Gifts and souvenirs from Vietnam

Most guests wish to take souvenirs and gifts with them once they go home. The following suggestions are ‘very Vietnamese’, but not too heavy or bulky. We are able to provide recommendation, and assist you to get what you want at a fair price. Your guide may even be a good source of information.  

Good quality Vietnamese tea:

This can be bought in specialist outlets within the large cities. Kilograms of top-quality tea costs around $8.00 US if lightly flavored with flower or herb ‘essence’, or about $5.00 US without flavoring. 

Good quality 'Trung Nguyen' Vietnamese coffee

Kilograms of top-notch Robusta coffee beans from Trung Nguyen (the Central Highlands) costs around $4.00 US. Arabica can be more expensive. An unusual present would be some ‘Weasel Coffee', however it is advisable to inform the recipient how it's produced after he or she has skilled its mellow taste (check the 'Eating and Drinking' page if you have not already completed so!) 

Ethnic scarves, clothes, etc.

Items made by members of Vietnam’s many ethnic teams make excellent and inexpensive souvenirs and presents. They're available from outlets in the tourist areas of cities, and from cities near communities of ethnic people. Nonetheless, ethnic products have usually been purchased at low prices by intermediaries, denying the producers a fair price for their work. We suggest buying direct from the producers wherever possible.

As a tough guide, an inexpensive quantity to pay for a woven scarf needs to be from $2.00 US upwards, relying on the complexity of pattern and design. A garment, akin to a woven, embroidered or appliquéd jacket, ought to cost from $15.00 US upwards. Pure dyes are sometimes used, so colours need to be mounted before washing. 

Vietnamese lacquer ware

Lacquer ware is an extended-standing Vietnamese tradition. Usually utilized to a paper Mache object, it is each light and durable. It is also an artwork technique. Prices for lacquer ware articles start at $1.00 US for a small dish, $3.00 US for a large dish, $10 for a set of table mats, and so on. Nonetheless, the quality of lacquer ware depends upon the number or processes used - good quality products are expensive. A large range of lacquer ware, and lacquer art work and objects, are available in souvenir retailers and galleries in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Larger items corresponding to ornaments and furniture are good value - we are able to arrange for them to be shipped to customers’ home addresses.  

Ceramics and pottery

Products range from excessive-quality porcelain to simple fired clay objects, and the range is enormous. As an indication of prices, a good quality plate from Bat Trang Village costs about $2.00 US and a café cup about $1.00 US. Small tea units make good presents. 

Embroidery

Hand-embroidered objects are good value and glorious souvenirs. Prices fluctuate according to detail and the quality of the bottom material. A good pair of pillow cases or a set of mattress linen, both on a white cotton base, should cost around $6.00 US and $25.00 US respectively. 

Vietnamese silk

Real Vietnamese silk is especially muted in color - bright colors are often indicative of Chinese language imports or synthetic fibers. Quality varies widely. Prices for affordable quality silk start at about $3.00 per metre for 90cm huge material. 

Artworks

You may find a huge range of work in oils, water colors, lacquer ware and nearly every other conceivable media. Styles are equally eclectic, not only ‘western’ derivatives, but in addition an emerging Vietnamese genre. You'll also come throughout studies where a number of artists make copies of famous paintings starting from Leonardo da Vinci to Salvador Dali and everything between. Prices are what you're ready to pay - negotiating a value is de rigour. 

Stones

There are many jewelry retailers in the large cities providing a bewildering array of gemstones, both genuine and fake. Pearls, each fresh and saltwater, are frequent - the latter are principally farmed. Amethyst, aquamarine, corundum, jade, period, ruby, spinel, sapphires, and topaz are also on sale.

Unless you're an expert, detecting the genuine article may be very difficult - a flowery western-style showroom does not imply you are less prone to be sold a pup. If it’s a good worth, and also you like it, go for it - it’s doubtful anyone else will know the difference, anyway. 

However, when you want to know more, try this website online (http://www.business-in-asia.com/jewelry.html) 

Antiques

The same caveats as those for gemstones apply to antiques - it’s nearly impossible for a layperson to tell apart the true McCoy. However, realizing that Vietnam’s historic treasures had been hemorrhaging out of the country at an alarming price, the government has slapped a blanket ban on exporting something more than a hundred years old. Customs officers are present at airports, but they aren't experts. Consequently, anything that looks previous, be it pretend or genuine, is highly more likely to be confiscated.