Festive Edition Guide: Vietnam Gourmet Gifts for Food Lovers

Finding the right Christmas gift is not always an easy task. Especially not when you are shopping for someone who loves to feast well on foods and drinks. The good news? This guide takes out all of your guesswork.  

Every pick on this list is chosen for people who love food, curated by those who love it most. Whether you’re shopping for a passionate home cook, a friend who likes to explore new tastes or someone who simply enjoys a quality treat, you’ll find a solid match here. 

Fine robusta coffee with notes of fruity wine

Source: Coffee Concept

Of course, you know that Vietnam’s all about coffee, specifically robusta, but do you know about fine robusta? This fast-growing category is being driven by coffee enthusiasts across Vietnam, who are pushing robusta beyond its commodity reputation and showcasing it for its unique flavors and complexity.

Soul Coffee is a perfect example. Grown in the highlands of Cư M’gar from the locally developed TR variety (a Vietnamese robusta cultivar bred for the Central Highlands, resilient and prized for its natural sweetness and flavor), it’s hand-picked at peak ripeness, anaerobically fermented, and slow sun-dried to bring out warmth, sweetness, and layered depth. The cup is smooth yet intense, with a rich crema and a nồng profile — Vietnamese for full-bodied, rich, lingering flavor — with notes of brown sugar, fruity wine, and a hint of cardamom.

When treated with care, robusta becomes more than coffee, it’s a statement of Vietnam on the rise, bold, expressive, and unmistakably its own.

• Price: 250,000 VND (200 grams) including tax

Handcrafted and handpainted ceramics

Tuhu Ceramics brings together heritage craft and contemporary design in pieces that feel both timeless and modern. Inspired by Lai Thieu stoneware — a traditional pottery form with roots in early 20th‑century Vietnamese craft.

Each piece is handcrafted and hand‑painted, often in striking cobalt blue and other thoughtfully chosen motifs that reflect Vietnamese culture and natural elements, blending ancient tradition with fresh creative expression. Rather than simply reproducing old patterns, Tuhu’s work reinvents them, balancing the simplicity and cultural depth of traditional ceramics with a modern aesthetic that feels at home with contemporary dining.

Their collection includes cups, bowls, teapots, and serving dishes, all made to brighten the table while celebrating craft and creativity. Thoughtful, tactile, and full of personality, Tuhu pieces make a perfect gift for food lovers who appreciate heritage and design.

• Price: Starting from 1,090,000 VND 

Credit: DÊ Hot Sauce

All-natural, preservative-free hot sauce

DÊ Hot Sauce is handcrafted in small batches using fresh, locally sourced chili peppers from Đà Lạt, crafted for those who seek not just heat, but heat with layers of complex flavor. Founded by a passionate cook, DÊ’s sauces are made with only the finest, all-natural, vegan-friendly ingredients - no preservatives or artificial additives, just pure, fresh flavor in every bottle.

From the fiery kick of Bird’s Eye Chili to the tangy, fruity heat of the Big Mama Mustard & Yuzu Mild Chili Sauce, each bottle offers something unique. The Big Mama Mustard & Yuzu sauce blends three varieties of chili peppers—Big Mama Mustard, green Thai chili, and green batri and horn chilies—with the pungency of horseradish and the refreshing sourness of Japanese yuzu fruit. The result? A bold, aromatic sauce that’s perfect for seafood, meats, and salads, bringing a distinctive flavor to your dishes with every drop.

• Price: From 89,000 vnd (including tax)

Naturally-forming sea salt from Bac Lieu

Credit: Sel de Bac Lieu

Sel de Bac Lieu is a Vietnamese brand that produces naturally forming sea salt in Bac Lieu, partnering with local artisans to harvest unrefined flakes using sun- and wind-powered methods. Drawing on over a century of traditional salt-making, the brand minimizes waste and packages its salt in refillable, eco-friendly ceramic pots, combining heritage craftsmanship with sustainable practices.

The salt itself, shaped by tropical sun and calm coastal winds, is rugged yet delicate, with a rich mineral character that brings depth to any dish. Their Fleur de Sel, or “flower of salt,” is the finest, naturally forming layer of crystals on evaporating seawater, prized for its light, flaky texture and nuanced flavor, perfect as a finishing touch for both savory and sweet creations.

