1. Handmade Lanterns
Hoi An’s most iconic souvenir, lanterns have become a symbol of the town’s charm and heritage. These silk-covered frames come in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and sizes—perfect as gifts or decorative pieces for your home.
You can find handmade lanterns almost everywhere in Hoi An: along Nguyen Thai Hoc and Tran Phu streets, in souvenir shops, and especially at the Hoi An Night Market. Prices typically range from 30,000 to 200,000 VND depending on size, material, and craftsmanship. Make sure to check how big they are when folded up, to see if they can fit in your luggage.
Pro Tip: Join a lantern making class to craft your own
Instead of just buying one, try joining a lantern making class in Hoi An to create your own souvenir. You’ll learn how to shape the bamboo frame, stretch the fabric, and assemble the lantern from start to finish. It’s a hands-on experience that makes the item even more personal—and easier to appreciate once you understand the process.
See our full guide to the best lantern making classes in Hoi An
2. Tailor-Made Clothing
Hoi An is famous for its tailor-made clothing, with hundreds of shops offering custom suits, dresses, jackets, shirts, skirts, and more. You can also get accessories made—like bags, belts, ties, or even leather phone cases. Many shops use high-quality fabrics like silk, linen, and cotton, and most outfits can be completed within 1–2 days.
Prices depend on the item and fabric. A basic shirt or dress starts around 300,000 VND, while suits or evening gowns can cost several million. If your outfit isn’t ready before you leave Hoi An, most tailors can ship it to your hotel in another city—or even internationally.
Read our full guide to tailor-made clothes and best tailors in Hoi An
Pro Tip: Get a custom-made Ao Dai
The Ao Dai is Vietnam’s traditional long dress, worn with loose trousers underneath. It’s elegant, fitted, and often made from silk or light cotton, with long sleeves and a high collar. A custom-made Ao Dai is a special souvenir that’s both cultural and stylish—great for photos and ceremonies, or simply as a keepsake of your trip.
See our guide to Ao Dai and where to get one made in Hoi An
3. Cooking class skills
Joining a cooking class in Hoi An is one of the most rewarding ways to take a piece of Vietnam home with you. You’ll learn how to prepare essential Vietnamese dishes like pho, banh xeo (crispy rice pancakes), and fresh spring rolls—dishes you can easily recreate for friends or family.
Most classes start with a local market visit, where you’ll shop for herbs, vegetables, and spices while learning about Vietnamese ingredients. Back in the kitchen, you’ll get step-by-step guidance, with recipes often provided to take home (printed or digital). Classes are hands-on, small-group, and often run by passionate local chefs.
It’s a practical, fun, and flavorful experience that lasts far beyond your trip.
Check out our guide to the best cooking classes in Hoi An
4. Conical Hats (Nón Lá)
A classic Hoi An souvenir, the Nón Lá (Vietnamese conical hat) is one of Vietnam’s most iconic cultural items. In Hoi An, you’ll find both plain and beautifully decorated versions—some hand-painted with flowers or countryside scenes, others embroidered for a more artistic touch. While not the most practical for daily use after your trip, they make meaningful gifts or unique home decorations.
You can buy conical hats at local markets like Hoi An Central Market or souvenir shops throughout the Ancient Town. Prices usually range from 40,000 to 150,000 VND depending on the size, style, and craftsmanship.
Pro tip: Look for caps with Vietnamese designs
If you want something easier to wear back home, check out fabric caps with embroidered Vietnamese motifs. They’re lightweight, packable, and still make a fun, locally inspired gift.
5. Vietnamese T-Shirts
T-shirts are one of the most practical and easy-to-pack souvenirs in Hoi An. You’ll find plenty with playful Vietnamese phrases like “What the Phở”, as well as designs featuring local art, dragons, Vietnamese glag, or rice fields. They’re not handmade or unique to Hoi An, but they’re a fun, affordable option for yourself or as gifts.
Most of these shirts are mass-produced, often in factories, but they come in a wide range of colors and sizes. Expect to pay around 100,000 VND and up, depending on quality. You’ll find them in night markets, street stalls, and souvenir shops throughout the Ancient Town.
6. Local art & Paintings
Art lovers will find no shortage of meaningful Hoi An souvenirs in the form of paintings, sketches, and silk embroidery. Many local artists focus on everyday scenes—fishing boats, lantern-lit streets, or local markets—capturing Hoi An’s unique charm and atmosphere. You’ll also find silk artworks and abstract pieces using traditional Vietnamese techniques.
