Hue Shopping Guide

“Having come to Hue several times

I nurture a sweet love for

Hue’s contemplation and charm

that is nowhere to be found.”

When you hold it up against the sunlight, you may find its inner side glimmering with those poetic lines. It is the Hue conical hat, also known as the “poem hat” (non bai tho), symbolizing the beauty of Hue—deep and enchanting. Thus, when considering what to give your loved ones as a gift from Hue, a conical hat is your best choice. You can buy one from various shopping platforms, as many families in the countryside surrounding Hue still craft these hats for sale. They create delicate hats with remarkable skill and charge only about 20,000 to 30,000 VND (approximately 1 to 1.30 USD) for each. This is how they sustain their livelihoods while proudly sharing their culture with the world.
Photo: traveltriangle.com 

Hue is also particularly renowned for serving as Vietnam's imperial citadel for nearly four centuries (1558 – 1945). When shopping, you can feel this royal heritage in souvenirs that resemble the items once used by royalty, such as the Queen’s cosmetic boxes and exquisite jewelry. The allure of royal life attracted numerous artisans to the Citadel of Hue, and today, the city remains home to a myriad of traditional artistic crafts that have evolved over hundreds of years.

For a comprehensive overview, make sure to visit the Pilgrimage Village, where crafts are categorized and displayed in four main groups: silk/fabric, woodwork, ceramics, and rattan. Here, you will not only witness local artisans demonstrating their craftsmanship firsthand, but you can also purchase finished products as keepsakes. Other noteworthy mentions include XQ silk embroidery paintings, Duc guild’s bronze articles, Bao La artistic rattan and bamboo items, Phuoc Tich pottery, and more.
Photo: excursionvietnam.com 

Lastly, it would be a significant oversight to leave Hue without experiencing shopping at Dong Ba Market. Located on the north bank of the Perfume River just a few hundred meters north of the Trang Tien Bridge, this is Hue's largest and most vibrant market. Its appeal is characterized by all the typical features of a traditional Vietnamese market, including a sampan landing, a bus station, and bustling bazaars. Once you step inside, you may find it hard to leave due to the extensive range of goods available. Especially, Dong Ba Market offers a chance to savor delicious specialties of Hue, including clam rice, beef noodles, shrimp cakes, pancakes, bean puddings, sour shrimp, and My Lai shredded lean meat, keeping your culinary experiences memorable.