Vietnamese Perfume: It is one of Vietnam’s “Three Treasures”. Vietnam produces a large number of natural spices, with many ingredients for French perfumes sourced from here. Local Vietnamese perfumes include brands such as Saigon Miss, Miss Vietnam, Scenti, and Mariana. The most well-known is the Saigon Miss perfume series, named after Saigon, the former name of Ho Chi Minh City. Its packaging design reflects traditional Vietnamese culture. Featuring a light, elegant fragrance and a crystal-clear glass bottle shaped like a young woman in an ao dai and conical hat, Saigon Miss perfume captivates many women with its exquisite appearance alone.
White Tiger Balm: As one of Vietnam’s “Three Treasures”, this commonly used pain relief ointment is a staple among locals. Due to Vietnam’s consistently humid and rainy climate, rheumatic arthritis is common, and White Tiger Balm emerged as a remedy for the long-term struggle against this condition. The ointment is made from thirty-two precious Chinese herbs, including camphor, mandrake, musk, and clove essence. It is primarily used to alleviate rheumatic pain, backaches, sciatica, arthritis pain, injuries, and swelling, and to promote circulation. Additionally, it contains menthol, which provides relief for motion sickness, mosquito bites, itchy skin, and heatstroke from hot weather.
Buffalo Horn Combs: It is one of Vietnam’s “Three Treasures”. Vietnam is known for its abundant buffalo horns, which grow larger due to the tropical climate. Buffalo horn itself is a valuable medicinal material with properties such as clearing heat and detoxifying, nourishing yin and cooling the blood, lowering blood pressure, and relieving rheumatism. Vietnamese buffalo horn products are robust, finely crafted, and smooth, making them durable and long-lasting. Using a buffalo horn comb helps promote blood circulation in the scalp, alleviates itching, detoxifies, and treats conditions such as insomnia, hair loss, white hair, and migraines. It also helps relax muscles, improve circulation, and boost cellular immunity.
Vietnamese Ao Dai: The Ao Dai is a traditional Vietnamese women’s garment known for its elegance and beauty, embodying a part of Vietnamese culture. It consists of a fitted long tunic and loose-fitting trousers. The tunic hugs the body, with split skirts extending to the ankles, showcasing the beauty, grace, and resilience of Vietnamese women. It’s recommended that you purchase an Ao Dai and take a set of Vietnamese-themed photos to bring home and cherish this piece of Vietnamese heritage.
Wood Carvings: Vietnamese wood carvings are renowned for their intricate designs, ranging from depictions of deities and figures to animals. These exquisite carvings are often found in craft stores in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. High-quality sandalwood and camphor wood are used to ensure their texture and realism. Displaying these carvings at home not only adds an artistic touch but also fills the room with a pleasant aroma. For carvings made from aromatic woods like sandalwood and camphor, it’s best not to apply lacquer to allow the wood’s natural scent to fully permeate. Over time, the surface of the wood carvings will become smoother and more refined with touch.
Handmade Lanterns: Walking through the streets of Vietnam, you’ll notice many houses adorned with lanterns that reflect Chinese charm, making them a unique Vietnamese specialty. The lantern capital of Vietnam is Hoi An, known for its diverse, colorful, and meticulously crafted lanterns that capture the essence of the city. If you love lanterns, consider bringing home a distinctive one from Hoi An to add a special touch to your decor.
Vietnamese Lacquer Paintings: Lacquer paintings are a unique and treasured art form in Vietnam, rich in national character. The creation process is intricate, involving the collection of lacquer sap, its transformation into paint, and the meticulous painting and polishing stages, requiring immense patience and skill from the artist. Lacquer paintings cover a wide range of subjects, from pastoral scenes and labor depictions to abstract and avant-garde styles, reflecting the diversity of Vietnamese society and the richness of its culture.
Vietnamese Coffee: Vietnam is the largest coffee bean producer in Southeast Asia. Vietnamese coffee is known for its rich, full-bodied flavor with low acidity. The traditional brewing method uses a unique tool called a “phin”, which is central to Vietnamese coffee culture. The phin consists of three parts: the body, a press plate, and a lid. The process is straightforward: place the coffee grounds into the phin, press them down with the press plate, pour hot water over the grounds, and let the coffee drip through.
Vietnamese Pho: Pho is a classic Vietnamese dish that has been beloved for centuries. It consistently ranks as the top dish in Vietnam’s culinary rankings and is available in instant packages at supermarkets.
Vietnamese Tea Bags: Vietnamese tea is renowned for its fragrant aroma and rich flavor. Among the varieties, Lotus Tea is particularly famous, which is made by blending fresh lotus flowers with tea leaves. You can sample authentic Vietnamese tea at local tea shops or bring some home to enjoy.
Snack Series: Discover a variety of Vietnamese snacks including durian cakes, coconut chips, dried fruits, TH TRUE MILK, purple cashews, Franzzi filled cookies, Sando wafers, HAOHAO Tom Yum noodles, dark chocolate, and coffee candies.
