Are you ready to surprise your loved ones with something truly extraordinary? Look no further than these 25 must-have Vietnamese gifts that will leave them in awe. Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or just a simple keepsake, we’ve got you covered with these enchanting Vietnam souvenirs and gifts. Get ready to explore the wonders of Vietnam, one gift at a time, as we dive into a collection that will not only impress but also inspire.
So, grab a cup of (Vietnamese) coffee, buckle up, and let’s embark on a whirlwind tour of unique and unforgettable Vietnam gifts for friends, family, or yourself (we don’t judge) that will make every occasion an unforgettable experience.
Are you short on time? Check out the editor’s top three Vietnam souvenirs and gifts by budget.
- Large budget: Traditional dice game (#1)
- Mid budget: Map of Vietnam (#8)
- Small budget: Traditional coffee maker (#19)
Table of Contents
Save these Vietnamese gift ideas
Don’t forget to save these Vietnamese gifts for the next time you need gift inspiration for someone obsessed with Vietnam!
Vietnamese gifts for large budgets
#1 Vietnamese dice game
If you are looking for traditional Vietnamese gifts for friends who love games, then this Bầu cua tôm cá game is what you are looking for.
It’s comparable to the Chinese Hoo Hey How (Fish-Prawn-Crab) dicing game. The Vietnamese version is often played around the Vietnamese new year. The aim of the game is to place wagers on the mat and hope for the dice to match your wager and earn some money (or whatever you are playing for). But if you want a proper and more in-depth explanation of the game, check out the explanation at Board Game Geek.
#2 Handmade lacquer products
Lacquer painting (or sơn mài as it’s called in Vietnam) is a traditional Vietnamese technique where multiple layers of lacquer are applied to a wooden surface, creating a glossy, mesmerizing masterpiece. But besides the fact that it’s drop-dead gorgeous, lacquer paintings capture the essence of Vietnam’s rich culture and vibrant landscapes, making it an awesome Vietnam souvenir or gift.
And the best part?
You don’t even have to travel to Vietnam to bring one of these beauties home ( or as a gift), you can find them on Etsy, such as this beautiful box!
#3 Vietnam wall art
If you are looking for Vietnamese gift ideas for someone’s home, this set of four canvas panels is what you are looking for. The photo of a girl in traditional Vietnamese clothing, including the conical hat (check out #14 on this list), is a great way to add a bit of Vietnam to their home.
#4 Vietnamese musical instrument
If you are looking for traditional Vietnamese gifts for people who love making music. Look no further than the Dan Moi.
The Dan Moi is also known as the traditional ‘Jew’s Harp’ of the Vietnamese mountain folks, the Hmong. It’s actually a relatively easy instrument to play, so, whether the recipient is a seasoned musician or just looking for some effortless fun, a Dan Moi is the perfect gift.
#5 Online Vietnamese cooking class
An online Vietnamese cooking class is probably one of the best Vietnamese food gifts for people who want to bring the flavors of Vietnam into their homes.
Even if they can’t travel to Vietnam, they can still create a bit of Vietnamese food at home.
#6 Vietnamese tea
Vietnam is the 7th largest tea producer in the world, so not quite as famous as China or Sri Lanka, but still notable. Especially lotus and jasmine are two ingredients often used in Vietnamese tea.
So if you are traditional Vietnamese gift ideas for tea lovers, this lotus tea is the perfect gift.
#7 Vietnamese language course
The best way to learn more about a country and its culture is by learning the language and interacting with the locals. So give your loved one the ultimate Vietnam experience by gifting a Vietnamese language course!
For online courses check out Udemy and for language books, check out Amazon.
Vietnamese gifts for mid-budgets
#8 Map of Vietnam
If you are looking for a gift for a Vietnamese family, a map of their home country is always a great idea.
I quite liked this simple map, but check out Etsy for more designs!
#9 DIY pho kit
This DIY pho kit is one of the best Vietnamese food gifts for someone who loves to try international dishes at home. It includes a recipe and a shopping list. So all they have to do is to buy the fresh ingredients and follow the easy steps of the recipe to recreate a delicious Vietnamese Pho at home.
For more gift inspiration for foodies, check out these international DIY food kits.
#10 Vietnam-inspired socks
Are you looking for gifts for Vietnamese friends whose hearts are filled with love for Vietnam?
Then they’ll love this pair of socks with the flag of Vietnam and hearts!
#11 Vietnam travel guides
Lonely Planet Vietnam
Travel guides are the best Vietnam gifts for friends who are traveling to Vietnam soon. The Lonely Planet is definitely one of my favorite guidebooks. They are perfect for budget travelers who want to know all the ins and outs of the country.
Lonely Planet Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Northern Thailand
And if you need a gift for a budget traveler who is about to explore multiple countries in Southeast Asia, this Lonely Planet is what you are looking for.
National Geographic Traveler Vietnam
National Geographic’s travel guides are another example of excellent in-depth guidebooks. They are specifically great for travelers who want to see and know everything about Vietnam.
#12 Vietnam-themed travel mugs
These travel mugs are great gifts for Vietnamese friends who love coffee (check out numbers 17 and 19 for more).
You can find over a hundred different designs at Zazzle. Personally, I liked this “I’m a pho-king legend” travel mug. But I’m also a sucker for puns, so I guess that explains.
