9 Best Shops to Buy Souvenirs in Vanuatu

Haos Blong Handicraft Market is one of the standout places for souvenir shopping in Vanuatu, known for its locally made crafts and authentic island artistry.

This charming handicraft market offers an impressive collection of traditional wood carvings, intricate shell necklaces and locally crafted souvenirs. Every piece is entirely locally owned and made, ensuring your purchase directly supports the community's skilled craftspeople.

The market operates Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 5 pm, with special Sunday openings timed perfectly for cruise ship visitors.

The welcoming atmosphere makes browsing a pleasure, whether you're hunting for the perfect memento or simply admiring the craftsmanship.

Most items can be taken back to New Zealand and Australia, though it's worth checking the signage or consulting our Leaving Vanuatu: Departure Tips & Checklist LINK#TT074 for specific guidelines on what to look out for.

Step into Mahitahi Handicraft Market House, a carved fare house where local mamas showcase Vanuatu-made crafts.

Whilst smaller than the nearby Hoas Blong Handicraft market further down the waterfront, this charming spot still offers a worthwhile browse when strolling along the waterfront or after visiting Nambawan Cafe or diving with Big Blue or Watersports Vanuatu.

This delightful handicraft market features an impressive collection of traditional wood carvings, intricate shell necklaces and locally crafted souvenirs. Every piece is entirely locally owned and made, ensuring your purchase directly supports the community's skilled craftspeople.

The market operates from 8 am to 5 pm Monday to Saturday, with special Sunday openings timed perfectly for cruise ship visitors.

The welcoming atmosphere makes browsing a pleasure, whether you're hunting for the perfect memento or simply admiring the craftsmanship, with most items able to be taken back to New Zealand and Australia.

Dolasa Mama’s Handicraft is a local tailoring shop where visitors can watch skilled island “mamas” create custom-made clothing using colourful traditional fabrics in a friendly, hands-on setting.

This authentic cultural experience allows you to mingle with the friendly "mamas" while they craft traditional island garments using vibrant fabrics (calico/kaleko) of your choice. The talented tailors can create your custom piece in less than a day, with prices ranging from 1,500-3,000 VT for shirts and 2,000-5,000 VT for dresses, depending on the design and fabric selection.

You can either bring your own fabric or choose from their available selection, and the team will source exactly what you need.

Open from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday and closing early Saturday, this local tailoring shop offers visitors the perfect opportunity to take home a truly personalised souvenir that captures the essence of island style.

Located next to the Vanuatu Ferry terminal in Port Vila, Noa Noa Vanuatu combines boutique shopping with island wellness, where you'll discover locally crafted gifts and natural beauty products.

Open Monday to Saturday, Noa Noa Vanuatu showcases a curated range of handcrafted soaps, natural body and hair oils, signature Pacific-inspired perfumes, and island-style homewares.

Each product is made using natural ingredients sourced across Vanuatu and the wider Pacific, reflecting a strong focus on sustainability and local craftsmanship.

Beyond the boutique, visitors can explore the brand’s workshop experience set within lush tropical gardens. Here, traditional soap-making techniques are demonstrated using natural ingredients such as kava and island botanicals, with the opportunity to create personalised fragrances and oils alongside the in-house team.

Tanna Coffee is one of the most distinctive places to pick up locally grown coffee in Vanuatu, offering visitors a true taste of the islands through beans cultivated in rich volcanic soil on Tanna Island LINK#D071.

Sourced directly from Indigenous farming communities, Tanna Coffee is organic, traceable, and roasted entirely in Vanuatu, ensuring every bag supports local growers.

The range includes Medium Roast, Espresso, and Dark Roast, each highlighting different flavour profiles of the island’s Arabica beans.

The Medium Roast is especially popular, offering a smooth and balanced cup with nutty notes and soft chocolate undertones, making it an easy introduction to Vanuatu coffee culture.

Visitors can also join a relaxed on-site experience to see the roasting process, learn about the history of coffee production, and understand how smallholder farmers contribute to this sustainable industry.

A café on site serves fresh brews and light meals, making it an easy stop for coffee lovers.

Malampa Handicraft Centre is a community-run gem in Lakatoro on Malekula Island where local culture comes alive, bringing together talented artisans from across the island.

Step inside and you'll discover an incredible array of handmade treasures: woven baskets, carved wooden pieces, jewellery, traditional mats, hand-crafted fans, locally made coconut oils and other natural products that showcase the best of Ni-Vanuatu craftsmanship.

Many of the crafts come directly from women's groups and small family producers. Every purchase you make supports local families and helps keep traditional skills alive (something we're particularly passionate about).

Don't miss the chance to watch the artisans at work, it's fascinating to see these time-honoured techniques in action. From what we've experienced, the craftspeople are usually happy to share stories about their work and explain the traditions passed down through generations.

Volcanic Earth is one of Vanuatu’s best-known places to pick up natural beauty products, offering a range of skincare and haircare items made with ethically sourced local ingredients.

They specialise in eco-friendly skincare made from traditional island botanicals, designed to nourish and rejuvenate the skin.

Its most popular product, Tamanu Oil, is widely valued for supporting skin repair and helping with acne, scarring, ageing skin and overall skin health.

The range also includes soap bars, moisturisers and Tamanu butter creams, all focused on hydration and skin renewal using natural ingredients and sustainable production practices, making them a thoughtful souvenir that reflects both wellness and island heritage.

Pandanus Vanuatu is a creative boutique where individuality and local craftsmanship come together, offering a curated shopping experience filled with unique, design-led pieces.

Around 80% of the products at Pandanus are made in Vanuatu, with a strong focus on supporting local makers and ethical sourcing.

The collection is intentionally eclectic, featuring handmade jewellery, accessories, carved items, spices, homewares, books, and distinctive textiles such as funky tea towels.

Pandanus is committed to showcasing the cool, quirky, and creative side of island design. Every item is carefully selected to highlight originality and craftsmanship, with strong relationships built between the shop and local artisans who produce these one-of-a-kind pieces.

It’s an ideal stop for those looking for souvenirs that go beyond the usual and reflect genuine island creativity.

Port Vila Handicraft Market has long been a favourite stop for discovering locally made souvenirs in Vanuatu, showcasing the creativity and craftsmanship of artisans from across the islands.

While the main town market is currently closed following the December earthquake, visitors can still explore a range of alternative handicraft locations across Port Vila.

These include Port Vila Mamas Handicraft Market at Centre Point opposite the Ministry of Health, Bellevue Handicraft, Saralana Park, Freshwater Stadium, Korman near Port Vila International School, Imperial beside La Parisienne Bakery, and Manples near the Fish & Veggie Market.

Easily reached by bus or taxi, these markets offer a wide variety of handmade goods such as woven baskets, carved wood pieces, jewellery, home décor and local artwork.