The Journal Things Hanoi: Unique Souvenirs Near Hoan Kiem (2026)
Searching for one-of-a-kind Hanoi souvenirs? Dive into The Journal Things, a charming stationery and gift shop near Hoan Kiem Lake, offering artisan notebooks and local art.
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Searching for one-of-a-kind Hanoi souvenirs? Dive into The Journal Things, a charming stationery and gift shop near Hoan Kiem Lake, offering artisan notebooks and local art.
Great Places to Buy Vietnamese Souvenirs
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If you're looking for places to buy souvenirs in Hanoi,
it usually boils down to three options.
The night market, Lotte Mart,
and the souvenir alley in the Old Quarter.
The problem is, the items sold at all three are pretty much identical.
Magnets, rattan bags, embroidered pouches.
Every time friends visit from Korea, I hear the same thing:
"There's nothing unique to buy!"
But... is that really true?
The Journal Things
is a spot we often pop into
when exploring around Hoan Kiem Lake.
I visited the West Lake branch separately before,
and the vibe between the two locations is quite different.
I'll compare them both.
What Kind of Souvenir Shop is The Journal Things?
The Journal Things Hanoi Souvenir Recommendations
As the name suggests, 'journals' are at the heart of this store.
It started in 2018 and is introduced as the first brand in Vietnam to specialize in journals.
This means its product range is quite different from typical souvenir shops.
📍 Main Products Offered
Embroidered cover notebooks, Vietnamese illustrated notepads
Stickers, washi tape
Postcards, mini cards
Enamel pins, keyrings
Tote bags, candles
Goods by local illustrators
The key is the last item.
If you visit a few souvenir shops in Hanoi, you'll quickly notice that the designs are often recycled.
Here, the proportion of items collaborated with local artists is high, so you won't easily find designs you've seen elsewhere.
This is also why it's a great place to buy gifts.
🔍Hanoi Souvenir Shops Best 7 Post
Locations and Opening Hours of 3 Branches in Hanoi
Where to Shop for Stationery in Hanoi
It's best to summarize them here.
Even though it's the same brand, each branch has a fairly distinct character.
📍 The Journal Things Quan Thanh Main Branch
Address: 31 Quán Thánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Opening Hours: 09:00 - 21:00
Inquiries: 034 889 6372
2nd Floor of Building / Remove shoes before entering
📍 The Journal Things
31 P. Quán Thánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội, Vietnam
📍 Lac Chinh Branch
40 Lạc Chính, Trúc Bạch
09:00 - 18:00
📍 West Lake Branch
101B, Ngõ 47 Quảng Khánh, Tây Hồ
10:00 - 18:00
The West Lake branch shares a space with Cùng Nhau Cafe.
It's designed so you can enjoy coffee while decorating your journal with newly bought stickers before you leave.
However, West Lake is quite far from the Hoan Kiem tourist area.
The Lac Chinh branch is located near Truc Bach Lake and is smaller in size.
-> For your first trip to Hanoi,
if you can only visit one spot, the Quan Thanh Main Branch is the way to go.
🔍Hanoi West Lake Souvenir Shop The Journal Things Post
Comparing Branch Locations & Features
The Best Places to Buy Souvenirs in Hanoi
Category | Quan Thanh Main Branch | Lac Chinh Branch | West Lake Branch |
Address | 31 Quán Thánh | 40 Lạc Chính | 101B, Ngõ 47 Quảng Khánh |
Hours | 09:00-21:00 | 09:00-18:00 | 10:00-18:00 |
From Hoan Kiem | 20 min walk / 5 min Grab | 10 min Grab | 25 min Grab |
Size | Largest | Small | Medium |
Features | Widest selection of items | Quiet atmosphere | Includes a cafe |
Cafe | No | No | Yes |
Recommended for | 3-4 day travelers | Those taking a stroll around Truc Bach Lake | West Lake accommodation / Long-term stays |
Reservation | Not required | Not required | Not required |
Just looking at the table, the choice is clear: if you're on a short trip, Quan Thanh is the undeniable winner.
It's also the only branch open until 9 PM.
Being able to pop in after dinner is more convenient than you might think.
How to Get to Quan Thanh Main Branch from Hoan Kiem
The address is 31 Quán Thánh.
It's in Ba Đình District, but it's actually right on the northern edge of the Old Quarter.
It's about a 3-minute walk from Hang Dau Water Tower (Bốt Hàng Đậu).
📍 How to get there from Hoan Kiem
20-minute walk (great for sightseeing through the Old Quarter)
5-minute Grab ride, around 30,000 VND (~$1)
If you're in the northern part of the Old Quarter, it's a 5-10 minute walk.
The reason I recommend walking isn't just because it's a short distance,
but because there's so much to see along the way.
Hang Dao Street, Hang Dau Water Tower, and the beginning of Long Bien Bridge are all along that route.
