One of the joys of a Hanoi trip is choosing souvenirs. That said, shopping for souvenirs in an unfamiliar place can feel daunting.
Japanese travelersYou're not sure which souvenirs Japanese people like
Japanese travelersWhat makes a good souvenir to hand out to lots of people…?
Plenty of Japanese travelers share worries like these.
This article introduces in detail a curated selection of souvenirs you can buy in Hanoi — from classics to hidden gems — and where to buy them.
The following introduces candidates that have appeared in earlier versions of this article, along with notes on ingredients, portability, and how to verify where to buy them. As interview records cannot be confirmed, personal accounts of "Japanese residents who actually bought these and were glad they did" are not used as a basis.
Vietnamese coffee to enjoy for its rich flavor
Vietnamese coffee, known for its dark-roasted, robust flavor, is the ultimate classic Hanoi souvenir. Vietnam mainly grows Robusta, and the richness you can rarely find in Japan is addictive.
Easy to find at supermarkets and airports and reasonably priced, it's ideal as a souvenir to hand out to many people.
Trung Nguyencoffee
Trung Nguyen is a coffee brand born in Vietnam. With a strong lineup of drip bags and ground coffee, and easy to find at supermarkets, it's handy as a souvenir to hand out to lots of people.
Among the Trung Nguyen Legend range,The "G7" series is a budget line of instant coffee.
Beyond black, there's a full range of flavors easy to drink even if you're not keen on coffee's bitterness, like the sweetened, milky 3-in-1.
Drip products from "Trung Nguyen Legend" are one candidate. Rather than generalising their popularity to all Japanese residents, choose based on roast level, bean variety, presence or absence of sugar and dairy, and best-before date.
For more on Trung Nguyen Legend, see the article below.
LA VIET coffee
"LA VIET," a coffee maker born in Da Lat, a coffee-growing region.
Taste and contents vary by product. Do not treat past reviews as fact; check the current sachet count, ingredients, roast level, best-before date, and box dimensions in store.
It's a perfect souvenir when you want to give something to a coffee lover for whom the usual supermarket giveaway souvenirs won't do.
Cong Caphe's coconut coffee
Coconut coffee is a tropical-style coffee drink that combines strong coffee with coconut milk and condensed milk.
Cong Caphe's coconut coffee, though instant, has a strong coconut aroma, letting you easily enjoy the authentic drink at home in Japan.
A coffee that's easy to drink even for those who don't like coffee's bitterness.
Hanoi only: coffee from Anne’s Maison
Anne’s Maison is a candidate that has appeared in earlier versions of this article. Please verify the current address, opening status, and stock through official information.
The owner's background, service style, and assessments that the aroma is exceptional compared to other products cannot be confirmed from interview records. Base your choice on the product label and whether tasting is available.
It's a nice plus that they carry a wide range — Vietnamese Arabica and Robusta beans, original blends, and civet coffee (kopi luwak). You could also tell the owner your preferences and have them pick a recommendation for you.
Easy to hand out to Japanese friends too! Vietnamese sweets
Sweets are a classic Vietnamese souvenir.
It depends on the item, but many have a simple, rustic taste that lets the ingredients shine, and there's plenty of sweets that suit Japanese palates.
The following are food candidates that have been featured in previous articles. As actual purchase records cannot be confirmed, please prioritize current availability and the conditions for bringing items into Japan.
Chocolate from Maison Marou
Marou is a premium chocolate brand made with Vietnamese cacao. One of the early adopters of bean-to-bar in Asia, it suits anyone looking for a souvenir that feels distinctly Vietnamese and refined.
The packaging is stylish too, so it works not only as a gift for friends but also as a souvenir for your boss or seniors.
Dried jackfruit chips (Vinamit)
「Vinamit” is a Vietnam-born maker of dried fruit and dried chips.
The classic banana and sweet-potato chips are delicious too, butWhat I often buy as a souvenir is jackfruit chips.
Jackfruit isn't very familiar in Japan, but it's a staple fruit in Vietnam.
These dried chips are addictive, with a crisp texture and a tropical sweetness reminiscent of mango and pineapple.
For "organic" products, check the label for the certifying body and the ingredients covered. As the term does not indicate health benefits, also check the ingredients, sugar content, and allergens.
Coconut crackers
Coconut crackers are a staple you'll spot in supermarkets and souvenir shops.Many makers sell them, and most are individually wrapped.
With a taste that suits Japanese palates, it's handy as a souvenir that's easy to hand out.
Japanese travelersWhich maker do you especially recommend?
Previous articles introduced QUY THU, but personal firsthand tasting cannot be confirmed. Please make your own judgment based on current availability, ingredients, allergens such as dairy, wheat, and nuts, and the best-before date.
Nut-filled seaweed crunch
A healthy snack combining seaweed with an assortment of nuts.Inside are pumpkin seeds, almonds, cashews, brown rice, seaweed, and more.
You can buy them at local supermarkets, but the “ODEHA” seaweed crunch sold at Hanoi Shoten in particular is irresistible — rich with the flavor of nuts and nori and satisfyingly crunchy.
You can enjoy them as a snack with drinks, too
Banh mi rusks
If sweets from the supermarket feel too casual,We recommend STAR KITCHEN's "banh mi rusks."
"Supervised by Japanese" alone does not guarantee quality or safety. Check the manufacturer, ingredients, storage instructions, best-before date, and packaging condition.
