11 Fabulous Things to Buy in Vietnam
Thinking of what to buy in Vietnam is a manageable challenge. The considerable pressure is how to stuff the items you purchased into your already cramped suitcase.
When you visit the different cities of Vietnam, its vibrant markets will tempt you with many fabulous items, many of which are still made by hand and at more reasonable prices.
When you visit the different cities of Vietnam, its vibrant markets will tempt you with many fabulous items, many of which are still made by hand and at more reasonable prices.
Vietnamese Lacquer Painting. Source: aesta1
Of course, your shopping doesn’t have to be a deal breaker as long as you can check in an extra bag. Rows and rows of cheap bags and luggage, clothes, and shoes line the streets of most cities in Vietnam.
But why lug back all the stuff you can easily find in your country?
But why lug back all the stuff you can easily find in your country?
Target Quality Buys
Target top-of-the-line crafts and unique items, and buy fewer and better.
Keep space for those one-of-a-kind pieces that are exquisite and invite conversation.
Start preparing for your trip by looking around your house.
Some wall hangings that have served their time, and maybe the Grateful Dead Poster or Brother Che are now begging to be moved to charity stores or garbage bins.
Target top-of-the-line crafts and unique items, and buy fewer and better.
Keep space for those one-of-a-kind pieces that are exquisite and invite conversation.
Start preparing for your trip by looking around your house.
Some wall hangings that have served their time, and maybe the Grateful Dead Poster or Brother Che are now begging to be moved to charity stores or garbage bins.
Buy Real Upgrades
Time for a real upgrade. How about putting a splash of rainbow or the glorious country scenes on one wall?
Something stunning to attract attention. Original items because these are affordable in Vietnam with a host of outstanding young artists. Tomorrow’s great treasures? Who knows, but with some research, you will find art treasures.
Time for a real upgrade. How about putting a splash of rainbow or the glorious country scenes on one wall?
Something stunning to attract attention. Original items because these are affordable in Vietnam with a host of outstanding young artists. Tomorrow’s great treasures? Who knows, but with some research, you will find art treasures.
Paintings Store in Hanoi. Source: aesta1
Items Vietnam Offers
Vietnam offers many sizzling pieces of art and crafts, unique, age-old crafts that in many countries may have already been lost or may now have price tags only Social App-supported collectors would be able to afford.
If you have the time and resources, you can check out the villages where people make these crafts, and if you purchase one, have it signed by the artist.
Please take pictures of her working and do a collage of the purchase and your experience.
Vietnam offers many sizzling pieces of art and crafts, unique, age-old crafts that in many countries may have already been lost or may now have price tags only Social App-supported collectors would be able to afford.
If you have the time and resources, you can check out the villages where people make these crafts, and if you purchase one, have it signed by the artist.
Please take pictures of her working and do a collage of the purchase and your experience.
Meet the People Behind the Products
You can join tours now conducted by Fair Trade to meet the people behind the products and not feel guilty about unfair prices. The local tours also visit many of these villages.
But, for most of you who only come here for a few days and often on your own, there are stores all over the tourist and trekker cities of Vietnam with items to make you part with your euros or dollars.
You can join tours now conducted by Fair Trade to meet the people behind the products and not feel guilty about unfair prices. The local tours also visit many of these villages.
But, for most of you who only come here for a few days and often on your own, there are stores all over the tourist and trekker cities of Vietnam with items to make you part with your euros or dollars.
Embroidered Picture Frame from Vietnam.
Copyright: aesta1
Unique Vietnamese Items to Buy
1. Vietnam Lacquer Products
Go for something other than those lacquer products lining the streets. There are galleries you can go to with offers for all budgets. Buy thoughtfully designed lacquer products that are much more modern and intricately accented with eggshells, mother-of-pearl, outrageous colors of daily life in Vietnam, or more modern artistic creations.
1. Vietnam Lacquer Products
Go for something other than those lacquer products lining the streets. There are galleries you can go to with offers for all budgets. Buy thoughtfully designed lacquer products that are much more modern and intricately accented with eggshells, mother-of-pearl, outrageous colors of daily life in Vietnam, or more modern artistic creations.
With careful attention to creative excellence, you can bag some stunning pieces. Here are some suggestions:
You can visit some of the teachers of lacquer painting classes and check if they are selling some items they made or one made by their students. If you're in Hanoi, there is a lacquer village near the city, so you can arrange to go there.
Stores like Tan My and L'Atelier Pascale have fine displays of some lacquer pieces worth bringing back. In L'Atelier Pascale, you can order something of your design or a copy of what is there, but with some changes you want.
