Clothing
Hoi An is one of the best places to shop for clothes (and many other things). Many places in town will just take your measurements and put something together in a matter of hours, from trousers, shirts, and dresses to full suits. T-shirts, jeans and other cheaper clothes are available everywhere.
Wooden items
Everything from large hand-carved boats and helicopters to jewelry boxes, chop sticks and chess sets are available. Wooden trays and breakfast bowls are great buys.
Embroidery
Lots of embroidered items are available including table cloths, placemats, coasters and tissue box covers.
Jewelry
Gold, silver and emeralds are common and can be good value as long as you are sure of the quality of the goods you are buying. Vietnam has a good reputation for skilled jewelry makers, but the materials may not be of high quality. If in doubt, leave it alone.
War souvenirs
If fake GI dog tags and lighter zippers and ash trays modeled out of old shell casings are you thing then you will not be disappointed.
Art
Hoi An is a great place to shop for art works, including colourful paintings and stylish metalwork. Some of it is tacky, a lot of it is not.
Pottery
Glazed vases, small bowls and tea sets are common and very well priced.
Media / electronics
DVD players, CD's and DVD's are available everywhere. Check out the quality before you buy if possible.
Games / toys
Vietnam is a great place to buy simple kids toys such as paper snakes and turtles on a string that scurry around when pulled, hacky sack like foot game made from feathers and plastic, badminton shuttle cocks made with real feathers. Hanoi's water puppets also make a nice souvenir.
Souvenirs
Souvernir gifts abound throughout Vietnam. Check out the silk lanterns, rice baskets, rope hammocks, pillow covers, straw baskets, ladles and other kitchen utensils made from coconut hulls, painted fans and extra suitcases to bring all this stuff back home!
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