In addition to exploring the beauty of popular attractions in Da Nang, many visitors arriving in the city show their keen interest in buying souvenirs to preserve their travel memories, or to present to their relatives and friends as gifts.

Visitors at the Han Market

In Da Nang, there are many souvenir shops which offer a wide range of products made from many kinds of materials to domestic and foreign visitors.

Specifically mentioned is the Huong Da Specialty Centre on Vo Van Kiet street.

On sale at the shop are a variety of central regional specialities, including dried seafood, ‘cha ca’ (fish cakes), ‘cha bo’ (grilled beef pate), ‘tre’ (making from a cheap material of pig: ear, nose, skin, lean and fat moved), and ‘mam ruoc’ (fermented shrimp paste).

In addition, there are marble souvenirs and stone sculptures sourcing from the Non Nuoc stone carving village, agarwood bracelets, handicraft products made of rattan and bamboo, and hand-embroidered fabric handbags.

Mr Ngo Phu Nhan, Manager of the Centre, said his centre has welcomed a large number of customers every day, especially on weekends. He remarked domestic visitors from northern provinces prefer to buy dried seafood, cakes, candies, and tea to present to their relatives and friends as gifts, whilst those from Southern localities often buy ‘cha bo’ and ‘tre’. Meanwhile, foreign travellers to the city showed their keen interest in buying souvenirs, coffee and dried fruit.

Ms Nguyen Tra My from Nam Dinh Province said this was the second time she had visited Da Nang. She said she often bought packages of pineapple ginseng tea, dried seafood, and ‘mam nem’ (a type of fish sauce, made from small fish or small shrimps), as gifts for her relatives and friends.

The female guest said that she felt secure whilst buying souvenirs at the centre because all goods have clear origins and quality certificates issued by competent authorities, and they are sold at displayed prices.

Apart from the Huong Da Centre, the Da Nang Souvenir and Café at 34 Bach Dang street has become very popular with both local residents and visitors thanks to its variety of lovely and eye-catching products.

On sale at this venue are such popular products as tasteful, hand-embroidered, fabric handbags, decorative objects, and table calendars featuring the images of the red-shanked douc langurs, the Son Tra Mountain, the Hai Van Pass, and other beautiful places of Da Nang. 

Apart from buying numerous souvenirs, customers can also enjoy tasty coffee in local wonderful café.

Although there are many souvenir shops in the city, the Han Market is still a top choice for both domestic and foreign visitors.

Visitors can take a tour around the market to easily buy numerous local specialties such as dried seafood and ‘mam ruoc’ (fermented shrimp paste), rattan and bamboo products, and eye-catching souvenirs.

According to local tourism experts, most of foreign visitors to the city love to buy souvenirs such as handicraft, hand-embroidered, and decorative products than other types of products. However, all most of the existing locally-made souvenirs have yet to satisfy the diversified tastes of the visitors. In reality, the city is facing a shortage of souvenirs meeting the requirements of aesthetic characteristics, high durability, and convenience.

Ms Nguyen Thi Hoai An, Deputy Director of the municipal Tourism Promotion Centre, affirmed her centre would advertise the city’s tourism products through tourism fairs and seminars at home and abroad, as well as make video clips about local special tourism products and then screen them on LED screens at main intersections, in a bid to stimulate the purchasing power of visitors.

The focus will be on conducting surveys of new tourism products and souvenirs which are suitable to tourists' tastes.