Shopping in Vietnam

You are wondering what you can buy in Vietnam and bring home to treat yourself and to please your loved ones. Here is a non-exhaustive list of what is interesting to bring back from Vietnam.

Vietnamese specialties:

Items in Crocodile: Do not buy at the first store, you will see that the prices of items in Crocodile (shoes, belt, bag, briefcase, wallet) vary greatly depending on the store. The ideal is to go directly to a breeding farm, many in the South. All have a leather workshop, see a restaurant (where all the dishes are made from crocodile).

Lacquered woods: Whether small pieces of furniture or wooden paintings (many paintings are in lacquered wood), you will find unlimited choices according to your desires. Don't jump on the first store you find, they are everywhere in Vietnam.

Embroidery: Various supports, especially in silk.

Silk clothes: They are found everywhere in Vietnam. On the other hand for the ready to wear it is difficult to find its size. The Vietnamese do not have the same size as the Westerners, the ideal will be to have it made to measure directly at a tailor (less than a week of tailoring or much less). IMPORTANT: Pay only a deposit, approximately 20% of the order price. This will force the tailor to provide quality work so that you accept the job but also finish the garment before you leave.
Vietnamese hats: No surprise, you will find them absolutely everywhere. Traditional, they are still widely used.
Reproductions of paintings by masters: Each great city that respects itself has its own street where copyists are unleashed. You will find reproductions of paintings by masters. Sometimes the prices are very extravagant.

Snake alcohol (all of Vietnam): You will see it everywhere. A bottle of rice alcohol in which marinates a Cobra (with some scorpions and Ginseng). It is imperative to bring home and to place it prominently in your Bar.
The "Set" of Chopsticks: Many stores offer sets of chopsticks (for eating) with its storage box, with very diverse decorations.

Gemstones: Jade, Sapphire and Ruby: Gemstones are found and are highly valued in Vietnam. We make a lot of jewelry, also statuettes. The prices for these works can be very high, don't be surprised.

Cultured Pearls: The prices are very interesting

Coffee and tea: Especially at Buon Me Thuot. Very original and inexpensive, the small perforated stainless steel cup that allows you to prepare Vietnamese coffee

A woven straw hammock (you can find it at the Binh than market in Saigon) There are 2 kinds. Made in Vietnam, cheaper and the other from Singapore.

Drawings on silk and rice paper.

Made-to-measure clothing, the queen of the genre being Hoi An you can also find in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh
Honey, you can find it everywhere. Very liquid, it has a unique taste.