Where to Buy Souvenirs in Halong Bay? 5 Must-Visit Spots from Supermarkets to Pearls

After enjoying a magnificent cruise in World Heritage Halong Bay, many travelers wonder, ‘Where can I buy souvenirs?’ In the Bai Chay and Hon Gai districts, which serve as Halong Bay’s tourist hubs, you’ll find a variety of shopping spots, from bustling local markets to comfortable, air-conditioned large shopping malls.

This article carefully selects the must-visit souvenir spots in the Halong Bay area. Furthermore, for those on a multi-city tour of Vietnam, we also introduce popular classic souvenirs overwhelmingly supported by Japanese expatriates and travelers, available in Ho Chi Minh City. We’ll also provide real local reviews and important tips, so please use this as your guide.

GO! Hạ Long

📍 Address: Cột 5, Hạ Long, Quảng Ninh, Vietnam

‘GO! Hạ Long’ (formerly Big C) is a large supermarket that supports the daily lives of local people. The first floor of the building houses apparel stores, a small food court, and a cinema, creating a friendly atmosphere akin to a ‘local mini-Aeon.’ The expansive supermarket floor on the second level is actually the best souvenir hunting spot for travelers.

Its biggest appeal is the ability to purchase a large quantity of affordable, ‘ba-ra-maki’ (bulk) souvenirs at local prices. From Vietnamese coffee, lotus tea, rice paper, and fish sauce to a wide variety of instant pho, the selection is excellent and incredibly cheap. If there’s a special offer, you might even buy fruit cheaper than haggling at the market.

However, be aware of the ‘local rules’ unique to local supermarkets. When buying fruits or other items by weight, you don’t take them directly to the cashier; you need to ask a staff member at the weighing station in the sales area to attach a barcoded price sticker. In Vietnam, there isn’t much of a custom of queuing in an orderly fashion, so you might get frustrated if people cut in front of you during busy times. But embrace it as part of the local energy and assert yourself!

Also, you might see promotional items like ‘Buy X items and get a free tableware set!’ but the conditions can be unclear, or the offer might not be applied correctly at checkout. If you’re unsure, it’s safer to stick to simple, single-item purchases.

Vincom Plaza Hạ Long

📍 Address: Khu, Cột đồng hồ, Hồng Gai, Quảng Ninh, Vietnam

If you’re tired of the heat and humidity, escape to ‘Vincom Plaza Hạ Long’ in the Hon Gai district, near the Clock Tower. This bright, modern shopping mall has excellent air conditioning, a stark contrast to the heat outside. Equipped with elevators and clean restrooms, and often serving as a pick-up/drop-off point for paid shuttle buses for Halong Bay cruises, it’s a very convenient facility for travelers.

Inside, you’ll find ‘VinMart’, a large supermarket with a dedicated section for tourists, featuring major Vietnamese souvenirs (coffee, lotus tea, individually packaged snacks, traditional handicrafts, etc.). This is perfect for those who want to shop efficiently and quickly, without having to search all over the place. If you’re lucky, a Japanese-speaking staff member with experience working in Japan might even recommend local dining spots.

After shopping, we recommend taking a break at one of the mall’s seaside cafes (like Highlands Coffee). Sipping a cold Vietnamese coffee while gazing at the passing boats and islands of Halong Bay is a moment of pure bliss.

Legend Pearl

📍 Address: 238 Đại Yên, Tuần Châu, Quảng Ninh, Vietnam

One of Halong Bay’s famous local products is ‘pearls.’ The calm environment of the bay is highly suitable for cultivating Akoya pearls and other oysters, known for producing high-quality pearls worldwide. ‘Legend Pearl’ is located on the way to Tuan Chau Island, the departure point for Halong Bay cruises, and is a popular stop for many tour buses.

Inside the facility, local guides provide free explanations (primarily in English) of the pearl cultivation and processing steps, from oyster to pearl. Watching artisans delicately implant nuclei through glass is a fascinating experience. At the end of the tour route, there is a spacious and impressive jewelry shop, displaying everything from affordable souvenir accessories to high-end items costing hundreds of thousands of yen.

As a facility catering to tours, some say prices are slightly higher than market rates, but the assurance of purchasing genuine Halong Bay specialty products is appealing. This place is also an excellent ‘restroom stop.’ It has large, clean, well-maintained restrooms and a coffee shop on the backside, making it a valuable oasis for weary travelers.

Halong Night Market

📍 Address: Thành phố Hạ Long, Quảng Ninh, Vietnam

When you think of nightlife in Southeast Asia, night markets come to mind, but the ‘Halong Night Market’ in the center of Bai Chay has a slightly different atmosphere than the chaotic, lively open-air markets travelers might imagine. Stores are neatly arranged within a covered facility, characterized by an impersonal structure akin to an arcade shopping street or a supermarket.

While shops selling Vietnamese souvenirs like carved wooden figures, bags, and pearl accessories line the market, during weekdays or the off-season (especially on rainy days), many shutters are closed, and there are few customers, leading to a lack of vibrancy. Furthermore, searchlights from nearby huge nightclubs cast their glow, accompanied by deafening bass music, creating a uniquely chaotic atmosphere.

If you’re looking for local energy and street food during the off-season, you might find it more enjoyable to explore the area around local markets closer to the bus terminal (such as Cái Dăm Market), where local people gather. If your timing aligns with a weekend evening, it’s best to visit with the attitude of just casually browsing during an evening stroll.

STAR KITCHEN Takashimaya Store

📍 Address: B2 Floor, Takashimaya Vietnam, 92-94 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Sài Gòn, Hồ Chí Minh 700000 Vietnam

Many visitors to Halong Bay are likely enjoying a multi-city tour of Vietnam, including Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. For those who absolutely want to get ‘must-have’ Vietnamese souvenirs, we highly recommend ‘STAR KITCHEN,’ located on the B2 floor of Takashimaya in Ho Chi Minh City. (There is also a directly managed store in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.)

STAR KITCHEN is a sweets brand founded by a Japanese individual in 2013. Driven by the desire to create ‘Vietnamese-style souvenirs,’ they sell delicious and stylish confections under strict Japanese-quality hygiene management. Especially popular is their ‘Banh Mi Rusk,’ which is inspired by Vietnam’s national dish. With unique Vietnamese flavors like pho, coffee, and cilantro, these individually packaged treats are perfect for ‘ba-ra-maki’ souvenirs for the workplace.

While local snacks from markets and supermarkets are fun, STAR KITCHEN perfectly solves the dilemma of travelers who want ‘something proper to give to my boss’ or ‘don’t want to buy mysteriously expensive snacks at the airport.’ The Takashimaya store offers ample samples, allowing you to choose souvenirs with confidence while receiving polite service.

Don’t Make Mistakes! Tips for Souvenir Shopping in Vietnam

Shopping in Vietnam varies greatly in difficulty and enjoyment depending on where you go. Bargaining is generally the norm in markets and local shops; the trick is to aim for about ‘half price’ from the start and communicate with a smile. However, while exorbitant rip-offs have become less common in recent years, always ask ‘Bao nhiêu tiền?’ (‘How much is it?’) before buying if there’s no price written.

On the other hand, supermarkets like ‘GO! Hạ Long’ and ‘Vincom Plaza’ have fixed prices, so you can shop to your heart’s content without the stress of negotiation. Smart travelers differentiate their shopping spots based on their purpose: supermarkets for bulk snacks and instant noodles, STAR KITCHEN or specialty stores in Vincom Plaza for high-quality gifts for friends or self-rewards, and pearl farms like Legend Pearl for memorable Halong Bay keepsakes.