What to bring back from Vietnam: coffee, cashews, Phu Quoc fish sauce — and what airlines and customs won't allow
Popular things to bring back from Vietnam: Buon Ma Thuot coffee, Binh Phuoc cashews, Phu Quoc fish sauce and Marou chocolate. Fish sauce and durian go in checked baggage only, specially packed; wildlife products and antiques need permits.
The most popular things to bring back from Vietnam are coffee, cashews, fish sauce and chocolate, and each has its home region. Robusta coffee comes from Dak Lak province — "Buon Ma Thuot Coffee" is a protected geographical indication. Cashews come from Binh Phuoc province, which holds Vietnam's only geographical indication for cashews. Phu Quoc nước mắm fish sauce was the first Vietnamese name protected in the European Union. Marou chocolate is made in Ho Chi Minh City from Vietnamese cacao. You can take all of these home, but fish sauce and durian only in checked baggage and specially packed.
| What | From | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Robusta coffee | Buon Ma Thuot, Dak Lak province | ground or beans — any baggage |
| Cashews | Binh Phuoc province | check the producer on the pack |
| Nước mắm fish sauce | Phu Quoc | checked baggage only, plastic bottle, no glass |
| Marou chocolate | Ho Chi Minh City, cacao from southern provinces | carry on in hot weather so it doesn't melt |
| Tailor-made clothes | Hoi An | made in 1–2 days, order on your first day |
What coffee should you bring back from Vietnam?
Most people bring robusta from the Central Highlands: Dak Lak province grows about a third of the country's coffee, and "Buon Ma Thuot Coffee" has been a protected geographical indication since 2005. Buy in chain supermarkets, where origin and ingredients are on the pack. Many also take a metal phin filter — the way coffee is brewed in Vietnam. Where to buy in Nha Trang — what to buy in Nha Trang and Lotte Mart.
Can you fly with fish sauce and durian?
Yes, but only in checked baggage. Under Vietnam Airlines rules, fish sauce and durian aren't allowed in the cabin; checked baggage may hold up to 3 litres of fish sauce and up to 5 kg of durian. The sauce must be in a plastic bottle filled to no more than 95%, the cap taped shut, packed in a foam box; glass isn't accepted. These rules don't apply on ATR72 flights. Vietjet and other airlines have their own rules — check in your carrier's app before flying.
How much liquid can you take in hand luggage?
On international flights from Vietnam, hand luggage may hold containers of up to 100 ml, up to 1 litre in total, in a clear sealed bag. Put alcohol and cosmetics over 100 ml in checked baggage, or buy duty-free after security, where it's sealed in a bag.
What can't you take out of Vietnam?
Without a permit you can't export products from protected animals — ivory, rhino horn, tortoiseshell, coral — or antiques. These are sold in markets and shops, but customs confiscates them. Gold jewellery of 300 g or more must be declared on departure, and cash from USD 5,000; details in money in Vietnam.
Where to shop in each city
Every city has a market for souvenirs and supermarkets for coffee and nuts. By city — Da Nang markets and shops, Phu Quoc markets and shops, Ho Chi Minh City markets and malls, tailoring in Hoi An, and in Nha Trang — Dam Market.
Which fruits are in season when, and flying home with them: fruits of Vietnam.
Which coffee to buy, how to brew it in a phin and why most weasel coffee is fake: Vietnamese coffee.
FAQ
What makes a good gift from Vietnam? Buon Ma Thuot coffee, Binh Phuoc cashews, Marou chocolate, Phu Quoc fish sauce.
Can you fly with fish sauce? Checked baggage only: on Vietnam Airlines up to 3 litres, in plastic inside a foam box.
Can you fly with durian? On Vietnam Airlines up to 5 kg in checked baggage, sealed in plastic; not in the cabin.
Can you take ivory or coral out of Vietnam? No — without a CITES permit customs confiscates them.