Easy-to-Carry Souvenirs: Smart Tips for Travelers 2025

Have you ever stood in the middle of an airport, opening your suitcase for the third time just to check if your carefully wrapped gift is secure? Or worried that security might confiscate the present you spent weeks preparing? Many of us have been through that moment - wanting to bring a meaningful gift, but concerned about baggage weight limits, fragile items, or security restrictions.

The issue isn't about wanting to give gifts - it's about choosing easy-to-carry souvenirs that are compact, durable, and special enough for the recipient to feel your heartfelt intentions. And that's exactly why this article exists.

The journey of carrying a gift is also part of the gift itself

Criteria for Choosing Easy-to-Carry Souvenirs on Flights

Compact and Lightweight

We've all experienced that regret of paying extra baggage fees for just a few hundred grams over the limit. Carry-on luggage is usually limited to 7-10kg depending on the airline, so honestly, every gram counts. You want to bring multiple gifts, but also need space for your laptop, books, or other essentials. Therefore, the golden rule when selecting easy-to-carry souvenirs is: if you can fit it in a tote bag or slip it into a backpack pocket without thinking twice, that's the right choice.

Prioritize gifts that are:

• Flat or foldable - easy to stack, maximizing space efficiency
• No protruding corners - prevents damage to other items in your luggage
• Light and handy - pocket-sized and ready to go

Even small gifts can carry big hearts

>>> Check out: What Vietnamese Souvenirs Do International Friends Like Most in 2025?

Safe, Durable and Aviation-Compliant

Perhaps nothing is worse than opening your suitcase to find your favorite gift shattered. You put in the effort to select and carefully pack it, but one impact during baggage handling can ruin everything. That's why choosing the right materials and following aviation regulations is extremely important to ensure your easy-to-carry souvenirs reach the recipient safely and intact.

Choose safe materials:

• Prefer wood, fabric, hard paper, bamboo - more durable and less risky than glass or thin ceramics
• If gifting ceramics, choose small, thick pieces and wrap thoroughly with bubble wrap

Follow aviation regulations:

• Carry-on luggage: Each liquid/lotion container maximum 100ml, total not exceeding 1 liter (place in clear zip bag)
• Avoid bringing honey, coconut oil, handmade perfume in large volumes (unless checked in)
• Don't bring sharp objects, flammable items, or things with strong odors
• Choose dry, safe items: dried foods, fabric accessories, wood, paper - most reliable and convenient

Gifts also need protection to arrive intact

Rich in Vietnamese Cultural Identity

The most special thing about gifting isn't the material value, but the story behind it. A hairpin adorned with golden apricot blossoms - not just beautiful but carrying the breath of Vietnamese spring. A dried flower painting in Hue style - like bringing a peaceful corner of the ancient capital to the recipient. Or a notebook printed with folk patterns - both practical and helping people understand more about our culture.

Why choose Vietnamese handmade gifts:

• Each item carries its own story - from artisans, traditional craft villages or independent small workshops
• Harmoniously combines old soul with modern breath - both traditional and contemporary
• Something you're proud to introduce - not just beautiful but carrying deep cultural meaning
• Easy to buy online at CHUS - carefully selected products, thoughtfully packaged, delivered to your door

Vietnamese handmade accessories are popular easy-to-carry souvenir choices

Suggestions for Easy-to-Carry Souvenirs When Flying

Hair Pins and Compact Handmade Accessories

Handmade hair pins are gifts you can slip into your jacket pocket without worrying about space, yet when given, they amaze recipients with their exquisiteness. Made from agarwood, brass, or combined with dried flowers - each pin carries its own story, and importantly, they're very light and easy to carry.

Popular choices:

• Natural agarwood pins - elegant, lightweight, anyone can wear
• Pins adorned with golden apricot blossoms - bringing spring colors, perfect for Tet gifts
• Handmade earrings - delicate, fit into tiny boxes very compactly
• Handcraft bracelets from wooden beads, stones - beautiful and carry good meanings

Flowers Resin & Wooden Hair Stick, Beautiful Combination of Dried Flowers and Wood, Feminine Hair Accessory, Handcrafted Product

303,000 ₫

Pure Joy Earrings, Feminine Long Earrings, Blend Of Classic And Modern Beauty, High-End Fashion Jewelry, Adds A Highlight To Outfits

525,000 ₫

Apricot Wooden Hair Stick, Exudes Elegance, Handmade Hair Stick, Ancient Accessories, Women's Day Gift For Her, Birthday Gift For Mom, Handmade Gift

165,000 ₫

Original Agarwood Bracelet

1,680,000 ₫

Mini Framed Pressed Flower Art

There are times you want to gift something more artistic, more refined - and mini dried flower paintings are the answer. Size 10x15cm or 15x20cm, glass or thin acrylic frame, lightweight yet eye-catching. Just wrap with an extra layer of bubble wrap or place in a hard backpack compartment, and you're confident carrying it throughout the long flight. This is one of the most chosen easy-to-carry souvenirs when traveling.