Smaller works are easy to roll or carry home, while larger pieces are often available with international shipping. Browse shops along Tran Phu and Nguyen Thai Hoc, or explore galleries near the Japanese Covered Bridge. For something different, visit the Precious Heritage Museum—a free museum featuring portraits of Vietnam’s ethnic groups by photographer Réhahn. Though the images focus on cultures across Vietnam, some prints are for sale and make stunning gifts or souvenirs from Hoi An.
7. Silk accessories
For something lightweight, elegant, and easy to pack, silk accessories are among the best souvenirs in Hoi An. You’ll find scarves, ties, coin pouches, and headbands made from lustrous Vietnamese silk in various colors and patterns—suitable as both stylish gifts and personal keepsakes.
To understand the value behind these items, consider visiting Hoi An Silk Village, where you can learn how silk is traditionally produced—from silkworm to woven fabric. It adds meaning to the souvenir and gives you a glimpse into one of Hoi An’s oldest trades.
8. Wood carvings
Wood carvings are among the most authentic Hoi An souvenirs you can bring home—each piece reflecting the town’s deep-rooted craft traditions. Made from jackfruit, rosewood, or recycled driftwood, the carvings range from intricate statues of dragons and Buddha to decorative panels, animal figures, and everyday objects like combs and chopsticks. Many designs are inspired by Vietnamese mythology, religion, or village life.
Most items are made by hand in Kim Bong Carpentry Village, just across the river from the Ancient Town. You’ll also find a selection in craft shops around the Old Town. Prices vary from around 100,000 VND for small trinkets to over 1,000,000 VND for larger sculptures. While they can be a bit bulky to pack, many shops offer protective wrapping or even shipping for more fragile pieces.
9. Pottery & Ceramics
Pottery is a classic souvenir in Hoi An, rooted in centuries-old craft traditions. You’ll find hand-thrown vases, bowls, incense holders, tea sets, and decorative tiles—often glazed in earthy tones or hand-painted with floral and traditional motifs. Many of these items come from Thanh Ha Pottery Village, a local village famous for its clay artistry passed down through generations.
While ceramics aren’t the easiest Hoi An souvenirs to carry home, smaller items like cups or oil burners are easy to pack, especially if bubble-wrapped. Shops in Ancient Town often help with secure packaging, and some may offer shipping options for fragile or larger pieces. Expect prices to start around 50,000 VND for small bowls, with larger vases or sets ranging from 200,000–500,000 VND and up.
Pro Tip: Try making your own
At Thanh Ha Pottery Village, you can also join a hands-on workshop to create your own clay souvenir—like a small pot or figurine. It’s a fun, quick activity that gives you a deeper appreciation for the craft. Kids and adults alike usually enjoy the experience.
10. 3D Pop-up Greeting Cards
These colorful pop-up cards make for charming, affordable Hoi An souvenirs. Designs often feature iconic Vietnamese scenes like the Japanese Covered Bridge, lantern-lit boats, or Hoi An’s old houses. Some even fold out into full mini dioramas with intricate details, making them feel more like a keepsake than a card.
You’ll find them sold by local vendors walking through Ancient Town, at the Hoi An Night Market, and in many souvenir shops. Prices usually range from 15,000 to 50,000 VND depending on size and complexity. They’re lightweight, easy to pack, and perfect as small gifts or postcards to send home.
11. Food & Drink items
While not exclusive to Hoi An, Vietnamese food souvenirs are always a hit—easy to pack and full of flavor. Popular items include robust local coffee, fragrant herbal teas, crunchy coconut crackers, and a variety of dried tropical fruits. You can also find mung bean cakes and baked rice snacks in many shops.
These edible souvenirs from Hoi An are widely available in local markets, mini marts, and specialty stores around Ancient Town. Just be sure to check your home country’s import rules—some (like Australia or New Zealand) have restrictions on bringing food products in. Prices start as low as 20,000 VND per item, making them great for small, shareable gifts.
12. Small Hoi An souvenirs
Looking for quick and easy souvenirs from Hoi An to take home? These lightweight items are cheap, fun, and perfect for filling up extra suitcase space:
- Mini lanterns – from 30,000 VND
- Vietnam-themed keychains – from 10,000 VND
- Bamboo chopsticks sets – 40,000–100,000 VND
- Hoi An magnets – from 20,000 VND
- 3D bookmarks or coasters – from 25,000 VND
- Embroidered coin purses – 30,000–80,000 VND
You’ll find these small Hoi An souvenirs in abundance throughout the Night Market and souvenir shops in the Old Town. They’re ideal if you want to bring something back for friends and family—without breaking the bank or your luggage limit.
