Basically, yeah.
You can't play with the souvenirs, they are just there to look at. You can collect more souvenirs by going on trips, playing games, donating to the king, and visiting relatives.
BUT, no one knows what will happen when you get souvenir 32. Nobody has gotten it yet. It's rumored to be the Famous Picture from the Grandparent House. Some people have gotten the password for it, but when they entered it in their tamagotchi it gave them the Fishing Pole.
Maybe once someone gets souvenir 32, you'll be able to play with the souvenirs.
GotchiGirl96