"Same silk scarves - why do Shopee ones cost just a few dozen thousand dong while Vietnamese brand websites charge hundreds?"

This question reflects a common consumer habit: measuring price first, understanding value later. With just one product type, you can find vastly different price ranges, sometimes surprisingly large gaps. However, you get what you pay for - there must be reasons behind these differences.

Setting the familiar context between quality Vietnamese products and countless mass-market items on Shopee, let's explore with CHUS why Vietnamese goods cost more and whether this price difference is justified.

What Are Quality Vietnamese Products and Their Key Features

1. Defining High-Quality Vietnamese Products

Vietnamese quality products are items manufactured in Vietnam by Vietnamese businesses, brands, or artisans that meet high standards for quality, design, and aesthetics. These products, which excel in both material and spiritual aspects, typically carry strong Vietnamese cultural identity - from raw materials to production processes that are strictly controlled.

2. Notable Features of Vietnamese Local Brand Products

High-quality Vietnamese local brand products typically have these characteristics:

  • Natural materials that are safe for health
  • Meticulous handmade or semi-handmade production processes
  • Designs rich in Vietnamese culture
  • Strict quality testing standards
  • Clear origins and reputable brands

High-quality Vietnamese products are honored for both convenience and rich cultural identity

High-quality Vietnamese products are honored for both convenience and rich cultural identity

>>> Read more: Best Vietnamese Gifts That Explain The Culture (Without Being Cliché)

Why Do Quality Vietnamese Products Have High Prices?

Vietnamese quality products in general, especially Vietnamese handmade gifts or those carrying cultural value, have considerably higher prices than mass-market items. This is why many people need an explanation about why Vietnamese goods are more expensive. This question isn't just about price comparison - it reflects a consumer habit that needs deeper understanding.

But in an era where consumers are becoming increasingly smarter, the pricing story needs to be retold - more fairly and profoundly.

1. High-Quality Raw Material Costs

One of the main reasons Vietnamese goods are more expensive is raw material costs. Quality Vietnamese souvenirs and memorabilia typically use natural, organic materials or imports from reputable sources.

For example, a Vietnamese handmade scented candle using natural soy wax and essential oils will have raw material costs 3-5 times higher than regular paraffin candles.

Image 02. Diverse, traceable raw material sources create Vietnamese product value

Diverse, traceable raw material sources create Vietnamese product value 

2. Meticulous Handmade Production Process

Unlike cheap mass-produced Shopee items, Vietnamese quality products are usually handmade or semi-handmade. Each product goes through multiple meticulous stages:

  • Initial design and sketching
  • Careful raw material selection
  • Handcrafting by experienced artisans
  • Individual product quality checking
  • Packaging and finishing

Image 03. Each product represents long-term effort to create attention to detail

Each product represents long-term effort to create attention to detail

3. Professional Labor Costs

To create quality Vietnamese gifts, Vietnamese businesses must invest in skilled craftspeople and high-level artisans. This cost is typically significantly higher than ordinary labor in mass production.

Vietnamese Products vs Shopee: What Are the Real Differences?

Here we're not trying to compare Vietnamese products and Shopee to find winners and losers, but rather to explain the reasons for differences. Each user will have different consumption "tastes" - hopefully this content helps you understand the reasons behind your spending decisions.

1. Quality from the Roots

As discussed above, Vietnamese quality products typically use natural materials with clear origins - from Bat Trang ceramics, Phu Quoc pepper, beeswax, or local essential oils. Meanwhile, most cheap Shopee items are mass-produced industrial products using synthetic materials that are hard to verify and usually manufactured to optimize price, not value.

Image 04. Mass-market Shopee items can disappoint users

Mass-market Shopee items can disappoint users 

It's not difficult to distinguish: Vietnamese local brand products are more durable, sturdier, and have noticeably higher finishing quality because behind them is an entire process of selection, handcrafting, and strict quality control. The "expensive" aspect of Vietnamese quality products lies in their meticulousness.

