What Souvenirs Should I Buy in Ho Chi Minh City?
Non La (Conical Hat) - The Iconic Ho Chi Minh City Souvenir
![Hat artisans take care of every needle and thread of each Vietnam Conical hat, a must-have Ho Chi Minh City souvenirs](https://api.kisstour.com/uploads/kisstour_db/ho-chi-minh-city-sourvenirs-non-la.jpg)
Ao Dai
![Vietnamese women gracefully wear Ao Dai - one of must-have Ho Chi Minh City souvenirs](https://api.kisstour.com/uploads/kisstour_db/ho-chi-minh-city-sourvenirs-ao-dai.jpg)
Silk Products
![Tailors carry out the steps of choosing fabric, designing, taking measurements of the wearer. The result is beautiful and comfortable Vietnamese silk outfits that are extremely loved by Western tourists. | Source: Collections.](https://api.kisstour.com/uploads/kisstour_db/ho-chi-minh-city-sourvenirs-silk-products.jpg)
Whether it's a silk scarf, apparel, or home decor, each piece
showcases the intricate weaving skills and attention to detail that
Vietnamese artists have mastered over decades. Silk is known for its rich feel, bright hues, and natural shine, making it a classic and elegant choice to buy as a souvenir.
- Silk Scarves: Silk scarves are versatile accessories that can add a touch of elegance to any outfit. They come in various sizes, designs, and colors, often featuring traditional Vietnamese motifs or contemporary patterns, and range between 150,000 and 500,000 VND.
- Silk Blouses: Silk blouses are known for their luxurious feel, breathability, and ability to drape beautifully on the body. Depending on the designs, materials, and brands, it can cost between 500,000 and 3,000,000 VND.
- Silk Pajamas: Vietnamese silk pajamas are not only comfortable, but also exude a sense of luxury. They are typically adorned with delicate embroidery or subtle patterns, making them an exquisite choice for loungewear, with prices varying between 300,000 and 2,000,000 VND.
- Silk Pillowcases: Vietnamese silk is known for its smooth and soft texture, so silk pillowcases can provide a gentle and comfortable surface for your skin and hair. It usually costs around 100,000-500,000 VND.
- Silk Crafts and Artwork: Vietnamese artisans create stunning silk crafts and artwork, including silk paintings, silk lanterns, and silk tapestries. These pieces showcase the rich artistic traditions of Vietnam and can be displayed as beautiful works of art. Depending on the size, the art style, and how well-made the crafts and artwork are, the price can fluctuate between 500,000 and 5,000,000 VND.
Handicrafts
![Beautiful Vietnamese handicraft items - must-have Ho Chi Minh city souvernirs.](https://api.kisstour.com/uploads/kisstour_db/ho-chi-minh-city-sourvenirs-handicraft-products.jpg)
Each artwork offers a tale that reflects the country's ingenuity, craftsmanship, and cultural variety. Thus, purchasing handicrafts as souvenirs from Vietnam allows you to bring home unique works that highlight the country's rich artistic traditions and cultural history. Additionally, it is also a great option to give your friends gifts that you can’t really find anywhere else except Vietnam.
- Lacquerware: Vietnam is famous for its excellent lacquerware items. From exquisite bowls and lacquer paintings to trays and vases with prices ranging from 100,000 VND for small items to large, one-of-a-kind paintings for around 10,000,000 VND.
- Bamboo Products: Vietnam's skilled artisans create various bamboo products, including baskets, lampshades, coasters, and tableware. Bamboo is a sustainable material and represents the country's commitment to eco-friendly craftsmanship. A nice thing about bamboo products is that the price is very affordable compared to other handicrafts products, which usually cost between 20,000 and 500,000 VND.
- Ceramics: Vietnamese ceramics are renowned for their elaborate patterns and delicate beauty. Vases, plates, teapots, and figurines are all beautiful and artistic souvenirs that can be handcrafted from ceramic. A set of teapots, for instance, can cost anywhere from 300,000 to 1,000,000 VND.
