The appeal of souvenirs you can buy at supermarkets in Ho Chi Minh City
Supermarkets suit those who prioritize price transparency and product comparison, but they are not the best option for every traveler. For crafts, also compare specialty shops, markets, and workshops.
Prices are more reasonable than at tourist-area specialty shops, and the shelves are stocked with products rooted in everyday Vietnamese life, giving you the sense of bringing the local air home. Supermarkets carry a wide range, from food to goods, with the freedom to pick by purpose — from spread-around souvenirs to a special something for yourself. There's no haggling as at a market, and the clear, fixed pricing lets you shop with peace of mind — a big advantage.
Packing them into your suitcase at the end of the trip also goes relatively smoothly with supermarket purchases. Many come in sturdy packaging, with portability in mind.
3 recommended supermarkets in Ho Chi Minh City
Annam Gourmet Market: an upscale select shop
Annam Gourmet Market is an upscale supermarket with several branches around Ho Chi Minh City.
Sometimes described as "the Vietnamese version of Seijo Ishii," it stocks carefully selected foods from all over Vietnam. With a wide range from staples to niche items to gourmet products, it's the right first stop when you're unsure about which souvenirs to pick. The store is clean and well organized, an environment where Japanese tourists too can shop with peace of mind.
Branch locations and opening hours are subject to change. Do not treat the previously stated 9:00–21:00 as a current guarantee; check the official information for the branch you plan to visit on the day. The location is also easily accessible from Đồng Khởi Street, making it convenient to stop by between sightseeing.
Sources TNK&APT Travel JAPAN, "3 recommended supermarkets in Ho Chi Minh City chosen by residents!" (2025 update); compiled from this source
VinMart: a location convenient for tourists
Some stores formerly known as VinMart have been rebranded as WinMart. Do not rely solely on the old name on maps—confirm the current store name and whether it is still operating.
There are several locations within District 1, but the branch on basement floor 3 of the large Vincom Center mall is particularly convenient. It is frequented by locals, so fresh produce, instant foods, and condiments are available in good variety at low prices. Opening hours vary by branch and day of the week, so do not assume the previously stated 7:00–22:00 still applies.
Vincom Center faces Dong Khoi Street, with quick access from the heart of the tourist district.
Co.opmart: hunting for bargains at local prices
Co.opmart is a local-oriented supermarket, even cheaper than VinMart.
The atmosphere has a distinctly local feel, and there is a chance of finding bargain finds. The branch on Nguyễn Đình Chiểu Street in District 3 is larger and better stocked than those in District 1, and is about a 10-minute drive from Đồng Khởi Street. Co.opmart opening hours also vary by branch. Do not treat the previously stated 7:30–22:30 as a current guarantee—check the official branch information.
For those who want to choose souvenirs with price in mind, Co.opmart is the best option.
Sources TNK&APT Travel JAPAN, "3 recommended supermarkets in Ho Chi Minh City chosen by residents!" (2025 update); compiled from this source
Recommended souvenirs you can buy at the supermarket: coffee
Trung Nguyen Coffee "G7": the classic of classics
Marked by its red box, Trung Nguyen Coffee is virtually synonymous with Vietnamese coffee.
It's so well known locally that practically no one doesn't recognize it, letting you enjoy Vietnamese coffee easily in instant form. The "3-in-1" type contains coffee, sugar, and milk, so just pour hot water for an authentic taste. That said, it's quite sweet, so for those who don't care for sweet things, the black coffee type is recommended.
Contents and prices are subject to revision, and yen conversions change with exchange rates. Check the current product label for the number of bags, VND price, sugar and dairy content, and best-before date.
Sources TNK&APT Travel JAPAN, "3 recommended supermarkets in Ho Chi Minh City chosen by residents!" (2025 update); compiled from this source
King Coffee: refined packaging suited for gifting
Do not generalize the taste to all Japanese people; judge suitability for the recipient based on roast level, beans, sugar and dairy content, and whether individual packaging is included.
Its modern packaging design is a signature feature, and it's popular as a souvenir for younger generations too. Milder than Trung Nguyen, it's enjoyable even for those who don't care for coffee's bitterness. With a good selection of drip bags and ground types, you can choose to suit your purpose.
Aluminum filter: making the brewing time part of the trip
Bringing home a small aluminum filter along with the coffee turns the very act of brewing into an extension of the trip.
You can recreate Vietnamese coffee's distinctive brewing method at home, and watching the coffee drip slowly recalls the memory of Ho Chi Minh City. The filter is light and doesn't take up space, and it's reasonably priced, making it ideal as a set gift for a coffee lover.
Recommended souvenirs you can buy at the supermarket: tea and food
Phuc Long tea: a tea popular with younger generations
Phuc Long is known in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi as a name tied to café culture.
Loose tea and tea bags make an easy souvenir choice for younger generations, and the lotus and jasmine flavors give off a lovely aroma. The price point — about 160 yen for 25 bags — is appealing too, and it comes in handy as a spread-around souvenir. Since it's in tea packs, it's easy to hand out as a souvenir for the workplace or friends.
Sources TNK&APT Travel JAPAN, "3 recommended supermarkets in Ho Chi Minh City chosen by residents!" (2025 update); compiled from this source
Lotus tea: a gentle, refined aroma
Lotus tea is made by infusing tea leaves with the scent of lotus flowers, and a gentle, refined aroma is its signature.
VinaTea, known as a long-established brand, handles many traditional teas such as lotus tea and jasmine tea, and its packaging is relatively understated. Vietnam has a culture of drinking tea daily, with a wide range from green-tea bases to teas to be enjoyed for their aroma.