I can totally understand how other people (perhaps that’s you) have a higher standard of jokes, so luckily for you, there are more options.
#13 Vietnam-themed shirt
If you don’t like puns as much as I do, you may want to skip this item.
But as a pun-lover, I couldn’t resist adding this shirt with “Pho-king awesome”.
Though if you want cute Vietnam-themed shirts for people who don’t love puns, check out Etsy for normal designs.
#14 Vietnamese conical hat
If you’ve ever been to Vietnam (or other southeast Asian countries) you’ve probably seen this sort of hat a lot. The rice hat is often worn by rice farmers (hence the name), and besides helping to protect their faces from the sun and rain, it’s also a cool hat and a fun traditional Vietnamese gift idea.
#15 Vietnamese cookbooks
Street Food Vietnam: Noodles, salads, pho, spring rolls, banh mi & more
A large part of Vietnamese food culture is their street food, and this book will teach you how to recreate over 70 of them at home, making it a great Vietnam gift for friends who love Vietnamese food.
The Pho Cookbook: Easy to adventurous recipes for Vietnam’s favorite soup and noodles.
This cookbook is dedicated to one of Vietnam’s most famous dishes and is a must for any Vietnamese food lover.
Vietnamese Food Any Day: Simple Recipes for True, Fresh Flavors
This book includes over 80 easy Vietnamese dishes, perfect for people who love food, but who don’t love spending hours in the kitchen
#16 Handwoven bamboo products
Handmade bamboo products, like these charming serving trays, have a rich history in Vietnam spanning thousands of years, making them the perfect traditional gift from Vietnam!
#17 Coffee from Vietnam
These Vietnamese coffee packs from Bean Box are perfect Vietnam souvenirs to go with the coffee maker (check out #19).
The special roast is an extra dark roast, so perfect for people who love strong flavors!
#18 Books about Vietnam
Viet Nam: A History from Earliest Times to the Present
This is one of the best Vietnamese gifts for people who are interested in history and more specifically the history of Vietnam.
Vietnam – Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
This book is one of the best Vietnam gifts for friends who are about to move to Vietnam or for someone who loves to learn about local cultures and traditions.
Dumb Luck: A Novel by Vu Trong Phung
Dumb Luck is a must-read for Vietnam aficionados, students, scholars, and anyone craving laughter and social critique. This political satire was actually banned in Vietnam until 1985 as it gave a riotous take on Vietnam’s modernization frenzy.
Vietnamese gifts for small budgets
#19 Vietnamese coffee maker
If you are looking for gifts from Vietnam for a coffee lover, you are in good luck! Vietnam has a popular coffee culture and there are a few cool gifts you can choose from, such as this Vietnamese coffee maker.
What makes Vietnamese coffee different are three things. First, the way this maker (a phin) works. Check out this article for more information about the coffee maker. But in short, Vietnamese coffee is just a lot stronger than regular filter coffee.
Second, Vietnamese coffee beans also tend to have a stronger taste (check out #17).
And lastly, if you are going for the classic Vietnamese coffee, it includes condensed milk, which adds a whole new flavor to your coffee.
#20 Vietnam coloring book
Coloring books for adults have helped many adults to relax and feel calmer, so why not help your loved one relax with a coloring book from their favorite city?
Though you are looking for gifts for Vietnamese friends who don’t like Hanoi, check out the other Vietnam-themed coloring books on Amazon.
#21 Suchi fish sauce
Fish sauce is one of the traditional Vietnamese ingredients in a lot of their classic dishes. So if you are looking for Vietnamese food gifts to go along with the cookbooks, this fish sauce is a great idea!
#22 Vietnamese travel posters
Travel posters are great gifts for Vietnamese women and men who love their country, but who moved abroad. With these posters, they can bring a bit of Vietnam to their homes. I thought this ‘go with the pho’ poster was quite funny and iconic, but check out all options on Amazon.
#23 Vietnam-themed tote bag
The Vietnam-themed tote bags are gift ideas for Vietnamese friends!
Tote bags are always practical to have, they don’t take up much space, and can be used for going to the beach, shopping, exploring cities, or on buses, or basically any occasion.
You can find nearly 500 different Vietnam designs on Zazzle, so there should be something for anyone.
#24 Vietnam travel journal
This is one of the best Vietnam gifts for friends who are traveling to Vietnam soon, so they can keep track of all their adventurous in a unique journal!
For more travel journal ideas, check out these 25 cute journals, these ones are not specific for a certain country but work for any destination.
#25 More Vietnamese food gifts: pho spices
I think by now you’ve realized that pho is an important Vietnamese dish.
So if you are looking for Vietnamese food gifts for people who love cooking, then pho spices are a great gift.
Save these Vietnam gift ideas
Don’t forget to save these Vietnamese souvenris and gifts on Pinterest, so next time you need inspiration, you’ll know where to look!
Final notes on Vietnamese gift ideas
We’ve reached the end of our exhilarating journey through the world of gifts from Vietnam. From delightful delicacies to captivating crafts, we’ve explored the treasures that make Vietnam so special!
- Large budget: Traditional dice game (#1)
- Mid budget: Map of Vietnam (#8)
- Small budget: Traditional coffee maker (#19)
