What to Buy in Hoi An - Souvenirs & Shopping Guide

Hoian, Vietnam’s ancient trading port, is as famous for its shopping as it is for its lantern-lit streets. Hoi An has got colorful lanes lined with tailor shops, lantern sellers, and craft stores. You can pick up a silk lamp shaped like a lotus, or a custom-made Ao dai dress, or fresh Vietnamese coffee beans. Lanterns in particular have become iconic keepsakes: Hoi An’s lantern-makers hang vibrant silk lanterns outside every evening, creating a magical ambiance.

We’ll cover exactly what to look for, how to get there (hint: via Da Nang airport), and insider tips to snag the best souvenirs without buyer’s remorse.

Personal recommendation: If you are coming from Danang, then take an extra day and do a Bana hills tour if you can, you won’t regret it!

How to reach Hoi An

Hoi An itself has no airport or train station. The nearest major hub is Da Nang International Airport (just 30km north), making Hoi An an easy 40-60 minute taxi or shuttle ride away. You can book a private transfer or take the local Hoi An Express bus from Da Nang (departs near the airport).

If you’re on a budget, buses also run from Hanoi or Saigon to Da Nang and onwards to Hoi An. It's a bit longer but scenic. Once in Hoi An, most attractions and markets are within walking or cycling distance in the Old Town.

Many hotels and homestays provide free shuttle or bicycle rentals, so getting to any tailors or boutiques is convenient.

Note: Are you in Quang Binh and planning to visit Hoi An? We’ve got the perfect travel itinerary for you to travel from Phong Nha to Da Nang!

What souvenirs to buy in Hoi An?

Hoi An is overflowing with shopping highlights so here are the best picks from us:

Silk Lanterns of Hoi An

• Silk Lanterns: The Lantern Alley on Nguyen Hue street is the epicenter for lantern shopping. These hand-crafted lanterns (bamboo frames with silk or paper) come in all shapes and sizes. The price range is roughly $5-$20 depending on size and material.

  Tip: Buy a foldable silk lantern (they collapse flat) to pack easily. We bought one that glows yellow at night which reminds us of Hoi An every time we turn it on back home!

• Handmade Ceramics: Visit Thanh Ha Pottery Village just west of town to see local artisans mold and glaze beautiful pots. You can often try painting a small vase yourself. Pieces range from decorative plates to planters.

  The village itself charges a small admission (VND 20,000) but that lets you explore multiple studios. You’ll find blue-and-white bowls and unique unglazed earthenware. When buying, inspect for quality - minor firing cracks can happen, but major chips should lower the price.

  

  Kim Bong Carpentry Village

• Woodwork & Carvings:Kim Bong Carpentry Village on Cam Kim Island is renowned for its wooden art. Here craftsmen carve everything from tiny wood puzzles to ornate framed mirrors. Small figurines and coasters make great gifts; larger sculptures can be shipped home if you’re really taken by them.

  A woodcarver told us the scent of the fresh wood is part of the craft’s magic. If you wander the workshops, you can often watch artisans saw and sand right in their courtyard.

  

  Custom Tailored Dress by a Local Hoi an Tailor Shop. Pretty!

• Custom Tailored Clothes: Hoi An is famous worldwide for fast, high-quality tailoring. You can get custom dresses, suits, shirts or traditional áo dài tailored in days. Trusted shops like Yaly Coutureor Kimmy Tailor (Yaly: 358 Nguyen Duy Hieu St) have racks of fabrics and templates.

  Prices are very reasonable: a tailored dress might start around $30, a man’s suit from $50. Always allow at least two fittings. Insider tip: bring photos or a clear idea, and double-check measurements before final payment. Most travelers leave ecstatic in their new outfits!

• Silk Scarves & Ties: Vietnamese silk makes for luxurious but affordable gifts. Cocoon Boutique (128 Tran Phu St) is a popular shop for silk scarves and ties. Scarves here run roughly $7-$20 each. The silky-soft texture is noticeably better than the generic silk blouses you see in Hanoi.

  Ask the staff to explain silk grades (real vs. synthetic); they’re usually knowledgeable. Women from our group happily loaded up their arms with vibrant silk wraps of every color!

  

  a Small Jewelry Shop in Hoi an Center Near the Lake

• Jewelry & Accessories: Hoi An has a surprising range: from fine silver and gemstone pieces to eco-friendly bamboo earrings. Bac Viet Quality Jewelry (10 Pham Hong Thai St) is known for custom sterling silver and gems. Bracelets or rings start around $20, up to $200 for larger stones.

