Top 5 products in Ho Chi Minh City

1 CONICAL HAT

The conical hat is perhaps Vietnam’s most iconic trademark and cultural symbol – seen on most locals from street pedlars to food hawkers. Bring home this romantic adornment made from palm leaves or bamboo straw leafs split into thin strings. The hat, known as non la, has its origins in Vietnam’s rice paddy fields.

2 LACQUERWARE

Traditional lacquerware is one of Vietnam’s most widely- produced handicrafts and an ancient art form. Made from resin of the son tree, traditional and luxury ones are laid with mother of pearl and sea shells inlay. Popular mass- produced bowls, vases and dish trays can easily be found in markets and souvenir stores.

3 AO DAI

The aodai, literally translated as long dress, is Vietnam’s national costume. There are different styles ranging from trendy (curvefitting) to hippy (brightly- coloured and popular with teenagers) and mini (slits extended above the waist). Buy them off the shelves or have them tailor- made after choosing the fabric yourself.

4 COFFEE

In Ho Chi Minh City, coffee treats await you on every corner. Popular chains like Highlands Coffee and Trung Nguyen (Starbucks equivalent) are easily spotted, while smaller cafés like L’usine on Dong Khoi and Café Runam on Mac Thi Buoi are great places to get a cuppa fix and bring home some beans.

5 PROPAGANDA POSTERS

Vintage propaganda posters, whether original or reprints, are sold in art galleries and souvenir shops all across the city. Lotus on Dong Khoi and Dogma on Ton That Thiep are two popular galleries that stock them, together with other pieces of modern art and beautiful watercolour paintings of the Vietnamese countryside.