This guide highlights excellent souvenirs from Vietnam, ranging from traditional crafts to historical artifacts. Vietnam, one of Asia’s most affordable and popular travel destinations, offers a rich cultural tapestry reflected in its diverse souvenirs. This post suggests gifts for friends, family, or yourself, ensuring a memorable keepsake from your trip.
Best Souvenirs from Vietnam
1. Hand Fan
Historically essential in Vietnamese households for cooling, hand fans remain popular. Available in various colors and designs, they serve as decorative home accents or practical cooling devices, bringing a touch of Vietnamese elegance to any setting.
2. Chopsticks
Given Vietnam’s renowned cuisine and ubiquitous use of chopsticks, bringing home a set is a practical and affordable souvenir. Lightweight and easily packed, they’re readily available throughout the country, providing a tangible reminder of your culinary experiences.
3. Lanterns
Lanterns, deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture, come in diverse shapes, sizes, and colors. Hoi An, famed for its Lantern Festival celebrating the full moon, is a prime location to find these beautiful and evocative souvenirs.
4. Coffee
As a major coffee exporter, Vietnam provides a coffee lover’s paradise. Bringing home some beans from renowned brands like Trung Nguyen, Lang Thang, Highlands, or VinaCafe allows you to recreate the taste of Vietnamese coffee at home.
5. Traditional Vietnamese Hat (Nón Lá)
The conical nón lá hat is an iconic symbol of Vietnam, worn widely for sun and rain protection. Its association with Vietnamese legends adds cultural significance, and it serves as a practical and visually striking souvenir, perfect for photos during your trip.
6. Musical Instruments
Music enthusiasts can find portable traditional instruments like bamboo flutes (Sao Truc), oboes (Ken Bau), and the song loan percussion instrument. These offer a unique auditory link to Vietnam’s musical heritage.
7. Propaganda Posters
Propaganda posters from the Vietnam War offer a tangible piece of history, rarely found elsewhere. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are good locations to find posters featuring Ho Chi Minh or Viet Cong imagery, serving as unusual and thought-provoking souvenirs.
Unique Souvenirs from Vietnam
This guide explores a variety of unique and memorable souvenirs to bring back from Vietnam.
8. Bamboo Root Carvings
Intricately carved from bamboo roots, these artworks often depict jovial elderly figures. The bamboo roots form the hair and beards, creating a distinctive and charming aesthetic. These unique pieces are commonly found in cities like Hanoi and Hoi An, making them a highly sought-after souvenir.
9. Clothing
Vietnam offers a wide array of clothing options, from traditional garments to contemporary Western styles. Markets and shops abound with choices. Purchasing clothing serves as a tangible reminder of your Vietnamese adventure, offering a wearable souvenir. For a taste of Vietnamese tradition, look for the áo dài, a flowing tunic worn on special occasions by both men and women.
10. Paintings
Vietnamese paintings and artwork make exceptional home décor, evoking memories of your trip each time you see them. From delicate calligraphy on dó paper (handmade paper from Vietnamese villages) to vibrant canvases, there’s a piece to suit every taste. Numerous shops offer a diverse selection of artwork.
11. Wooden Clogs (Guoc Moc)
These traditional wooden sandals, historically worn with the áo dài, represent a piece of Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage. While no longer in everyday use, many shops still sell them. These clogs can be worn as a unique fashion statement or used as decorative pieces at home.
12. Vietnamese Candy
Delicious and easily transportable, Vietnamese candy makes an ideal edible souvenir. Available widely at local stores and markets, these sweets offer a delightful taste of Vietnam. Popular choices include coconut candy (keo dua), originating in the Mekong Delta; banana candy (keo chuoi), often with peanuts or sesame seeds; tamarind candy, a sweet and sour treat; and dried fruit (o mai), a spiced and sugared delicacy often given as gifts.
13. Lacquerware
A legacy of French colonial influence, lacquerware flourished in Vietnam during the early 20th century. This enduring art form continues to thrive, with artisans producing beautiful bowls, plates, cups, and vases. These functional and visually appealing pieces serve as lasting reminders of your Vietnamese journey.
14. Silk
Vietnam is renowned for its silk production, offering luxurious silk items as souvenirs. Hanoi, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City are excellent places to find silk products. Historically used as currency, silk remains a valuable commodity. When purchasing, carefully inspect the quality to ensure authenticity.
15. Hand Embroidery
Vietnamese hand embroidery, a tradition spanning over 700 years, creates exquisite designs on cloth. Artisans use needlework to depict flowers, landscapes, and scenes of daily life. Hand-embroidered items range from fans and handbags to bed linens, clothing, and more, offering a wide variety of souvenir options.
16. Tailor-Made Clothing
Vietnam, particularly Hoi An, is a haven for bespoke clothing. Hundreds of tailor shops create custom-made garments to your exact specifications. From dresses and pants to swimwear and shoes, the possibilities are endless. Bring your own designs, select fabrics, and have unique clothing crafted just for you.
Unique Souvenirs from Vietnam: A Traveler’s Guide
17. Vietnamese Jewelry
Vietnam offers diverse jewelry options, ranging from traditional pieces to contemporary designs. These souvenirs are easily transportable and perfect for everyday wear or special occasions. The author recounts a personal experience purchasing a bracelet in Sa Pa, highlighting the sentimental value of such purchases.
18. Vietnamese Tea
As a major tea producer, Vietnam boasts a wide variety of teas. Green tea, black tea, and scented teas (infused with flowers like lotus or chrysanthemum) are readily available. Bringing home Vietnamese tea provides a lasting reminder of your trip, allowing you to enjoy a taste of Vietnam long after you’ve left.
19. Herbs and Spices
For food enthusiasts, Vietnamese herbs and spices are an excellent souvenir. Lemongrass, Thai basil, perilla, and Vietnamese coriander are just a few examples of the aromatic ingredients central to the country’s acclaimed cuisine. These spices can add an authentic Vietnamese touch to future culinary adventures.
20. A Tattoo
A tattoo serves as a permanent memento of your Vietnamese journey. While a significant decision, a well-researched tattoo from a reputable Vietnamese artist can be a cherished and unique keepsake. The author recommends thorough research into local artists and shops.
21. Vietnamese Masks
Vietnam’s mask tradition is rich and varied. From wooden Buddha masks to brightly painted traditional masks used in northern festivals, these artistic pieces offer a unique representation of Vietnamese culture, adding a visually stunning element to any home décor.
22. Rice Wine (Rượu Gạo)
Rượu gạo, or rice wine, is Vietnam’s most popular alcoholic beverage. This traditional drink, often home-brewed, holds cultural significance, having evolved from a warming drink for villagers to a celebratory beverage. It makes a distinctive and memorable souvenir, perfect for sharing or personal enjoyment.
Tips for Buying Souvenirs in Vietnam
- Haggling is customary: Prices are often negotiable, except in stores with fixed pricing indicated by stickers.
- Quality check: Thoroughly inspect items like silk or jewelry to ensure their quality and durability.
Souvenirs from Vietnam: Final Thoughts
This list provides a diverse range of Vietnamese souvenirs. The author shares their personal selections, emphasizing the sentimental value along with the practical aspects of choosing souvenirs. The call to action encourages readers to share their own suggestions for potential additions to the list.