With a commitment to authenticity, flavor, and sustainability, Sel de Bac Lieu offers both a culinary and ethical choice for food lovers seeking high-quality, artisanal salt.

• Price: 120,000 vnd (180 grams)

Vietnam’s first award-winning rice spirit

Credit: Ruou Lang

Some people collect whiskies. Others hunt down small-batch gins. For those who’ve tried it all, Rượu Làng offers a fresh discovery: a Vietnamese rice spirit that feels both traditional and modern. Made from Nep Tái glutinous rice grown on highland terraces and pure spring water, it’s carefully fermented and distilled to preserve the grain’s clean, nuanced, and aromatic character.

Unlike mass-produced rice wines, Rượu Làng is aged briefly to enhance smoothness and depth, resulting in a spirit that’s refined and elegant. Its quality has earned Double Gold and Gold medals at the SIP Awards, making it the first Vietnamese rice liquor to earn an award at the prestigious international competition, bringing recognition to the category of Ruou - Vietnamese rice liquors.

With a range of expressions, from the classic aromatic spirit to lighter, fruit-infused variations like dragonfruit, it’s a perfect gift for anyone who enjoys culture, craftsmanship and discovering something new in their glass. 

• Price: 880,000 vnd including tax (700ml)

Coconut charcoal filtered rice vodka

Credit: Nhau Vodka

For those who love to explore spirits with a story, Nhậu Coconut Vodka offers a uniquely Vietnamese twist on vodka. Built on a contemporary rice spirit foundation, distilled from carefully selected native rice varieties from the fertile Mekong Delta, this vodka is filtered through activated coconut charcoal from Bến Tre, giving it a signature clarity and polished mouthfeel that’s both smooth and expressive.

Rooted in Vietnam’s rich rice culture and the communal ritual of nhậu — the joyful, everyday gatherings around food and drinks, Nhậu Coconut Vodka celebrates local ingredients and craftsmanship while offering a versatile drinking experience. With its clean profile and subtle natural sweetness, it’s perfect served neat, on the rocks, or as the base for both classic and inventive cocktails, from a coconut‑infused martini to a lemongrass mule.

• Price: 550,000 VND including tax (700ml)

Award-winning Vietnamese craft rhum infused with chocolate, passionfruit and coffee

Credit: Rhum Belami

You want to give a bottle that feels truly considered? This one makes an impression from the first pour. Rhum Belami’s Chocolate & Coffee Rum offers a flavour profile most people have never encountered, made from locally grown black sugarcane combined with refined French techniques. 

The depth is what stands out: dark cacao, roasted coffee, a hint of coconut and a smooth, steady finish. That complexity comes from five years of aging in toasted Spanish oak barrels seasoned with coffee beans and coconut water: a detail you taste immediately. And yes, it looks as good as it tastes; The tined brown bottle gives it an elegant, gift-ready presence, meaning you don’t even need any wrapping technique.

An extra tip for when you hand over your gift: feel free to brag a little. Because Rhum Belami has the medals to back it up: Bronze at the World Rum Awards 2025 and Gold in 2020. 

• Price: 2,790,000 vnd including tax (700ml)

Award-winning Heirloom chocolate

Credit: WEN Chocolate

For the chocolate lover who has tried it all, WEN offers something truly unique: Vietnamese heirloom cacao from Tiền Giang and Lâm Đồng. Made from one of the world’s rarest heirloom cacao varieties — only 13 exist globally, and two grow in these regions of Vietnam, these beans are carefully selected for their unique genetics, complex flavors, and deep connection to the terroir. Hand-harvested, fermented, sun-dried, roasted, and ground with precision, they create award-winning chocolate with layered notes of warm spice, soft cacao, subtle fruit, and natural richness.

WEN partners with the Heirloom Cacao Preservation Fund (HCP) to support ethical farming, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of cacao farmers. HCP works to preserve rare cacao varieties threatened by climate change and deforestation, ensuring a sustainable future for high-quality chocolate.

In addition to dark chocolate, WEN also crafts milk chocolate with oolong tea and cashew and bars with cacao nibs, highlighting their artistry while honoring the bean. Each bar is a celebration of Vietnamese craftsmanship, heirloom cacao heritage, and sustainable chocolate-making, making it a perfect gift for food and chocolate lovers alike.

