To make souvenirs "inviting" tourists

Souvenirs at tourist destinations are not simply items to mark the memories of tourists' trips, but also a tool to promote the local image. Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Phong, a tourist from Hue City, said, "I have been away from home with my husband for nearly 20 years. Every time I return to my hometown, I often look for souvenirs bearing the mark of the An mountain and Tra river countryside. In 2023, thanks to a friend working at a media agency in Quang Ngai province, I learned that my hometown has many lovely souvenirs with their own characteristics. But what I like most are the brocade products in Lang Teng village, Ba Thanh commune (Ba To). Not only my family, but also my friends and partners are very fond of these hand-woven brocade products, especially ties, tablecloths, notebooks, scarves, and skirts. Some of my partners, when they had the opportunity to travel through Quang Ngai, also went to Lang Teng village to buy products and experience the traditional brocade weaving craft of the Hre people.

Brocade weaving products in Lang Teng are increasingly popular with tourists, because of their uniqueness, distinctiveness, beautiful designs, and variety but not mass-produced. In particular, ties and scarves made in Lang Teng village have achieved 4-star OCOP products at the provincial level.

Brocade weaving products in Teng Village, Ba Thanh Commune (Ba To) are increasingly diverse, rich, and have beautiful designs.

Ms. Pham Thi Y Hoa, who has made great contributions in bringing Lang Teng brocade products to the market, shared that not only are they rustic and lovely souvenirs, but the value of Lang Teng brocade products is also a representation of the unique cultural identity of the Hre people. Therefore, not only preserving the traditional weaving method (interlocking weaving), during the weaving process, I am careful with every stitch, color and pattern combination to create new, unique and distinctive products. "In 2024, my facility consumed over 2,000 products of all kinds, mostly ties, scarves and brocade dresses. In addition, Lang Teng brocade products have also been selected by the province as gifts for foreign affairs in many countries around the world," Ms. Y Hoa shared.

According to the leader of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, souvenir products not only bring economic value, but are also considered "tourism ambassadors" because they make tourists always remember the destination and land they have been to and experienced. From there, spread the image of Quang Ngai land and people to domestic and international friends. In order for souvenirs to attract and retain tourists, the products must show the culture, unique features as well as traditions of the tourist land, but the price of the products must not be too expensive.

Besides buying souvenirs, many tourists often buy natural products, agricultural specialties, and OCOP products of the localities to use or as gifts for relatives and friends.

According to the assessment of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, developing tourism associated with promoting the production and trading of souvenirs, agricultural products, specialties, and OCOP products will contribute to promoting the culture and image of localities and developing the community economy. Grasping the needs of tourists, in recent times, production and business establishments and artisans in a number of craft villages in the province have focused on producing many quality gift products, imbued with the cultural identity of the locality. Some unique and attractive products are thanks to the combination of cultural identity with modern consumption trends, such as: Sticky rice malt, Tra river goby rice crispy rice, Quang Ngai malt with mantoza sugar, Tra river goby rice crackers...

During Quang Ngai Tourism Week 2025 taking place from April 11 to 17, in addition to the souvenir products selected as gifts for delegates and displayed at the venue, there are also 16 3-4 star OCOP products and 5-star potential of the province introduced and consumed in the central lobby area of Co.opmart Quang Ngai supermarket.

Mr. Do Tien Hoang, a tourist in Son La province, expressed that, in addition to famous landscapes and unique cuisine, souvenirs are one of the "flavors" that remain with tourists after their trips. Therefore, souvenirs are a way for localities to attract tourists to come and return. However, instead of elaborate items, it is necessary to research unique, impressive souvenirs with their own characteristics, but they must be small and compact so that tourists can conveniently keep and bring them back to give to relatives and friends. For example, onion-shaped and garlic-shaped keychains - typical of Ly Son; woven scarves shaped like Tra Khuc bridge, An mountain, Tra river, Ly Son island; or a collection of keychains of famous tourist destinations and specialties of Quang Ngai.

In fact, souvenir products stimulate tourists’ spending, contributing to increasing tourism revenue. Therefore, souvenir products need to be invested in synchronously, with their own identity to meet the quality and aesthetic requirements of tourists.

To exploit the untapped potential of the souvenir sector, in the coming time, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will coordinate with departments, branches and localities to support souvenir production and trading establishments to improve quality and creativity in design, especially the inclusion of indigenous cultural elements in souvenir products. At the same time, the tourism industry will focus on researching and developing products that both identify the local tourism brand and serve the propaganda and promotion of tourism in the province.

Article and photos: THANH PHONG