Shopping in Vietnam is a treasure hunt. You can find beautiful, handcrafted items that tell a story, reflecting centuries of culture and artistry. But you can also find mass-produced tourist trinkets. This guide is your treasure map. We will lead you past the temporary souvenirs and directly to the good stuff. This is our definitive list of the 10 best things to buy in Vietnam. It’s a curated collection of items that are not only beautiful and memorable but also deeply representative of the nation’s soul and skill. And as we explore these items, you’ll notice a fascinating theme: many of these beloved souvenirs are also the products of world-class industries, offering a unique glimpse into Vietnam’s mighty production capabilities. Let’s begin the hunt.
1. Vietnamese Coffee & Phin Filters
If Vietnam had a national beverage, it would be coffee. It is the fuel that powers the country, enjoyed from early morning until late at night in cafes on every street corner. Bringing home Vietnamese coffee is like packing the country’s vibrant, energetic spirit.
- Why It’s Special: Vietnam is the world’s second-largest coffee producer, famous for its powerful and earthy Robusta beans. The traditional brewing method uses a small metal filter called a phin, which sits atop a cup and drips slowly, creating an intensely strong and flavorful coffee concentrate. This is then famously mixed with sweetened condensed milk and ice to create cà phê sữa đá, a drink that is sweet, strong, and utterly addictive.
- What to Look For: Look for whole beans from well-regarded brands like Trung Nguyen Legend or beans from a local specialty roaster. Always buy a lightweight, inexpensive phin filter to go with it; it’s the most essential part of the experience.
- Where to Buy: Any major supermarket will have a huge selection. For a more curated experience, visit a dedicated coffee shop or a brand’s showroom.
- From Souvenir to Sourcing: Thinking Bigger? That single bag of coffee represents one of Vietnam’s largest agricultural exports. For entrepreneurs, this opens up a world of opportunity. Businesses can partner with Vietnamese suppliers to source high-quality green beans for their own roasteries or even work with producers to create their own private-label coffee brand for international markets.
2. The Ao Dai & Tailored Clothing
The grace and elegance of Vietnamese culture are perfectly embodied in its national garment, the Áo Dài. This, combined with a world-renowned tailoring industry, makes Vietnam a paradise for custom clothing.
- Why It’s Special: The Áo Dài is a beautiful, form-fitting tunic with long side slits, worn over loose trousers. It’s a symbol of Vietnamese beauty and elegance. Beyond the Ao Dai, the city of Hoi An is famous as the tailoring capital of Southeast Asia, where skilled artisans can create a perfectly fitted custom suit, dress, or shirt in just a couple of days.
- What to Look For: For an Ao Dai, the best experience is getting one custom-made. In Hoi An, look for tailors with good reviews and a wide selection of quality fabrics. Be prepared for one or two fitting sessions to ensure a perfect fit.
- Where to Buy: The streets of Hoi An’s Ancient Town are lined with hundreds of talented tailors. In major cities, you can also find shops specializing in ready-to-wear or custom Ao Dai.
- From Souvenir to Sourcing: Thinking Bigger? The incredible skill of a single tailor in Hoi An is a microcosm of Vietnam’s largest and most powerful industry: garment manufacturing. The country is a global titan in apparel production, producing complex clothing for nearly every major international fashion brand. This represents a massive opportunity for fashion entrepreneurs to partner with a vietnam garment factory to produce an entire collection at scale.
3. High-Quality Silk Products
Silk production has been a part of Vietnamese culture for centuries. A beautiful silk scarf or embroidered piece is a timeless and luxurious souvenir.
- Why It’s Special: Vietnamese silk is known for its durability and soft texture. You can find it in a huge array of products, from flowing scarves and elegant ties to embroidered pillowcases and chic blouses.
- What to Look For: Be aware that many market stalls sell polyester satin as “silk.” To find the real thing, visit reputable boutiques or traditional silk villages like Van Phuc near Hanoi. Authentic silk has a unique, subtle sheen that changes in the light and a natural warmth when you touch it.
- Where to Buy: “Silk Street” (Hang Gai) in Hanoi’s Old Quarter is a famous destination. Specialty shops in Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An also offer high-quality products.
