So what do you bring home after spending a day or two in Vigan City? Well, prepare an extra bag or two for pasalubongs, you just might need it.
Calle Crisologo is where the action is when it comes to shopping in the city. Granted, there are a few other places to get your souvenirs, like at the Vigan Pagburnayan, but the wares being sold there pales in comparison to the variety found in the former.
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LOCAL VIGAN FOOD & SNACKS
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| LOCAL CHICHACORNS FROM VIGAN |
The usual foodstuff to bring home from Vigan City ranges from the highly addictive chichacorn (an absolute must-buy), to Vigan longganisa, and cooked crispy bagnet.
Chichacorns are Ilocos’ version of cornicks, but better—they’re softer while still retaining their crunchiness. These are usually sold in packs of three for a hundred pesos.
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| DELECTABLE GARLICKY VIGAN LONGGANISA |
Vigan longganisa are usually sold pre-packed by the dozen and ready for transport, while Ilocos bagnets are usually just wrapped in paper and plastic, so as not to lose its crispiness, I guess. Although bagnets are already cooked, it is advised that you fry them again before consuming. These are best bought at the Vigan Public Market, but if you don’t have the time to go there, they are also readily available at Calle Crisologo.
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| VIGAN’S ILOCOS BASI MADE FROM SUGARCANES |
Another must-buy when in Vigan are the Ilocos basi or sugarcane wines. I have seen a lot of these being sold at the highways leading to the city, but it is also available at Calle Crisologo, albeit at a relatively more expensive price. Stores hawking this almost always also sells the popular Iloko vinegar too.
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KEYCHAINS AND REF MAGNETS
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| VIGAN SOUVENIRS |
For the key chain and ref magnet collectors, you will have your fill at Vigan City. They have a variety of these knick-knacks. The only place that I know that rivals this place when it comes to these souvenirs is Baguio City. I suggest that you to rummage through each store to find the most unique and most local designs available.
â–ºSIDE TRIP: BAGUIO TRAVEL GUIDE
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VIGAN DESTINATION T-SHIRTS
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| A SOUVENIR SHOP ALONG CALLE CRISOLOGO |
T-shirt buffs would also have a field day in Vigan. Numerous designs, from the traditional destination shirt to the funny can be bought at various souvenir stalls at affordable prices. I especially love a particular shirt enumerating the various Ilocano dishes that has a very R18 feel to it. Lol.
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SECONDHAND BOOKS
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| SECOND HAND BOOKSTORE IN VIGAN CITY |
Bookworms rejoice, I found a couple of bookstores along Calle Crisologo selling second hand books. Although I wasn’t really able to deeply browse through their selections, I saw some interesting coffee table books and paperbacks on the shelves. No trading though.
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LOCAL VIGAN HANDICRAFTS
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| VIGAN BURI HANDICRAFTS |
For more serious buys, you might want to check the handicrafts made in the locale. They have baskets, wallets, bags and hats made from buri and water lilies from the nearby rivers. Also, consider bringing home a few Vigan inabel products too, these are available in colorful table runners, scarves, and mats. The ones I recommend you buy though are the blankets, they are super comfortable—warm during cold nights and cool during warm evenings.
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VIGAN ANTIQUES
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| ANTIQUES ABOUND IN VIGAN CITY |
And for the really serious collectors, the city is a haven for picking up antiques. Furniture, carvings, horse shoes, milling stones, they have it all. This is a colonial era city after all. Just make sure you have a plan when it comes to transporting them back home.
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VIGAN CLAY POTS & SCULPTURES
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| CLAY SCULPTURE FROM PAGBURNAYAN |
Visiting the Vigan Pagburnayan at the north-western side of the city, you may also help yourself to a couple of miniature pots or unique sculptures made from the local bantog clay. I’ve seen a few being given for free, I’m sure these are all very affordable.
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VIGAN COFFEE MUGS
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| AN EMBOSSED VIGAN CITY COFFEE MUG |
Personally, the core of my travel souvenirs revolves around Starbucks Icon mugs found around the globe. They may be expensive, but I find them really nice since they’re uniform in appearance and style. While there may be no Starbucks Coffee in Vigan, I still managed to find a unique relief mug with the signature Bahay na Bato design that characterize the city. Although I really won’t be displaying this with my icon mug collection, I still think it’s a good find.
And, scratch that. Starbucks has recently opened a store in Vigan last 2023 and it sits right on Calle Crisologo. And while they don’t have a Starbucks Icon Mug, well, since they don’t produce those anymore, they do have a Vigan Festive Mug. So, hooray for that!
Vigan Souvenir Shops
Address: Calle Crisologo, Meztizo District, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur
Opening Hours: 9:00AM to 7:00PM, Daily
GPS Coordinates Map: 17.571611, 120.388833
