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About to leave Vietnam’s most populous city and still wondering what to buy in Saigon? I, a local adventurer, will share with you a list of incredible things to bring back from your trip as gifts and souvenirs.
Vietnam, the S-shaped tourist destination in Southeast Asia, is famous for its affordable trip budget, magnificent landscapes, delectable cuisine, friendly people, and more. During your time in Saigon (or Ho Chi Minh City), if you want to purchase some stuff as a memory or a present, do not ignore the handicraft products made by Vietnamese locals. Scroll down, and you will find something surprising.
Unique gifts and souvenirs: What to buy in Saigon during your journey?
1. Artistic “nón lá”: One of Vietnam’s symbols
So, what to buy in Saigon? The one of the first thing comes to your mind should be the “nón lá”. There’s a nice place where you can experience drawing, listening to the sound from the bamboo flute and piano, sipping tea, and enjoying artworks. Give it a try at workshops organized by B/S Art Studio. In addition, you will have a chance to paint on a small “nón lá”, a Vietnamese traditional hat, by yourself under the instruction of its founder, Bam Bi. In the meantime, you can learn about the country’s culture and music. Feel free to take the “nón lá” as a gift/souvenir, or buy any paintings displayed at the studio.
B/S Art Studio desires to inherit values from the past, combining tradition and modernity, selecting and promoting Vietnam’s fine traditions. The works mostly focus on intangible values (morality, beliefs, kindness, sincerity, etc.). The painting styles are also diverse to cater to a wide range of audiences, from children and teenagers to adults, and from Vietnamese to foreigners. Many international travelers have come by and been satisfied with these activities.
I visited this space twice and was impressed by the colorful and meticulous artisanal works featuring Vietnam’s particular values. Moreover, you can have a refreshment here and chit chat with your companions in the heart of the metropolis.
Address: 3rd floor, 106 Le Loi, Ben Thanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
2. “Hardcore” and exotic specimens
Looking for more extraordinary gifts and souvenirs to buy in Saigon? I highly recommend “Nghệ Thuật Xương”, also known as The Snake Gang on Pham The Hien street. You will see perfectly and beautifully crafted skeletons of dead animals called specimens.
To create the best specimens, the artist must collect them immediately after death when they have not yet decomposed. The shop owner only uses animals that died naturally because he does not want to harm any species. They can be snakes, frogs, fish, scorpions, dogs, cats, etc. Some customers raising pets reach out to him to keep the specimens as a memory. It usually takes weeks or even months to finish, but trust me, the prices are reasonable and deserving. This is what to buy in Saigon to make the receivers overwhelmed.
Plus, if the skeletons are too much for you, buy the accessories with just some pieces attached, such as necklaces or earrings. I got a pair of earrings here, and they cost no more than USD 8. Now, ready for styling your look with unique, cool, and exotic jewelry by The Snake Gang.
Message the shop owner to purchase or order your favorite items.
3. Silk paintings by young Vietnamese artists
As one of the unique traditional arts in Vietnam, silk painting first appeared in the 15th-16th century in Vietnam and reached its peak of success during the 1930s. Once forgotten, silk paintings are now emerging and attracting many talented, open-minded, and young artists. The revival is seeing more and more people in their 20s and 30s being enthusiastic about this genre.
Of course, silk painters use silk as the basis. Silk for drawing is different from that made for the garment sector. It’s tougher and thinner. Watercolors and gouache are often used in silk paintings.
I really like its elegant, gentle, and poetic beauty. If you want to purchase silk paintings, I have some suggestions, including painter Le Thi Que Huong (motquatac), Bich Tram (chamweardress), and Tran Lu Thanh Thanh (luthanh_22). All of them are based in Saigon.
The award-winning artists are keen on describing the beautiful moments of daily life (people, nature, animals, etc.), their deep thoughts, and their strange imagination in their artworks. Sometimes, you feel peace. Sometimes, you think seriously. Sometimes, you find empathy.
Take a look at their Instagram accounts and send them a direct message to buy the paintings you love. The dimensions are varied. You can commission them to draw what you want. It takes time, so remember to contact them days in advance. This is what to buy in Saigon as gifts and souvenirs if your beloved ones are interested in art.
4. What to buy in Saigon: Unique bags made from tarp
Dòng Dòng Sài Gòn, a local Vietnamese brand famed for its products made from recycled tarp, might be your next choice for gifts and souvenirs.
Going around the city, you must notice that many eateries, stores, and houses use tarps to shield against the sun and rain. The name “Dòng Dòng” is the specific pronunciation of Southern Vietnamese people when they say “vòng vòng”, which means wandering in English. The brand’s founders used to wander round and round to seek suitable materials. Finally, they decided to use tarps to make backpacks, tote bags, wallets, and pen cases.
Even if Dòng Dòng’s products share a similar shape, it’s rare to find two bags or wallets that are exactly alike, as each one is individually selected and cut based on the available tarps. The sewing process is done meticulously by hand, minimizing the scraps left. Besides, they are willing to customize bags following customers’ requirements and wishes.