Stores like Tan My and L'Atelier Pascale have fine displays of some lacquer pieces worth bringing back. In L'Atelier Pascale, you can order something of your design or a copy of what is there, but with some changes you want.
Lacquer Painting in Tan My Store in Hanoi. Source: aesta1
2. Vietnam Embroidered Items
Delicate embroidery is so much a part of the Vietnamese tradition. A local friend told me that every student in school learned to embroider. A long way from "Home Economics" in our schools in the "60's!
We visited a village where women do embroidery and one of them keeps a store in the center of town so you can view many of these pieces. It's as much a social activity as an economic effort. This Embroidery Village is just an exciting day trip from Hanoi that your hotel can easily arrange.
In Vietnam's big cities, stores sell all kinds of embroidery products, such as table linen, clothes, pouches, or framable pieces. The embroidery pieces look like paintings, it is impressive how fine they were.
Delicate embroidery is so much a part of the Vietnamese tradition. A local friend told me that every student in school learned to embroider. A long way from "Home Economics" in our schools in the "60's!
We visited a village where women do embroidery and one of them keeps a store in the center of town so you can view many of these pieces. It's as much a social activity as an economic effort. This Embroidery Village is just an exciting day trip from Hanoi that your hotel can easily arrange.
In Vietnam's big cities, stores sell all kinds of embroidery products, such as table linen, clothes, pouches, or framable pieces. The embroidery pieces look like paintings, it is impressive how fine they were.
3. Vietnam Bamboo ProductsWhat I like are the bowls lined with split bamboo pieces. The colors are fabulous, and you can check out the UMA stores in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh for better quality.
The reputable crafters use glue and lacquer, which make the crafts safe for food, but you need to check this out. You can also use these gorgeous bowls for wrapped items, such as candies, as they are very decorative.
4. Mother of Pearl Furniture and Boxes
Mostly furniture, boxes, and frames; many of these pieces are huge and too heavy, so you need to ask them to ship them. Smaller items, like boxes and wall plaques, also show this intricate artwork.
The reputable crafters use glue and lacquer, which make the crafts safe for food, but you need to check this out. You can also use these gorgeous bowls for wrapped items, such as candies, as they are very decorative.
4. Mother of Pearl Furniture and Boxes
Mostly furniture, boxes, and frames; many of these pieces are huge and too heavy, so you need to ask them to ship them. Smaller items, like boxes and wall plaques, also show this intricate artwork.
Painting of Vietnam Farmers. Source: aesta1
5. Original Art by Vietnam's Artists
Vietnam has many galleries where you can buy original art for prices that will keep your bank strong. Yes, all kinds of paintings which, when rolled, you can easily take with you on flights. The galleries are happy to do the rolling/tubing for you; these are easy to hand-carry. Humor and color are two beautiful features of so many works of Vietnamese artists.
6. Vietnamese Coffee
Vietnam is the second-largest coffee exporter in the world, and Vietnamese coffee is known for its rich flavor. Vietnamese cities are full of coffee shops where you can sample the coffee you might enjoy. It was here that I first tried Weasel Coffee, fruits first eaten by the weasels, and eventually gave you the best coffee I've ever tasted. The Vietnamese make coffee differently, so try this, too. You will be awake for a week!!!!!
When you buy coffee, you'll find some tiny tin coffee makers the Vietnamese use for making coffee. They are great gifts for your friends. You can ask the store staff how to use it. It makes for an exciting conversation back home.
Vietnam has many galleries where you can buy original art for prices that will keep your bank strong. Yes, all kinds of paintings which, when rolled, you can easily take with you on flights. The galleries are happy to do the rolling/tubing for you; these are easy to hand-carry. Humor and color are two beautiful features of so many works of Vietnamese artists.
6. Vietnamese Coffee
Vietnam is the second-largest coffee exporter in the world, and Vietnamese coffee is known for its rich flavor. Vietnamese cities are full of coffee shops where you can sample the coffee you might enjoy. It was here that I first tried Weasel Coffee, fruits first eaten by the weasels, and eventually gave you the best coffee I've ever tasted. The Vietnamese make coffee differently, so try this, too. You will be awake for a week!!!!!
When you buy coffee, you'll find some tiny tin coffee makers the Vietnamese use for making coffee. They are great gifts for your friends. You can ask the store staff how to use it. It makes for an exciting conversation back home.
Indigo Hemp Cloth. Source: aesta1
8. Unique Crafts from Vietnam
The craft items I brought back, primarily bracelets made of cloth and beads, were very popular with the younger ones in our circle. Some of them ordered more the next time I got back.
