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Planning a trip to Hanoi? Wondering what to buy?
Uncover the essence of Hanoi's specialties.
Vong Village Green Rice
Vong Village Green Rice is the first specialty introduced by Mytour in this list. Renowned among locals and Hanoi tourists, this rice delicacy is only available in autumn. It is harvested from the finest glutinous rice grains and possesses a uniquely sweet flavor.
The birth of Vong Village Green Rice is quite intriguing. Many centuries ago, as Vong villagers harvested rice early to avoid damage from storms, they stumbled upon this young rice. Upon roasting and fermenting, it revealed an indescribably delicious, sweet, and nutty taste. Hence, Vong Village Green Rice was born, particularly cherished during autumn. You can spot bicycles selling green rice throughout the streets of Hanoi. Additionally, bringing back green rice cakes with mung beans as gifts is a highly favored snack in Hanoi.
Information:
- Address: Vong Village, Dich Vong Hau, Cau Giay District; Me Tri Village, Nam Tu Liem District.
- Price range: starting from 25,000 VND per tael.
Vong Village Green Rice (@sen_edinburgh)
Sour dried fruits
For ages, Ô mai has been an indispensable snack in every Hanoi household, especially during festive seasons. Ô mai is one of Hanoi's specialty gifts loved by many tourists. There are numerous types of Ô mai bearing the distinctive flavors of Hanoi, such as sour-sweet plum Ô mai, ginger apricot Ô mai, stewed plum Ô mai, etc. Besides being a snack, some types of Ô mai are also beneficial for health, such as salted lemon Ô mai, kumquat honey Ô mai, ginger apricot Ô mai, all used to treat coughs and enhance health remarkably.
Information:
- Address: Hong Lam Ô mai (11 Hang Duong, Hoan Kiem); Tien Thinh Ô mai (21 Hang Duong, Hoan Kiem)
- Price range: starting from 50,000 VND.
Ô mai is a traditional specialty in Hanoi (@gdbaby1881988)
Uoc Le sausage
Uoc Le sausage is one of the Hanoi specialties with a history dating back hundreds of years. When traveling to Hanoi, you cannot miss this delicious specialty in the capital city. Uoc Le sausage originates from Uoc Le village, Thanh Oai district, Hanoi. It has now evolved into various delicious dishes such as pork sausage, fermented pork rolls, fried rolls, cinnamon sausage, etc., often used in daily meals. Especially, on every wedding feast, death anniversary, and traditional festivals in the Northern region, a plate of delicious sausage is indispensable on the dining table.
Information:
- Address: Quoc Huong sausage, (9 Hang Bong, Hoan Kiem); Mrs. Luy's sausage (54 Tran Xuan Soan, Hai Ba Trung).
- Price range: starting from 200,000 VND per kilogram.
Banh che lam
Banh che lam is a favorite snack in Hanoi, especially among the elderly. Enjoying banh che lam and sipping a cup of tea is a refined pleasure for many Hanoians from ancient times to the present. Banh che lam is made from glutinous rice flour, arrowroot flour, sugar, peanuts, and ginger, with a deliciously sweet flavor. It is very chewy and is cut into small pieces when served. Eating it alone, you will taste its sweetness, but when accompanied by a cup of tea, you will experience a delightful lingering sweetness in your throat.
Information:
- Address: Bao Minh banh che lam (12 Hang Than, Hoan Kiem); Duong Lam banh che lam (81 Duong Khue, Cau Giay).
- Price range: starting from 20,000 VND.
Banh che lam (@hana_kim_1102)
Starfruit
Hanoi's starfruit has long been a symbol of the capital city. Starfruit can be used to make sour soup, soaked in sugar for beverages, or turned into delicious preserves. Hanoi's starfruit is only available in the summer and can often be found fallen on the streets of Hanoi. What's special is that starfruit is very affordable and can be found anywhere in the city's local markets.
Information:
- Address: Various local markets and food trade areas in Hanoi.
- Price range: starting from 20,000 VND per kilogram.
Hanoi starfruit can be used to make soup, preserves, or beverages,...
Banh cha
One of Hanoi's specialty gifts often sought after is banh cha. Similar to banh che lam, banh cha is best enjoyed with a cup of tea to fully experience its inherent deliciousness. Banh cha is made from wheat flour, glutinous rice flour, lard, sugar, lime leaves,... baked until crispy, with a unique delicious taste and fragrant aroma from lime leaves. Banh cha is one of the Hanoi's specialty cakes that once you taste it, you'll crave for more, and it's a simple yet deeply Hanoi-style gift loved by many elderly people.
Information:
- Address: Bao Phuong traditional cake shop (183 Thuy Khue, Tay Ho); Ninh Huong banh cha (22 Hang Dieu).
- Price range: starting from 25,000 VND.
