. Green and black teas are appreciated because people believe they offer a unique and pure flavor, combining sweetness and bitterness.

Having a conversation about tea with friends on a gloomy day or just serving yourself a pitcher of tea, along with some favorite cookies and music, can make your day more enjoyable.

In Vietnam, you can buy tea at many stores and markets, easily found anywhere.

13. Peppers

In Vietnam, especially Phu Quoc, pepper is a popular choice for travelers.

Phu Quoc pepper is famous for its quality, taste, and smell.

There are three types of pepper, black, white, and red pepper. Also, you can find some products such as red pepper honey tea or caramel pepper sauce.

14. Leather goods

Vietnam is also famous for its leather products such as leather jackets, leather shoes, and leather accessories, including belts, wallets, and handbags.

Hoi An is my favorite town to buy leather products in Vietnam. Many stores offer different sizes and models, so you can easily pick ones.

A tip for buying handmade leather products is to carefully observe from keychains, seams, inner lining, and font size to leather quality. If it’s genuine leather, these details are very sophisticated and meticulous.

15. Tailor-made clothes

Wandering Hoi An old town, especially on the main roads like Tran Phu, you will see dozens of tailor shops with different trendy models and colors.

As Hoi An tailors are famous for their skills, don’t miss this chance to have your tailored-made clothes. These shops usually offer 24-hour service, so you can get your products shortly after ordering.