Souvenirs from Taiwan you should buy for family and friends

Each souvenir given to loved ones after a trip carries its own meaning. If you're planning a trip to Taiwan and are unsure what souvenir to buy, don't worry! Taiwan's rich and diverse culture makes finding the perfect gift easier than you think. Check out the 15 Taiwan souvenir suggestions from Mytour to make your trip even more memorable.

Overview of Taiwan tourism

With affordable costs, a location close to Vietnam, a cool climate, and beautiful scenery, Taiwan has become a very popular tourist destination recently. Moreover, Taiwan is known as the 'Dragon of Asia' due to its rapidly growing economy.

Although a small island nation in East Asia, Taiwan has an irresistible charm. The destination attracts visitors with its beautiful four-season landscapes, golden forests, silver seas, rivers, lakes, and majestic mountains. Additionally, Taiwan features unique architectural landmarks reflecting Chinese cultural heritage. Thanks to these factors, the keyword 'Taiwan tourism' became the top travel search on Google Vietnam in 2023.

Taiwan was the most searched travel destination in 2023 on Google Vietnam (Image Source: Collected)

Taiwan has two of the most famous tourist cities: Taipei and Tainan. While Taipei is a long-standing cultural and political center, Tainan is a lively city where ancient architecture blends harmoniously with modern lifestyles. In both cities, visitors can easily find cute Taiwanese souvenirs at affordable prices to gift to their loved ones.

Top 15 unique Taiwanese souvenirs you should buy

What souvenirs should you buy in Taiwan? This is a common question for travelers heading to Taiwan. However, you can rest assured because Taiwan offers a wide variety of unique and meaningful souvenirs. Here are 15 must-have souvenirs to bring back from Taiwan.

1. Pineapple Cake

Pineapple cake is a traditional Taiwanese delicacy that every visitor must purchase as a souvenir. Moreover, pineapple cakes are compact, easy to store, and perfect for bringing back to Vietnam by air.

Pineapple cake is the most sought-after souvenir by international tourists (Image source: Collected)

Pineapple cakes feature a soft, smooth crust that naturally blends with the sweet pineapple filling. This harmonious pairing results in a tasty and nutritious treat. These cakes are available all over Taiwan, making them easy to find and purchase as gifts for friends and family. In addition to the traditional pineapple filling, you can now find varieties with mango, taro, and more, offering customers even more choices.

• Approximate price of pineapple cakes: 100,000 VND - 200,000 VND per box.

2. Jade and Emerald Jewelry

Jewelry made from jade not only exudes luxury, charm, and sophistication, but it also holds significant material and spiritual value. If you're unsure about what Taiwanese souvenir to buy for your grandmother or mother, jade jewelry would make an excellent gift. These items can include necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, and more.

In Taiwan, jade jewelry is believed to bring good fortune and is valued for its feng shui properties. It is especially known for providing positive energy and promoting health. You can easily find vibrant, colorful jade stones at extremely affordable prices, from Shilin Market to high-end shopping malls.

Jade jewelry in Taiwan is highly regarded for its durability and variety of beautiful designs (Source: Collected Images)

• The price range for jade jewelry: From several hundred thousand to a few million VND (depending on the item's value).

3. Various Taiwanese Teas

It would be a shame to visit Taiwan without purchasing one of the island's famous souvenirs, such as the popular Taiwanese tea bags, instant milk tea, or dried teas. As we know, Taiwan is renowned as the 'milk tea paradise' and the 'homeland of milk tea'.

Because of this, the island has produced many delicious teas that are famous worldwide. The most iconic is Alishan tea (A Li Mountain), which is known for its unique fragrance and color that cannot be found anywhere else.

Taiwan is called the 'tea paradise' of Asia (Source: Collected Images)

In addition to traditional teas, you can also buy instant milk tea or bottled milk tea as Taiwanese souvenirs for your friends. Taiwanese milk tea offers a gentle, natural flavor that is especially loved by office workers. Therefore, don't forget to grab some tea bags at convenience stores and supermarkets in Taiwan, especially near Alishan Mountain. The tea from this area is produced in a closed environment, ensuring top-notch quality.

4. Mini Lanterns

What should you buy as a souvenir when traveling to Taiwan? Mini lanterns are undoubtedly the perfect answer if you're unsure what Taiwanese souvenir to get. These mini lanterns, also known as sky lanterns, are a symbol of traditional Taiwanese culture, closely linked to the famous Pingxi Lantern Festival.

For this reason, lanterns are often seen as symbols of wishes, peace, and good fortune. Thus, there is no better gift to present to loved ones than a mini lantern, with the heartfelt message of 'wishing you good luck'.

The colorful mini lanterns are beautifully packaged in eye-catching boxes (Source: Collected Images)

Tourists can use these charming mini lanterns as home decorations or give them as gifts to family and friends. If you're looking for a souvenir that truly reflects Taiwanese culture, be sure to grab a mini lantern!

