Top Souvenirs To Buy In Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is a vibrant and bustling city in Vietnam with a rich history and culture. When it comes to souvenirs, you can find a variety of unique items that reflect the local culture and craftsmanship. Ho Chi Minh City is a paradise for shoppers because the city offers thousands of things to buy and hundreds of shopping places: Top Souvenirs To Buy In Ho Chi Minh City? What to buy in Ho Chi Minh City? Where to buy the best souvenirs in Ho Chi Minh City? And many other questions about souvenirs in the city. Let me share with you Top Souvenirs To Buy In Ho Chi Minh City and where to buy them.

1. Silk & Fabric

When you travel to Vietnam, where silk originated and has been made for decades, it’s a must for you to buy some high-quality silk. Silk and its beautiful products (scarfs, clothes, handbags…) are special gifts to your friends and family.

Silk - Top Souvenirs To Buy In Ho Chi Minh City
Where to buy silk and silk products in Ho Chi Minh city?

  • Ben Thanh Market, Le Loi Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 5:00 – 17:00.
  • Tan Dinh Market, 1 Nguyen Huu Cau Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; 3.4 km from the city center (Ben Thanh Market); Opening hours: 6:00 – 17:00.
  • Tan Binh Market, 172 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Ward 8, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City; 5.6 km from the city center; Opening hours: 7:00 – 17:30.
  • An Dong Market, 34-36 An Duong Vuong Street, Ward 9, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City; 3.4 km from the city center; Opening hours: 5:30 – 20:00.
  • ABC Fabric Shop, 19 Ly Chinh Thang Street, Ward 8, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 8:00 – 21:30; Website: https://abcaozai.com/; Highlights: famous fabric brand since 1990.
  • ABC Fabric Shop, 407 Hai Ba Trung Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 8:00 – 21:30.
  • Thai Tuan Fabric, 236 Ba Thang Hai Street, Ward 10, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 8:30 – 21:00; Website: https://www.thaituanfashion.com; Highlights: famous fabric brand since 1993.
  • Thai Tuan Fabric, 151 – 153 Nguyen Trai Street, Ward 2, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 8:30 – 21:00.
  • Soai Kinh Lam Fabric Market, Tran Hung Dao Street, Ward 14, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City; 7.3 km from the city center; Opening hours: 8:00 – 18:00.

Prices of material range between 50,000 and 1,000,000 VND/m2.

2. Traditional Ao Dai (the Vietnam Traditional Long Dress) and Ao Ba Ba

Vietnamese Ao Dai is famous all over the world for its unique design which improves the beauty of women who wear it. Ao Dai has become the Vietnamese national costume and one of the most popular souvenirs from Vietnam. Many tourists come to Vietnam and have custom-made Ao Dai for themselves.
Vietnamese Ao Dai - Top Souvenirs To Buy In Ho Chi Minh City

Photo by Scooter Saigon Tour

saigon food tour with female guide in ao dai
Where to buy ready-to-wear Ao Dai in Ho Chi Minh city?

  • Ben Thanh Market, Tan Binh Market.

Where to buy material to make Ao Dai in Ho Chi Minh city?

  • You can buy materials for Ao Dai in the same places where to buy silk and fabric mentioned above. At tailored Ao Dai shops, they sell materials and you can buy there to save your time and make sure of the quality.

Where to make tailor-made Ao Dai in Ho Chi Minh city?

Prices of materials range between 150,000 and 2,000,000 VND. Ao Dai tailor costs range between 300,000 and 4,000,000 VND. However, I would like to recommend to spend less than 1,000,000 VND for your Ao Dai.

3. Ao Ba Ba

Ao Ba Ba consists of a top and silky pants which symbolize for people in South Vietnam and a great souvenir thanks for its beauty.

Best places to buy ready-to-wear and bespoke Ao Ba Ba in Saigon:

  • Hoai Giang Shop, 40 Tran Quang Khai Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 8:30 – 18:00; Website:
    http://hoaigiangshop.net; Highlights: favorite of many artists and locals to buy tailored and sell ready-to-wear Ao Ba Ba and Ao Dai, suits, shirts but its Ao Ba Ba is the best.
  • Ao Dai Minh Thu, 129 De Tham Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; 199 Nguyen Thai Binh Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 8:00 – 19:00; Website: http://www.aodaiminhthu.com; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aodaiminhthusg/; Highlights: favorite of many artists and locals to buy tailored and sell ready-to-wear Ao Ba Ba and Ao Dai.
  • Brown and black sets of Ao Ba Ba can be found at souvenir shops at Cu Chi Tunnels (Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc site).