Banh cha (@thamnt105)
Souvenirs from Hanoi
Ceramics
What souvenirs to buy in Hanoi? Ceramic products are among the most beloved souvenirs from Hanoi. Bat Trang ceramics stand out as a prominent example, representing the longstanding traditional ceramic village in Hanoi. There are various types of ceramic items used for decoration or practical purposes, such as ceramic paintings, flower vases, ceramic dishes, all featuring beautiful and elegant patterns.
Information:
- Address: Bat Trang Ceramic Village, Gia Lam District; Bat Trang Ceramic Shop (12 Dang Thuy Tram, Cau Giay).
- Price range: starting from 20,000 VND per item.
Bat Trang ceramics are beloved souvenirs from Hanoi (@ngao._____)
Silk
Silk and its products are also special souvenirs from Hanoi that you should buy and give to your loved ones, friends. Be sure to visit Van Phuc Silk Village, Ha Dong, the place where traditional silk production and business have been established for a long time in Hanoi. Here, you can find all kinds of interesting silk items such as clothes, scarves, handbags,... all meticulously sewn with exquisite patterns.
Information:
- Address: Van Phuc Silk Village, Ha Dong; Ha Silk (538 Thuy Khue, Tay Ho).
- Price range: starting from 100,000 VND per item.
Silk products (@luc.loan)
Famous shopping places in Hanoi
- Dong Xuan Market is the most famous ancient market in Hanoi, specializing in wholesale trade of all items such as clothes, household items, food,... Located in the heart of the city, Dong Xuan Market has long been a traditional beauty spot and also a symbol of the capital. You should visit Dong Xuan Market once to explore the bustling shopping activities in this famous market area. Dong Xuan Market is located at 15 Cau Dong, Dong Xuan, Hoan Kiem.
Dong Xuan Market (@marianopedalino)
- Hang Be Market is also located in the Old Quarter of Hanoi, famous for food, fashion, specialties, and souvenirs. Hang Be Market is always bustling with visitors from morning till night, so you can visit and shop anytime during the day. The market is located on Gia Ngu Street, Hoan Kiem - the busiest area in the capital.
- Hang Duong Street is a famous street in Hanoi specializing in selling various kinds of preserved fruits. When talking about this famous specialty, you will definitely hear about 'Hang Duong preserved fruits.' When you have the opportunity to visit Hanoi, tour guides will surely guide you to Hang Duong to explore and buy traditional preserved fruits to enjoy or as gifts.
- Hang Than Street in the 36 streets of Hanoi specializes in selling traditional green rice flakes. Besides green rice flakes, you can also find other types of cakes such as xu xue cake or green bean cake with various colors, vibrant throughout the street. The Old Quarter area is also where you can find the most hotels in Hanoi for you to choose from for convenient sightseeing and shopping around the 36 streets.
- Hang Ma Street specializes in selling worship items, handicrafts, and toys for children in a wide variety. Especially during festivals like Mid-Autumn Festival, Lunar New Year, Hang Ma Street attracts more tourists to Hanoi than ever because of the colorful items such as gold paper offerings, lanterns, toys,... illuminating the entire street.
Hang Ma Street shines with vibrant colors during festive seasons (@nancyle30)
- Major shopping centers in Hanoi include the Vincom shopping mall system (notably Vincom Ba Trieu), Lotte Department Store, Trang Tien Plaza, Aeon Mall,... are among the most sophisticated shopping destinations in the capital. Here, you can find a plethora of high-end branded items from both domestic and international brands. Additionally, these shopping centers offer luxurious check-in spots, a diverse culinary scene, and souvenirs imbued with Hanoi's essence,... all centralized in these large commercial hubs in the city.
Shopping tips in Hanoi
- When purchasing Hanoi's specialties as gifts, be sure to check the expiration date and quality of the food to ensure it is not moldy or the packaging/container is not torn. Special local delicacies must be handled with care to avoid spoilage after being given as gifts.
- According to the travel experience of many visitors to Hanoi, when buying souvenirs like silk, you need to check the quality of the silk fabric by burning the fibers. However, you cannot burn the product in the store, so it's best to distinguish between real and fake silk by feeling it with your hands. Real silk will give you a soft, smooth, and cool feeling, unlike synthetic silk, which feels sticky when touched.
- When shopping in Hanoi, you should avoid bargaining or returning products in the early morning or late afternoon because traders often believe that these actions will negatively affect their entire day's sales activities.
- When visiting local markets or crowded shopping areas, you need to ensure your personal belongings to prevent incidents such as pickpocketing or accidental dropping of important items.
Mytour has just compiled the most meaningful Hanoi specialties, along with unique souvenirs that you cannot miss on your Hanoi trip. Quickly book your flight to Hanoi now to enjoy the bustling atmosphere in the capital! Wishing you a meaningful journey!
Thao Chi
Image source: Instagram, Internet.