A six-flavor set of mango, coconut, cilantro, pho, pepper, and coffee, individually wrapped.
It's a souvenir that's easy to give to friends, not just for formal occasions.
Being an easy-to-eat rusk, it's easy to give even to people who are wary of foreign food.
Mung bean sweets
Mung beans are small green beans grown mainly across Asia. In Vietnam, you can enjoy drinks, ice cream, and buns made with them.
A sweet called banh dau xanh (Banh đau xanh) is like Japan's rakugan and can be picked up easily at local supermarkets.
Among mung-bean sweets, it keeps well and goes nicely with tea. Those who like a rustic taste will be pleased.
Vietnamese ceramics and goods ── something you'll want to buy at least one of as a memento of your trip
When you want to buy a Vietnamese souvenir for yourself or someone special, Bat Trang ceramics and Vietnamese goods are a great choice.
With its simple, nostalgic design, it's the kind of item that will blend naturally into daily life even after you're back in Japan.
Bat Trang ceramics
If you want to buy something distinctly Vietnamese as a travel memento, be sure to check out Bat Trang ceramics.
Bat Trang ware is a traditional ceramic made in the village of Bat Trang, on the outskirts of Hanoi.
With rustic designs like dragonflies and florals and a chunky thickness, it has a feel that's a little different from Japanese tableware.
Hanoi only: ceramics from Hien Van Ceramics
If you want simply designed tableware, we recommend the ceramics from "Hien Van Ceramics."
Hien Van's signature earth tones pair well with Japanese food too, and will earn their keep as everyday tableware.
It's hard to find, but it's at the back of the second-floor café.
It's an old building, so you might hesitate to go in, but if you ask a nearby staff member, they'll show you the way.
MUJI tote bag
Muji operates across Vietnam under the "MUJI" name. Its Vietnam-exclusive tote bag designs are a go-to item for Japanese travelers as well.
The simple patterns make them easy to use even after you're back in Japan
Cong Caphe goods
Cong Caphe, the famous Vietnam-born café chain.
The brand's own stores and souvenir shops sell tumblers, aprons, and more built around its signature green.
Recommended places to buy souvenirs in Hanoi
Em Hanoi
Em Hanoi is a shop stocking Vietnamese souvenirs selected with a Japanese eye. It suits anyone looking for tasteful souvenirs — Vietnamese chocolate and coffee, natural cosmetics, hand-embroidered items, and more.
With many items that are easy for Japanese travelers to choose, it's appealing for finding everything from give-away souvenirs to gifts for yourself, all in one place.
Hanoi Shoten
Hanoi Shoten is a shop dealing in Vietnamese goods and souvenirs. Beyond food souvenirs, it stocks distinctly Vietnamese items like Bat Trang ceramics and T-shirts, making it an easy shop for travelers to use.
Recommended for anyone looking for souvenirs geared toward Japanese visitors, or wanting to pick something a little special that's hard to find in supermarkets.
The shop also has a small café attached, so you can use it as a place to take a break too.
Local supermarket
Local supermarkets like Lotte Mall, AEON, and WinMart are go-to spots for easily picking up coffee, nuts, dried fruit, and sweets.
Prices are easy to read and it's easy to buy small giveaway souvenirs in bulk, so it's a good pick even for first-timers choosing souvenirs in Hanoi.
Dong Xuan Market
Dong Xuan Market is a large market in Hanoi's Old Quarter. Clothing, goods, food, and everyday items fill the stalls, and you can hunt for souvenirs while soaking up the local atmosphere.
Even at markets, some items have fixed prices and are non-negotiable. Do not assume a discount is always possible; check the quality and total amount in VND, and politely decline if it does not meet your expectations.
Also, since food quality isn't always consistent, be sure to check the quality and the best-before date before buying.
7 points to check before bringing items back to Japan
- Check instant noodles and snacks as well for any animal-derived ingredients such as meat or eggs
- Check whether fruits, vegetables, seeds, and plant materials are subject to plant quarantine
- Choose packaging on which the ingredients, allergens, manufacturer, and best-before date can be read
- Check carry-on and checked baggage conditions for liquids, pastes, and fragile items
- Inspect ceramics for chips and cracks, wrap them in clothing, and pack them in the center of your bag
- For branded goods, verify the authorized retailer and receipt, and avoid counterfeit items
- If you are unsure about an item upon arrival in Japan, do not discard it—declare it to quarantine or customs for confirmation
Japan's Animal Quarantine Service advises that many meat products cannot be brought in without the required inspection certificates, even if vacuum-packed, heat-treated, purchased at duty-free shops, or in small personal quantities. Do not rely solely on a store's assurance that it is "fine"—check the latest information from Japan Customs, Animal Quarantine Service, and Plant Protection before you depart.
Summary: Bring home travel memories with Hanoi souvenirs
Choosing souvenirs in Hanoi is one of the pleasures of the trip.
Vietnamese coffee, sweets, small goods, ceramics — items unique to Hanoi make a special memento of your trip. There's plenty of variety in where to buy, too — Dong Xuan Market, the old town, supermarkets, specialty shops — so you can choose to suit your budget and taste.
For how to pack liquids and fragile items, and how to choose souvenirs overall—including options available at the airport—our Vietnam souvenir guideyou can check here.
Use this guide to find the Hanoi souvenir that's just yours.