Prices of a set of Ao Ba Ba range between 250,000 and 700,000 VND. I would like to recommend to spend 300,000 – 500,000 for this souvenir.

4. Non La (Conical Hat or Leaf Hat)

Non La commonly seen as the symbol of Vietnam which is wet rice civilization. Conical Hat appeared in the middle of the 13th century. Being convenient and useful, Non La has been used popularly in daily life in Vietnam, especially in rural areas. Vietnamese people wear Non La to protect themselves from sunshine and rain. In harmonious combination with Ao Dai and Ao Ba Ba, the Non La creates romantic and charming beauty of Vietnamese women. Various decorated Non La is sold popularly in tourist destinations. If you think a Non La doesn’t fit your luggage, a wind chime in conical hat shape could be a great choice.

Painting Souvenir In Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam

Photo by Scooter Saigon Tour

Where to buy Non La in Ho Chi Minh city? You can easily find it at Ben Thanh market or in any souvenir shop in the city:

  • Store 4A, Store LTK37, Store LTK43 in Binh Tay market, 57A Thap Muoi Street, Ward 2, District 6, Ho Chi Minh City; 8.2 km from the city center; Opening hours: 6:00 – 19:00 (it is better to go there in the morning and early afternoon).
  • Ben Thanh Market, Binh Tay Market.

Prices are from 30,000 to 100,000 VND, depending on sizes, material, thickness, painted or not. I would like to recommend to buy painted conical hat which is more beautiful. Small hats are portable and packed easily.

5. Checkered scarf

Checkered scarfs have been used as neck warmers, hat scarfs, towel by people in South Vietnam in the past. Farmers, vendors and Viet Cong soldiers in checkered scarfs have become something very special in Vietnam. Checkered scarf is not only a great souvenir but also a nice accessory.

Best places to buy checkered scarfs are  as below:

  • Store 49-50, Taka Plaza shopping center, 4 Pham Ngu Lao Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Website: http://www.khanran.com/.
  • Souvenir shops at Cu Chi Tunnels (Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc site).

Prices of checkered scarfs are not expensive, they cost from 30,000 VND.

Ho Chi Minh City Shopping Tour by Motorbike

6. Brocade

The craft of weaving brocade has existed hundreds of years ago. In recent days, brocades of Vietnam deserve to be celebrated as a national treasure. Brocade items, which come in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and purposes, are made by ethnic minority people from different regions of Vietnam. Brocade is a good choice for you to buy a souvenir in Vietnam.

Brocade - Top Souvenirs To Buy In Ho Chi Minh City

Where to buy brocade in Ho Chi Minh city? You can find brocade items at Ben Thanh market or in any souvenir shop in the city.

Wallets cost from 35,000 VND, bags cost from 130,000 to 400,000 VND.

7. Sand painting

Sand painting is one of the most special souvenirs in Vietnam. The art of sand paintings is the pride of the Vietnamese people. This kind of art has existed in Vietnam since 1997. The artist pours sands into a transparent cup and uses a spoon to paint the picture. It needs to focus for a long time to finish the painting. You will be impressed with the work of this art and so is the receiver of your gift. Most paintings are about the daily life of Vietnamese people and beautiful scenery in the countryside. You also can order a sand painting of your choice. It’s really a unique gift.

Sand Painting In Vietnam Tracy

Photo by Scooter Saigon Tour

Where to buy sand paintings in Ho Chi Minh city?