"Cheap prices might satisfy people when buying, but quality makes them come back." - A business customer shared after switching from cheap imports to using Vietnamese gifts.

The cultural content of Vietnamese handmade products is always treasured

The cultural content of Vietnamese handmade products is always treasured

3. Long-Lasting Use, Real Value

Whether it's a wallet, bag, or souvenir, Vietnamese quality products typically last many times longer. A handmade leather wallet can be used for 5-10 years, while cheap industrial leather wallets only last about 6 months.

Image 06. Vietnamese souvenir products are both beautiful and durable

Vietnamese souvenir products are both beautiful and durable

Especially for gift-giving, these versatile Vietnamese products can create personalized gifts with interesting name engraving. Calculated properly, you don't spend more - you're just paying once for peace of mind and long-term experience.

Particularly when buying from reputable sources, you also get quality guarantees for your products. Meanwhile, buying cheap Shopee items is sometimes a "gamble": you might receive items worth their price, or something unusable.

Image 07. Don't fall into the trap of fake, poor-quality goods when seeking cheap prices

Don't fall into the trap of fake, poor-quality goods when seeking cheap prices 

>>> Read more: Vietnam’s Historic Shift in 2025: From Counterfeit Hub to Global “Made in Vietnam” Powerhouse

4. Part of the Price Lies in Social Value

When choosing Vietnamese quality products, you're also contributing to the Vietnamese ecosystem: from designers and manufacturers to retailers. Each such choice helps promote domestic consumption and preserve Vietnamese product diversity.

Particularly, some foreign products, most commonly from China, are selling on Shopee at rock-bottom prices. As shared by Dr. Nguyen Quoc Viet, Deputy Director of the Institute for Economic and Policy Research (VEPR), in an interview with Saigon Economics magazine in 2024:

"China has achieved extremely low prices through large-scale production and flexible sales policies. Even when facing preventive measures, domestic products from countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam... still cannot gain advantages." - Source: Why Vietnamese Products Struggle to Compete on Home Turf?

Therefore, now is when we need to support Vietnamese local brands even more strongly.

Ảnh 08. Mua hàng Việt cũng là góp phần thúc đẩy thị trường nội địa

Buying Vietnamese products also contributes to promoting the domestic market

How to Identify Authentic Quality Vietnamese Products

Among countless choices, distinguishing truly quality Vietnamese products is not easy. However, you can completely evaluate products based on three important factors below:

1. Clear, Transparent Origins

A trustworthy Vietnamese gift product always comes with complete information:

  • Clear labels
  • Official brand logos
  • Specific contact addresses
  • Official communication channels like websites or fanpages

Some reputable brands also publish quality certificates or safety certifications to increase credibility.

2. Quality Shown Through Every Detail

Materials used, surface finishing quality, and design meticulousness all reflect the true value of memorabilia. Additionally, you can refer to feedback from previous buyers and compare with similar products for a more objective perspective.

3. Choosing the Right Place to Buy

  • Consumer products: Reputable distribution addresses, directly at brand stores
  • Handmade items, gifts: Can visit craft villages directly. However, you can buy through intermediary platforms connecting quality Vietnamese products like CHUS.vn.

Conclusion

Vietnamese quality products having higher prices than cheap Shopee items is completely reasonable and well-founded. The price difference accurately reflects products' true value - from quality materials and meticulous production processes to cultural and social values they bring. Rather than just looking at prices, smart consumers should look directly at their needs and values they pursue.

If you're someone who appreciates refined products and always wants to support Vietnamese goods, CHUS proudly will be your ideal destination.

Explore more Vietnamese gift & souvenirs category to better understand the true value of quality souvenirs from Vietnam!

Question & Answer

  • 1. Are Vietnamese Products Really Worth Their High Prices?
  • 2. How to Distinguish Authentic Vietnamese Products from Fakes?
  • 3. Should I Buy Vietnamese Products for Business?
  • 4. Can Vietnamese Products Compete with Foreign Imports?
  • 5. Should I Buy Vietnamese Products as Gifts?