- From Souvenir to Sourcing: Thinking Bigger? Just like the garment industry, the silk trade is part of a larger textile ecosystem. Businesses can source high-quality silk fabric directly from Vietnamese producers for use in their own fashion or home goods lines, leveraging the country’s deep expertise in this beautiful material.
4. Exquisite Lacquerware
If you are looking for a souvenir that is a true work of art, look no further than Vietnamese lacquerware (sơn mài).
- Why It’s Special: This is a meticulous and ancient craft. Artisans apply dozens of layers of natural lacquer resin onto a wooden or bamboo base, often inlaying intricate designs with mother-of-pearl or eggshells. Each layer is painstakingly sanded and polished by hand.
- What to Look For: Quality lacquerware has a deep, lustrous sheen and feels incredibly smooth to the touch. Look for bowls, vases, trays, and jewelry boxes. The best pieces have a smooth, even finish without any bubbles or cracks.
- Where to Buy: For the best quality, bypass the tourist markets and visit dedicated lacquerware galleries and workshops in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
- From Souvenir to Sourcing: Thinking Bigger? The same skills used to create these individual art pieces are applied to produce high-end home decor and furniture for a global market. For a business in the home goods sector, Vietnam offers the opportunity to source unique, handcrafted decorative items at scale.
5. The Iconic Conical Hat (Nón Lá)
There is no more iconic symbol of Vietnam than the simple, elegant conical hat, known as the Nón Lá.
- Why It’s Special: This hat is a masterpiece of functional design. Worn for centuries by farmers and workers, it provides perfect protection from both the intense sun and the sudden downpours of the tropical climate. It’s lightweight, waterproof, and instantly recognizable.
- What to Look For: A well-made Nón Lá is crafted from palm leaves, with a bamboo frame. Look for a smooth weave and a sturdy structure. You can find plain ones or beautifully decorated versions with painted scenes or poems on the inside.
- Where to Buy: You can find these hats literally everywhere, from street vendors to souvenir shops. They are incredibly affordable.
- From Souvenir to Sourcing: Thinking Bigger? While the Nón Lá itself is a cultural icon, it represents the broader industry of traditional handicrafts and natural material processing (bamboo, rattan, seagrass). Businesses can partner with Vietnamese workshops to produce a wide range of products, from baskets and lampshades to furniture, for the eco-conscious consumer.
6. Bold Propaganda Art
For a souvenir that is unique, historical, and a great conversation starter, consider Vietnamese propaganda art.
- Why It’s Special: During the 20th century, the Vietnamese government commissioned artists to create powerful posters with bold graphics and strong slogans to unite the people. Today, reproductions of these posters are available and offer a fascinating glimpse into the country’s history and artistic style.
- What to Look For: Look for iconic designs featuring heroic soldiers, determined female workers, and symbols of national unity. They are characterized by their vibrant colors and strong, graphic lines.
- Where to Buy: You can find galleries and shops specializing in propaganda posters in the tourist areas of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
- From Souvenir to Sourcing: Thinking Bigger? This art form highlights Vietnam’s strong graphic design and printing capabilities. For a business, these points to the opportunity to source high-quality printed materials, from custom posters and packaging to branded marketing collateral, from the country’s modern printing industry.
7. Aromatic Spices
Bring the taste of Vietnam’s incredible cuisine home with you by picking up some of its world-famous spices.
- Why It’s Special: Vietnam’s tropical climate is perfect for growing a variety of aromatic spices. Phu Quoc Island is legendary for producing some of the world’s finest black peppercorns, while Vietnamese “Saigon” cinnamon is prized for its intensely sweet and spicy flavor.
- What to Look For: Buy whole peppercorns and cinnamon sticks rather than pre-ground powders to ensure maximum freshness and flavor.
- Where to Buy: Local markets are the best and most atmospheric places to buy spices.
- From Souvenir to Sourcing: Thinking Bigger? Vietnam is a major global exporter of spices. Food businesses can establish direct relationships with Vietnamese suppliers to source large quantities of high-quality, single-origin spices for their products.
8. Handcrafted Ceramics
The art of pottery has a history in Vietnam that stretches back thousands of years. A piece of Vietnamese ceramic is a beautiful and functional piece of that long legacy.