Best places to buy ready or custom made sand paintings:

  • Y Lan sand painting, 393/21 Binh Quoi Street, Ward 28, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City; 10 km from the city center; Website: Y Lan; Highlights: nearly 20 years old, owned by Mrs. Y Lan – the first person who make sand paintings in Vietnam.
  • Phuong Vy sand painting, 534/11 Dien Bien Phu Street, Ward 21, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City; 10 km from the city center; Website: http://tranhcatphuongvy.vn/; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/www.tranhcatphuongvy.vn/
  • Van Thien Sa sand painting, 3 Street 3C, An Lac A Ward, Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City; 10 km from the city center; Website: http://www.tranhcat.com/; Note: you can call them.

Note: you can call them, the phone numbers are available on the websites or Facebook.

Best places to buy ready sand paintings:

  • Parkson Le Thanh Ton shopping center, 35Bis-45 Le Thanh Ton Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 8:30 – 22:00.
  • Fahasa bookstore, 40 Nguyen Hue Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 8:00 – 22:00.
  • Fahasa Tan Dinh bookstore at 387-389 Hai Ba Trung Street, Ward 8, District 3
  • Fahasa Xuan Thu bookstore, 391A Tran Hung Đao Street, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 8:00 – 22:00.

Prices of sand paintings range between 100,000 and a few million VND.

8. Vietnamese paintings

Đông Hồ folk woodcut painting, shaving smoked bamboo painting, silk painting, rice painting, embroidery painting… are unique souvenirs that you can buy in Vietnam. Most of them are about Vietnamese people and peaceful sights.

Dong Ho Painting Souvenir In Vietnam - Top Souvenirs To Buy In Ho Chi Minh City

Photo by Scooter Saigon Tour

Where to buy Vietnamese paintings in Ho Chi Minh city?

  • Tran Phu Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: different at different shops, most of them open from about 8:00 to 19:00.
  • Fahasa bookstores listed above in the section Sand panting.

Prices of paintings range between a few hundred of thousands and a few million VND.

9. Handicraft

Handicraft is one of the most popular souvenirs in Vietnam as well as in Ho Chi Minh city. There a huge variety of handicrafts made by skillful Vietnamese artists. There are many kinds of handicrafts for your choices such as trays, embroidery,  vases, rosewood boxes, wood-block prints, lacquerware, reed mats, carpets, ceramics, and leather work. The patterns are usually about Vietnamese people’s life, especially life in rural areas.

Handicraft - Top Souvenirs To Buy In Ho Chi Minh City

Where to buy handicraft in Ho Chi Minh city? You can easily find handicrafts at Ben Thanh market or in any souvenir shop in the city.

10. Hand fan

Hand fan, which is usually made of paper on a bamboo frame, is a useful thing in Vietnamese life. It has played an important role in the country’s rich culture. Hand fans are seen in beautiful Vietnamese traditional dance. Hand fans with calligraphy remind of Confucianism in Vietnam. Today Vietnamese hand fan, which is made of paper or silk and decorated or painted are one of the best souvenirs in our country.

Fan In Vietnam Tracy - Top Souvenirs To Buy In Ho Chi Minh City

Photo by Scooter Saigon Tour

Where to buy handicraft in Ho Chi Minh city? Colorful hand fans are sold at Ben Thanh market, many grocery stores in Binh Tay market or in any souvenir shop in the city.

Hand fan is cheap, you can buy one for less than 100,000 VND.

11. Shell craft

Shell craft – decorative objects or decorating surfaces made of seashells is also a good choice for tourists who travel to Vietnam. All of them are designed and made by skilled Vietnamese artists. Shell crafts are usually sold on the beach in Vietnam.

Shell craft - Top Souvenirs To Buy In Ho Chi Minh City

Where to buy shell craft in Ho Chi Minh city? Shell crafts are sold at Ben Thanh market or in any souvenir shop in the city.

Prices are different but these items are not too expensive.

12. Bamboo Dragonfly

Bamboo dragonfly is a souvenir which you can only find in Vietnam. It’s a small and fun gift. Nice and lively dragonflies are made of bamboo and decorated colorfully. An interesting fact is that the bamboo dragonfly can stand by its mouth on any surface, even your finger.

Bamboo dragonfly - Top Souvenirs To Buy In Ho Chi Minh City

Where to buy bamboo dragonfly in Ho Chi Minh city? Bamboo dragonfly are sold at Ben Thanh market or in any souvenir shop in the city.

Bamboo dragonfly is cheap, a dragonfly costs from 10,000 VND.

