What kinds of things do Vietnamese people like?

I usually bring different gifts depending on the age of the people. For older people, I bring them medicated oil. You can find it in a lot of Vietnamese-American shops. I think it has an emblem of an eagle on it, has some menthol in it, and smells nice. My older in-laws love it because they know that it is not fake stuff from China.

For people my own generation, or for people not old enough to enjoy medicated ointment, I like to bring small bottles of liquor.

For kids, I will bring them candy, toys, or clothes.

All depends on the age. I always bring back medicines that they don't have or like stated are not fake from China. I brought my mother in law good eye drops and brought back things like oxy pads for my sis in law. Also make up from America is always nice for female relatives of younger age.

Oh yeah, I forgot one more thing. Anything from Bath and Body Works will go over well with young to middle-aged women. I usually hit up the sales where you get discounts if you buy 5 things and will end up buying 10 or 15.

Depending on how much ca$h you want to $pend, you can bring electronics as well. i-anythings and laptops are always a big hit.

U can't go wrong with dau xanh, the green medicated oil.

Stock up on $2 bills.  They believe it is lucky money.

For me, i like an Iphone :)or laptop

I think chocolate is good idea

reese's peanut butter and Oh Henry.

Hi there,

I am a vietnamese.... I guess you will have good experience when visiting Vietnam and go around Ho Chi Minh city for shopping and enjoy food. The place where most of visitors often come is Ben Thanh market, however that place is one of the most expensive one. But i am not sure what kind of things are you going to buy for your friends as souvenirs? If you need and advice you can ask me. I am willing to answer you.

If you want to do some really good work, look up Carry For Kids Vietnam on the internet. They will take all sorts of things for orphans and you can get clothes cheap or free at a Goodwill shop. Better than chocolate and trinkets.

I like electronic things (ipad, laptop, camera), chocolate and make-up ^^. Perfume is so nice to me (Lol)... Maybe other women have the same interests.

ancientpathos wrote:

Stock up on $2 bills.  They believe it is lucky money.

My wife had been living in the US for three years until she found a $2 bill that I had lying around somewhere. She was so impressed that I had one so I asked her if she wanted one. She said that she didn't know where to get one and didn't believe me when I told her that she can go into any bank and get as many as she wants... I think that killed the excitement for her a little bit, but she went and got 50 of them to take to VN for Tet.

with chocolates which you guys think would be better? Hersheys or stuff like Godiva? lol mainly cause I perfer Hersheys better for taste lol

Chris NJ wrote:

good eye drops

Yeah you have that right.... Visine is not available here in Vietnam.... I get my GF from Indo to bring it for me...

what's wrong with Eyedrops in Vietnam? I've used some there and never had a problem with them. My ex gf even got some to bring back to the US lol

distantarray wrote:

what's wrong with Eyedrops in Vietnam? I've used some there and never had a problem with them. My ex gf even got some to bring back to the US lol

Well maybe so.... but I just find them inferior.... I tried many different kinds but to no avail.... Some of them actually burned my eyes.... so In short.... nothing takes the red out or eases that pollution problem like Visine does....

lol i admit a slight burning feeling kinda like mint i thought that was normal lol, i actually like the feeling so never bothered me.

distantarray wrote:

lol i admit a slight burning feeling kinda like mint i thought that was normal lol, i actually like the feeling so never bothered me.

Well I did try everything that was available at local pharmacies.... but again I didn't feel satisfied.... My Friend John from Gainsville... (Florida) brought me 3 small bottles in January.... now fi brings them from Jakarta.... I never looked back again.... the pollution and smog was getting to me...

lol you need anymore? I don't mind bringing you some I can bring 140 pounds of stuff lol I think I'm only using about 20 so far. I'll mainly be around bin thanh and d1

distantarray wrote:

lol you need anymore? I don't mind bringing you some I can bring 140 pounds of stuff lol I think I'm only using about 20 so far. I'll mainly be around bin thanh and d1

Well If you can manage a few small bottles of red Visine from the US.... I would be greatly indebted and will reimburse you when I meet.... Thank You Brother...

About Vietnam, you should bring back some traditional cake/food of Vietnam which is mango pancake, or "Banh Pia" which include durian favor and many many more... if you want, I will sent you the vietnamese name and the pictures of it....
About the souvenir, you can take the fashion hat which use for going to beach and made of leaves and tree... T-shirt with the Vietnamese flat... a Ho chi Minh picture or vietnamese post card ... there are so many things and it also depends on the age of receivers.
All of these things was listed by my thought which I want to go somewhere to try these thing or somebody bring something to let me know about that place.
You can bring some vietnam dong is okay..., especailly the coin because it's hard to find it now.

taquan90 wrote:

T-shirt with the Vietnamese flat... a Ho chi Minh picture or vietnamese post card

I am pretty sure you would get beaten up in Houston if you wore a t-shirt with a picture of Ho Chi Minh on it. At a minimum, you would get some very angry looks and people would not be very friendly towards you.

Vietnamese-Americans have a very negative view of Ho Chi Minh. Many still fly the South Vietnamese flag. I have never seen a picture of Ho Chi Minh or a Vietnamese flag in Houston except inside the Vietnamese Consulate, but I see South Vietnamese flags almost every day.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge...! ^^ I don't know about it much... I just say what I see.