Dried fruit and nuts: tropical flavors
Dried fruits come in a tropical lineup of mango, pineapple, dragon fruit, and more.
Many are quite sweet, but at markets and specialty shops you can also find low-sugar products. Nuts like cashews, almonds, and macadamias can be bought from about 200 yen a case; the smart move is to buy in bulk at the market and pick up souvenir-size mini packs at the supermarket.
Sources TNK&APT Travel JAPAN, "3 recommended supermarkets in Ho Chi Minh City chosen by residents!" (2025 update); compiled from this source
Coconut crackers: an addictive crunchy texture
Thinly baked coconut crackers have an addictive crunchy texture.
The texture is one you rarely get to eat in Japan, and the coconut flavor — full of Southeast Asian character — is the appeal. The TOP COCO ones are individually wrapped, good for handing out, and the box features Da Nang's famous Dragon Bridge, making them just right as a souvenir. That said, they often aren't stocked at Co.opmart, AEON, or Winmart in Ho Chi Minh City; you're more likely to find them at the giant Lotte Mart in District 7.
Recommended souvenirs you can buy at the supermarket: sweets and goods
Bánh đậu xanh: Vietnam's traditional mung bean sweet
Bánh đậu xanh is a traditional Vietnamese sweet, called mung bean confection in Japanese.
Bought at a supermarket, it's about 240 yen a box — a third of the price of buying it at tourist-oriented shops. What's more, the supermarket ones come individually in cute little boxes, wrapped inside in silver foil and further sealed in a clear pillow-film wrap. With a soft, cookie-like texture of lightly sweet roasted-bean powder pressed together, it's humble yet genuinely delicious — an addictive taste that makes you want just one more.
Sources Ameblo, "Souvenir hunting at Vietnam's local supermarket WinMart" (2024); compiled from this source
Coconut candy: handy as a spread-around souvenir for a crowd
Coconut candy is a classic, handy as a spread-around souvenir for a crowd.
Individually wrapped and easy to hand out, and reasonably priced, it comes in handy as a souvenir for the workplace or school. Lightly sweet and easy to eat, the coconut flavor evokes a tropical mood.
Bamboo and rattan goods: handcrafted charm that fits into daily life
Baskets made of bamboo and rattan, rustic pottery, cloth pouches and bags — they aren't flashy, but they fit naturally into daily life.
The goods you find at markets each differ slightly in expression, and that becomes their value as one-of-a-kind pieces. Set in a room in Japan, they don't assert themselves too much, yet recall the trip's memories in a quiet moment. Light, cool-feeling clothing, simple sandals, and embroidered small items are reasonably priced and easy to use, and cloth products don't take up space and come in many colors and patterns, making them well suited as souvenirs for several people.
Tips and cautions for choosing souvenirs at the supermarket
Know the going prices and shop smart
Shopping at supermarkets is overwhelmingly more economical than at tourist-area specialty shops.
The same product can often be bought for about a third of the price, and especially when buying spread-around souvenirs in bulk, using a supermarket saves a great deal. That said, since selection and prices vary by store, if you have time to spare, it's also worth touring several supermarkets.
Check the condition of the packaging
When buying at the supermarket, always check the condition of the packaging.
Sweets in particular can have boxes crushed in transit, or items with near expiration dates mixed in. Checking each one before buying and choosing those in good condition helps you avoid trouble after you get home.
Watch out for suitcase weight limits
Shopping at the supermarket is fun, and it's all too easy to overbuy.
But don't forget your suitcase weight limit on the way home. Liquids and heavy items like nuts and dried fruit, in particular, get heavier than expected when bought in bulk. Keep weight in mind as you shop, and consider using a local shipping service if needed.
What to check at the supermarket before paying
- Whether ingredients include meat, eggs, or other items subject to animal quarantine
- Whether fruits, spices, seeds, or similar items are subject to plant quarantine
- Manufacturer, best-before date, storage instructions, and whether packaging is undamaged
- Allergens for the recipient, such as dairy, wheat, nuts, and soy
- Liquids, bottles, and weight against carry-on and checked baggage conditions
- Number of items and unit prices on the receipt, and the currency charged to your card
Even supermarket products cannot always be brought into Japan. Some meat products are subject to restrictions even if vacuum-packed or heat-processed, so check Japan's quarantine information before purchasing anything you are unsure about, and declare items on arrival.
Summary: bring home travel memories from a Ho Chi Minh City supermarket
Supermarkets in Ho Chi Minh City are a treasure trove for souvenir hunting.
At representative supermarkets like Annam Gourmet Market, VinMart, and Co.opmart, you can find a diverse array of products — Vietnamese coffee, lotus tea, dried fruit, nuts, traditional sweets, and more — at reasonable prices. Prices are lower than at tourist-area specialty shops, and the shelves are lined with products that locals use daily, giving you the sense of bringing Vietnam's air home.
Shopping at the supermarket needs no haggling and offers the peace of mind of clear, fixed pricing. Much of it comes in sturdy packaging, with portability in mind too. From spread-around souvenirs to a special something for yourself, the appeal is the freedom to choose as you like by purpose.
At the end of your trip, stop by a supermarket and bring home a little slice of everyday Ho Chi Minh City. The few minutes of brewing coffee, the time spent over a cup of tea, the moment your eye catches the goods on the shelf — these become small triggers that bring the trip back to mind. Vietnamese souvenirs aren't keepsakes meant to close out a trip; they're meant to keep a hint of the journey alive in everyday life.
Find your own special souvenir at a Ho Chi Minh City supermarket.
For how to shop at markets, specialty stores, and airports beyond supermarkets, plus how to pack liquids and fragile items for the trip home, seeour Vietnam souvenir guide.