The eye-catching and colorful bags stand out by its thick and enduring material and waterproof possibility. This will be a perfect selection for those looking for useful, fashionable, one-of-a-kind, and sustainable gifts and souvenirs in Saigon.
I own one of Dòng Dòng Sài Gòn’s tote bags. It’s super durable with a large capacity of around VND 500,000 (or USD 19 at the current rate). Visit the website in the above hyperlink to see the detailed pricing.
Address: 92/8 Pham Ngoc Thach, Xuan Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
5. Specialty Vietnamese coffee
What to buy in Saigon next? I want to mention Vietnamese coffee. Millions of our people drink coffee to boost their energy and start a new day. Cafeterias are open in every corner and are full of consumers of different ages from early morning until late at night, making this a growing culture in the city. Their beverages, decoration styles, vibe, and more are extremely diverse in Saigon. You will surely find at least one suitable spot to hang out.
Vietnam is the world’s second-largest coffee exporter, following only Brazil. It offers an ideal environment to plant Robusta and Arabica coffee. Robusta brings a bold, strong, and bitter flavor due to its high caffeine content, widely grown in the Central Highlands and Southeastern region of Vietnam. Meanwhile, Vietnamese Arabica coffee is highly appraised for its quality, with a delicate aroma, a refreshing acidity, and a subtle sweet aftertaste, perfect for making espresso or cold brew.
A coffeeholic cannot miss buying packaged roasted coffee beans in Saigon as gifts or to make their own drinks. Choose the appropriate one depending on your taste and reaction to caffeine. As I know, many foreigners find it hard to handle Vietnamese coffee.
Where to buy specialty coffee in Saigon? I will give you a few addresses.
Every Half Coffee Roasters
Every Half is known as a very popular coffee roastery in Saigon. Stop by to sip a cup of good coffee like Guatemala, Oromia Guji, Honduras, etc. There are several branches located in different wards with a tranquil atmosphere and a promising experience.
Address:
2A-4A Ton Duc Thang, Sai Gon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
10 Cong Truong Quoc Te, Xuan Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
14 Truong Dinh, Xuan Hoa, HCMC, Vietnam
Opening time: 7:00 – 21:30 daily
Reference prices: 50,000 – 80,000 VND (~2 – 3 USD) for a cup of coffee
Saigon Coffee Roastery
Founded by a well-known Vietnamese barista, Saigon Coffee Roastery is a professional environment for you to socialize and enjoy coffee using techniques such as pour-over or cold drip. Whoever wants to brew at home can buy coffee bean packages, brewing and filtering tools, and decorative items.
Address: 232/13 Võ Thị Sáu, Phường Võ Thị Sáu, Xuân Hòa, Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Việt Nam
Opening time: 7:00 – 22:00 daily
Reference prices: 65,000 – 105,000 VND (~2.5 – 4 USD) for a cup of coffee
Là Việt Coffee
The renowned coffee chain uses 100% ingredients sourced from Vietnam. Là Việt’s first factory-style coffee shop opened in Da Lat, Vietnam’s best Arabica coffee growing region. Then, the brand name has appeared in many places in Saigon.
Address:
16 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan, Xuan Hoa, HCMC, Vietnam
193/7 Hai Ba Trung, Xuan Hoa, HCMC, Vietnam
92-94 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Sai Gon Ward, HCMC, Vietnam
Opening time: 7:00 – 22:00 daily
Reference prices: 55,000 – 70,000 VND (~2 – 2,65 USD) for a cup of coffee
To learn more about Vietnamese coffee, you can join some workshops across the country.
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On the journey to explore Saigon, Vietnam, you will easily find out special aspects about the culture, cuisine, people, scenery, and so on. Don’t forget to take home some unique gifts and souvenirs to keep memories of this wonderland, starting from just $6. DIY “nón lá”, specimens, silk paintings, bags made from tarps, and Vietnamese specialty coffee will surprise the people you send presents.
Other typical gifts and souvenirs to buy in Saigon include ceramic products, “áo dài” (Vietnamese traditional costume), handmade wood carvings, etc. These are what to buy in Saigon and also other destinations in Vietnam.
Need more suggestions? Find out at the following titles.
- Souvenirs to Buy in Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City
- 18 Cheap Things to Buy in Vietnam: Do You Know?
- What to Buy in Hanoi: 10 Authentic Vietnamese Items That Are Worth Your Suitcase Space
For more extraordinary suggestions about Vietnam, follow Jackfruit Adventure and get updated from us. Our blog features multi-dimensional information and helpful travel tips for international visitors. Embark on cycling tours with the Jackfruit Adventure team to slowly enjoy and discover the amazing tourist destination. Of course, we will also take you to off-the-beaten-path corners and buy one-of-a-kind gifts and souvenirs.
Photo credits: Jackfruit Adventure and social media platforms and websites of brands mentioned.