Where to Buy Souvenirs in Ho Chi Minh City?
Places to buy high-quality Ho Chi Minh City souvenirs
- Son Mai Dai Viet
- Address: 142 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM
- Products: lacquerware, silk products, coffee beans, Vietnamese snacks...
- Minh Long Ceramic
- Address: 17 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan Street, Vo Thi Sau Ward, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 8:00 AM- 8:00 PM
- Products: more modern ceramic tablewares, vases, figures...
- Khong Gian Gom Bat Trang
- Address 1: 96-98 Vo Thi Sau Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Address 2: 89 Pasteur Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City (specialize in souvenirs)
- Opening hours: 9:00 AM- 9:00 PM
- Products: traditional style ceramic tablewares, vases, figures...
- The Craft House
- Address 1: 1st Floor, 28 Nguyen Trai Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Address 2: 107 Nguyen Hue Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Address 3: 32 Dong Khoi Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 9:00 AM- 9:00 PM
- Products: arts & crafts
- Saigon Centre (Shopping Mall)
- Address: 96-98 Vo Thi Sau Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Address 2: 89 Pasteur Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City (specialize in souvenirs)
- Opening hours: 9:00 AM- 9:00 PM
Places to buy affordable-quality souvenirs in Ho Chi Minh City
- Ben Thanh Market
- Address: Ben Thanh Market, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: Day Market: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM; Night Market: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Products: clothing, accessories, handicrafts, souvenirs all kinds...
- Saigon Square
- Address: 77-89 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
- Products: clothing, accessories, handicrafts, souvenirs all kinds...
- Central Market
- Address: 4 Pham Ngu Lao Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- Products: clothing, accessories, handicrafts, souvenirs all kinds...
- Street Vendors and Sidewalk Stalls
- Address: Along Le Loi Street and Dong Khoi Street
Tips for buying souvenirs in Ho Chi Minh City
How to bargain in Ho Chi Minh City
![how to bargain in vietnam](https://api.kisstour.com/uploads/kisstour_db/how-to-bargain-in-vietnam.jpg)
Here are just a few basic manners when bargaining. If you want to learn more about how, where, and when to bargain, as well as things to keep in mind when bargaining, check out our article The Culture of Bargaining in Vietnam: A Comprehensive Guide 2024.
Check the quality of souvenirs before purchasing
- Begin by feeling the texture of the cloth to make sure it is silky, velvety, and well-made.
- Look at the silk's shine and luster under proper lighting; silk of this quality should have a soft, glowing shine.
- Examine the fabric's thickness and weight, trying to get a balanced feel that is neither too thin nor too heavy.
- Check for consistency and tightness in the weave, and make sure the hems and edges are finished neatly and without fraying.
- To verify the dye quality, test the color by lightly dampening or rubbing a tiny area.
- Start by visually examining the ceramics and searching for any obvious imperfections like cracks, fractures, or uneven surfaces.
- Check the item's thickness and weight to make sure it seems solid but well-balanced.
- Trace your fingers along the surface to make sure the glaze is evenly set and free of rough areas.
- Try tapping the ceramic softly to see if it produces a clear, resonant tone.
- Check for consistency and vibrancy in the glaze and colors, focusing on small details and patterns.
- If
there is a practical use for the ceramic, think about how well it
functions. Think about a bowl or cup, for instance, and how useful it
is. Make sure it satisfies your needs and tastes by looking at the form,
size, and general design.
- Make sure the materials are natural, sturdy, and suitable for the craft by first looking at them.
- Examine the craftsmanship and finishing, keeping an eye out for neat, sturdy components, smooth edges, and accurate details.
- Verify the handicraft's structural soundness to make sure it is strong and long-lasting.
- Ask the owners about the product's origin and legitimacy to ensure that it was created by true local artisans.
- Take into account its practicality and functionality to make sure it can accomplish the goal for which it was designed.