Ho Chi Minh City - What To Buy For Souvenirs

Handicrafts

Handicrafts remain popular gifts in Ho Chi Minh City and across Vietnam. There is a wide variety of handicrafts available, including embroidery, lacquerware, vases, trays, rosewood boxes, woodblock prints, paintings (oil and watercolor), bamboo blinds, reed mats, carpets, ceramics, and leather work. These crafts showcase the skills of Vietnamese artisans, making them easily accessible in Ho Chi Minh City.

Ben Thanh Market - Photo: Instagram @cindyisawol

These items are truly works of art, reflecting the vibrant life of Vietnam and are particularly appealing to those curious about an agricultural society. You can explore numerous handicraft shops, especially in District 1, where some stores specialize in unique types of handicrafts. While these shops offer exquisite design and attention to detail, it's important to note that prices tend to be higher here.

Approximate costs: $5-10 for a quality silk scarf; $4 for reed mats; $3 for rosewood boxes.

Small Souvenirs

Ho Chi Minh City offers an array of souvenirs to choose from. Popular options include magnets, statues, chopsticks, and more. Magnets often depict local fruits such as mangoes, coconuts, jackfruit, or dragon fruit, as well as traditional figures dressed in ao dai, Vietnam’s customary attire. Similarly, the statues showcasing Vietnamese men and women in ao dai are available in various colors and sizes, often sold in pairs or collections.

Saigon Craft House - A Unique Place to Get Your Souvenir Shopping

Chopsticks represent a favorite souvenir, typically crafted from special woods unique to Vietnam. These souvenirs are readily available throughout the city, including street vendors along busy boulevards. Prices are generally affordable, and bargaining is encouraged. Ben Thanh Market is another popular spot, but be vigilant about prices to avoid overpaying.

Approximate costs: $4 for a set of chopsticks; $1 for a magnet.

Vietnam's Traditional Dresses

When visiting Vietnam, you cannot miss the traditional dress known as “ao dai.” This iconic attire is celebrated for its unique design, enhancing the beautiful silhouette of women. You can purchase an ao dai at many tailor shops throughout Ho Chi Minh City. At these shops, you can select your preferred fabric, color, and pattern, and the tailor will take your measurements to create a custom piece, often ready within a few hours.

Ao Dai - A Perfect Gift - Photo: Instagram @tiemchii

An additional option is Ben Thanh Market, where you'll find a diverse selection of patterns and materials to make your ao dai special and unique.

Approximate costs: $40 - $120 per outfit, varying by tailor.

Sand Paintings

Sand paintings are a distinctive gift from Vietnam. Skilled artists create stunning images by intricately pouring colored sands into glass containers. The craftsmanship and focus required to produce these artworks is remarkable, and they often depict scenes from Vietnamese life, such as rural landscapes with coconut trees, rivers, and working farmers, or young women in traditional ao dai.

Saigon Sand Painting - Photo: tranhcatviet.vn

Other common representations include flowers, portraits, and scenic views. Many shops offer these sand paintings, including those with established brands like Y Lan and Van Thien Sa. Prices are generally reasonable, allowing you to take home unique pieces of art.

Approximate costs: $6 - $20.

Dried Food

Another memorable souvenir to bring home is dried food. Ho Chi Minh City offers a wide range of dried snacks, from savory to sweet. Some popular options include dried squid, dried beef, and various dried fruits like jackfruit, coconut, and banana. However, be aware that your country may have restrictions on importing animal products.

Dried Fruit - A Great Saigon Gift - Photo: thecrafthousevn

Numerous brands of dried food can be found in supermarkets and traditional markets. While many products are of high quality, it’s helpful to ask for recommendations from shop owners. Ben Thanh Market stands out for bulk purchases, where you can buy specific amounts and have them packaged on the spot.

These dried foods make for unique gifts, allowing recipients to relish the flavors of Vietnamese cuisine—a special experience that may be missed once you're back home.

Approximate costs: $4 for larger dried food packages.