Go to Craftlink, a store in Van Mieu in Hanoi, and they have many craft items. The prices are reasonable, and you are helping many of the ethnic minorities when you buy in this place.
Below is a painting on our wall that attracts the attention of many. I got this from Dong Ho, the folk art painting village where a family or two still practices this. The painting is by the owner himself, a former professor at The University of Fine Arts in Hanoi.
The craft items I brought back, primarily bracelets made of cloth and beads, were very popular with the younger ones in our circle. Some of them ordered more the next time I got back.
Go to Craftlink, a store in Van Mieu in Hanoi, and they have many craft items. The prices are reasonable, and you are helping many of the ethnic minorities when you buy in this place.
Below is a painting on our wall that attracts the attention of many. I got this from Dong Ho, the folk art painting village where a family or two still practices this. The painting is by the owner himself, a former professor at The University of Fine Arts in Hanoi.
Dong Ho Painting. Source: aesta1
7. Silk and Traditional Fabrics from Ethnic Tribes of Vietnam
Vietnam's silk is entirely developed and has progressed to more modern designs for Ao Dai. It is softer than Thai silk but equally durable, especially those of quality weave.
Aside from silk, Vietnam has many other traditional fabrics like linen and hemp, which are now being revived and improved. Depending on which of the ethnic tribes make them, these fabrics are dyed differently and are made of different materials, like specially grown hemp.
The picture above shows the traditional woven hemp cloth made by the tribes up north in Sapa. I use it as a runner for our long table at the cottage, and people admire it.
9. Vietnam's Propaganda Posters.
Poster art was a key weapon for Ho Chi Minh and the northern government to rally their own people and convince assorted foreigners that sticking around was a bad idea. Today, as poster art is readily available, get some as they are attractive and make a great statement back home about what strength really is.
10. Ceramics
Vietnam has an age-old ceramic and pottery tradition. Some of the products are very detailed, especially the wall frames, which tell of local life or a story. The best of this pottery is in Bat Trang.
Vietnam's silk is entirely developed and has progressed to more modern designs for Ao Dai. It is softer than Thai silk but equally durable, especially those of quality weave.
Aside from silk, Vietnam has many other traditional fabrics like linen and hemp, which are now being revived and improved. Depending on which of the ethnic tribes make them, these fabrics are dyed differently and are made of different materials, like specially grown hemp.
The picture above shows the traditional woven hemp cloth made by the tribes up north in Sapa. I use it as a runner for our long table at the cottage, and people admire it.
9. Vietnam's Propaganda Posters.
Poster art was a key weapon for Ho Chi Minh and the northern government to rally their own people and convince assorted foreigners that sticking around was a bad idea. Today, as poster art is readily available, get some as they are attractive and make a great statement back home about what strength really is.
10. Ceramics
Vietnam has an age-old ceramic and pottery tradition. Some of the products are very detailed, especially the wall frames, which tell of local life or a story. The best of this pottery is in Bat Trang.
Bat Trang Pottery. Source: aesta1
11. Bargains: Clothes, Bags, Shoes.
“Made in Vietnam” stores dot the shopping districts of the cities, so you can easily find bargains. Leather purses are now beautifully designed, no longer cheap, but worth looking at. You do pay for quality. Be careful with those fake brands, as customs confiscate them at airports in other countries.
These days, tourists are getting away from these cheap things. I suggest you visit the award-winning eco-designer Thao Vu at her studio in Kilomet 109. She fashions clothes from traditionally woven fabric.
“Made in Vietnam” stores dot the shopping districts of the cities, so you can easily find bargains. Leather purses are now beautifully designed, no longer cheap, but worth looking at. You do pay for quality. Be careful with those fake brands, as customs confiscate them at airports in other countries.
These days, tourists are getting away from these cheap things. I suggest you visit the award-winning eco-designer Thao Vu at her studio in Kilomet 109. She fashions clothes from traditionally woven fabric.
I enjoy buying cheap sunglasses, so I don't feel bad when I lose them. They can even discover your prescription from your old glasses and make your prescription specs. I suggest you don't do this. Those copied specs may need to be more accurate.
OK…get ready…pack light…..you will bring home some beautiful memories and chat starters.
And don't forget Non La, the Vietnamese conical hat which you can use or add as a decor in your home.
OK…get ready…pack light…..you will bring home some beautiful memories and chat starters.
And don't forget Non La, the Vietnamese conical hat which you can use or add as a decor in your home.
For those interested in serious shopping, check these: