What can you buy as a gift in Vietnam? Traditional medicine

Pearls and silver, as well as hats and slippers.

What fruits to bring from Vietnam

Fruits and vegetables in Vietnam are quite cheap, and most of them are exotic for the Russian stomach. Therefore, tourists love to bring home and treat their family and friends with overseas delicacies. It is better to buy fruits at the market, but if you don’t want to bargain, they will do. You can also buy a fruit basket there for 40-50 thousand dong (115 rubles).

Vietnamese green tea and coffee

Today, Vietnam shares first place in the world with Brazil in terms of coffee imports. And all because here, perhaps, is the best in the world.

Be sure to buy several packs of ground or beans with you. We usually buy from - it's cheaper there. We are bargaining for 40,000 dong (115 rubles) - (with the image of an animal) and 50,000 dong (144 rubles) - Me Trang coffee. Prices are slightly higher in supermarkets and Me Trang branded departments.

There are many varieties of green tea in Vietnam, here it is inexpensive and of high quality: jasmine, lotus, artichoke, ginger, pu-erh, oolong, etc. The Vietnamese generally do not drink the black tea we are accustomed to, believing that it is not healthy. A pack of tea will cost you from 6 to 30 thousand dong (17-86 rubles). In Nha Trang they can offer you whole sets of different varieties, which is very convenient.

Jewelry: pearls, silver

You can buy pearls in Vietnam 30-40% cheaper than, say, in Europe or Russia. The same goes for silver jewelry. There are many jewelry stores in Nha Trang that offer discounts of up to 70%, but compare prices and quality of goods everywhere.

If it's a pearl, don't be afraid to check its authenticity. You can rub the beads on glass or each other. A fake will immediately peel off its enamel. You can subject the earrings to a more severe test - bring a lighter to them. The plastic will char and melt.

Due to the low price of pearls, we bought beads and earrings for our relatives. We bought jewelry made of black and pink pearls, their cost was the same, whereas in Russia black pearls are valued much higher than white, pink and blue. A set in the form of a pearl necklace (short beads) and silver earrings with a pearl matching the color of the beads cost us about 800-900 thousand VND (2300-2600 rubles), and earrings for a girl - about 300 rubles. What you should not buy in Vietnam is gold. Here this metal is very expensive and is almost not sold.

What medicines to bring from Vietnam

The average life expectancy of a Vietnamese is about 80 years. And all because diseases are often treated with natural traditional medicines. Ointments and tinctures based on snake venoms, balms and all sorts of extracts are popular here. Consider the famous balm “Zvezdochka” with a wide range of applications. In pharmacies they sell it in small jars and whole packages.

The warming ointment Cobrotox with snake venom has a fairly effective effect. Its analogues - balm “White Tiger” and “Red Tiger” are inexpensive - about 10-15 thousand dong per tube (28-43 rubles).

We drank a course of artichoke extract, which, according to the Vietnamese, completely cleanses the body of toxins in a month. Also in supermarkets you can find energy drinks based on ginseng, as well as drinks for insomnia made from mulberry.

Clothes made of silk, cotton, ostrich and crocodile leather

Silk items, including clothing, are popular in Vietnam. We took silk robes as a gift. Three long silk robes cost 430,000 dong (1,240 rubles). You can also bring a silk painting, fan, tie, scarf, etc. as a souvenir. You can also buy cheap leather accessories made from crocodile or ostrich skin in Vietnam. A bag or wallet will cost you $10-15.

What national souvenirs to bring from Vietnam

Perhaps the most popular Vietnamese souvenir is the national palm hat, Non. It is light and practical - it protects from the scorching sun and pouring rain. It will also look spectacular on the wall as decoration.

A common souvenir among Russians is a strong tincture (whisky or vodka) based on cobra and scorpions. It is believed that snake tincture helps with diseases of the liver, stomach and biliary tract. Caution: you need to take it in very small doses, in no case with glasses as a snack! I personally doubt the medicinal properties of the drink. It’s better to bring regular Vietnamese rum (from pineapple or) for 30 thousand dong (86 rubles).

What else can you bring as a souvenir: flip-flops, bronze Buddha figurines, handmade masks, coconut scoops, paper cards with carved silhouettes, chopsticks, forged iron figurines, boxes and much more.

They say that there is an official list of prohibited goods from Vietnam. These include the aforementioned jackfruit and durian, as well as coconut and watermelon. It is also prohibited to export any sauces (including the famous fragrant fish sauce). Alcohol above 41 degrees alcohol may be seized from you at the border.

In addition, you can be fined for carrying shells, coral and even sand in your suitcase. But usually border guards turn a blind eye to these prohibitions.

What to bring cosmetics from Vietnam

A lot has been said about and, but for some reason there is still little information on the Internet about Vietnamese. However, almost every woman, going to Vietnam, is looking for what she can bring from there.

Vietnamese collagen mask from brown algae seeds

It turns out that Vietnam actually has a lot of high-quality cosmetics and traditional medicine. But understanding them is not so easy. Read on for the most popular Vietnamese cosmetics.

Many tourists, going on vacation to Vietnam, wonder what to buy in Vietnam, in Nha Trang for themselves, how to please their family and friends. At the same time, of course, you want the gift to be not only memorable, but also useful and practical. Moreover, not everyone likes refrigerator magnets, shells and other unnecessary things. And not every friend will thank you for such a gift.

If you are also interested in the question of what you can buy in Vietnam, what you can bring from Vietnam as a gift, then our article today will be useful to you. In order not to buy any unnecessary junk while walking through the shops of Nha Trang, I advise you to plan in advance what to bring from Vietnam, Nha Trang. When choosing a gift for yourself or loved ones from Vietnam, do not forget that everyone has different preferences. For girls, pearls and leather goods are more suitable, for men - cognac. In addition, you can bring famous coffee from Vietnam, which, perhaps, can appeal to everyone. Artichokes, coconut oil, and fruits are also popular.

Let's consider those products that deserve time, money and effort. So, what to buy in Vietnam in Nha Trang.

What to buy in Vietnam? Coffee!

The first thing you can buy in Vietnam is coffee. It's no secret that Vietnam is an exporter of this invigorating drink. Coffee brewed using the Vietnamese method leaves no one indifferent.

What you can buy in Vietnam: pearl jewelry

The second thing you can buy in Vietnam is suitable as a gift for girls. This is pearl jewelry. It’s rare that someone who has visited Vietnam does not take a closer look at pearls. Prices for pearls vary significantly from cheap to more expensive counterparts. Of course, the price depends on its size, shape, color and origin. You should absolutely not buy in markets or from grandmothers on the beaches, no matter how they assure you that the pearls are real. It should only be purchased in specialized stores. Below are tips on how to check pearls for authenticity:

The easiest way is to take a pearl and run it across the glass. If there are no traces left on the pearl, then the chances of authenticity increase.
Some people suggest scraping the pearl with a file and then wiping off the dust; there should be no traces of scratches on real pearls.
It is also worth carefully examining the uniformity of the color of the pearl. Painted fakes have an uneven color, darker in the drilling areas.
Real pearls cannot be light in weight; they are usually cold to the touch, but warm up when held in your hands.

You can buy artichokes in Vietnam

What else you can buy in Vietnam in Nha Trang is an artichoke. Preparations obtained from artichoke are used to treat urolithiasis and cholelithiasis, jaundice, hepatitis, atherosclerosis, allergies, various forms of psoriasis, eczema, and reduce blood cholesterol levels. Buy it in tea or tablet form. Artichokes in Vietnam in Nha Trang are sold everywhere in pharmacies.

What you can bring from Vietnam as a gift: coconut oil

You can also bring natural coconut oil from Vietnam. We recommend buying unrefined and always with a dispenser. Coconut oil is widely used for cosmetic purposes. It is used as a tanning product, as a hair mask, and also taken as food.

What to buy in Vietnam in Nha Trang: fruits

Of the fruits that can be brought from Vietnam, first of all, mango can be distinguished. If you come to Vietnam, you will definitely try this wonderful fruit. There are many varieties of mangoes, but they usually sell two. Yellow ones are smaller and green ones are larger. Many people think that green ones are unripe and do not buy them. But in reality, green mangoes are orange inside. They have no fibers. They are sweeter and more flavorful. Yellow mangoes have fibrous flesh. The fibers get stuck in the teeth. The pulp inside is yellow. Green mangoes are more expensive than yellow ones. The cost of a kilogram of mango in Vietnam starts from VND 20,000. It is better to take hard fruits on the road in order to successfully bring them from Vietnam. By the time you get there, they will ripen. The soft ones will turn into mush. If you are flying Azur Avia, in addition to 20 kg of luggage, you can take a 5 kg fruit basket with you. Wrap the basket with film, otherwise the amount of fruit in it upon arrival may be greatly reduced.

What to bring from Vietnam? Crocodile leather products

In Vietnam, you can buy crocodile leather products for tourists. Bags, shoes and accessories are sold in specialized stores in the European quarter of Nha Trang.

Cobrataxan - what tourists bring from Vietnam

Also, what you can buy in Vietnam in Nha Trang is cobrataxane (or its analogue majatox). This is an ointment with snake venom, which is ideal for the treatment of radiculitis, traumatic and inflammatory processes in joints, tendons, ligaments and muscles. The ointment “Tigre blanc” (White Tiger) is also popular. It has a local analgesic effect, relieves muscle tension, and increases blood circulation.

What else can you bring from Vietnam as a gift - Dalat wine. The most popular brand of local wine is Dalat Vang. Wine is produced in the mountainous Dalat according to French recipes. Considered the best wine in Vietnam. In addition to Dalat itself, it can be purchased in large supermarkets such as “Maximart”. Many tourists like both red and white wine. But once tasting this wine, all sommeliers note the sourness in the taste and award 3 points out of 10. Some local chefs recommend it for cooking.

Is it worth trying? It's a matter of taste here. It is recommended to serve it chilled, like table wine with seafood. And considering the price of around 100,000 VND per bottle, it fully justifies the quality. As for true gourmets, there are wine castles especially for them in almost every city for tasting quality imported brands from France, the USA, Chile and other countries.

Silk products

What can you bring from Vietnam - silk products. Silk is the pride of the country and many items of clothing are made from it. First of all, we advise you to pay attention to scarves and dresses.

Local rum

Local rum can also be brought from Vietnam, Nha Trang. It tastes like Russian moonshine, is easy to drink, but gets you drunk very quickly. We do not recommend buying rum priced below 65,000 VND.

Souvenirs

You can bring souvenirs from Vietnam as gifts: vases, plates, boxes, figurines, key chains, voluminous postcards, hair clips, etc. You can safely buy souvenirs at the markets, most of them at the night market and Cho Dam.

Thank you for reading to the end :) This was a short overview of what you can buy in Vietnam. Now you have an idea of what to buy for yourself and as gifts for your friends and family in Vietnam. I wrote about my purchases in Vietnam in a previous article. .

The range of gifts and souvenirs that can be brought from this Asian country is incredibly wide. At the same time, many of the goods will cost the traveler truly ridiculous sums - you just need to be able to choose and “know the places”, since the same product in a shop in the center of the capital or a remote village can differ in price by 2-4 times.

4. Tea and coffee

Are you aware that Vietnam ranks first in the world in coffee exports? Now you know. It is of quite high quality and quite inexpensive - a kilogram of first-class Robusta coffee will cost $4. About 30 varieties of coffee are produced in the country, and Nguyen Trung coffee is considered the most popular. By the way, almost no local coffee is supplied to Russia; everything goes to the European Union countries.

Of course, the most interesting thing is to buy Vietnamese coffee directly at the plantations (for example, in the vicinity of Dalat): here they will not only sell you the variety you like, but will certainly give you a tour and introduce you to the intricacies of preparing the most delicious drink. However, you will find high-quality local coffee in shops and markets throughout the country.

Vietnamese tea is in constant demand all over the world. Green, black, white, artichoke, pu-erh, oolong, with ginger or jasmine - there is an incredible variety of it here. Cost: 5-8 $ per kilogram. The most popular premium tea is green Thai Nguyen from the province of the same name.

It is best to buy local tea in specialized stores in large cities (for example, Dalat or Phan Thiet). There they will offer you different varieties, tell you how to brew each one correctly, and will definitely let you try the selected tea before purchasing.

5. Exotic spirits

A separate item in the gifts is local alcohol: vodka, rum, wine and “snake” liqueurs. The wine here is not particularly high quality, but rice vodka and rum with various additives are worth trying - you will be pleasantly surprised.

As for bottles with alcohol-preserved bastards, they are often bought as an exotic souvenir to decorate a bar, rather than as a pleasant drink, although here it is believed that such a tincture relieves many ailments. Tourists still prefer to buy bottles with snakes, scorpions and salamanders inside just “as a souvenir.”

6. Local goodies

If you love edible souvenirs, then you cannot do without local sweets. Unusual fruits for Europeans (lychee, longan, mangosteen) are brought from here both fresh and in candied or dried form - such “chips” can be found in almost any store or market.

Also popular are Vietnamese candies made from coconut milk and unusual-tasting candies with lotus seeds.

7. Bamboo and mahogany products

In any shop or store you will see boxes, figurines, frames, trays, wall decorations made of bamboo and mahogany - Vietnamese artisans make and sell a lot of such souvenirs.

These trinkets cost about $10-15, and the largest selection is perhaps in the center of Hoi An, where several specialized shops are located.

8. National clothes and masks

If you are a lover of exotic things, pay attention to inexpensive local national clothing - bright and cheap. However, tourists rarely bring clothes from here: much more often they limit themselves to traditional conical hats made of palm leaves (check out the city of Hue) and pith “colonial” helmets (visit the Nha Trang market).

By the way, don’t be surprised that tourists bring souvenir masks not only from Venice - on the shelves of Vietnamese shops you will definitely find hand-painted masks made of coconut or bamboo. This is a very colorful souvenir with unforgettable emotions on your face.

Well, and flip-flop slippers, which you should definitely try on before buying, yes, where would you be without them?

Pleasant trifles

In addition to all of the above, you can easily find a lot of other nice little things and souvenirs in Vietnam. From here they bring:

national wooden dolls and musical instruments;
ointments and balms based on snake venom;
porcelain dishes with hieroglyphs;
bronze coins and Buddha figurines;
decorative silk or bamboo lanterns;
incense sticks and incense burners;
keychains made from crocodile legs;
patchwork animal toys...

Useful information about goods from Vietnam

Trade in the country is thriving: tourists can not bother with choice and spend the whole day walking around the huge specialized stores and shopping centers of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Vincom City Towers, Trang Tien plaza, Saigon Square) or look for unusual things in craft centers, local markets, and small souvenir shops or on the islands and suburbs. Just remember: bank cards are accepted only in supermarkets; to pay in other places you need to have local cash (Vietnamese dong), which can be exchanged at any bank or exchange office.

Although the range of goods in the country is not very different, each city and province in Vietnam traditionally has its own “specialization”. Thus, green and artichoke tea, as well as coffee, are usually brought from Dalat. They buy porcelain in Bat Chang, and pearls in Phu Kok. Silk Village is famous for its natural fabrics, Phan Thiet for its incense sticks and incense burners, and Nha Trang for its crocodile skin products.

And the most important thing that you will definitely need after many hours of shopping is additional bags and suitcases to bring all these souvenirs from Vietnam back home. Happy shopping!

Shopping in Vietnam: what to bring from Vietnam, where to buy souvenirs and fashion brands. Markets, outlets, famous shopping centers of Vietnam. Expert advice and reviews from tourists about shopping in Vietnam on the “Subtleties of Tourism”.

Last minute tours to Vietnam
Tours for May Worldwide

Shopping in Vietnam is pleasant primarily because of its cheapness. Here you can buy inexpensive silk clothes, ceramics, pearl jewelry and souvenirs made of mahogany and bamboo. Large Vietnamese cities have shopping centers and large malls, but the most interesting and colorful shopping here is still in the markets.

Store opening hours

Shops in Vietnam are open from approximately 7:30-8:00 until late in the evening - 22:00-23:00, only a few small private shops close earlier. There are no lunch breaks, and in major cities and popular tourist resorts there are supermarkets that are open 24 hours a day.

Sales

There are no organized seasonal sales in Vietnam. Here, goods are sold at discounts if they are not taken at full price or if they have some kind of defect. Items that have expired, such as cosmetics, often become cheaper.

Such price reductions occur at any time of the year and in any season. It is very easy to spot a store that has announced a sale: there will be a sign “Dai Ha Gia” (“very low prices”) and a crowd of people at the entrance. You shouldn’t be tempted by low prices and wait in line - discounts there are usually no more than 30%, and prices even without sales are quite low for almost everything.

Duty free at Saigon airport is considered the cheapest in the world.

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What to buy in Vietnam

clothes and shoes,
cosmetics,
traditional medicine drugs,
ceramics,
Jewelry,
technology and electronics,
food, alcohol and coffee.

Clothes and shoes

Vietnam, along with China, is considered the largest sewing workshop in the world. Nike, Adidas and other popular brands of clothing and shoes sew their collections here, so the prices for goods of these brands in Vietnam are slightly lower than in the rest of the world.

Vietnamese clothing is worth special attention. These are, as a rule, high-quality items made from natural silk, linen and cotton: T-shirts, dresses, tunics, stoles, etc. The colors are very bright and the styles are youthful, there are a lot of clothes with colorful prints - this applies to both T-shirts and rag bags and backpacks. National women's Vietnamese clothing "ao dai" is also sold in local stores and markets - an outfit consisting of a tight-fitting long shirt-dress with slits and pants (they are usually sewn to order, but you can also find ready-made ones).

Here you can buy high-quality and inexpensive leather accessories (bags, belts, wallets) - both quite traditional and exotic - from the skin of crocodiles and snakes. Traditional straw hats are usually bought for one photo on the beach, but the legendary “flip-flop” shoes are very comfortable and last for more than one season.

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Cosmetics

Vietnamese cosmetics are not as popular in the world as Korean ones, but they are also of very decent quality and are made mainly from natural ingredients. In Vietnam, cold-pressed coconut oil (both in pure form and as part of skin care products), aloe gel and snail extract are popular. Snail mucus is an almost magical substance; it contains a high content of natural collagen, elastin and glycoic acid - everything you need to maintain elasticity and youthful skin. Creams, lotions and disposable fabric face masks are made with snail secretion.

Vietnamese women pay a lot of attention to protecting their skin from sun rays: firstly, to preserve its youth, and secondly, fair skin is the local standard of beauty. For a whitening effect and slowing down the aging process, pearl powder is often added to cosmetics.

Vietnamese people ride bikes a lot, so the problem of acne from road dust is almost eternal here, and Vietnamese cosmetics manufacturers pay close attention to it. Anti-acne products are made here with turmeric root extract (a very powerful natural antiseptic) and activated carbon. The choice is huge, there are many brands - you can choose any, the quality is very good everywhere.

A very unusual and effective face mask - made from seaweed seeds. The smoothing effect is immediate (enough for about 20 uses), but the manufacturer warns that you should not wash it down the sink - the seeds can germinate in the drain and cause a blockage.

One of the most popular cosmetic brands in Vietnam is Thorakao, its soap root shampoos, rice powder face masks and snail mucus cream are especially good.

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Traditional medicine drugs

Vietnam is known for its traditional medicine, and some balms and tinctures can be purchased at pharmacies for home use. Here they sell the famous “Star” balm “for everything,” ointments based on scorpion and snake venom for sprains and bruises, aloe extract, which is great for sunburn, a variety of herbal infusions and seahorse preparations for male potency. Medicines can be sold in souvenir shops and supermarkets, but it is better to go to a pharmacy for them - they more carefully monitor the correct storage conditions.

In Saigon there is an interesting Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine, where you can try different healing teas, ointments, and then buy what you like in a local store.

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Ceramics

The most famous type of Vietnamese porcelain is called Batch Trang, which is produced in the village of the same name near Hanoi. Previously, it was made from rare white clay and delivered to the imperial table. One fine day this clay ran out, but this did not stop the local craftsmen.

In Bat Chang, to this day, there are many factories and small private workshops that make dishes and other porcelain products, and almost every family here has its own kiln. The design of porcelain products is very different - from traditional to minimalistic a la Ikea. The best place to go for porcelain is here, in the village of Batchang, but, of course, it is sold everywhere.

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Jewelry

Saigon sells beautiful gold items of a fairly high standard. There you can also buy 925 sterling silver, ivory jewelry, sapphires, emeralds, rubies and other precious and semi-precious stones. One of the most popular jewelry stores with reasonable prices is Sapphire.

Jewelry made from pearls is also popular, mainly from artificially grown river pearls, less often from cultured sea pearls. It is most profitable to buy pearls in cities and resorts on the coast where they are grown or mined.

The best pearls are grown on the island of Phu Quoc. Stores do not provide guarantees, but if you doubt the quality, you can order an examination; such a service is definitely available in Saigon.

It is not difficult to distinguish real pearls from fake ones: genuine pearls are irregular in shape and heavy. The perfectly round shape is usually plastic coated with pearlescent paint.

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In Vietnam, as in all countries near China, you can buy inexpensive but good quality gadgets: laptops, smartphones, tablets, etc. For electronics, you need to go to big cities - there is more choice there, but it is best to do this in Saigon. For example, the latest generation iPhone will cost much cheaper there than in Nha Trang.

All equipment is sold here without Russian firmware; in Vietnam, you can still find DVDs with films of varying degrees of decency in ruins at every step.

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Food, coffee and alcohol

Vietnamese coffee considered the best in all of Southeast Asia, the best region in Vietnam to buy coffee is Dalat. You should purchase beans or already ground coffee in specialized stores, where, most likely, they will also offer you a cup to try. The price depends on the variety. Che Phin 4 coffee is very good - a mixture of Arabica, Robusta, Catimora and Excels (one of the main components of elite coffee blends). However, regular coffee from the supermarket is very good here.

A separate story is Kopi Luwak coffee or, as the Vietnamese call it, Chon coffee. This variety is one of the most expensive in the world, primarily due to the specific processing method. Musangs (animals that resemble martens) feed on coffee fruits, the pulp is digested, and the coffee beans, which have passed through the animal’s digestive tract, are then collected by people. Connoisseurs believe that jeon coffee has a special taste due to the fact that in the stomach of the musang the substances that give bitterness disintegrate. When musangs live in freedom and choose the berries themselves (that is, the juiciest and most delicious), they manage to collect no more than two to three hundred kilograms per year - hence the high price.

Recently, chon have begun to be produced on an industrial scale: musangs are kept in large quantities on farms in the vicinity of Dalat. There they can no longer choose the best food and eat what they give, so it is believed that such coffee is inferior in taste to that collected in natural conditions.

Tea in Vietnam it is not as popular as coffee, but there are interesting herbal teas, such as artichoke flower tea, green tea with jasmine or ginseng, tea with dried ginger.

Worth bringing from Vietnam fish sauces“Nuok Mam”, which is produced in Phu Quoc and Phan Thiet. The aroma is not for everyone, but experienced chefs know how to use them correctly so that the dish acquires a special taste. Local spices are also worthy of attention, especially the fragrant Fukuoka black pepper.

Little is known about Vietnamese wine in the world, but it is also produced here. In Dalat there are plantations of Cardinal grapes and strawberry fields; they make quite good wines here, the quality of which is not inferior to French ones. A more popular alcoholic souvenir from Vietnam is a tincture of snake or scorpions, which are placed in transparent bottles and poured with whiskey.

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The best cities for shopping in Vietnam are Saigon and Hanoi. It is worth going there for clothes, appliances and jewelry;
Sapa sells excellent sports equipment from local brands, the quality is no worse than Nike and Adidas, and the prices are several times lower. You should also buy inexpensive bed linen and pillows there, as well as clothes and other textiles with handmade embroidery;
for gold and silver you should go to the village of Chau Khe in Hai Duong province and in the village of Cat in Lao Cai province;
for silk, tourists go to Nha Sa village in Ha Nam province;
Hoi An (30 km from Da Nang) is famous for its inexpensive sewing workshops. They sew very efficiently and quickly - from taking measurements to trying on the finished outfit, it only takes 5-6 hours.

The cities of Lang Son and Mong Cai are located right next to the Chinese border, where in addition to Vietnamese goods there are many Chinese goods, and local clothing markets are of particular interest.

Bargaining in Vietnamese stores is a must. The seller may perceive a refusal to bargain as disrespect - here it is part of the buying and selling ritual. The trader always names the price taking into account future bargaining; sometimes it can be doubled or even tripled.

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Shopping centers in Vietnam

There are shopping centers in major cities, with the largest selection in Saigon and Hanoi. Duty free at Saigon airport is considered the cheapest in the world. You can't shop there upon arrival, but you can get some great deals before flying home. Here you can find both the usual range of duty-free shops - cosmetics, perfumes, alcohol and accessories from famous world brands, as well as local goods: Vietnamese cosmetics, spices, sauces, scorpion tinctures and much more.

There are no outlets in the usual sense in Vietnam. In cities there is a Factory Outlet chain, but they don’t even qualify for a shopping center, they’re a small store.

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Saigon

Vincom Center is a huge shopping complex in the city center, more than 250 stores on 5 floors, a standard assortment: clothes, shoes, cosmetics, accessories, jewelry, etc.
Diamond Plaza is a city landmark, a shopping center in the shape of a giant diamond, hence the name. Luxury boutiques, the most expensive brands, in particular, exclusive designer clothing are located here.
Parkson is a three-story shopping complex, which also belongs to the elite segment. In addition to shops and a food court, there is one of the most fashionable nightclubs in the city - Bounce.

Kenly Silk in Saigon offers the largest selection of quality silk clothing in the country. Shirts, blouses, kimonos, negligees, ties, scarves, loungewear and pajamas are sold on the first floor, and fabrics are sold on the second floor: chiffon, taffeta, cotton, muslin, “wet silk”, etc.

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Hanoi

Vincom City Tower is a huge shopping complex occupying three buildings (three high-rise towers). There are boutiques and shops of the middle and high price segment, an entertainment center and a concert hall where fashion shows and other shows are regularly held. This is one of the few shopping centers in the world that has a residential section with private apartments.
Parkson Moll - mainly imported brands are represented here: clothing, perfumes, jewelry, household goods and accessories. There is a supermarket and a good food court with Vietnamese cuisine and more.
Savico Megamall is one of the largest shopping centers in the country, representing both local and global brands. It is located on the outskirts of the city, so prices here are lower than in many other shopping complexes.

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Nha Trang

Nha Trang Center is the largest shopping center in the city, 4 floors of clothing stores, perfumes, watches, etc. There are few branded clothes here, but there is a good selection of gold and other jewelry, as well as souvenirs. There is a children's room with animators, a cinema, bowling alley, slot machines and a huge food court with panoramic windows overlooking the city.
Maximapark is one of the most popular shopping complexes among tourists. It is also 4-storey, but smaller than Nha Trang Center. However, the prices here are slightly lower (by about 10-15%), the assortment is almost the same.

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Markets

It’s definitely worth visiting the markets in Vietnam: these are not so much bargain shopping (although that too), but rather national flavor and entertainment. You should always bargain in the markets, and in order for the seller to reduce the price to the maximum, in no case should you demonstrate interest; it is best to consider the goods indifferently and lazily. This little spectacle is a common part of the deal here; the price can end up falling by half or even three times.

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The most famous markets in Vietnam

Ben Thanh (Saigon)- the largest and most popular market in Saigon, the main assortment is fakes of famous brands (sometimes high-quality ones), Rolex made from samovar gold, cosmetics, fruits, coffee and souvenirs. There are express sewing workshops where you can, in a few minutes and for an additional fee, adjust an item to size or sew a simple cut skirt or trousers from a piece of fabric.

Night Market (Saigon) opens in the evenings on the site of the Ben Thanh market immediately after it closes. People come here not so much to shop as to walk and hang out, try street food in eateries and drink beer. In the evenings, prices rise, but there are always a lot of tourists and locals here.

Antique Street (Saigon) located next to the Grand Hotel. Here you can buy real rarities - gramophones, old books, vintage clothes and much more. There are a lot of scammers in this market, so there is a risk of shelling out a large sum of money for “antiques” from a Chinese flea market. On Antique Street you can also buy inexpensive and original souvenirs.

Cho Dam (Nha Trang)- the largest and most popular universal market among tourists in the city. You can buy everything from fresh papaya to silk pajamas here, but due to the crowds of tourists, prices at this market are higher than in less popular places. It is convenient because here you can buy everything you need at once and save time; a visit to Cho Dam is often included in sightseeing and other excursions.

Night Market (Nha Trang)- located next to the embankment and is designed primarily for tourists who come to relax on the beach. Open from 18:00 to midnight, everything is sold here - from souvenirs to clothes and cosmetics.

Dong Xuan (Hanoi)- the oldest bazaar in the city, built during French colonization in 1889, and reconstructed in 1994. The building itself of this indoor market is very colorful - 5 separate entrances in the form of domes, and inside, on 3 floors, everything that is produced in Vietnam is sold. After 19:00 a night market opens here, but not in the building, but on the streets around it. In the evenings, Dong Xuan hosts performances, performances by local comedians, art exhibitions, people sit in eateries and walk until about midnight. =

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Tax free

In Vietnam, you can return up to 10% of the money spent on purchases, but this is not very easy to do: there are few stores that work with the tax-free system.

To do this, you need to spend at least 2,000,000 VND in the store, fill out a special receipt at the checkout and present it along with your passport and purchases at the airport before flying to Russia. The money will be returned immediately in cash or transferred to a card minus 15% - this is the cost of the return service.

Best places to shop

All articles about shopping on Subtleties

Austria Vienna
England London
Vietnam: Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City
Germany: Berlin, Düsseldorf and Munich
Georgia: Tbilisi, Batumi
Hungary: Budapest
Greece (fur tours): Athens, Crete, Rhodes, Thessaloniki
Israel: Jerusalem and

Vietnam is recognized as a great destination for those who love shopping. Choosing gifts for your loved ones and friends will not be difficult here. Not only are the locals very hardworking and can create a lot of interesting things with their own hands, but the prices for souvenirs are also very reasonable.

Beautiful jewelry and costume jewelry, high-quality silk and products made from it, unusual alcoholic drinks, food and fruit can be purchased not only in stores, but also in numerous markets. Be sure to bargain with local sellers and enjoy purchasing the gifts you like.

What can a tourist bring from Vietnam - five edible souvenirs

Surprising gourmets and delighting your household with unusual delicacies sold only where you go on a trip is a sacred thing. Let's look at the most popular products.

Tea and related products

Of particular interest to tourists is green tea, to which natural dried leaves of jasmine, lotus or ginseng flowers are added. Many people like tea with ginger or oolong.

The most popular tea is Than Nguyen and Blao. A package of the drink costs at least six dollars. In many cities there are specialized stores where you can taste this or that tea drink. If desired, you can also find black tea with the addition of various petals.

You should pay attention to medicinal teas that help reduce blood pressure and treat various diseases, consisting of natural plant materials.

As a curiosity, you can buy tea made from leaves growing directly on the ground. But you should know that it has an unusual taste. The price per kilogram is about one hundred dollars.

A good addition to tea would be a gift in the form of a special device for brewing it, which contains raw materials for brewing with hot water. After infusion, the first portion is drained and only the second is used to make tea. This teapot costs about one dollar. A tea set of small cups and a teapot on a tray can be a beautiful souvenir.

Coffee

Considering the fact that Vietnam is the second coffee-producing country in the world, leaving here without a quality product is simply stupid. More than thirty varieties of the product grow in the country. It is best to purchase one or the other near the plantations. This measure is a guarantee of quality.

The following varieties are the most purchased by our tourists:

Arabica ($18 per kilogram);
Mocha Bourbon with cappuccino flavor ($18 per kilogram);
Elephant ($36 per kilogram);
Green ($30 per kilogram);
Robusta ($25 per kilogram).

Product packaging may vary.

Two varieties are refined and expensive - the legendary Luwak ($30 per hundred grams), which in Europe costs around fifty euros per cup, and Chon. They are made from grains that have passed through the stomach of animals. An order of magnitude cheaper, but no worse in quality, is the Trung Nguyen variety.

Traditional coffee is brewed using special filters, which are sold in abundance in any souvenir shops. With their help, the drink is prepared by drip.

Many people like tea with ginger or oolong.

Alcohol

Tourists usually bring three types of alcohol as a gift or home bar:

Spices and traditional products

Phucuc Island has huge pepper plantations. It has excellent taste. You can buy local products both in stores and on farms. Moreover, the latter grow a lot of herbs, the cultivation of which you can get acquainted with. Many travelers bring gifts of Vietnamese syrups, seasonings, noodles and rice paper.

Fruits and sweets for children

What gift should I bring for my child? Sweet and unusual fruits will definitely delight children. They should be purchased the day before or on the day before departure. The markets have a rich assortment, but tourists are often overpriced. Therefore, you should either go to the supermarket and shop there, or study the price range and bargain in the markets. There, fruits are sold in compact baskets that are easy to transport.

The following items will be an exotic gift:

papaya (less than a dollar per kilogram);
guava (a little less than a dollar per kilogram);
tangerines ($2 per kilogram);
mango - the price, depending on the variety, varies from 1 to 3 dollars per kilogram;
dragon's eye - tastes similar to melon and grapes, one kilogram costs a little more than a dollar;
rambutan - similar to grapes, one kilogram costs two dollars, and in Nachanga - half the price;
pomelo - costs only 0.7 cents per kilogram;
noina - one of the most delicious fruits costs $1.5 per kilogram.

Instead of fresh fruit, you can purchase delicious fruit chips made from bananas, mangoes or ginger. A good option is candied fruits.

Kids will like even more sweets made from coconut or lotus seeds, dipped in caramel, toffees with durian and pineapple leaf juice.

Medicines and cosmetics for yourself and loved ones

Vietnamese cosmetics are valued for their naturalness and hypoallergenicity, as they are made exclusively from natural ingredients.

An interesting excursion to the Meringa factory will be interesting, where you can not only see how dry perfumes, the legendary Zvezdochka balm, body and face care cosmetics are produced, but also buy everything you like. Although it is possible to make such purchases in stores.

Star balm will cost you $1 for six jars.
Insomnia tincture made from mulberry (500 mg bottle costs $3).
Meringa immunity boosting capsules are priced at $15.
For those suffering from pain in the back, muscles, joints, or sprained ligaments, it is worth bringing “Cobratoxan” or “White Tiger” ointment based on snake venom. Both are also suitable for treating colds. Such useful products cost around 2-3 dollars.
Products designed to increase potency are considered very popular.

As for cosmetics, be sure to buy aromatic oils and coconut oil, which has a number of beneficial properties. Many tourists like hair or body masks, scrubs, and soaps. Special attention is paid to cosmetic creams that contain cobra venom. Buy medications and cosmetics only from pharmacies and specialized departments.

Silk in Vietnam is of excellent quality.

Three best gift and souvenir ideas for the female half

Delightful orchids

Many people buy orchids in Da Lat at the Flower Garden. One tuber, depending on the variety, costs about $1.50. They are the size of a child's fist, so you can pack them in a bag and put them in a suitcase among your clothes. Ten bulbs will cost about $1.50. Local residents also sell flowers. The price per plant is quite reasonable - just under two dollars.

Luxurious silk

Silk produced in Vietnam is of excellent quality. The XQ manufactory (Dalat) is especially famous, producing fabric, clothing, pastels and paintings. A meter of silk costs about $80. For an item like a tunic or dress you will be charged approximately $180.

The cost of paintings varies depending on the size. Miniatures will cost $10 – $60, large works of art will cost $150 or more. A traditional robe made from natural raw materials can be found on the market for even $20.

Decorations

As for jewelry, your choice will depend solely on the thickness of the wallet:

Jewelry made from various materials(ivory, stones, shells, glass, wood, etc.) will appeal to young ladies. Prices from 2-3 dollars and above.
From pearls– combine high quality and low price. It is advisable to make purchases in trusted TranPhu or HungVuong stores. The cheapest products can be bought in Na Trang. A string of pearls costs 10-20 dollars there. Earrings decorated with pearls will cost a maximum of 2-3 dollars, and a bracelet – 8-10 dollars.
Jewelry made from precious metals presented with interesting models decorated with opal, sapphires, quartz, and rubies. More favorable offers in the price range are presented in Nha Trang. Beads with rubies, sapphires and other precious stones in a silver setting will cost between $200 and $300 there.

Souvenirs from Nha Trang

You can go to Nha Trang not only for jewelry, but also for souvenirs. Considering that this is a resort beach area, numerous shops here sell a lot of interesting products made from sea stones, shells, and corals.

In addition to the marine theme, you can find products made of wood, ceramics, natural fibers, bamboo, coconut, and ivory. These can be carved paintings, figurines, sewing items. Vases, dishes, and boxes are in good demand among our fellow countrymen. The price range varies depending on the size of the product and the material from which it is made.

Men can bring back from their trip a traditional hat made from palm leaves. It will cost a maximum of 10 dollars. Music lovers will be delighted by national musical instruments. And businessmen can be presented with products made from crocodile or snake skin. A good belt in a store will cost about $70, a wallet – from $100 and above.

Children can choose interesting national dolls and masks; teenagers can bring traditional flip-flops or hats made of banana leaves (price 1 dollar). Girls will love handbags, boxes, and hair clips made from coconut shells, especially since the prices for the products are absolutely ridiculous: 2-5 dollars.

An example of a gift set from Vietnam with prices in this video:

When purchasing certain souvenirs and gifts, you should take into account the requirements for exporting products outside of Vietnam. Thus, it is prohibited to transport watermelons, juki fruits, coconuts and durains. Alcoholic drinks must be below forty-one degrees in strength. It is advisable to keep receipts for marine-themed souvenirs.

You can find more information on the topic in the section.