  For unique finds, check stalls selling bamboo hats or straw bags (great beach souvenirs). We picked up some carved bamboo fridge magnets - rustic and kitschy!

• Culinary Souvenirs: Foodie gifts abound: Hoachampa Coffee & Tea(43 Phan Chau Trinh St) sells premium Vietnamese coffee and herbal teas. We couldn’t leave without a bag of ca phe sua da (iced coffee mix) and jasmine tea.

  Also check Trung Thu stalls or markets for local snacks: Hoi An cinnamon, star-anise, and the famous Phu Quoc pepper. The central market (corner of Nguyen Hue & Tran Phu) has cheap dried fruits and spices - buy a sample snack for the walk!

Tips for shopping in Hoi An

• Store Hours: Most shops in Old Town open ~9am-8pm daily. Tailors often operate even later (some 7am-9pm) to meet all fittings. The historic buildings close around 9pm (all lights out in Old Town). Weekend night market (along the river) runs Fri-Sun ~7pm-11pm, offering more street stalls and food in Hoi An.

• Haggling: Always shop around first and then negotiate. Many sellers fix prices by category, but it never hurts to ask. For example, if a lantern is marked $15, you might sweetly offer $12. If declined, try $13 - often they split the difference.

  Politeness wins: we once joked “I will buy 20 if you give me a discount!” and actually got a deal on coasters.

• Payment: Vietnamese Dong is best. Small craft stalls may not accept cards, but larger boutiques and tailors usually do. Credit cards often have a 3-4% surcharge; cash can get you a small price break. ATMs and money changers are plentiful in the center, so draw cash in Hoi An.

• Packing: Bring an extra suitcase or duffel - you’ll need the space! Lightweight sturdy packages (vacuum packs for clothes, padded boxes) are available. For fragile ceramics or lanterns, the shopkeepers often bubble-wrap items free of charge. (Alternatively, ask for a collapsible lantern.)

• Etiquette: In boutiques, it’s fine to touch fabrics and examine items. Just be respectful and don’t be rough with displays. In tailor shops, politeness is key: listen to the tailor’s advice on fit. If you get something badly fitted, most will redo it at no extra cost. Tipping is not expected in shops.

• Best Time to Shop: Early morning market is active, but most shops have fresh stock by 10am. Afternoons (3-6pm) are popular as shops fill up. The evening lantern glow starts at sunset - a must-see after shopping. Avoid Monday morning (some smaller shops rest) and Lunar New Year week, when most shops shut.

• Restrooms & Facilities: Public restrooms are not free - you’ll pay (often 2,000VND) for access behind the Chinese assembly halls.
  Alternatively, use restaurant bathrooms if you buy something small.

  

  Beautiful Street of Hoi an Lit by Lanterns in Late Evening

FAQs

• What is Hoi An famous for?
  It’s known as the “City of Lanterns” and a tailoring capital. Key souvenirs include colorful silk lanterns, custom-made clothes (ao dai, suits), and ceramics from nearby villages. Don’t miss coffee and local snacks too!
  Tip: got an extra day? Visit the Cham islands near Hoi An, 100% worth it!

• Are prices fixed or negotiable?
  Boutique store prices are usually fixed (e.g. at tailors or branded shops). In markets or village stalls, prices can be haggled. Always start politely and reasonably. For example, if a scarf is VND500,000, you might offer VND450,000 and see what happens.

• What currency should I use?
  Vietnamese Dong (VND) is accepted everywhere. Some shops accept USD or credit cards, but you’ll get the best price with cash (and smaller bills help vendors give exact change). There are many ATMs in town if you run low.

• Where is the night market?
  The main Hoi An Night Market is along the Thu Bon river near the Japanese Bridge (central Old Town). It’s open Friday-Sunday evenings. Lanterns are strung overhead, and vendors sell souvenirs and street food.
  On other nights, there are evening street hawkers near the assembly halls.

• What gifts are unique to Hoi An?
  Lanterns are an iconic Hoi An gift. Also consider Hoi An embroidered linens, local marble figurines (Marble Mountains craft), or cao lầu (dry noodles) packets.
  A local artisan once gave us a bamboo chopstick holder carved with a turtle design which was a quirky and eco-friendly find!

• Is haggling required for all items?
  No. Tailor shop prices are generally set, though some tailors may give small discounts for multiple items. Craft stalls and market shops usually expect some bargaining.
  Clothing boutiques and branded stores, however, are fixed-price. Always start with a friendly question about discounts and gauge the seller’s response.