If you just pinpoint the destination and take a Grab, you'll completely miss this entire fascinating stretch.
Of course, if it's the middle of the day or you have luggage, taking a Grab is better.
There's no need to push yourself to walk a distance that only costs 30,000 VND.
I often use this route when showing friends around.
Starting from Hoan Kiem accommodation,
and walking continuously through the Old Quarter, everyone tends to get tired from the crowds,
but once you pass Hang Dau Water Tower and head up Quan Thanh Street, it suddenly becomes quiet.
A good itinerary is to go in around that time, browse for a bit, and then head out.
For reference, if you're taking a Grab from Hoan Kiem
or finding the store with Google Maps, having data makes it much easier.
Installing an eSIM before your trip is incredibly convenient as you can use it immediately upon arrival at the airport.
🔗 Get your Vietnam eSIM at a discount and prepare in advance!
When a friend visited before, we stayed together near Hoan Kiem,
and back then, commuting through this area daily was quite pleasant.
🔍 Hanoi Hoan Kiem Hotel Splendid Secret Hotel: 3-Night Review
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For accommodations near Hoan Kiem,
it's easy to compare locations here:
> Check out great value accommodations near Hoan Kiem, Hanoi <
Great Souvenir Items to Buy in Hanoi
Real-world price ranges
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What really stands out here are the notebooks and keyrings.
Notebooks, keyrings, and other stationery adorned with Vietnamese illustrations
range from 25,000 VND to under 200,000 VND.
That's approximately ~$1 to ~$7.
It's packed with illustrations that capture the essence of Vietnam,
featuring pho, cyclos, motorbikes, beer, Banh Mi sandwiches, and Hanoi alleys.
If you know the recipient has recently visited Vietnam, this gift is simply unbeatable.
The prices are also affordable, and there was a wonderful variety of stickers, masking tape, and memo pads.
Even if you buy several of these, they hardly take up any extra space.
For anyone worried about luggage room, these are the most practical souvenirs!
👍 What I loved
-> The designs are unique and don't overlap with other souvenir shops..!
-> All items have price tags, so there's no need to haggle!
-> They even package purchases with mini cards in kraft paper, which made this stationery lover so happy..!
-> Staff don't follow you around or push sales!!
🤔 What I found a bit disappointing
It's a second-floor shop, which means climbing a narrow staircase,
making it a bit inconvenient if you have a stroller or a large suitcase.
The items are densely displayed, so it might feel a little cramped if it gets crowded..
With so much variety, it's hard to just take a quick look and leave..?!
🔍My visit to Dot Grid Book stationery store in Hanoi
Final Thoughts & Recommendations
What to buy for a Hanoi travel souvenir?
If you need to buy a gift for a specific person,
they'll even package it for you, so you don't have to do anything extra.
A notebook and a few stickers make for a lovely presentation.
If you don't want to add bulk to your luggage,
focus on stickers, masking tape, and postcards.
They hardly add any weight or volume.
If Hoan Kiem Lake is on your itinerary,
it's within walking distance from the Old Quarter.
They're open until 9 PM, so it's perfect for a visit after dinner.
If you're staying in West Lake,
you don't necessarily need to come all the way to Quan Thanh.
It might be better to visit the West Lake branch and enjoy a coffee while browsing.
On the other hand, in these cases, is it really worth it...?
If you have absolutely no interest in stationery, Lotte Mart might be a better option.
Ultimately, this shop is for people who love paper and stickers and want to spend a lot of time browsing.
🔍Post on Leather Vu, a leather workshop in Hanoi's West Lake
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For visitors with a short Hanoi itinerary, the Quan Thanh Main Branch is the most suitable. It is the largest of the three branches, offers the widest variety of items, and operates until 9 PM, making it convenient to visit after dinner.
The Journal Things primarily sells goods from local illustrators, such as embroidered cover notebooks, Vietnamese illustration notebooks, stickers, keyrings, postcards, and candles. These products can be purchased at prices ranging from 25,000 VND to under 200,000 VND (approximately ~$1 to ~$7).
The Quan Thanh Main Branch is about a 20-minute walk from Hoan Kiem Lake, making it a pleasant stroll combined with sightseeing in the Old Quarter. Using Grab takes about 5 minutes, and the cost is around 30,000 VND (approximately ~$1).
The Journal Things has a high proportion of collaborative products with local artists, ensuring unique designs not found in other souvenir shops. All products have price tags, eliminating the need for bargaining. Other advantages include packaging items with mini cards in kraft paper and staff not following customers around to encourage purchases.
The Quan Thanh Main Branch is located on the second floor and requires climbing narrow stairs, which might be inconvenient for visitors with strollers or large luggage. Additionally, items are densely displayed, so the store might feel somewhat cramped when there are many people.
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