Many tourists spend time looking for Unique Things to Buy in Hanoi so they can keep beautiful memories of this exciting city. For a thousand years, Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, always had a wide range of traditional items that visitors can buy as souvenirs or add to their collections. Purchase unique things while visiting interesting attractions, experiencing the unique culture, and learning more about the city’s beautiful past.
Here are the top picks for visitors when going shopping in Hanoi:
- Souvenirs and handicrafts
- Clothes and fabrics
- Artworks and paintings
- Specialty and originality
When you visit Hanoi, make sure that these are on your bucket list!
Best Unique Things to Buy in Hanoi
Souvenirs and handicrafts
Non La – The iconic symbol of Vietnamese people
Source: iievietnam.org
The Conical Hat, or Non La, a symbol of Vietnam, must be one of the most fantastic and unique things to buy in Hanoi. Non La is made by skilled Vietnamese craftspeople from local leaves. Vietnamese people use it for various purposes, such as covering, fanning, and carrying; it is necessary for people from all walks of life.
- Unique features: The hat is made creatively from easy-to-find things like dry palm leaves, the bark of the Moc tree, and bamboo. Specifically, it has a trim and a coat of attar to keep it clean, smooth, and water-resistant.
- Price range: 2 to 6 USD
- Where to buy: street vendors and souvenir shops in Hanoi Old Quarter
TourTeller’s Pick – Best Hanoi Activities
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To He – One-of-a-Kind gift from Hanoi
Source: gotrangtri.vn
Before Vietnam had comics or illustrated books, To He was used to showing different heroes and everyday people. To He also showed symbolic animals like dragons or phoenixes, or commonly seen water buffaloes, flowers, and all the beautiful things in fairy tales and historical stories. Children gathered in the village’s common area to hear stories and see the king and mandarins in their fancy costumes made by skilled craftsmen, so they could imagine a whole world of heroes and fairies.
- Unique features: To He toys are sculptures made from colored rice dough, watercolor, and the craftsman’s creativity.
- Price range: 1 to 3 USD
- Where to buy: Xuan La village, Phu Xuyen district, and Dong Xuan and Pho Khach in Hanoi’s Old Quarter
Ceramics products – A pride of Hanoians
Source: toplisthanoi.com
Ceramics is one of the best unique things to buy in Hanoi as a souvenir because it shows Vietnamese traditions, culture, and everyday life. Ceramics are solid and easy to use in many ways, like cooking, entertaining, decorating, etc. You can buy reasonably priced cups, flower vases, bowls, dishes, statues, and other useful things made of ceramics.
- Unique features: The high quality and diversified decorations on the surface of the products thanks to its long-lasting history and development.
- Price range: it depends on the product, but usually, a small bowl costs 1 USD; a tea set with a tray costs about 11 USD
- Where to buy:
- Bat Trang Ceramic Village: Gia Lam district, Hanoi
- Calendar Ceramic Shop: No.11A, Trang Thi Street, Hanoi
- Authentic Bat Trang: No.115, Hang Gai Street, Hanoi
- Quang’s Ceramic: No.93, Ba Trieu Street, Hanoi
- Snow Boutique: No.10A Lane Bao Khanh, Hanoi
Embroidery handicrafts – great Vietnam souvenirs
Source: travelvui.com
Embroidery can be purchased as a gift for someone back home because it does not appear to take up a significant amount of space in your suitcase. The majority of Vietnamese embroidery depicts natural settings and various species of animals.
- Unique feature: Handmade quilts, sheets, pillowcases, table runners, scarves, bags, and outfits are available. Moreover, dozens of handicraft communities and manufacturing outlets dot the country.
- Price range: Size, quality, handmade, and factory batch manufacture affect the price. Simple creations cost $2 to $100, and monumental artworks $1,000 to $5,000.
- Where to buy:
- Collective Memory: No. 20, Nha Chung street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Binh Embroidery: No. 33, Hang Hanh street, Hanoi
- Tanmy Design: No. 61, Hang Gai street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- aN Store: No. 8, Ly Dao Thanh street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Emporium Hanoi: No. 172 & 39, Xuan Dieu street, Quang An, Hanoi
- Craft Link: No. 43 & 51, Van Mieu street, Hanoi
Bamboo and rattan products – Cultural meanings and applicability
Source: vietnam.vnanet.vn
In Hanoi, you can find a lot of bamboo and rattan items in Phu Vinh village, about 15 km from the city center and is in the Chuong My District. The craftspeople here have made a lot of simple, rustic bamboo and rattan items that are typical of the village and show how creative and resourceful they are. You can find everyday items and home decor that mix traditional and modern colors when you come here.
- Unique features: Bamboo and rattan can make many things, from baskets and bags to tables, chairs, lamps, and more.
- Price range: from 1 USD
- Where to buy:
- Hong Duong Bamboo And Rattan Co., Ltd: Km 28, Highway 6, Chuong My, Hanoi
- May Tre Nguyen: Phu Nghia, Chuong My, Hanoi
- HaLinh Rattan & Bamboo: Industrial Zone, Phu Nghia, Chuong My, Hanoi
- Xuong san xuat may tre – tre – nhua cao cap Huong Bich: No. 431, Kim Ma street, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
- May tre dan Bao Thu store: No. 22B, Hang Khoai street, Dong Xuan, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Clothes and fabrics
Silk products – Traditional weaving and premium quality products
Source: asiapaths.com
Silk products are standard souvenirs that both domestic and international tourists like to buy in Hanoi. If you want to purchase natural silk, you can go to the Van Phuc Silk Village, which is 10 kilometers from the center of Hanoi. It is also called the Ha Dong Silk Village. In Van Phuc Village, all silk products are woven from natural silk that is iridescent, soft, smooth, and absorbent.
- Unique features: The patterns on the silk are not only varied but also balanced. So, when you come here, you won’t have to concern about the quality. You can bring back many things made of silk, like raw silk, Ao dai, dresses, scarves, hats, ties, and so on.
- Price range: Depending on what you buy, the price starts at 2 USD. Many guests like the scarf because it is easy to carry and comes in different shapes, designs, and patterns.
- Where to buy:
- Van Phuc Silk Village: On the Nhue River, 10 Km Southwest of Hanoi Old Quarter, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Xeo Xo Ha Noi: No. 10, Hoi Vu street, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Royal Silk: No. 64, Hang Trong street, Hanoi
- Arashi Silk: No.38, Hang Trong street, Hanoi
- Khai Silk Boutique: No.26, Nguyen Thai Hoc street, Hanoi
- The Silkworm: No.44, Tran Vu street, Hanoi
- Lua Ha: No. 538, Thuy Khue street, Tay Ho District, Hanoi
- Le Minh Silk Shop: No.79, Hang Gai street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Ao Dai – Vietnam’s classical costume
Source: vietnamnet.vn
When you go to Vietnam, you will see women everywhere wearing ao dai. “Long shirt” is what “áo dài” means in Vietnamese. It is the national dress of Vietnam, and it stands for elegance and beauty. Traditionally, men and women wore them on special occasions like the New Year, a wedding, or a festival. Ao Dai is undoubtedly among of the best unique things to buy in Hanoi that you can bring back from Vietnam.
- Unique features: Even though the modern ao dai comes in many styles, it has a simple, flattering shape and shows off the body’s curves. The traditional female Ao Dai is a long silk garment with long sleeves that is worn over long pants. It has shorter panels and a variety of collar forms (round, V, or open).
- Price range: Depending on the material and how it’s made, the price ranges from $70 to $450.
- Where to buy: Hang Gai (Silk Street) and Cho Hom market have Ao Dais for sale. The following addresses have both ready-made clothes and fabric to make your own:
- Ao Dai Minh Duc: No. 41, Dang Tien Dong street, Dong Da, Hanoi
- Ao Dai Thanh Mai: No. 428, Bach Mai street, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
- La Hang Design: No. 41, Phung Hung street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Bambou Silk: No.8, Nha Chung street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- La Hang: No.41, Phung Hung street, Hanoi
- Royal Silk: No. 64, Hang Trong street, Hanoi
Hanoi Theme T-shirt – Funny and unique things to buy in Hanoi
Source: pixels.com
T-shirts must be one of the most popular things for tourists in Vietnam. Once you show interest, a seller will dive headfirst into a stack of T-shirts to find the one you want. Even though the quality of market T-shirts isn’t excellent, they are very cheap, and the funny slogans make them fun to give as gifts or keep as souvenirs.
- Unique features: You can get a nice cotton T-shirt with various colors and pictures, such as Beer Hanoi, Hanoi Traffic, I Love Pho, Hanoi Food, Essential Attractions in Hanoi, and more.
- Price range: For about 4 or 5 USD
- Where to buy: You can find them easily in the Old Quarter of Hanoi or Dong Tac Street.
Tailored Clothing – High quality with low prices in Hanoi
Source: theculturetrip.com
Vietnam is a great place to get a suit or dress made because the prices are so low, and the quality of the tailors is up to international standards. Even though Hoi An is famous as the tailoring capital of the world, you can still get something made in Hanoi if you don’t have time to go there.
- Unique features: In Hanoi’s Old Quarter, it’s easy to find a tailor. Tailors can make clothes quickly in the Old Quarter, usually in two or three days. Because they work quickly, they will charge more than a tailor outside the Old Quarter. If you are passing through, paying a little more for faster service is worth it.
- Price range: When you buy clothes in Vietnam, the price is only about $50, but if you want a tailor-made complete set, it can cost 100 USD and more.
- Where to buy:
- Minh Quang Bespoke Tailor: No. 175 Phung Hung, Hang Bong street, Hanoi
- Anh Village Silk: No. 70 Nguyen Huu Huan street, Hanoi
- Tanmy Design: No.61 Hang Gai street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Van Hung Tailor: No. 36 Tho Xuong, Hang Trong street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Hoa Fashion: No.1 Xuan Dieu, Quang An street, Tay Ho, Hanoi
Elephant Print Pants – Light, comfortable, and breezy pants
Source: southeastasiabackpacker.com
Vietnam is long and narrow, and the land is longer from North to South. On the whole, the weather is different in each part of the country. Maybe a pair of super-comfortable, airy long pants will work for the trip. And pants with elephant prints are one of the best unique things to buy in Hanoi.
- Unique features: Elephant pants, which come in many different styles and colors, have become the “thing to wear” for many tourists in Vietnam.
- Price range: 3 to 6 USD
- Where to buy: This kind of fabric is pretty standard, so you can buy it online or at any market.
Artworks and paintings
Do Paper – The traditional craft that Presents Vietnam
Source: vietnamnet.vn
Many tourists say Do paper is one of the best unique things to buy in Hanoi. It comes from a plant that gives it its name and has been made the same way for decades. Do Paper is the main ingredient in many things, like books, prints, toys for the Mid-Autumn Festival, joss paper, etc.
Paintings made from Giay Do have different colors, looks, and strengths that set them apart from other images. These paintings show mysterious figures from Vietnamese legends and well-known symbols from Vietnamese culture.
- Unique features: The painting on canvas comes in different sizes and is made of oil, silk, or sand.
- Price range: vary from $10 to $1000, depending on the size and quality of the painting.
- Where to buy: Paintings are easy to find in gift shops and bookstores. Additionally, if you want to purchase original Dong Ho paintings without going to the Dong Ho Village, you might want to check out the AmiA Shop in the center of Hanoi (No. 211 Vu Tong Phan Street, Khuong Trung, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi)
Lacquerware – A Featured Material Of Vietnam’s Art
Source: en.nhandan.vn
In Vietnam, lacquerware is called Sơn Mài. Depending on the item’s size, it takes months and up to 20 stages of careful work to make a high-quality piece. In souvenir shops, you can find many lacquer items for decorating, like large paintings, artworks, and photo albums, as well as bowls, dishes, vases, trays, and jewelry boxes that you can use daily.
- Unique features: Lacquerware is a popular souvenir for international tourists to buy in Hanoi because of its unique designs, decorations, and patterns. Also, each piece of lacquerware has the essence of Vietnamese culture, which draws tourists.
- Price range: Prices vary based on quality and size, starting at $7 for one piece.
- Where to buy:
- Thu Huong Lacquer Arts: No. 118, Nguyen Khanh Toan street, Cau Giay, Hanoi
- Lacquer studio: No.26, Luong Ngoc Quyen street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Kima Lacquer Art Gallery: No.11 Thi Sach street, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
- Hanoi House: 38 Hang Dao Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam
Specialty and originality
Vietnamese Coffee – One Of The Best Coffee In The World
Source: lasinfoniadelreyhotel.com
Vietnam is now the second largest country that exports coffee in the world, after Brazil. When you travel to Vietnam, the best gift you could bring back for your friends and family would be the best coffee bean packs you could find.
- Unique features: Most of the coffee in Vietnam is Robusta, which has more caffeine and tastes bitter and pungent. The coffee is brewed in a tiny tin filter (PHIN) that drips into a cup or glass of condensed milk or a cappuccino with eggs for a creamy, sweet taste.
- Price range: You can buy a 500g pack of Trung Nguyen coffee grounds, the most well-known brand in Vietnam, for only $4 to $5.
- Where to buy: A coffee snob would learn where to go first thing in the morning for the greatest brew, thus here are some of Hanoi’s best coffee shops:
- Dream Beans Coffee: No. 22 Tho Xuong, Hang Trong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Hidden Gem Coffee: No.3B, Hang Tre street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Loading T: No.8, Chan Cam street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Giang Coffee: No.39, Nguyen Huu Huan street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Vietnamese Green Bean Cake – Simple But Unforgettable Among Unique Things To Buy In Hanoi
Source: vietnam.vnanet.vn
The story behind the cakes is that King Bao Dai once went to Hai Duong province and was given a special cake made from green beans by the people who lived there. The king liked the cake’s unique taste so much that, after the trip, he gave the people of Hai Duong permission to put “Golden Dragon,” a symbol of royal power, on the cake packaging. This made it stand out from other products from other places.
- Unique features: Cane sugar, green beans, and pig fat are the main ingredients in the cake. The special thing about the cake is that it is made in a complicated way that requires skill and cares to keep the original flavor.
- Price range: 1 USD for a small box (180 – 200 gr)
- Where to buy:
- Nep Huong: No. 42, Nguyen Dinh Chieu street, Le Dai Hanh, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
- Nguyen Huong: No. 42, Hang Bong street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Maison Marou – Vietnam’s first chocolate brand
Souce: maisonmarou.com
To date, Maison Marou is Vietnam’s only artisanal chocolate shop that specializes in selling blocks, bars, and truffles made from cocoa beans sourced from the country’s central and southern regions. The packaging’s vibrant colors are inspired by traditional Vietnamese woodblock prints, and the flavors, like puffed rice and candied ginger, are derived from locally sourced ingredients.
- Unique features: Multi-flavor gift packs are the best things to bring back from Hanoi if you can resist the urge to eat them all right away.
- Price range: 3 to 6 USD
- Where to buy:
- Maison Marou FStore: No.91A, Tho Nhuom street, Tran Hung Dao, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
O Mai – The famous Vietnamese-style candied fruits
Source: ngonhanoi.com.vn
O Mai is sour, salty, and spicy and has a natural sweetness that many Vietnamese like. Hanoi is known for its delicious sugared dried fruits, such as peach, lemon, mandarins, apricots, and plums. Each fruit represents a season and a different part of the world.
- Unique features: O mai, salted or sweetened, dried fruits in the past few years, was still trendy, especially in Hanoi.
- Price range: The prices range from $7 to $10 per kilogram, depending on the type of fruit and how hard it is to cook. The prices will be posted, and you can taste them before deciding.
- Where to buy:
- O Mai Ha Noi Gia Loi: No.8, Hang Duong Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- O Mai Ha Noi Gia Thinh: No.13, Hang Duong Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- O Mai xao Thuy Khe: No.10, Hang Coi street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- O Mai Hong Lam: No.11, Hang Duong street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- O Mai Thanh Huong: No. 118, Pho Hue street, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
- O Mai Ha Noi Van Loi: No.24, Hang Da street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- O Mai Tien Thinh: No.21, Hang Duong street, Hoan Kie, Hanoi
- O Mai Ha Noi Ba Thu: No. 252, Ba Trieu, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Vietnam is a country full of wonderful cultural diversity and vibrant markets, from North to South. Because of this, each place offers a unique experience and excellent unique souvenirs. So, if you plan to go to Hanoi, you shouldn’t miss out on these products.
After reading this post, we hope you’ll have some cool ideas for Unique Things To Buy In Hanoi. Keep reading our articles for more information about the best things to do or destinations to get to!
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