Vietnamese cuisine is a vibrant tapestry, where each province contributes a unique hue, creating irresistible richness and allure. From rustic, countryside dishes to elaborate, refined specialties, Vietnamese food always leaves visitors in awe, unforgettable. Join “Travel the World” to explore the famous specialties of each province in Vietnam, to better understand the culture and people here.
Vietnamese Specialties Across 63 Provinces: Unique Flavors to Remember
Northern Vietnam
1. Hanoi: Vong Village Young Rice Cake (Bánh cốm làng Vòng)
Vong Village Young Rice Cake (Bánh cốm làng Vòng) is a quintessential Hanoi treat, carrying the fragrant, chewy taste of young sticky rice. Made from golden flower young rice (cốm cái hoa vàng), filled with green beans and shredded coconut, it creates a delicate, unforgettable harmony.
2. Hai Phong: Crab Spring Rolls (Nem cua bể)
Crab spring rolls, also known as Hai Phong spring rolls (nem cua bể Hải Phòng), are a famous specialty of the red phoenix flower city. With a crispy shell, flavorful crab and brick filling, dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce, Hai Phong crab spring rolls conquer every palate.
3. Bac Ninh: Bui Spring Rolls (Nem Bùi)
Bui Spring Rolls (Nem Bùi) are a rustic specialty of Bac Ninh. The delicious, fatty flavor of pork skin, roasted rice powder, blended with spices, creates the unique and appealing Bui Spring Rolls.
4. Quang Ninh: Grilled Chopped Squid (Chả mực)
Ha Long Grilled Chopped Squid (Chả mực Hạ Long) is famous for its delicious, crispy, chewy flavor. Fresh squid is hand-pounded, seasoned just right, and deep-fried to a golden hue, creating the renowned Ha Long grilled chopped squid.
5. Hung Yen: Longan (Nhãn lồng)
Hung Yen Longan (Nhãn lồng Hưng Yên) is famous for its large fruit, thick, dry flesh, and sweet, refreshing taste. Longan is not only a delicious fruit but also a meaningful gift for loved ones and friends.
6. Lao Cai: Thang Co Soup (Thắng cố)
Thang Co Soup (Thắng cố) is a traditional dish of the H’Mong people in Lao Cai, made from horse meat and offal. The dish has a distinctive, rich flavor, often enjoyed during festivals and market days.
7. Lang Son: Roasted Duck with Mac Mat Leaves (Vịt quay mắc mật)
Lang Son Roasted Duck with Mac Mat Leaves (Vịt quay mắc mật Lạng Sơn) is a famous dish, made from Bau duck, stuffed with mac mat leaves and roasted over charcoal. The duck has crispy golden skin, tender, sweet meat, and a fragrant aroma of mac mat leaves.
8. Yen Bai: Smoked Buffalo Meat (Thịt trâu gác bếp)
Smoked Buffalo Meat (Thịt trâu gác bếp) is a specialty of the Black Thai people in Yen Bai. Buffalo meat is marinated with spices, smoked over charcoal, creating a distinctive, irresistible aroma and flavor.
Smoked buffalo meat
9. Phu Tho: Fermented Pork (Thịt chua)
Fermented Pork (Thịt chua) is a specialty of Phu Tho, made from raw pork fermented with roasted rice powder. The meat has a tangy, delicious flavor, often eaten with sung leaves, dinh lang leaves, and chili sauce.
10. Thai Nguyen: Tea (Chè/Trà)
Thai Nguyen Tea (Chè Thái Nguyên) is famous for its fragrant, rich flavor, and clear green liquor. Thai Nguyen tea is not only a familiar drink but also a distinctive cultural feature of this land.
Central Vietnam
11. Thanh Hoa: Fermented Pork Roll (Nem chua)
Thanh Hoa Fermented Pork Roll (Nem chua Thanh Hóa) is a famous specialty, made from pork, pork skin, roasted rice powder, and spices. The fermented pork roll has a tangy, spicy flavor, often eaten with chili sauce.
12. Nghe An: Nam Dan Fermented Soybean Paste (Tương Nam Đàn)
Nam Dan Fermented Soybean Paste (Tương Nam Đàn) is a famous traditional soy sauce of Nghe An. The paste is made from soybeans, sticky rice, salt, and spices, fermented for a long time, creating a distinctive, rich flavor.
13. Ha Tinh: Keo Cu Do Candy (Kẹo cu đơ)
Keo Cu Do Candy (Kẹo cu đơ) is a specialty of Ha Tinh, made from molasses, peanuts, ginger, and sesame crackers. The candy has a sweet taste of molasses, nutty peanuts, spicy ginger, eaten with crispy sesame crackers.
