Non la - Vietnamese Leaf Hat
The non la is not just an item that generations of Vietnamese people have used; it is also a symbol of a distinct cultural heritage. These leaf hats are made by skillfully weaving palm leaves together and are used by farmers as protection from the sun and rain. It is estimated that non la first appeared in the 13th century during the Tran dynasty.
Various types of non la in Chuong Village
Non la is also a popular choice when you want to buy souvenirs as special gifts for your loved ones. The price ranges from about $1.5 to $8.5, depending on the quality and decorative patterns on the hat.
Where to buy:
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Chuong Village in Thanh Oai District
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Van Phuc Village
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Souvenir shops in the Old Quarter of Hanoi
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Dong Xuan Market
Ao Dai - Traditional Costume
The Ao Dai is one of Vietnam's most widely worn traditional costumes. It is considered a representative attire of Vietnam, similar to Cambodia's Sampot and Thailand's Chakkri. Wearing these costumes will be an interesting and memorable experience for you.
Ao Dai is a traditional costume of Vietnam
The price of an ao dai depends on the fabric and design, but generally, it ranges from $12 to $40.
Some places where you can buy or rent an Ao Dai in your size:
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Van Phuc Silk Trade Village.
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72 Hue Street, Hai Ba Trung District.
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81A Hue Street, Hai Ba Trung District.
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41 Dang Tien Dong Street, Dong Da District.
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50 Alley 11, Trinh Hoai Duc, Cat Linh, Dong Da District.
Do Paper
Do paper is a must-buy item when visiting Hanoi. It is a handmade paper made from the bark of the Do tree. This paper is completely chemical-free and has been used since the early 20th century. It is lightweight, durable, and does not smudge when writing or drawing, making it ideal for creating folk paintings, particularly Dong Ho paintings.
Do paper is a specialized material for Dong Ho folk paintings
The price of a Dong Ho painting on Do paper ranges from about $2 to $8, depending on the size and content of the painting.
Where to buy do paper:
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Yen Thai Do paper making village.
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94 Trieu Khuc, Tan Trieu Ward, Ha Dong District.
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1007 Giai Phong, Hoang Mai District.
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179 Hoang Hoa Tham, Ba Dinh District.
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39 Hoang Dao Thanh, Thanh Xuan District.
Bat Trang Pottery
Bat Trang pottery refers to the ceramic products produced in the ancient village of Bat Trang in Hanoi. These ceramics not only serve daily life but are also beloved artistic products. There are many ceramic products to choose from, such as teapots, bowls, altar items, vases, paintings, statues, table lamps, and more. The prices of Bat Trang pottery vary depending on the specific item, ranging from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars.
Bat Trang pottery village
Where to buy Bat Trang pottery:
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Bat Trang Village
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115 Hang Gai, Hoan Kiem District.
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115 Thuy Khe, Tay Ho District.
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10B Alley 695 Bach Dang, Hoan Kiem District.
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326 Nguyen Huy Tuong, Thanh Xuan District.
Water Puppet Doll
Water puppetry is a unique folk art form in Vietnam. You may have seen performances of water puppets telling stories about the cultural and religious life of the Vietnamese people. Because of its distinctive cultural characteristics, water puppet dolls are popular souvenir items among tourists. The price of a puppet doll ranges from $3 to $4.
A water puppet doll is a popular souvenir gift among foreign tourists
Where to buy puppet dolls:
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57B Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem District.
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3 To Tich, Hang Gai, Hoan Kiem District
To he - A Traditional Toy
When strolling around the streets of Hanoi, you may come across small stalls selling a variety of colorful items of various shapes and sizes. The vendors skillfully mold them from shapeless clay into unique works of art. To he, the traditional toys for children in the Northern region of Vietnam, particularly in Hanoi. It is estimated that these toys have been widely used for about 400 to 500 years.
To he is a traditional toy for children in the Northern region
To he is not only used as a toy for children but also displayed on the altar during the Mid-Autumn Festival of the people in old Hanoi. To he carries stories of Vietnamese cultural beliefs, featuring figures such as the 12 zodiac animals, the five-fruit tray, and the four palaces. The price of a to he toy ranges from under $1.
Where to buy to he:
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Hoan Kiem Lake Walking Street.
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Xuan La Village.
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51 Hang Ma Street, Hoan Kiem District.
Phu The Cake
This is a special type of cake that encapsulates a historical story from the reign of the Lý dynasty and carries a high sense of humanity. "Phu" means husband and "The" means wife, so the phu the cake symbolizes loyalty in marriage. Therefore, this type of cake is often present in Vietnamese wedding ceremonies. Some places also refer to it as "bánh xu xê."
Phu The cake symbolizes the bond of marriage
The cake is made from the finest fragrant rice flour, filled with mung bean and shredded coconut. The price ranges from approximately $2.5 to $3.5 for a box of 10 cakes.
Where to buy phu the cake:
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1 Hang Than Street, Ba Dinh District.
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11 Hang Than Street, Ba Dinh District.
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63 Xuan Thuy, Dich Vong Ward, Cau Giay District.
Tay Ho Lotus Tea
A gift that truly reflects the refined elegance of the people of old Hanoi is the Tay Ho lotus tea. The process of infusing lotus tea is meticulously carried out by skilled artisans. It takes around 1,000 lotus blossoms to produce 1 kilogram of tea, and it takes a whole month to create one batch of tea.
Tay Ho lotus tea is one of the best things worth to buy in Hanoi
However, the quality of Tay Ho lotus tea is considered top-notch. If you are a tea enthusiast, you should pay attention to this product. The price ranges from $280 to $400 per kilogram, and you can purchase it in individual servings of 100 grams or 200 grams.
Where to buy Tay Ho lotus tea:
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1B Quang Khanh, Quang An, Tay Ho District.
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33 To Ngoc Van Road, Quang An, Tay Ho District.
Looking for more information? Our article on travel guide in Vietnam!
Hanoi, the capital city, always encompasses unique cultural aspects deeply embedded in daily life, from traditional attire to culinary delights, which will surely captivate you. New Asia Tours hopes that the list of best things to buy in Hanoi provided above will offer you the finest suggestions. If you desire additional recommendations for Vietnam tours, we are delighted to be your best guide. Contact us!