• Price: From 150,000 vnd for a single bar (including tax), 525,000 vnd (bundle of 4)

Non-food gifts

Food and drink experiences led by a food writer

Credit: Saigon Social

If you want to give your foodie friend something they truly cannot find anywhere else, this is it. Saigon Socials hosts the first workshops of their kind in the city: a Vietnamese craft spirit tasting where you sample rare local spirits from rum and gin to moonshine and fruit-infused liqueurs, and a Pho tasting where you try six different styles all at once. 

Both experiences take place in our tucked-away café in D1, with small groups, a relaxed vibe and plenty of time to taste, learn and ask questions. It is the kind of event where you arrive curious and leave with a new, surprising understanding of Vietnamese flavours. 

Perfect for anyone who prefers experiences over things, loves discovering new food stories or simply wants a different way to enjoy Saigon. 

• Price: Spirit tasting 935,000 vnd & Pho tasting 660,000 vnd

Handmade ‘Ca Phe Sua Da’ Candle

Credit: Onis Candle Bar

At Oni’s Candle Bar, their Cà Phê Sữa Đá candles are a tribute to the rich, aromatic essence of Vietnam’s beloved iced coffee. Handmade with meticulous care, each candle is crafted using high-quality soy wax, carefully blended to capture the warm, robust aroma of freshly brewed Vietnamese coffee.

The top notes of rich espresso are expertly paired with a smooth, sweet undertone reminiscent of condensed milk, creating a sensory experience that transports you straight to a bustling Hanoi café. The process is truly artisanal, with each candle being hand-poured and delicately scented to ensure an authentic and long-lasting fragrance.

• Price: Spirit tasting 935,000 vnd & Pho tasting 660,000 vnd

Đặc Đen Đắng: Vietnamese Coffee Book

Photo courtesy of La Caph

For all the coffee lovers out there, this book will hit the spot. Đặc Đen Đắng: The Vietnamese Coffee Book is the first English book that truly explains how coffee became woven into Vietnam’s identity: from its arrival more than 160 years ago to the role in daily life today. 

The book answers questions like how Vietnam became one of the biggest coffee producers worldwide, how coffee shaped communities and even the part it played in ex-president Ho Chi Minh’s rise to power. Along this deep dive, it shares the stories of the farmers, roasters, baristas and traders who built the industry and continue to push it forward. 

It is a thoughtful read for anyone who wants to understand Vietnamese culture beyond the cup. 

• Price: 1,250,000 vnd 

The Cocktail Art of Saigon — Vol. 3

Photo courtesy of The Studio Saigon

For anyone who wants to dig deeper into Saigon’s cocktail scene, this book is a standout gift. The Cocktail Art of Saigon — Vol. 3 by English artist and bartender Richi Fawcett brings together beautifully illustrated cocktails inspired by the city’s flavours, neighbourhoods and stories. It’s the kind of book that looks good on a coffee table, but also sparks real curiosity in anyone who flips it open. 

The book features 50 cocktails marking 50 years of peace in Vietnam. Recipes are included and at the back of the book, you’ll also find an illustrated guide to bartender techniques. 

You can choose between a physical copy or a digital download, depending on how your recipient prefers to enjoy it. And if you’re looking for a smaller gift with the same artistic charm, The Studio Saigon also offers postcards featuring artwork series. 

In Ho Chi Minh City, you can stop by the studio to pick up your gift in person: 42 Bis Lý Tự Trọng, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh

• Price: 500,000 vnd

Nopa: The first smart bottle that makes reuse fun

Credit: Nopa

This list may be food-focused, but drinking is just as essential, especially water. And if you want to level up that basic daily habit, the Nopa Move water bottle is worth considering. 

The bottle is fully customizable through Nopa’s switch system: mix and match bases, tops, and lids to change colours, designs or functions whenever you want. Also meaning that if a part needs replacing, you can simply swap it out. 

What makes this bottle even more interesting are the perks. Link your bottle, check in at one of the partner cafés across Saigon (100+ locations) and unlock rewards in the form of discounts, free upsizes and more. A practical gift with real benefits for anyone who loves café culture, daily habits and a water bottle that feel just that little bit more rewarding. 

• Price: From 495,000 vnd

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