- Why It’s Special: Traditional pottery villages like Bat Trang, near Hanoi, are famous for producing high-quality ceramics known for their durability and beautiful, hand-painted motifs.
- What to Look For: You can find everything from delicate tea sets and elegant dinnerware to decorative vases and statues. Look for a smooth glaze and intricate, detailed patterns.
- Where to Buy: A trip to Bat Trang village is a fantastic experience where you can buy directly from the artisans. Otherwise, look for reputable ceramic shops in major cities.
- From Souvenir to Sourcing: Thinking Bigger? Vietnam is a major producer of ceramic goods for global retailers like IKEA and Crate & Barrel. This means there is a massive industrial capacity for producing high-quality ceramic tableware, planters, and decorative items for businesses looking to source these products.
9. Intricate Hand-Embroidered Items
The meticulous skill of Vietnamese artisans is on full display in their beautiful hand-embroidered textiles.
- Why It’s Special: From pillowcases and tablecloths adorned with delicate floral patterns to wall hangings depicting entire landscapes, the level of detail and artistry is breathtaking.
- What to Look For: Look closely at the density and evenness of the stitching. High-quality work will have tight, precise stitches with no loose threads.
- Where to Buy: You can find beautiful pieces in specialty gift shops and art galleries.
- From Souvenir to Sourcing: Thinking Bigger? This craft points to the high-level needlework skills of the Vietnamese workforce. This is the same skill that allows the country’s garment factories to execute complex logos and designs for major fashion brands, opening up possibilities for businesses that require high-quality embroidered apparel or home goods.
10. Craft Chocolate
For a modern and delicious taste of Vietnam, look no further than its award-winning craft chocolate.
- Why It’s Special: The French-founded brand Marou, Faiseurs de Chocolat was a pioneer in this field. They discovered that Vietnamese cacao beans had unique, world-class flavor profiles. They work directly with local farmers to create single-origin dark chocolate bars that are celebrated by chocolatiers around the globe.
- What to Look For: Marou bars are beautifully packaged in colorful, award-winning wrappers. Each color represents a different province in Vietnam where the cacao was grown.
- Where to Buy: Marou has its beautiful cafes (Maison Marou) in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and their products are also sold in many high-end gift shops and hotels.
- From Souvenir to Sourcing: Thinking Bigger? The success of Marou highlights the quality of Vietnam’s raw agricultural ingredients and its capacity for high-quality food processing. This presents opportunities for businesses in the premium food sector to source ingredients or partner with producers here.
From a Shopping List to a Supply Chain: How We Can Help
Perhaps as you’ve read this list, an idea has started to form. Maybe that beautiful silk scarf has you thinking about starting your fashion line, maybe that delicious bar of chocolate has you wondering about sourcing high-quality cacao or maybe your souvenir hunt has turned into a business brainstorming session.
This is a journey many entrepreneurs have taken, but it can be a difficult one to navigate alone. This is where our expertise at VALO Vietnam becomes your essential guide. We specialize in helping businesses turn these sparks of inspiration into scalable, successful realities.
- If you dream of creating a clothing line, we can connect you with the right Vietnam garment factory that matches your style and quality needs.
- If you’re inspired by the local crafts, we can connect you with workshops and factories that produce high-quality ceramics, lacquerware, or home goods at scale.
- If you’re a food entrepreneur, we can help you find suppliers for Vietnam’s world-class coffee, spices, and other agricultural products.
In essence, we help you leap buying one beautiful item to producing thousands of them. We manage the entire process of factory vetting, quality control, and logistics, allowing you to focus on building your brand.
Conclusion: Your Vietnamese Treasures
Your suitcase home from Vietnam will be filled with more than just souvenirs; it will be filled with stories, flavors, and examples of incredible craftsmanship. Each of the 10 best things to buy in Vietnam is a window into the nation’s rich culture and its dynamic, modern economy.
Enjoy the treasure hunt. And if you find that your small souvenir has sparked a big idea, remember that a world of opportunity is here, waiting for you.
Inspired by the incredible products of Vietnam and ready to explore a bigger business idea? Let us help you take the next step.
Contact VALO Vietnam to turn your inspiration into a supply chain today!