Adorable painting styles:

• Daisy paintings - pure, gentle, perfect for desk decoration
• White/pink baby's breath paintings - romantic, easy to match any space
• Reed grass paintings - reminiscent of Vietnamese autumn countryside fields
• Mixed flower paintings - colorful, artistic and creative

Personalized Pressed Flowers Rectangular Wooden Mini Frame, Convey Delicate Words, Decorative Dried Flower Frame, Personalized Gift, Gift For Her

170,000 ₫

Pressed Flower Domed Window Wooden Frame

225,000 ₫

Dried Flower Bouquet For Happy Birthday, Birthday Greeting Frame, A Timeless Piece Of Natural Art, Unique Gifts, 8/3 Gifts, Personalized Gift For Her

310,000 ₫

Dried Flower Bouquet For Happy Birthday, Birthday Greeting Frame, A Timeless Piece Of Natural Art, Unique Gifts, 8/3 Gifts, Personalized Gift For Her

410,000 ₫

Notebooks and Vietnamese Art Postcards

Sometimes the simplest gifts touch hearts the most. A handmade notebook or folk pattern postcard set is both beautiful and useful, very easy to pack. Flat, light, no worry about bending or breaking - and especially, they carry strong cultural value that recipients can use daily. These types of easy-to-carry souvenirs also help you save maximum baggage weight.

Worth trying:

• Real leather cover notebook - elegant, can engrave names for extra meaning
• Handcraft dó paper notebook - soft, eco-friendly, very Vietnamese
• Silk painting postcard set - reproducing refined traditional drawings
• Contemporary illustrated postcards - youthful, featuring old town, ao dai, conical hats

Ho Chi Minh City Hall Handmade Postcard, I Love Saigon Collection, Celebrating Architectural Heritage, Paper Postcard, Hand-Drawn Card, Souvenir

180,000 ₫

Brocade Notebook, Celebrate Vietnamese Heritage, Handmade Notebook With Brocade Fabric Cover, Recycled From H'Mong Costumes, Gifts For Foreigners

170,000 ₫

Impressive Vietnam Postcard, A6, The Strokes Of Ethnic Imprints, Art Postcard With Envelope, Impressive Card, Vietnamese Gift, Vietnamese Souvenir

40,000 ₫

13%

35,000 ₫

Crazy Horse Leather Journal, 22x11cm, Personalized Engraving, Genuine Leather Notebook, Includes An Elegant Charm, Corporate Gift, Personalized Gift

390,000 ₫

>>> Check out: 70+ Regional Souvenirs Carrying Vietnamese Identity

Mini Ceramics

If you want to gift something with lasting value and rich artistic quality, mini ceramics are an excellent choice. Bat Trang ceramics, Chu Dau ceramics, crackle glaze - all beautiful and carry Vietnamese identity. Just pay attention to careful packaging, these easy-to-carry souvenirs will safely reach the recipient.

Suitable items:

• Mini Bat Trang coffee cups - cute 6-8cm, thick, hard to break
• Crackle glaze tea bowls - unique patterns, both beautiful and practical
• Mini ceramic figurines - animals, folk characters, 5-10cm tall
• Small traditional pattern plates - for jewelry or desk decoration, both beautiful

Mini Horse Porcelain Figurine Style 2, Mini Ceramic Statue, Premium Ceramic Material, Cute Horse Figurine, Ideal For Tabletop Decoration

200,000 ₫

Ceramic Radius Rounded Hexagon Plate, Wattle Green Collection, Fire Glaze Ceramics, Skillful Techniques, High Quality, Decoration, Vietnamese Ceramics

337,000 ₫

10%

303,300 ₫

Matte Ceramic Cup & Coffee Filter Set, Vietnamese Handcrafted Ceramic, Vietnamese Element, Fire Glaze Ceramic, Gift for Coffee Enthusiasts, Corporate Gift

335,000 ₫

10%

301,500 ₫

Japanese Style Ocean Blue Fire Glaze Ceramic Teapot, 600ml, Long Handle, Bat Trang Ceramic, Refreshing Tea Moments, Porcelain Teapot, Unique Gifts

350,000 ₫

Shock-proof wrapping tips:

• Wrap each item with 2-3 layers of bubble wrap, secure firmly with tape
• Use soft towels or rolled clothes around them
• Place in hard box with compartments, avoid impacts
• Position in middle of suitcase, between clothing layers creating natural cushion
• Label "fragile" if checking in

Dried Snacks

There's a saying "the way to someone's heart is through their stomach" - and Vietnamese specialties are the fastest way for people to remember your homeland. Dried mango, cashews, macadamia... all delicious, durable, easy to share, and importantly very easy to carry without worrying about flight regulations. This is also the most beloved type of easy-to-carry souvenir for its convenience.

