- May 6, 2025
What to Buy in Hoi An: 9 Authentic Vietnamese Souvenirs
If you're wondering what souvenirs to bring back after exploring Hoi An's ancient streets, authentic local mementos are a must-have. This UNESCO World Heritage Site isn't just famous for its charming centuries-old houses and colorful lanterns—it's also a paradise for distinctive souvenirs that capture Vietnam's cultural essence. These make perfect gifts for family and friends back home, or international visitors looking for something uniquely Vietnamese. Let's explore your options!
Why Buy Souvenirs from Hoi An?
Hoi An isn't just any Vietnamese destination—it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site where East meets West, preserving countless traditional crafts, folk arts, and cultural treasures. Purchasing a Hoi An souvenir doesn't merely preserve memories of your journey through the ancient town; it's an opportunity to share Vietnam's cultural beauty with international friends.
For foreign visitors, gifts and specialties from Hoi An offer both aesthetic value and practical convenience for packing and transport. More importantly, they serve as elegant representatives of Vietnamese beauty, artistry, and cultural traditions.
So what should you buy in Hoi An that's both meaningful and convenient? Let's explore the top distinctive souvenirs from this ancient town below!
Top Hoi An Souvenirs Perfect for Bringing Home or Gifting to International Friends
1. Hoi An Lanterns
When thinking of Hoi An, it's impossible not to picture the vibrant, colorful lanterns that adorn its streets. These lanterns are the defining symbol of the ancient town, especially during the monthly full moon festivals. Mini lanterns make perfect Hoi An souvenirs to bring home. Handcrafted with bamboo frames and silk or other traditional materials, they come in various designs and colors.
Look for lanterns featuring lotus flowers, cranes, or calligraphy—traditional Vietnamese cultural symbols that add authentic meaning to your souvenir.
Bring Hoi An home with these vibrant miniature lanterns
2. Hand-Embroidered Bags and Brocade Bags
Another exquisite Hoi An handicraft is hand-embroidered or brocade bags. These charming, lightweight bags made from cotton or silk feature hand-embroidered folk motifs like lotus flowers, bamboo branches, or peacocks. They make practical gifts suitable for both locals and international visitors who can use them for jewelry, cosmetics, or other small items.
3. Hoi An Leather Shoes & Bags
While wandering through Hoi An's ancient streets, you'll easily discover small alleys or craft shops emanating the distinctive aroma of vegetable-tanned leather. Without excessive ornamentation, these leather workshops maintain a rustic, authentic quality in each product—a genuine beauty amid the ancient town's charm.
You can order custom-made leather shoes that perfectly fit your desired style, color, and size. In just a few hours to a day, you'll have a finished product at a reasonable price. Beyond shoes, leather bags are also popular highlights—from crossbody bags and totes to compact wallets.
Leather shoes in Hoi An are a favorite souvenir among international visitors
Hoi An leather shoes and bags aren't just practical and durable—they carry personal impressions and traditional craftsmanship. They're certainly premium and practical souvenirs for family, friends, or yourself after your journey.
Handcrafted Hoi An leather bags – classic style, durability, and quality
4. Tailored Ao Dai from Hoi An
If you're seeking an extraordinary Hoi An souvenir that embodies Vietnamese identity, a custom-tailored Ao Dai (Vietnamese traditional dress) is an unmissable choice. Hoi An is renowned for its quick, professional tailoring services. A custom-made Ao Dai will be a unique gift for international friends who appreciate Vietnamese culture.
5. Hoi An Green Bean Cake
Hoi An specialties must include traditional cakes, among which green bean cake is suitable for carrying over long distances. The cake has a mild sweetness, fragrant bean aroma, and typically comes in neat, attractive packaging. Green bean cake makes an excellent gift for international visitors from Hoi An, allowing them to experience part of the culinary essence from this heritage destination.
6. Thanh Ha Pottery
When visiting Hoi An, you absolutely cannot miss Thanh Ha Pottery Village—a destination steeped in traditional cultural significance. Located just a few kilometers from the ancient town, Thanh Ha Pottery Village was established in the 16th-17th centuries and has preserved pottery craftsmanship excellence for hundreds of years.
Here, visitors not only witness the traditional pottery-making process but can also try their hand at clay molding, creating unique pottery items. This experience is both fascinating and provides insight into the skillfulness and dedication of Vietnamese pottery artisans.
Thanh Ha pottery, with its hundreds of years of history in Hoi An, makes an ideal souvenir
You can also purchase charming pottery items like cups, plates, teapots, or small statues as mementos. These simple yet exquisite products from Thanh Ha are perfect souvenirs that carry deep Vietnamese cultural significance for international friends.
7. Handcrafted Essential Oils and Herbal Soaps
Though not Hoi An's most prominent products, handcrafted herbal soaps are worth trying if you visit handicraft stores in the ancient town.
These products are typically made from natural ingredients like lemongrass, cinnamon, and tea tree essential oils—gentle on the skin while providing pleasant aromas characteristic of Vietnamese herbs. They make refined, compact souvenirs rich in cultural identity, suitable as gifts for international friends or loved ones who appreciate natural living.
Handcrafted herbal soap – a small but charming Hoi An souvenir
8. Hoi An Silver Jewelry
The goldsmith craft in Hoi An has ancient origins, distinguished by silver jewelry with classic designs and distinctly Vietnamese cultural motifs.
From feng shui symbols to folk patterns, each piece demonstrates the dexterity of local artisans and traditional spirit preserved through generations.
Hoi An silver jewelry isn't just compact and elegant but also meaningful—an unmissable souvenir for visitors wanting to bring home part of Vietnam's essence as a gift or keepsake.
Hoi An silver jewelry – souvenirs preserving traditional Vietnamese values
9. Hoi An Silk
Silk is one of Vietnam's most famous traditional handicrafts. Hoi An silk is known for its softness, luster, and natural colors. You can purchase silk by the meter for making garments or choose ready-made silk products like scarves, ties, bags, and wallets. Silk is easily folded and doesn't occupy much luggage space—making it a highly favored Hoi An souvenir among visitors
Where to Buy Hoi An Souvenirs?
- Hoi An Market: Located in the ancient town center, this concentrates numerous stalls selling all kinds of Hoi An handicrafts, specialties, and other souvenirs. You can freely choose and shop in the lively atmosphere of a traditional market.
- Shops along Tran Phu Street: This area contains many stores selling silk, silver jewelry, and leather shoes.
- Shops within the Ancient Town: Many small shops in the ancient town sell handicrafts and Hoi An specialties, offering an intimate shopping experience.
- Online at Chus.vn: If you don't have time to visit markets and shops directly, you can purchase Hoi An souvenirs online at Chus—an e-commerce site featuring handcrafted gifts and quality Vietnamese products from local artisans.
Conclusion
Hoi An souvenirs aren't just memory keepers but also vehicles sharing Vietnamese culture with friends worldwide. From vibrant mini lanterns and soft silk to fragrant green bean cakes, each gift tells a story about Hoi An's heritage and people. Through the suggested gifts above, we hope you'll select appropriate, meaningful Hoi An souvenirs for friends, international visitors, or yourself.
Don't forget to explore handcrafted Vietnamese gifts of outstanding quality, uniqueness, and traditional character at Chus.vn!
