Shopping in Hanoi- what to buy in Hanoi city ?
When your Hanoi trip is coming to an end, it is time you wonder what you should buy to bring home for your beloved ones or for your own self. Hanoi is an ancient capital in Vietnam where you can find a huge variety of Vietnam mementos from authentic silk ethnic minority, embroidery to traditional outfit and many more.
Even you can be overwhelming due to numerous stuffs and shops so that this bellow list will guide you the best items you do not miss and where you can get authentic ones
Most of boutiques and storesselling authentic souvenirs are located in the Old Quarter (nearby Hoan Kiem Lake).
VIETNAMESE SILKPRODUCTS
Silk is a prominent part of Vietnam with a thousand year of history.Vietnamese people are famous for being hard working and skilful and they have been making the finest quality silk brought to life. Along the street in Old Quatar, you can easily find the authentic stores trading diverse silk products like: bags, scarves, ties, dresses and the most special items - Ao Dai (Vietnamese traditional outfit).
You can buy different type of silks from draw silk, print silk or patterned silk with national decorations as a unique gift for friends and relatives.
Price? $4 - $6per metter silk fabric, $20 - $50 other items (ties, dresses, scarves)
Where to buy?
- Van Phuc Village (10km South West of Hanoi)
- Shops along the Hang Gai Street, Old Quarter
VIETNAMESE EMBROIDERY PRODUCTS
This is an ideal gift for your women thanks to its artistic patterns. A stroll along the streets of Old Quater will show you to numerous hand embroidery boutiques where you can choose thousand of beautiful items including pillowcases, bed throws, table runners, lingerie and many pretty others. Throughout unique embroidery products, you also get an insight into Vietnamese beautiful culture.
Price? $4 - $8 (handkerchief, bag, napskin...)
Where to buy?
- May Store: 7 Nha Tho, Hang Trong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Chi Vang Store: 17 Trang Tien Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
ETHNIC MINORITY PRODUCTS
As a multi-nationality country with 54 ethnic groups, Vietnam is culturally dirvere and rich country. Every ethnic group has its own custom and tradition, which leads to unique and distinctive designs about: clothes, decorations and hadicrafts. No matter what place you visit, you'll definitely find something interesting to bring back your home. Even you're in Hanoi, you still can get ethnic products from mountain villages of Vietnam like: Sapa, Lai Chau and Lao Cai.
They are quite impressive and diverse, there are everything you want, from clothing items, bags, scarves, textiles to paintings and ceremics.
Price? from $20 per item
Where to buy?
- Craft Link: 51 Van Mieu, Dong Da, Hanoi
HANDICRAFTS
Strolling around Hanoi's street will introduce you a numerous handicrafts stores where products like water colours, oil paintings, ceramics, prints and assorted antiques are being presented to sold.
Price? between $3 and $7 for one item
Where to buy?
- Night market on the weekend (Sunday and Sartuday) along Hang Dao Street, Old Quarter
- Hang Gai and Cau Go Street, Old Quarter
IMITATION BACKPACKS AND BAGS
Vietnam may be the place of manufacture for brand names: North Face and Crumpler, but what is sold at the Old Quarters of Hanoi are mainly poorly made imitations of the real thing. If buying an authentic backpack is not at the top of your list, you can get by with just any bags, in that case Hanoi is actually a very ideal place to get them.
Price? $20 for a medium sized backpack with North Face logo
Where to buy?
- Shops selling bags are mainly clustered around Hoan Kiem Lake and nearby water puppet theatre.
MADE IN VIETNAM SHOES
You will easily find hundreds of shoes sellers along the Old Quarter's streets. However,Western men may find it dificulity in choosing a suitable one fitting properly while women has a plenty of choice. Most of footwear made at Vietnamese factories with good quality and variety of colors and styles.
Price? from $5
Where to buy?
- Hang Dau Street, Old Quarter
- Dinh Tien Hoang Street (East side of Hoan Kiem Lake)
USEFUL TIPS
- It is highly recommended that you can negotiate the price off 10-40% from the quoted price. And rememeber to smile while barganing.
- The Old Quater is the best place to shop for selection and quality of products.
- You should do good research to avoid some tourist areas where buy souvenirs with high prices.
Enjoy shopping!