• Estimated price for mini lanterns: 50,000 VND - 100,000 VND each.

5.

Postcards with authentic Taiwanese flair

Many people are surprised by the popularity of Taiwanese postcards among tourists. Unlike most postcards that are not a common choice for travelers, Taiwanese postcards stand out. They are made from special materials and are decorated with illustrations of famous landmarks and beautiful landscapes.

• Estimated price: 40,000 VND - 100,000 VND per sheet.

6. Reishi mushrooms

When talking about nutritious ingredients that promote health in Taiwan, reishi mushrooms are a must-mention. This mushroom is widely known on the island for its ability to provide abundant energy for the body. Studies show that reishi mushrooms are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and beneficial minerals. Moreover, it can inhibit cholesterol synthesis and even aid in radiation therapy.

Therefore, if you're unsure what to gift senior family members or elders, reishi mushrooms are an excellent choice. These mushrooms promise to be a meaningful health gift that any older person would appreciate. You can find reishi mushrooms at traditional Chinese medicine stores in Taiwan.

Reishi mushrooms make a thoughtful health gift for grandparents and parents (Source: Collected)

• Estimated price of Taiwanese reishi mushrooms: 1,500,000 VND - 4,000,000 VND per kg.

7. Taiwan's Shaoxing Wine

If you are a fan of the classic wuxia novels by Jin Yong, then you are probably familiar with the traditional gourd-shaped wine flasks. Beyond the famous Nu Ni Hong wine, Shaoxing wine is equally renowned for its quality. To make authentic Shaoxing wine, it is distilled from the pure waters of Ailan Spring and Fuli, and aged in a cool, temperate environment.

Shaoxing wine offers a delightful taste that will captivate any gentleman (Source: Collected)

The main ingredients of Shaoxing wine are fermented glutinous rice and wheat. This gives the wine its beautiful golden hue and a rich, intoxicating fragrance. Visitors can purchase Shaoxing wine in wholesale markets or shopping malls in Taiwan. This would make an incredibly meaningful gift for the gentlemen in your life!

• Estimated price of Shaoxing wine: 200,000 VND - 400,000 VND per bottle.

8. Taiwanese Peanut Candy

We often associate peanut candy with being tough, hard, and lacking in flavor. However, Taiwanese peanut candy tells a completely different story. Made with great care, it’s coated with vibrant layers of color. When enjoyed, one can savor the sweet taste of brown sugar and the aromatic flavor of sesame seeds.

Peanut candy can be considered a unique Taiwanese souvenir, a local delicacy that children absolutely love. It's sold everywhere across Taiwan at affordable prices.

• Estimated price of Taiwanese peanut candy: 280,000 VND per box.

9. Oil paper umbrellas

At least once in your life, you’ve probably seen oil paper umbrellas fluttering in historical dramas. These umbrellas are not just practical items; they carry the essence of traditional Chinese culture, from the decorative patterns to the quality of the craftsmanship. The landscape paintings adorning these umbrellas are meticulously detailed by skilled artisans.

According to the Hakka people in Taiwan, oil paper umbrellas are not only used for protection from the rain and sun but also serve as a symbol of wealth, prosperity, and good fortune. They are also a meaningful gift for young adults as they enter adulthood.

Oil paper umbrellas come in a variety of designs and colors, offering plenty of options for travelers to choose from (Image source: Collected)

However, nowadays, oil paper umbrellas are no longer commonly used for shielding from the rain or sun. Instead, they have become a popular decorative item in traditional restaurants and ancient temples. You can find these umbrellas for sale at night markets in Southern Kaohsiung or in certain old districts of Taipei.

• The price range for oil paper umbrellas is 150,000 VNĐ - 300,000 VNĐ each.

10. Decorative Magnets

What may seem like a simple item, these colorful magnets with striking designs are ideal for home decoration. The illustrations on these magnets showcase a variety of themes, from famous landmarks to local cuisine and festive celebrations. If you're looking for a compact and portable souvenir from Taiwan, magnets are a perfect option.

Taiwan's decorative magnets come in a variety of designs, often featuring food themes, famous landmarks, and more (Image source: Collected)

• The reference price for decorative magnets is 50,000 VNĐ each.

11. Taiwanese Pork Floss

Similar to Vietnamese pork floss, Taiwan has its own special recipe for this renowned dish. Its delicate aroma and rich taste in every bite are sure to satisfy even the pickiest eaters. The process of making Taiwanese pork floss is quite intricate, making it light, airy, and melt-in-your-mouth when you taste it.