Keo cu do candy
14. Quang Binh: Dried Sweet Potato (Khoai deo)
Quang Binh Dried Sweet Potato (Khoai deo Quảng Bình) is a rustic dish, made from red sweet potatoes, dried under the sun and wind. The sweet potato has a natural sweetness, chewy texture, and is a meaningful countryside gift.
15. Quang Tri: Arrowroot Starch (Bột sắn dây)
Quang Tri Arrowroot Starch (Bột sắn dây Quảng Trị) is famous for its good quality, delicious taste, made from pure arrowroot. Arrowroot starch has many health benefits, often used to make drinks or prepare dishes.
16. Thua Thien Hue: Me Xung Candy (Mè xửng)
Me Xung Candy (Mè xửng) is a traditional Hue candy, made from malt, sugar, sesame, and peanuts. The candy has a sweet, nutty flavor, and fragrant roasted sesame aroma.
17. Da Nang: Tamarind Squid (Mực rim me)
Da Nang Tamarind Squid (Mực rim me Đà Nẵng) is a delicious snack, made from dried squid simmered with sweet and sour tamarind, and spicy chili. The squid is chewy, spicy, sour, and sweet, a must-have souvenir when traveling to Da Nang.
18. Quang Nam: Quang Noodles (Mì Quảng)
Quang Noodles (Mì Quảng) are a specialty of Quang Nam, made from rice noodles, chicken, shrimp, quail eggs, and fresh vegetables. The broth is rich and flavorful, creating a delicious and unforgettable Quang Noodles dish.
19. Quang Ngai: Ly Son Garlic (Tỏi Lý Sơn)
Ly Son Garlic (Tỏi Lý Sơn) is a famous specialty of Quang Ngai, grown on coastal sandy soil. The garlic has a fragrant, pungent flavor, with many health benefits.
20. Binh Dinh: Bau Da Rice Wine (Rượu Bàu Đá)
Bau Da Rice Wine (Rượu Bàu Đá) is a famous specialty of Binh Dinh, distilled from brown rice, yeast leaves, and Bau Da well water. The wine has a fragrant, strong flavor, enjoyed by many.
21. Phu Yen: Blood Cockles (Sò huyết)
Blood Cockles (Sò huyết) are a famous specialty of Phu Yen, prepared into many delicious dishes such as grilled blood cockles, tamarind stir-fried blood cockles, and salt and chili roasted blood cockles. Blood cockles have a natural sweetness, thick meat, and are very nutritious.
22. Khanh Hoa: Bird’s Nest (Yến sào)
Khanh Hoa Bird’s Nest (Yến sào Khánh Hòa) is renowned as the best quality bird’s nest in Vietnam. Bird’s nest has many health benefits, often used to nourish the body and boost immunity.
23. Ninh Thuan: Grapes (Nho)
Ninh Thuan Grapes (Nho Ninh Thuận) are famous for their large, sweet, juicy fruits, grown in a sunny and windy land. Ninh Thuan grapes are processed into many products such as fresh grapes, grape wine, and grape jam.
24. Binh Thuan: Dragon Fruit (Thanh long)
Binh Thuan Dragon Fruit (Thanh long Bình Thuận) is famous for its large fruit, bright red skin, white or red flesh, and sweet, refreshing taste. Dragon fruit is a nutritious fruit, loved by many.
Southern Vietnam
25. Ho Chi Minh City: Broken Rice (Cơm tấm)
Saigon Broken Rice (Cơm tấm Sài Gòn) is a familiar dish, made from broken rice, grilled pork chop, shredded pork skin, egg meatloaf, and accompanying vegetables. Broken rice has a rich, delicious flavor, a popular breakfast or lunch choice for many Saigonese.
26. Long An: Go Den Rice Wine (Rượu đế Gò Đen)
Go Den Rice Wine (Rượu đế Gò Đen) is a famous specialty of Long An, distilled from sticky rice, yeast, and Go Den well water. The wine has a fragrant, strong flavor, known by many.
27. Tien Giang: Durian (Sầu riêng)
Tien Giang Durian (Sầu riêng Tiền Giang) is famous for its yellow flesh, small seeds, and distinctive sweet and creamy taste. Durian is a fruit loved by many, often eaten fresh or processed into dishes and drinks.
28. Ben Tre: Coconut Candy (Kẹo dừa)
Ben Tre Coconut Candy (Kẹo dừa Bến Tre) is a famous specialty, made from coconut milk, sugar, malt, and flavorings. The candy has a sweet and fatty coconut flavor, fragrant with pandan leaves, durian, or peanuts.
