Buying souvenirs is one of the top activities for tourists when they visit a foreign country or locality - to retain memories of the places they visit, or to present to their relatives and friends as gifts.

A visitor at the Da Nang Souvenir and Café …

According to local tour guides, the Da Nang Souvenir and Café at 34 Bach Dang has become very popular with both residents and visitors thanks to its wide range of lovely and eye-catching souvenirs.  Apart from the opportunity to buy numerous souvenirs, customers can also enjoy tasty coffee in the beautiful café there.

Ms Hoang Bao Tran from Ha Noi said, “I have visited many souvenir shops in Da Nang, but I love the Da Nang Souvenir and Café very much.  Various lovely, high-quality, hand-made products are on sale at the shop at reasonable prices.”

Ms Park So Eun from South Korea said that she was interested in the tasteful, hand-embroidered, fabric handbags which she will buy as gifts for her friends.  She was also impressed with the decorative objects and table calendars featuring the images of the red-shanked douc langurs, the Son Tra Mountain, the Hai Van Pass and the other beautiful landscapes of Da Nang.

The café’s manager, Mr Bui Duc Vu, revealed that thousands of items are on sale at his shop, and many of them are designed and made by employees from his Da Nang Souvenir Company.  Included are handbags, decorative items, ceramic products, teddy bears, key holders and wall magnets.

In addition to the image of red-shanked douc langurs - a new symbol of the city - many souvenirs featuring the image of bell-shaped peach blossom on the Ba Na Hills are available at many shops across the city.

Ishida from Japan remarked, “I saw bell-shaped peach blossom on Ba Na Hills last spring.  Now, I can see the image of these flowers on many souvenirs in Da Nang.”

… and the Han Market

However, the city’s current range of souvenirs and tourism products doesn’t always fully satisfy the diversified demands of discerning visitors.

In attempting to increase the variety of tourism products to attract more buyers, many local artisans have focused on creating handicraft products using rattan, bamboo, wood, sand, snail shells, quartz and natural stones.  All will feature the the city’s own symbols.

Mr Van Hong Hai, owner of ‘Ngoi Nha Bien’ (The Beach House) shop in Son Tra District, said that his shop is offering hundreds of unique and environmentally-friendly tourism products made of straw, including straw hats, conical hats, sandals and handbags.  The shop’s products have become popular with both local young people and visitors for their outdoor activities and trips to the beach.

Mr Hai noted, however, that it is very difficult for him, and for the other shops, to find stable custom for their products.  Therefore, he stressed the need for the city to establish a dedicated area selling local tourism products like the night markets in Hoi An, Hue, Sa Pa, Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City.

To deal with the problem, the municipal Department of Tourism is cooperating with the Ngu Hanh Son Ditsrict authorities to establish a special area along Hoang Ke Viem street.  This area will be designated as offering accommodation, eating and drinking services, and souvenirs and tourism products for international visitors.  It will operate around the clock and is expected to be put into operation later this year.