While traveling in Vietnam, shopping can be a wonderful way to experience more of the joys of everyday life and authentic culture. So what to bring back from Vietnam?

Let’s bring souvenirs from Vietnam for your friends and family back home, or find decorations for your home or office with a taste of Vietnamese style.

Customers will also enjoy purchasing products from local merchants to support the surrounding community.

Many travellers to Vietnam who want to take advantage of the vibrant shopping experience may feel overwhelmed by the vast array of goods available for purchase. For your convenience, we suggest you research the souvenirs to buy while traveling in Vietnam.

1. Fabrics and textiles
     1.1. Silk
     1.2. Ao Dai
2. Craftsmanship
     2.1. Lacquer
     2.2. Pearl jewellery
3. Snacks and drinks
     3.1. Vietnamese coffee
     3.2. Dried snacks
     3.3. Snake wine

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1. Fabrics and textiles

Vietnam's top-notch textile production industry is celebrated around the world. Shoppers should expect to find a range of vibrant, high-quality fabrics at great prices.

When you find an item or style that suits you, stop by one of the friendly local tailor shops to have your garment made to measure or altered for just a fraction of the price you would pay back home.

1.1. Silk

Silk is a staple of the modern look of fashionistas in Vietnam and the rest of Southeast Asia. This traditional craft has also been studied and perfected by artisans from generation to generation and is an important part of the cultural heritage of the Vietnamese people.

Silk is usually produced by collecting silkworm cocoons and weaving these threads on a handloom.

Silk can be found in every destination in Vietnam, although shoppers often find the best products at the best prices in the charming port town of Hoi An. Markets, boutiques, and souvenir shops will all offer a variety of silk garments, from scarves and dresses to ties and t-shirts.

Remember to watch out for counterfeit products that are sometimes peddled in more touristy destinations.

>> Read more: Follow the roads of craft villages around Hanoi part 1 and part 2

1.2. Ao Dai

The Ao Dai, which simply translates to "long shirt" in English, is a sophisticated garment traditionally worn by women in Vietnam.

The Ao Dai has been an integral part of the Vietnamese style for centuries and remains very popular in modern times. Once reserved for members of the elite noble class, these chic robes are now readily available to purchase as souvenirs for tourists in Vietnam.

Find a number of ready-made Ao Dai clothes made in all styles in markets across the country. Particularly fashion-conscious shoppers can stop at one of the many local tailor shops to get an Ao Dai tailored to their size and preferences.

>> Read more: The Ao dai Museum in Ho Chi Minh City: shrine of the Vietnamese dress

2. Craftsmanship

Like many other Southeast Asian destinations, Vietnam is renowned for its tradition of skilled artisans producing all types of high-quality handicrafts. Shoppers will surely be impressed with the distinct style and superior craftsmanship available when looking for handmade souvenirs from Vietnam.

2.1. Lacquer

Lacquerware is a traditional craft that started in Asia during ancient times. In order to make lacquerware, practical and everyday objects, such as hair combs, boxes, and bowls, are first made from bamboo and horsehair.

These objects are then painted with sap collected from varnish trees to produce a shiny outer layer, before being decorated with mythical or nature-inspired designs.

This time-consuming process is practiced by artisans across Vietnam to produce some of the most exquisite lacquerware in the world. Many local families have passed the craft on from generation to generation, running workshops or galleries from their homes.

Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi offer the widest selections of high-quality lacquer products at the lowest prices.

2.2. Pearl jewellery

Coastal destinations including Nha Trang and Ha Long Bay are home to excellent pearl farms and elegant pearl jewellery. The gemstone lovers in your family will appreciate an exquisite hand-selected pearl fashioned into a tasteful pendant, ring, or pair of earrings.

3. Snacks and drinks

Vietnamese cuisine is known for its exotic, fresh and original flavours. Indeed, many visitors will say they found authentic regional cuisine to be the best part of their vacation.

Although the exceptional taste of Vietnamese cuisine is best enjoyed while chatting with friendly locals and admiring the surrounding natural scenery, guests still have the wonderful opportunity to take home many snacks and ingredients as souvenirs.

Pick a few tasty treats to throw in your suitcase and savour the flavour of Vietnam even after your vacation is over.

>> Read more: Top 10 unmissable foods in Vietnam

3.1. Vietnamese coffee

As any caffeine lover will tell you, Vietnamese coffee is one of the most beloved in the world. The modern and trendy metropolis of Hanoi has a particularly abundant coffee scene, where a kilogram of freshly roasted beans can be bought for as little as 4 USD.

Sample a variety of coffee drinks at charming local cafes in your destination city to find the flavour that best suits your taste buds. Alternatively, grab a pound or two of whole or ground grains at the airport on the way home. The coffee drinkers in your family or office will thank you!

>> Read more: 5 styles of coffee to drink in Hanoi

3.2. Dried snacks

Dried snacks are a staple of the Vietnamese diet for children and adults. After a few weeks of traveling there, you might crave some of the seafood, dried fruits, or vegetables that are popular with the locals between meals.

Luckily, these dried foods can easily be packed in your suitcase and taken home as souvenirs for you or your loved ones to munch on when you crave that unique Vietnamese flavour.

There is a wide range of sweet, savoury, and spicy snacks available in stores and markets across the country, where you can also find exotic dried herbs that make wonderful cooking ingredients. Don't forget to pick up a few packets of your favourite dried snacks before your Vietnam vacation is over!

3.3. Snake wine

Those adventurous travellers won't want to miss the chance to taste the famous traditional Vietnamese snake wine. This intriguing liquor is produced by infusing a pot of rice wine with a poisonous snake – a process that many locals believe can have a healing effect on the body when ingested.

>> Read more: Snake alcohol in Vietnam

Snake Wine is sold at most tourist destinations and makes the perfect gift for that eclectic family friend or stay-at-home relative.

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