Souvenirs to bring home from your Vietnam trip – Suggestions from locals

Many travelers have asked us what to bring home after their Vietnam trip, so we wrote this blog to share our honest suggestions. Not the usual touristy stuff, but something truly authentic - items that carry stories, souls, and culture. They’re light, easy to pack, and meaningful enough that when you give them to someone you love, they can feel the care and thought behind your choice. Almost like they’ve touched a small piece of Vietnam themselves.

Vietnamese coffee & phin filter

Vietnamese coffee is strong, bold, and unforgettable - just like the country. Bringing home coffee with a traditional phin filter allows you to recreate slow Vietnamese mornings. Every drip feels intentional, a reminder to pause and enjoy the moment.

Spices & dried ingredients

Cinnamon, star anise, dried chili, or lemongrass powder bring Vietnam straight into your kitchen. These spices hold memories of street food stalls and home-cooked meals. Food is culture here, and sharing it is one of the most heartfelt gifts.

Lacquerware

Vietnamese lacquerware is made through layers of patience - painting, drying, and polishing by hand. Bowls, trays, or jewelry boxes are both practical and artistic. They represent craftsmanship, time, and quiet beauty that lasts.

Handmade ceramics

Ceramics from villages like Bat Trang balance rustic charm with daily use. Cups, small bowls, or incense holders are imperfect in the most human way. They remind us that beauty doesn’t need to be flawless.

Silk scarves

Vietnamese silk is soft, light, and breathable - easy to carry, easy to wear. Scarves from traditional silk villages feel elegant but not flashy. It’s a souvenir that blends naturally into everyday life.

Embroidered handicrafts

Hand-embroidered pouches, bags, or wall hangings often depict flowers, countryside scenes, or daily life. Many are stitched by women in craft villages or ethnic communities. They carry patience, care, and quiet skill.

Calligraphy

In Vietnam, calligraphy is not just art — it’s a wish. Words like Peace, Luck, or Gratitude are given during meaningful moments. When you bring one home, you’re sharing a blessing, not just decoration.

Bamboo dragonflies

These handmade bamboo dragonflies can balance on almost anything, symbolizing harmony and balance. For many of us, they bring back childhood memories of village fairs. Small, light, and full of nostalgia.

Lanterns

Lanterns represent warmth, family, and togetherness. When lit, their soft glow brings back memories of old streets and evening markets. Even unlit, they carry romance and calm.

Tò he figurines

Tò he are colorful figurines made from rice dough, traditionally for children. They show animals, folk characters, or daily scenes. Fragile but joyful, they reflect Vietnam’s playful street culture.

Traditional puppets

Inspired by water puppetry, these wooden figures tell stories of farming life and folklore. They reflect how Vietnamese culture has always been rooted in community and storytelling. Small objects with deep meaning.

Traditional paintings

Vietnamese paintings often focus on nature, family, and everyday moments. They show a gentle way of observing life. Even a small piece feels thoughtful and emotionally rich.

Fridge magnets

Magnets may be small, but they live with you every day. Featuring street food, old towns, or cultural symbols, they turn daily routines into travel memories.

Coasters

Handmade bamboo or ceramic coasters reflect Vietnam’s love for practical beauty. Made to be used daily, not hidden away. A thoughtful gift that blends into real life.

Traditional board games

Ô ăn quan is a game many Vietnamese grew up playing with family. It represents childhood, logic, and shared moments. Giving it as a gift feels like sharing family culture.

Traditional music instruments

Small instruments like phách or sênh are part of folk performances and traditional music. They represent rhythm, movement, and collective expression. Even as décor, they carry sound and soul.

Postcards & bookmarks

Simple, light, and personal. Postcards and bookmarks in Vietnam often feature everyday scenes — old streets, bicycles, handwritten illustrations, or pressed flowers. They’re easy to carry and meaningful in a quiet way, like sharing a small handwritten memory from your trip.

Paper fans

Paper fans are practical, elegant, and deeply tied to Vietnamese daily life and traditional performances. Light and beautifully decorated, they represent calm, rhythm, and the softness of tropical summers. A useful gift that still carries cultural charm.

A small local tip from us:

Buy from local markets, craft villages, or family-run shops whenever you can. Knowing who made the item often becomes the most meaningful part of the gift.

When you choose these small, thoughtful things, you’re not just bringing something home. You’re carrying a story, a feeling, a gentle connection. And when you give it to someone you care about, it’s almost as if they, too, get to touch a little piece of Vietnam - just the way you did.

Click here to connect with us for travel support or local advice for your trip. We'd be thrilled to be a part of your journey in Vietnam.

Dung (Emma)

Beyond Vietnam