What to buy in Hoi An besides clothes?
Top buys beyond tailoring: Silk lanterns (50k–300k VND, handmade at night market), Kim Bồng woodcarvings (village 3km away), Thanh Hà pottery (village 4km, functional ceramics), Quảng Nam coffee beans (100k–300k/500g, roasted locally). Avoid: mass-produced 'handmade' items at tourist shops, overpriced old town boutiques.
Beyond the tailor shops
Hoi An is famous for custom clothes. But the old town is also a craft hub — silk lanterns, woodcarvings, ceramics, and local food products.
This guide covers what’s worth buying, where to find it, and what to avoid.
Silk lanterns
What they are: Handmade silk lamps stretched over bamboo frames. Lit at night, they glow softly. Lanterns are the visual identity of Hoi An — every photo has them.
Where to buy:
- Night market (Nguyễn Hoàng Street, 5pm–10pm): Best prices, best selection. Small: 50k, Medium: 150k, Large: 300k. Haggle politely — start at 60% of asking.
- Old town shops (Trần Phú, Nguyễn Thái Học): Fixed prices, 2–3x market rates. Convenient, no haggling.
- Lantern workshops (near Thanh Hà pottery): Watch them being made. Prices similar to night market.
What to look for: Even stitching, no loose threads, bamboo frame is straight. Test the LED before buying (most include batteries).
Shipping: Lanterns pack flat. Most vendors ship internationally for 200k–500k via DHL.
Kim Bồng woodcraft
What it is: Traditional woodcarving from Kim Bồng village (3km across the river). 500 years of history. Sculptures, furniture, decorative panels.
Where to buy:
- Kim Bồng village (15 min motorbike from old town): Direct from artisans. Prices: small sculptures 500k–1M, medium 1M–3M, large furniture 5M+.
- Old town galleries: 2–3x village prices, but curated selection.
What to buy:
- Buddha statues: 500k–2M depending on size
- Animal sculptures (dragons, elephants): 800k–3M
- Decorative panels (wall art): 1M–5M
- Furniture (tables, chairs): 5M+ (shipping extra)
Getting there: Motorbike from old town, cross the Cẩm Kim bridge. The village is signposted. Grab costs 100k each way.
Thanh Hà pottery
What it is: Ceramic village 4km west of Hoi An. Functional pottery: bowls, plates, vases, teapots. Styles range from rustic to refined.
Where to buy:
- Thanh Hà village (10 min motorbike): Direct from kilns. Prices: small bowls 50k, large vases 500k, tea sets 300k–1M.
- Old town shops: 2x village prices, but you can inspect before buying.
What to buy:
- Rice bowls (50k–100k each): Simple, durable, dishwasher-safe
- Phở bowls (80k–150k): Wide, shallow, traditional shape
- Teapots (200k–500k): Clay or glazed, 2–4 cup capacity
- Vases (300k–1M): Decorative, various sizes
- Tile coasters (50k/set of 4): Lightweight, easy to pack
Getting there: Motorbike or bicycle from old town. The pottery museum is the main landmark — shops line the street leading to it.
Quảng Nam coffee
What it is: Coffee grown in Quảng Nam province (where Hoi An is located). Less famous than Đà Lạt coffee, but distinct flavor — earthy, less acidic.
Where to buy:
- The Roastery (47 Nguyễn Thái Học, Hoi An): Stone-ground, 200k–400k/500g. Fresh roasted, vacuum-sealed.
- Chợ Hội An market: Local brands, 100k–250k/500g. Good for gifts, not connoisseurs.
- Supermarkets (Big C, Co.op Mart): National brands, 80k–150k/500g. Trung Nguyên, Highlands, Vinacafé.
What to buy:
- Whole bean (200k–400k/500g): Best flavor, grind at home
- Ground coffee (150k–300k/500g): Convenient, loses freshness faster
- Civet coffee (1M+/500g): Expensive, often fake. Skip unless you trust the source.
Shipping: Most roasters ship internationally. Vacuum-sealed bags survive 2+ weeks in transit.
Other buys
| Item | Price Range | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silk scarves | 150k–500k | Night market | Real silk test: burn a thread |
| Conical hats (nón lá) | 50k–200k | Chợ Hội An | Handmade, fragile |
| Fish sauce (premium) | 50k–150k/bottle | Supermarkets | Phú Quốc or Phan Thiết origin |
| Dried mango | 80k–200k/bag | Markets | Sweet, chewy, packs well |
| Ao dai (ready-made) | 500k–1.5M | Tailor shops | Cheaper than custom |
What to avoid
- “Handmade” postcards (made in China, sold at 5x markup)
- Mass-produced lacquerware (cracks within months)
- “Antique” items (fake, illegal to export if real)
- Pearl jewelry (overpriced, quality questionable)
- Tourist shop “silk” (often polyester, test before buying)
Shipping your purchases
DHL/FedEx from Hoi An: 500k–2M depending on weight. Most shops arrange shipping for you.
Vietnam Post: Cheaper (300k–1M), slower (2–4 weeks), less reliable tracking.
Carry-on friendly: Lanterns (flat), coffee (vacuum-sealed), scarves, small ceramics (wrap well).