Easy-to-carry specialties:

• Chewy dried mango - naturally sweet, nutritious, keeps 3-6 months
• Salted roasted cashews - aromatic, everyone likes, elegant as gifts
• Vietnamese macadamia nuts - premium, beautifully packaged, nutrient-rich
• Traditional ginger jam - warming, even better in cold weather

Macadamia

259,000 ₫

Cashew Kernels

164,000 ₫

Ginger Slices, Seaweed Jam & Soursop Tea Gift Set, Bamboo Box & 4 Glass Jars, Flavor Harmony Meeting, Vietnamese Specialty Gift Set, Vietnamese Souvenirs

559,000 ₫

11%

499,000 ₫

Dried Mango, Healthy Snacks, Dried Fruits, No Sugar, No Preservatives, Eat Clean, Natural Ingredients, Breakfast Ideas

149,000 ₫

Small notes:

• Avoid liquids like large honey jars, fish sauce, cooking oil
• Choose sealed packages with clear expiration dates
• Avoid strong odors (shrimp paste, fermented fish) to not disturb others
• Check destination country customs regulations before bringing

Tips for Packing Souvenirs When Flying

Proper gift packaging not only protects items but also saves time at security checkpoints. For fragile items like ceramics or picture frames, place them in the middle of your suitcase, between clothing layers to create natural cushioning - avoid corners or edges where impacts are strongest. If bringing multiple items, distribute evenly between carry-on and checked luggage to avoid overweight.

Smart packing tips:

• Prepare clear zip bags (for liquids), bubble wrap, soft wrapping paper or small towels to wrap each item separately
• Small, valuable items (handmade jewelry, mini paintings) keep in personal backpack - easy to control
• Dried foods, notebooks, brocade fabric pack in large suitcase
• Label "fragile" on checked luggage if carrying ceramics/glass
• Take photos of gifts before packing - both for memories and evidence if issues arise

Some e-commerce platforms like CHUS also support professional gift wrapping services, helping you receive ready-to-travel items without additional preparation.

Careful packaging shows your thoughtfulness

>>> Check out: Curated Vietnamese Gifts: When Choosing Gifts Means Choosing Trust

Conclusion

Actually, the best gift isn't the most expensive or biggest one - it's one you can carry easily, arrives intact to the recipient, and more importantly, helps them feel your whole heart. Because in the end, people don't remember where you bought the gift or how much it cost - they remember the feeling of opening it, seeing the thoughtfulness in every detail, and understanding that you truly thought about them.

Discover now the curated Vietnamese souvenir collection at CHUS - where each item is carefully selected to ensure compact portability, durability over time, safe for international shipping, and especially carrying Vietnamese soul to tell stories.

Order today, receive thoughtfully pre-wrapped gifts, fast delivery to your door - so your journey carries meaningful easy-to-carry souvenirs!

Thanh Trường

Content Writer

11:47 26/09/2025

Trường is a content writer at CHUS - a young creative who's absolutely obsessed with exploring and sharing Vietnam's handcraft scene. He's convinced that every single gift has its own story just waiting to be discovered, and honestly? These stories are way too good not to share with the world.

All articles by Thanh Trường

FAQs

• What souvenirs are easy to carry on a plane?
  Small and lightweight gifts such as handmade notebooks, postcards, craft accessories, or dried snacks are great choices. They fit easily into luggage, do not take up much space, and are less likely to break. Most importantly, they still feel thoughtful and meaningful for the recipient.
• Can I bring Vietnamese snacks as souvenirs on a plane?
  Yes, you can bring dried mango, cashews, macadamia nuts, or traditional candied ginger. These items are convenient, well-packaged, and comply with liquid restrictions. However, avoid foods with strong odors like fermented shrimp paste, and always check the customs rules of your destination before packing them.
• What should I keep in mind when packing ceramics or handicrafts?
  For ceramics or framed artwork, wrap each item carefully with bubble wrap or soft cloth and secure it firmly. Place them in the middle of your suitcase with layers of clothing for extra cushioning. If checking them in, label the luggage as “fragile” to ensure better handling.