Vietnamese embroidery, drawn stitch by stitch with silk thread, ranges widely from small items like pouches and handkerchiefs to tapestries you hang on the wall. Double-sided embroidery, represented by Da Lat-born XQ, is known for the delicate skill of finishing the same design on both front and back. Light and non-bulky, it suits both handing out and a commemorative one-of-a-kind piece.
What is Vietnamese embroidery?
The features of Vietnamese embroidery
Vietnamese embroidery centers on hand-stitched silk thread work that renders flowers and landscapes with realistic detail. Quat Dong village near Hanoi is known as the birthplace of Vietnamese embroidery as a whole. XQ, which originated in Da Lat, carries on the techniques of Hue's royal court embroidery and is known for double-sided embroidery — stitching the same design on both faces of the fabric — and silk embroidery paintings with photograph-like shading. Its strength lies in the sheer range of uses, from practical items like pouches and handkerchiefs to ao dai decoration and framed tapestries.
Why it's chosen as a souvenir
- Light and non-bulky—Cloth and thin, so it won't weigh down your luggage even if you buy in bulk
- The warmth of hand embroidery—It has a texture unique to handwork, suited to a gift
- A wide price range—You can choose from reasonably priced handkerchiefs to one-of-a-kind tapestries
- Usable in daily life—Pouches and drawstring bags can be used daily, keeping memories of Vietnam
Try these classic cloth souvenirs that are easy to hand out too.
Types and how to choose
How you choose embroidery differs between "small items to use" and "works to display." For handing out, easy-to-handle small items suit; for a commemorative piece, double-sided embroidery or large silk embroidery pictures suit.
Types of Vietnamese embroidery
| Pouches and drawstring bags | For cosmetics or small-item cases. Floral patterns are common, a classic for handing out |
|---|---|
| Handkerchiefs | Small embroidery in the corner. Light and cheap, easy to buy in bulk |
| Table runners and cloths | Cloth items to adorn the table. Lotus and bamboo designs are popular |
| Tapestries | Framed or wall-hung works. Double-sided embroidery and silk embroidery pictures are representative |
| Ao dai and apparel | Garments with embroidery on the collar or hem. Suited to a commemorative piece |
Points for choosing
- Thread density—The tighter the stitching, the smoother the design and the more three-dimensional the pattern looks
- How the back is finished—Double-sided embroidery has the same design on the back, so turn it over and check the finish
- Fabric quality—Silk has sheen and drape; choose between it and cotton to suit the use and budget
- Hand embroidery or machine embroidery—Hand embroidery has subtle waver in the stitches and a handworked feel in the thread finishing on the back. Machine embroidery is uniform and cheap. Specialty shops like XQ make hand embroidery the rule
- Clarifying the use—Decide whether it's for everyday use or display, and choose the size and whether it's framed
Major producing areas and labels
Ho Chi Minh City and Da Lat have specialty shops and galleries where you can see workshop-brand works. Since style and preferred techniques differ by brand, comparing them in store helps you find what you like.
| XQ Hand-embroidery | Da Lat-born. Runs galleries of double-sided embroidery and silk embroidery pictures |
|---|---|
| hansilk | A brand handling embroidered small items and apparel that make use of silk |
| Tan My Design | A long-established Hanoi line. Makes embroidered small items and tableware |
Recommended ways to use and display
Embroidered small items let you keep memories of Vietnam close in everyday use. Works change a room's impression depending on how you display them.
- Use a pouch as a makeup pouch or gadget case—it adds color inside your bag
- Portion out handkerchiefs for guests or gifts; choosing floral patterns tends to please
- Lay a table runner on a plain table to make the embroidery's colors stand out
- Frame a tapestry on a wall out of direct sunlight, and enjoy the shading with indirect lighting
Continuing with handmade goods, try these souvenirs too.
Where to buy and price ranges
Specialty shops gather in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Lat, and Hanoi, and they're also available at markets and airports. Galleries center on appreciating works; specialty shops and markets center on practical small items.
- XQ Galleria (Ho Chi Minh City, Da Lat)—See double-sided embroidery and silk embroidery pictures up close
- Specialty shops on Dong Khoi Street (Ho Chi Minh City)—Consistently high-quality goods, from small items to works
- Hang Gai Street (Hanoi)—Compare embroidered small items in the traditional-crafts quarter
- Ben Thanh Market and airport duty-free shops—Many reasonably priced small items, handy as extra souvenirs to hand out
See also how to get around the town where XQ embroidery began and the shopping hubs.
Price range
| Handkerchiefs | About 300–1,000 yen |
|---|---|
| Pouches and drawstring bags | About 500–2,000 yen |
| Table runners | About 1,500–4,000 yen |
| Small tapestries | About 3,000–10,000 yen |
| Double-sided embroidery / large works | From 10,000 yen to several tens of thousands of yen |
Tips for making it a souvenir
Cloth and light, but you need to watch out for snags and stains. Being mindful of packing and dividing for handing out keeps it neat right up to when you give it.
- Fold it in half with the embroidered side inward and wrap it in thin paper to prevent thread snags
- Divide bulk-bought small items into individual bags so you can hand them out as-is
- Cloth goods rarely cause problems at customs, but if you have many, keep the receipt
- Use handkerchiefs and pouches for handing out, and double-sided embroidery and tapestries for special recipients
Frequently asked questions
- What is double-sided embroidery?
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It's a technique of sewing the same design on the front and back of the cloth, so it forms a complete design viewed from either side. It's a signature XQ technique, and when made on thin silk, both sides show through in the light.
- Can embroidered small items be washed?
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Silk embroidery is delicate, so hand-washing or professional cleaning gives peace of mind. To prevent color loss and fraying, don't scrub hard and dry it in the shade.
- Are tapestries bulky to carry back?
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Small works fold flat and fit in a suitcase. Large ones may retain fold creases, so it's reassuring to ask the shop whether you can carry it rolled in a tube.
- Which is suited for handing out?
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Handkerchiefs and pouches are light and reasonably priced, suited to buying in bulk. Choosing an easy-to-read design such as a floral pattern makes them easy to give to anyone.
