From fridge magnets printed with pho bowls to fake jade bracelets, there are full of cheap souvenirs from Vietnam for tourists. However, there are also a lot of unique ideas for souvenirs that both don't burn your bag and are not worthless enough to throw trash like anything else.

1. 3D card

3D paper cards with shapes of pagodas and vietnamese themes are popular souvenirs

Lots of people send these postcards back to their loved ones as the name implies, but they can also be used as decorations and gifts. When you open a 3D card, a 3D paper cut appears, often a typical Vietnamese landscape, such as boats on the river, images of a person riding a bicycle, or animals are grazed on a field. The main techniques for creating this type of card are the Origami paper folding technique and the Kirigami paper cutting technique, both of these techniques dating back to the ninth century. These lovely gifts show the craftsmanship of the craftsmen in Vietnam.

You can buy these 3D card souvenirs from Vietnam at street stalls. This type of souvenir is also popularly sold at souvenir stalls for tourists in tourist destinations across Vietnam.

$$: You have to spend about 20,000 - 40,000 VND for each card.

2. Lanterns

Traditionally, many Vietnamese believe that lanterns hanging outside the house will bring good luck to homeowners. You can buy lanterns in markets across Vietnam. Lanterns are usually made of silk, and often come in a variety of colors and sizes. Most of the lanterns are foldable, so this item is also easy to carry without being affected. 

Lantern is one of the worthest souvenirs from Vietnam

You can visit Lantern Street (Luong Nhu Hoc, District 5) to find lucky lantern patterns for family and friends. Some of the lantern shops on this street are usually open on any day of the year, but will be more active every Mid-Autumn.

$$: You can buy handmade lanterns at any shop on Lantern Street, priced at about 70,000 - 200,000 VND depending on their size and materials.

3. Tea

Dried green tea leaves and a cup of tea

Vietnam is famous for its tea processing industry. The country is developing and the tea export output ranks 5th in the world. So, you can buy tea as a gift, bring some for your friends and relatives to enjoy!

Tea are the must-try souvenirs from Vietnam

If someone in your family likes tea, you have a lot to choose from. Black, white, oolong, green tea… are all produced and sold throughout Vietnam. Green tea seems to be the most popular, both in terms of the amount of tea and the number of people who consume it, with dozens of varieties, including jasmine tea and lotus tea.

$$: The price of tea varies depending on the quality and type of tea. In most local markets, a wide variety of teas are available.

4. The Coffee

In the 1800s, the French introduced Vietnamese coffee to the world, and since then, Vietnam has become the largest producer of Robusta coffee beans in the world.

Robusta beans have a thick and bitter taste, mainly because they have almost twice the caffeine content of Arabica beans, respectively: 2.7% and 1.5%. Robusta flavors may not be liked by everyone, but it is certainly one that can ignite the palates of coffee enthusiasts!

Coffee is a famous drink in Vietnam, worth being among top souvenirs from Vietnam

$$: The price of coffee also varies depending on the quality and type. Most of the local markets sell a variety of coffee.

To get the right Vietnamese coffee taste, go to Vietnam's largest coffee chain, Trung Nguyen. A package of ketchup 250g costs from 80,000 - 300,000 VND.

5. Silk

Do you know anyone who likes scarves? Or someone who likes making their own clothes? Over the centuries, Vietnam has been known for its high quality silk, and can be sold in large quantities. Head to the silk shops on the streets of Saigon in District 1 and you'll find a wide range of silk to choose from. But watch out because there are many types of cheap Chinese silk that are very poor quality. In this case, there might be "whatever you pay for". Toan Thinh Silk Store (12-14 Pham Ngu Lao, Tan Binh District) sells silk in bulk as well as silk towels.

Silk is the signature of Vietnam custom and is one the the best souvenirs from Vietnam

$$: Vietnamese silk with normal quality will be sold for about 70,000VND / meter, silk with the highest quality will be sold for 100,000VND / meter. Chinese silk is sold at a much cheaper price.

6. Lacquer

For things that are decorative, lacquer is a must on the list. This is an art form that has been passed down for generations in Vietnam. Bowls, plates and other food containers are made of wood and resin from the forests of Vietnam. A long list of various designs and colors for you to choose from to add to your selection of items on your fireplace.

Asian motifs painted in black lacquer plates are must-have souvenirs from Vietnam

$$: You can visit Phuong Nam (219 Nguyen Trai, District 1) to choose an exquisite lacquer or go to Saigon Kitsch (43 Ton That Thiep Street, District 1) to freely choose a variety of suitable sized lacquerware in suitcases for prices from 100,000 VND.

7. Embroidery

The Vietnamese have reached a high level of embroidery. Artisans can sew threads of different colors onto fabric into extremely delicate pictures. Embroidery products can be clothing, bed linen, scarves and tablecloths. Silk embroidery is even more luxurious!

XQ Vietnam (in Saigon, Hanoi, Da Lat, Da Nang, and Nha Trang) has a wide variety of extremely complex embroidery works of different sizes and prices.

Painting of flowers in vietnamese black vase

$$: The lowest price of an embroidered painting is about 1,000,000 VND, there are many pictures that cost up to 100,000,000 VND depending on the quality and size of the embroidery work.

8. Chocolate

Vietnam is not famous for its chocolate, but Marou Faiseurs de Chocolate quickly put Saigon on the list of award-winning Chocolate brands. What has passed is a dream of two French guys who have successfully founded a brand of pure dark chocolate made entirely from premium Vietnamese ingredients.

Various Marou chocolate bars are souvenirs from Vietnam, made in Vietnam

Pick up a few chocolates of Marou Chocolate (167-169 Calmette, District 1) for your loved one when you return home. Surely your loved one will love the unique taste. Also, while you're here, come here and savior Marou's Vietnamese chocolate cakes with a glass of milk - guaranteed you never regret.

$$: Chocolate, gifts in Marou are priced from 50,000 - 2,000,000VND.

Conclude

Forget the cheap souvenirs you often see and bring back to your friends and family the unique souvenirs introduced above, they will definitely love, while the price of the items This item is also quite affordable.