Com Chay (Crispy Rice)
USD 2–5 · From Ninh Bình Province
This regional snack of fried, sun-dried rice is light, crunchy, and packs well for a trip home.
Hyeon-Jeong Suk (CC BY 2.0)
Where to buy: Ninh Binh Central Market (Cho Ninh Binh).
What to Buy in Vietnam
Local goods and souvenirs worth bringing home — with photos, typical prices, and where to buy them.
Mountain Goat Jerky
USD 8–20 · From Ninh Bình Province
The limestone mountains produce high-quality goat meat that is seasoned and dried for a smoky flavor.
Abubakar M. Ahmad (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Where to buy: Specialty food shops along Highway 1A near Hoa Lu.
Binh Minh Embroidery
USD 10–60 · From Ninh Bình Province
Local artisans specialize in intricate needlework on linen, producing delicate table runners and cushion covers.
anonymous (Public domain)
Where to buy: Van Lam Village workshops near the Tam Coc boat docks.
Lotus Tea
USD 4–15 · From Ninh Bình Province
This fragrant green tea is scented with lotus flowers grown in the nearby karst wetlands.
활빈당 (CC BY 2.0 kr)
Where to buy: Local tea merchants at Ninh Binh Central Market.
Stone Carved Trinkets
USD 5–50 · From Ninh Bình Province
Ninh Van village has a centuries-old tradition of carving items from local blue limestone.
The original uploader was Flassig Reiner at German Wikipedia.
(Original text: Reiner) (CC BY-SA 2.0 de)
Where to buy: Ninh Van Stone Carving Village.
Ao Dai traditional garment
USD 40–150 · From Da Nang
Have this silk tunic tailored to your measurements for a timeless, elegant fit.
Phát Trương (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Where to buy: Tailor shops on Phan Chau Trinh Street offer quick turnarounds.
Ao Dai (traditional silk tunic)
USD 40–200
Get one custom-fitted by a tailor to ensure the perfect drape.
Phát Trương (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Where to buy: Tan Dinh Market or specialized boutiques on Pasteur Street.
Ceramic pottery
USD 5–50
Local artisans specialize in unglazed, durable terracotta pieces from nearby Thanh Ha village.
Rictor Norton (CC BY 2.0)
Where to buy: Thanh Ha Pottery Village
Ceramic tea sets
USD 20–100 · From Da Nang
Refined glazes and traditional shapes make these sets functional art for your kitchen.
No machine-readable author provided. Al-da-Rion assumed (based on copyright claims). (Public domain)
Where to buy: Specialty homeware boutiques near the Dragon Bridge area.
Squid sausage
USD 10–25 · From Quảng Ninh Province
This is the signature local delicacy, handmade by grinding fresh squid into a paste.
Francesc Fort (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Where to buy: Ha Long Market 1 or Cho Vuon Dao.
Pearls
USD 30–500 · From Quảng Ninh Province
Harvested in local bay farms, these are far cheaper than retail prices back home.
MASAYUKI KATO (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Where to buy: Quang Ninh Exhibition of Planning and Fair Center, or directly at Cua Van floating village farms.
Pearl Jewelry
USD 50–1250 · From Quảng Ninh Province
The sheltered bay waters provide ideal conditions for high-quality pearl cultivation.
MASAYUKI KATO (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Where to buy: Quang Ninh Pearl Farm; specialized showrooms near Bai Chay wharf.
Dried seafood
USD 5–30 · From Da Nang
Locals cure ocean-fresh squid and fish using traditional sun-drying methods.
Goumisao (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Where to buy: Con Market
Dried seafood and seaweed
USD 5–30 · From Da Nang
The coastal location offers high-quality dried squid and seaweed snacks that locals use for daily seasoning.
국립국어원 (CC BY-SA 2.0 kr)
Where to buy: Han Market.
Traditional Leather Sandals
USD 25–80
Cobblers here craft custom-fit leather sandals in hours based on your foot measurements.
AIDEPCUL (CC BY 4.0)
Where to buy: Friendly Shoe Shop or various leather stores near the Japanese Covered Bridge.
Lacquerware tray
USD 30–300
Requires weeks of layering and polishing, resulting in a deep, glass-like finish.
Hiart (CC0)
Where to buy: Hanoia in the Old Quarter.
Custom Leather Sandals
USD 20–60
Local cobblers craft durable, minimal leather sandals tailored to your fit in hours.
AIDEPCUL (CC BY 4.0)
Where to buy: Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street district
Leather Satchel or Sandals
USD 30–100
Local cobblers can replicate footwear designs or craft durable bags in under 24 hours.
Tx-re (CC BY-SA 3.0 it)
Where to buy: Friendly Shoe Shop
Dried lotus seeds
USD 5–15
Light and earthy, these are a staple snack that you rarely find outside Asia.
Sjschen at English Wikipedia (Public domain)
Where to buy: Binh Tay Market.
Non Nuoc stone carvings
USD 10–200 · From Da Nang
Skilled artisans shape statues from Marble Mountain minerals right in this village.
Public domain
Where to buy: Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village, Ngu Hanh Son
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under Creative Commons licenses. Individual credits shown on each photo where available.