Taiwanese pork floss is a beloved specialty, particularly sought after by women (Image source: Collected)

In addition to the traditional pork floss, Taiwan has introduced several new variations that include ingredients like seaweed, cheese, and more. Pork floss can be paired with plain rice porridge, white rice, or enjoyed on its own, offering a delicious experience either way. This snack is expected to become a popular choice for home-cooking enthusiasts.

• The reference price for Taiwanese pork floss is 250,000 VNĐ per 250 grams.

12. Thuli Ceramics

Thuli Ceramics is a Taiwanese souvenir that not only showcases the elegance and prestige of the giver but is also highly appreciated by the recipient. These ceramics are known for their high aesthetic value, durability, and ability to maintain their beauty over time. This is why Thuli Ceramics is a popular choice among tourists when looking for a gift for their loved ones, admired for their sophistication, durability, and beauty.

Thuli Ceramics is not only luxurious but also delicate, making it a perfect gift for loved ones (Image source: Collected)

13. Skin Care Masks 

Taiwanese skin care masks offer excellent quality and beautiful designs that can rival those from Korea or Japan. Additionally, they are very affordable and provide a range of skin-restoring benefits. For older women, popular anti-aging mask brands such as Naruko and Dr. Morita are must-haves. However, it's important to buy authentic products from reputable shopping malls to avoid counterfeit items.

The quality of Taiwanese skin care masks is on par with any Korean or Japanese brand (Image source: Collected)

14. Clothing 

Influenced by the two largest fashion capitals in Asia, Japan and South Korea, Taiwan's fashion style is characterized by elegance and minimalism. In Taiwan, you can explore a variety of fashion styles, ranging from delicate to bold, luxurious looks.

Moreover, you can find many second-hand stores with incredibly affordable prices scattered across Taiwan's night markets. For those seeking high-end brands with practical appeal, shopping malls are the ideal destination. Taiwan's fashion not only keeps up with global trends but offers diverse and durable designs. Therefore, if you're in Taiwan, don’t miss the opportunity to hunt for the latest fashion items!

Affordable clothing is widely available at Taiwan's night market stalls (Image source: Collected)

15. Aragonite Seal

At first, the Taiwanese souvenir may seem unusual, but it is actually a seal made from Aragonite quartz. This stone is a blend of various minerals from volcanic origins. The only places where this stone can be found are the islands of Banh Hu and Sicily. As a result, Aragonite seals are rare and sought after by many tourists.

The Aragonite seal makes for a unique and eye-catching souvenir if you wish to surprise the recipient (Image source: Collected)

Taiwanese people often use Aragonite stones to craft seals, each of which has its own distinctive and appealing shape. This makes it a perfect gift that is truly one-of-a-kind and cannot be found anywhere else.

When is the best time to visit Taiwan?

Apart from the common question of "What souvenirs to buy in Taiwan?", many travelers are also curious about "What season is the best to visit Taiwan?" Based on my own experience traveling independently in Taiwan, any time of year is perfect for a trip. Each season offers a unique charm and beauty that is unmistakably different. However, the two most popular seasons are likely spring and autumn.

• Spring (from January to March): This is the season when visitors can witness the cherry blossoms in full bloom. The petals fluttering in the spring breeze evoke feelings of warmth and excitement. You can refer to the Taiwan Cherry Blossom Viewing Schedule for accurate blooming times.

• Autumn (from September to November): In this season, visitors can immerse themselves in the stunning golden hues of falling leaves. The natural scenery becomes serene, romantic, and poetic like never before. Additionally, Taiwan's late autumn weather is pleasantly cool and clear, making it perfect for sightseeing and outdoor activities.

Important Things to Note When Buying Souvenirs in Taiwan

If you're new to purchasing souvenirs from Taiwan, here are some helpful tips to guide you. These shopping suggestions will help you save a significant amount of money!

• Ask for the price beforehand: Before buying anything from small stores or night markets, make sure to inquire about the price. This will not only help you avoid overpaying but also ensure you're getting a reasonable deal that fits your budget.

• Buy souvenirs at night markets: Instead of shopping at malls, it's advisable to purchase items at the night markets, where prices are typically much lower.

• Negotiate prices: If you're traveling to Taiwan independently and don’t speak Mandarin, use the Google Translate app. You can also learn a few basic phrases to make the shopping process smoother, avoiding any misunderstandings while bargaining.

• If you're planning to buy tea as a gift for loved ones, make sure to purchase it from reputable shops to ensure top-quality products.

• Mini lanterns are a popular souvenir, particularly found in the old villages of Shifen or Jiufen. These items are rare in most parts of Taiwan, and their price depends on their design and size.

By now, you likely have your answer to the question, 'What souvenir from Taiwan should I buy as a gift?'. Though these souvenirs may be simple and humble, they hold a lot of sentimental value. Celebrate the memories of your travels with these charming gifts. If you're interested in booking a complete Taiwan tour package, feel free to contact Mytour at 028 3827 0404 for free consultation!