Herbs. We have our own spices of course, but Vietnamese seasoning hits different. The good news: Even ubiquitous general stores such as Vinmart stock bottled flavourings. Or head to a farm for a guided tour. Look for garlic chives (hẹ), sawtooth coriander (ngo gai/mui tau), lemon basil or Thai basil (which you’ll find in most pho), and fish mint (diep ca), which is usually polarising when it comes to taste, but is certainly unique.

Coffee. Vietnamese coffee relies mostly on Robusta beans, making it stronger and slightly nuttier than the Arabica we’re used to. Trang Nguyen, Highlands and Mr Viet are reliable brands to lug home and experiment with. Before you buy, taste, taste, taste. Grab a Vietnam Airlines flight to Hanoi, make your way to a busy market such as Ben Thanh, head to the coffee bean stalls, and take your time. Talk to the vendors about varieties, acidity and quality so you know what you’re getting.

Ceramic filters. Gently wrap them up in your clothes and fly back with them. How else will you brew your coffee like the Vietnamese do? They also make for great gifts, and are pretty inexpensive, especially if you bargain. Save the shopping for the last leg of your trip, but set aside time to shop for them. You don’t want to end up with those steel ones that bend every which way.

Vintage PRC jackets. Get on a Vietnam Airlines flight to Sapa. In the northern mountains, you’ll find that you’re pretty close to China. It’s a good place to pick up authentic, vintage jackets. Think stoic, faux mink and faux fur, late ’90s Russian-style winter wear – the kind you’d wear when riding a snowmobile in the frigid cold of Siberia. Or maybe a Delhi after-party.

Propaganda posters. Vietnamese war-time posters have come a long way, and in many ways they’ve stayed the same. You can buy copies of the traditional woodblock posters used in the ’70s, hand-painted on rice paper, at tiny hole-in-the-wall shops in both Hanoi’s Old Quarter and in Ho Chi Minh City. Themes range from directives on the raising of chickens, to feeding the masses and encouraging people to get cats to chase away pests. Who knew souvenirs carried so much wisdom?

Chocolate. Not the ones from Duty Free. Don’t be so basic. Look for the Vietnamese brand Marou. They source directly from farmers, have their own stores where they roast the beans. Go crazy with the flavours: Pho Spices, Mekong Kumquat, Salt & Pepper and Coconut Milk Ben Tre. Like all trending collectibles, they do special drops, which sell out quickly.

Shoes. You know what they say about people with small feet... they fly Vietnam Airlines to Hanoi to get their shoes. Vietnam produced about 1 billion pairs of footwear last year, second only to China. Nike, Adidas, Puma, Decathlon, Timberland, Skechers and other big brands all have tie-ups with factories and producers here. So, the deals are insane.

Car accessories. Vietnam has a thriving leather-goods industry. But shoes, belts, wallets and gloves aside, car enthusiasts should head to Hanoi for custom leather seats, steering wheel covers, and gear knobs made from various grades of leather. Do your research well, and if you know how to haggle, you’ll drive away with a steal.

Hand embroidery. Skip the conical hats, forget the silk scarves, and don’t bother with Hoi An tailors unless you want a business suit. In Sapa, Ha Giang (accessible via a Vietnam Airlines flight to NoiBai), and Mai Chau, look for tribal textiles. Get something tiny, a handkerchief perhaps. Or splurge on bed covers. Just examine the items carefully – the too-perfect work is probably done on a machine.

Calligraphy. If you’re ever outside a temple or pagoda and you see a calligrapher doing their thing, head on over. Not only are the brush strokes beautiful and unique, but you can also request something custom. Traditional calligraphy is done using ink and brush on rice paper; don’t approach random teens with easels. Be super clear about the characters, quotes, or verses you want. Profane slogans are not a good look.

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