29. Dong Thap: Lai Vung Fermented Pork Roll (Nem Lai Vung)
Lai Vung Fermented Pork Roll (Nem Lai Vung) is a famous specialty of Dong Thap, made from pork, pork skin, roasted rice powder, and spices. The fermented pork roll has a tangy, sweet, and spicy flavor, often eaten with vông leaves, dinh lang leaves, and chili sauce.
30. Vinh Long: Nam Roi Pomelo (Bưởi Năm Roi)
Nam Roi Pomelo (Bưởi Năm Roi Vĩnh Long) is famous for its large fruit, thin skin, juicy segments, and sweet, refreshing taste. Nam Roi pomelo is a fruit loved by many, often eaten fresh or juiced.
31. Tra Vinh: Sap Coconut (Dừa sáp)
Tra Vinh Sap Coconut (Dừa sáp Trà Vinh) is a special type of coconut, with the coconut flesh solidified like wax, creamy, and delicious. Sap coconut is a rare specialty, sought after by many.
32. An Giang: Palmyra Palm Fruit (Thốt nốt)
An Giang Palmyra Palm Fruit (Thốt nốt An Giang) is a characteristic tree of this land, yielding sweet and delicious palmyra palm fruit. Palmyra palm fruit is eaten fresh, cooked in sweet soup, or made into palmyra palm sugar.
33. Kien Giang: Phu Quoc Fish Sauce (Nước mắm Phú Quốc)
Phu Quoc Fish Sauce (Nước mắm Phú Quốc) is a famous specialty, made from anchovies fermented using traditional methods. The fish sauce has a fragrant, rich flavor, trusted by many.
34. Can Tho: Cam Leaf Sticky Rice Cake (Bánh tét lá cẩm)
Cam Leaf Sticky Rice Cake (Bánh tét lá cẩm Cần Thơ) is a specialty cake of this land, made from sticky rice soaked in magenta plant leaves, filled with green beans, fatty pork, and salted duck eggs. The cake has a beautiful purple color, delicious, rich flavor.
35. Soc Trang: Pia Cake (Bánh pía)
Pia Cake (Bánh pía Sóc Trăng) is a famous specialty, made from wheat flour, green beans, durian, and salted egg yolks. The cake has a thin crust, sweet and fatty filling, fragrant with durian aroma.
36. Bac Lieu: Cowhide Longan (Nhãn da bò)
Cowhide Longan (Nhãn da bò Bạc Liêu) is famous for its large fruit, thin skin, thick flesh, and sweet, refreshing taste. Cowhide longan is a fruit loved by many, often eaten fresh or processed into desserts.
37. Ca Mau: Rach Goc Three-striped Crab (Ba khía Rạch Gốc)
Rach Goc Three-striped Crab (Ba khía Rạch Gốc) is a famous specialty of Ca Mau, prepared into many delicious dishes such as salted three-striped crab, tamarind roasted three-striped crab. Three-striped crab has a salty, spicy flavor, a specialty of the mangrove land.
Central Highlands
38. Kon Tum: Leaf Salad (Gỏi lá)
Kon Tum Leaf Salad (Gỏi lá Kon Tum) is a unique specialty, made from many different kinds of forest leaves, rolled with pork, shrimp, shredded pork skin, and dipped in a special dipping sauce. Leaf salad has a sour, spicy, salty, sweet flavor, a refreshing and healthy dish.
39. Gia Lai: Dry Pho (Phở khô)
Gia Lai Dry Pho (Phở khô Gia Lai) is a specialty dish, made from chewy pho noodles, minced meat, crispy pork fat, and rich sauce. Dry pho has a delicious flavor, different from other types of pho.
40. Dak Lak: Coffee (Cà phê)
Dak Lak Coffee (Cà phê Đắk Lắk) is famous for its rich, delicious flavor, grown on fertile basalt soil. Dak Lak coffee is processed into many different types of coffee, serving consumer needs.
41. Dak Nong: Avocado (Bơ)
Dak Nong Avocado (Bơ Đắk Nông) is famous for its large fruit, creamy, fatty flesh, grown in the cool highland region. Dak Nong avocado is a nutritious fruit, loved by many.
42. Lam Dong: Da Lat Strawberry (Dâu tây Đà Lạt)
Da Lat Strawberry (Dâu tây Đà Lạt) is famous for its large, red, juicy fruit, with a harmonious sweet and sour taste, grown in a cool, fresh climate environment. Da Lat strawberries are processed into many products such as fresh strawberries, strawberry jam, and strawberry syrup.
Conclusion
Vietnamese cuisine is a priceless treasure, where each province holds its own specialties, imbued with the flavors of the homeland. Hopefully, through this article, you have gained more useful information about famous specialties of each province in Vietnam, to be able to plan exciting culinary exploration trips. Are you ready to start your journey to discover Vietnamese cuisine?