If you walk through the local markets, you are sure to find many colorful items that will catch your eye.
You’ll find some wonderful antiques at some of the shops and bazaars, although Vietnam has stringent laws when it comes to the sale of original antiques. Most of the antiques that you will find on the markets are copies of the original, or fakes. If any shop seller claims to sell you an original antique piece, check for authenticity before making a purchase.
Endless array of clothes
Visitors will find plenty of clothes in Vietnamese markets. From T-shirts to traditional costumes, you’ll be sure to find many delightful and colorful pieces to take home with you. Beaded handbags are widely sold across the country, and silk clothes are also quite popular and stunningly beautiful. If you are going for traditional costumes, such as the elegant Ao Dai, it is recommended to go for a tailored fit that would suit you just right. Many tailors are available near the markets. Although stitching a traditional costume from scratch might cost a little more and also take a bit of time, it is well worthwhile, and you’ll look beautiful. Visitors will also find beautifully designed handbags, slippers, and shoes made from silk and bamboo. The Vietnamese traditional conical hat is widely available in the markets, however the hats made in Hue are particularly famous for a poem embroidered on its inside.
Gems
Vietnam has a rich store of gemstones. Jewelry is another flourishing industry with both big jewelry houses as well as local artisans producing exotic jewelry items. Be careful of the quality of the gemstones as they sometimes turn out to be fakes. It is recommended to buy gemstones from reliable and well-known gem dealers or jewelry shops. War souvenirs
Most of the war souvenirs that are sold in the country today are fake copies of the original. Tourists need to be careful about purchasing these items as the Customs department in the international airport of Vietnam will not allow transporting weapons, even if they are fakes. Handicrafts
Vietnam is just the place for handicrafts and popular items include leatherwork, carpets, reed mats, bamboo blinds, watercolor and oil paintings, wood-block prints, and much more. The traditional lacquerware for which Vietnam is famous is particularly inviting.Where to shop
It is quite common in Vietnam for an entire street or district to offer the same kind of products. This also makes it convenient for tourists to compare and purchase items that are all sold in one place. Hanoi, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City are famous for their wide array of souvenirs. Hanoi has entire streets that sell only earrings, silk, or shoes. There are also many villages in Vietnam that specialize in particular handicrafts, such as the Bat Trang village that specializes in pottery items.
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