2026 Ho Chi Minh City Souvenir Recommendations | Ăn Vặt Chú Mạnh — One-stop shop for Vietnamese snacks

A Vietnamese snack shop recently widely discussed online

If you've already visited several large supermarkets in Ho Chi Minh City and want souvenirs that are more authentically Vietnamese and easy to bring home, add Ăn Vặt Chú Mạnh – Thế Giới Ăn Vặt to your list. This shop has been frequently mentioned by travelers and on social platforms; it doesn't just sell the few tourist-familiar coffees or cashews, but gathers the snacks Vietnamese people grew up with — dried fruit, meat jerky, rice paper and local specialty snacks — all in one place.

Address and opening hours

Ăn Vặt Chú Mạnh – Thế Giới Ăn Vặt is located in District 3, address: 69/5 Cao Thắng, Phường 3, Quận 3, Hồ Chí Minh. Public social listings show opening hours of about daily 09:30–22:00, making it great to visit during an afternoon in District 3 or on the way before or after dinner.

This is not a traditional market stall but a snack specialty store with organized shelves and packaged goods. Staff know the flavors and ingredients of different products, so if you are sensitive to spice, seafood, peanuts, sesame or other ingredients, ask before buying. Some items also offer online and overseas shipping information; if you buy too much, check at the store whether they can arrange delivery.

What exactly can you buy?

1. Vietnamese dried fruit and candied fruit. Fruits like mango, banana, pineapple, guava, mangosteen, lychee, etc., may be sold as chips, candied fruit or flavored dried fruit. These products are relatively easy to manage by weight and come in sealed packaging, making them the safest beginner souvenirs. If you like sour-spicy flavors, look for versions seasoned with chili, salt or plum; if you prefer natural sweetness, choose original or lightly seasoned products.

2. Meat jerky and savory snacks. The shop carries chicken jerky, pork jerky, beef jerky, squid and other savory snacks. Some prices listed on the official site include Khô Gà about 55,000 越南盾 (approx. HK$17／NT$70／RMB 15／US$2), Khô Heo Cháy Tỏi about 60,000 越南盾 (approx. HK$18／NT$75／RMB 17／US$2), and beef jerky around 198,000 越南盾 (approx. HK$60／NT$250／RMB 55／US$8). Jerky is usually more expensive than regular dried fruit but makes a nicer surprise for friends who like savory treats.

3. Vietnamese rice paper and rice paper snacks. Vietnamese rice paper can be bought to make at home with dried shrimp, chili, onion, peanuts or pork floss, and there are also pre-flavored ready-to-eat versions. These snacks are popular among young Vietnamese and offer more complex sour, spicy, salty and savory layers than regular chips. However, the spice and seasonings can be strong, so try small packages the first time.

4. Seaweed, shrimp-flavored and chip-type snacks. If your companions can't handle sour-spicy flavors, choose seaweed, shrimp crackers, cassava chips, banana chips, coconut biscuits or cheesy snacks. The shop has many varieties, so it's good to buy a small pack of each to try instead of buying a large container.

Affordable prices — start with small packs

From the on-site photos you provided, many shelves have handwritten price tags; for example, some small packs are about 59,000 至 100,000 越南盾 (approx. HK$18–30／NT$75–125／RMB 17–28／US$2–4), while larger packs or jerky may be about 150,000 至 200,000 越南盾 (approx. HK$45–60／NT$190–250／RMB 42–56／US$6–8). The official site also lists cookies and chips around 38,000, 58,000, 88,000 越南盾.

It's recommended to buy a few small packs first, try them back at your hotel, and then decide whether to return to restock. This makes it easier to control luggage weight than buying a dozen packs at once and prevents buying flavors you don't like.

Who are these good for?

After shopping in District 3, relax at Win Royal Spa

Ăn Vặt Chú Mạnh is in District 3. If you're starting from District 1, you can shop in the city center first, then go to the shop to pick souvenirs at leisure. After returning to District 1, you can also rest at Win Royal Spa; the shop address is 48 Lê Thị Hồng Gấm, open daily 09:00–22:00. After carrying bags of snacks all day, ending with a Vietnamese hair-wash and massage service will be a very pleasant way to finish the day.

Summary

If you're looking for a souvenir shop with a wide variety, affordable prices, and suitable for buying multiple Vietnamese snacks at once, Ăn Vặt Chú Mạnh – Thế Giới Ăn Vặt is worth adding to your Ho Chi Minh City shopping list. Its feature is not selling just one or two viral products, but offering dried fruit, jerky, rice paper, seaweed, shrimp salt and childhood snacks — great for tasting yourself or splitting as gifts. Allow time to browse slowly, start with small packs, and remember to check food storage and import regulations.