13. Bamboo souvenirs

Bamboo symbolizes the strong spirit and energy of the Vietnamese people and the country. In addition, bamboo is cheap and environmentally friendly. So that bamboo products are used widely in Vietnam to make many things from utensils to souvenirs. Why do not by a souvenir made of bamboo when you travel to Vietnam? There are many bamboo products for you to buy such as bookmark, tray, cosmetic box…

Bamboo Souvenirs In Vietnam - Top Souvenirs To Buy In Ho Chi Minh City

Where to buy bamboo souvenirs in Ho Chi Minh city? They are sold at Ben Thanh market or in any souvenir shop in the city.

14. Rubber sandals

Nice rubber sandals are worn by Vietcong and locals in the wartime in Cu Chi. It is a lovely souvenir to bring home from Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City.

Rubber sandals can be found at souvenir shops at Cu Chi Tunnels sites (Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc).

Made by local people from cheap materials, rubber sandals are cheap, you can buy a pair of sandals for about 100,000 VND.

15. Souvenirs from bullet shells

Small souvenirs made from bullet shells look great. You can choose helicopters, oil lamps, tanks, motorbikes to gift your family and friends.

Souvenirs from bullet shells can be found at souvenir shops at Cu Chi Tunnels sites (Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc).

Prices of souvenirs from bullet shells range between 30,000 and a few hundred of thousands VND.

16. Dried foods

There are hundreds of dried foods which are specialties in Vietnam. Some of the most popular dried foods include dried squid, beef jerky, fish jerky, dried jack fruit, dried banana, dried lotus seeds, dried coconut meat, rice papers, shrimp salt, cakes, candies… All of them are delicious.

Dry Foods In Vietnam - Top Souvenirs To Buy In Ho Chi Minh City

Photo by Scooter Saigon Tour

Where to buy dried foods in Ho Chi Minh city?

  • Ben Thanh Market, Le Loi Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 5:00 – 17:00.
  • Tan Dinh Market, 1 Nguyen Huu Cau Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; 3.4 km from the city center (Ben Thanh Market); Opening hours: 6:00 – 17:00.
  • Binh Tay market, 57A Thap Muoi Street, Ward 2, District 6, Ho Chi Minh City; 8.2 km from the city center; Opening hours: 6:00 – 19:00 (it is better to go there in the morning and early afternoon).
  • Supermarkets such as:
    • Vincom Center, 72 Le Thanh Ton Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; 500 m from Notre Dame Cathedral; Opening hours: 9:30 – 22:00;
    • Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, next to Notre Dame Cathedral; Opening hours: 9:30 – 22:00;
    • Coopmart Cong Quynh, 189C Cong Quynh Street, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, 700 m from Bui Vien Street – Backpacker Area; Opening hours: 9:30 – 22:00.

17. Coffee

Some coffee shops and franchises sell their own coffee such as Highlands, The Workshop, Phuc Long, Trung Nguyen, etc. So that you can buy some packs of coffee after drinking and falling in love with the coffee in the shops.

  • Highlands Coffee; Click HERE to find locations of all the Highlands Coffee shops in Ho Chi Minh.
  • Phuc Long Coffee & Tea
  • The Workshop, 2nd Floor, 27 Ngo Duc Ke Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1; Opening hours: 7:00 – 20:00; Prices: Vietnamese coffee beans: 240,000 VND/ a pack of 1kg.
  • Phuc Long Coffee & Tea, Click HERE to find locations of all the shops in Ho Chi Minh and other provinces.
  • Trung Nguyen Legend, Click HERE to find locations of all the shops in Ho Chi Minh and other provinces.

You can buy Trung Nguyen and Me Trang Coffee at supermarkets. It is safe to buy there because the prices are fixed and the coffee is original. If you are good at bargaining and a coffee professional, you can buy coffee at markets such as Ben Thanh Market, Tan Dinh Market and Binh Tay Market.

Prices are different. For example, a pack of 200g costs 47,000 VND, Phin costs 79,000 VND at Highland Coffee shops. Trung Nguyen civet coffee costs 860,000/pack of 500g.

Top Souvenirs To Buy In Ho Chi Minh City

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