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Below are the Mekong Delta specialties wrapped with not only flavors but also the affection of the locals, perfect for gifting.
1. Ben Tre Coconut Candy - An Exquisite Mekong Delta Delicacy for Gifting
Coconut candy is crafted from coconut meat and maltose. Vietnam boasts various coconut-growing regions, yet Ben Tre stands out as the birthplace and hub of coconut candy craftsmanship. Originating from Mo Cay district, Ben Tre coconut candy holds a distinguished reputation.
The key ingredients for making coconut candy include: coconut water, tapioca starch, and sugar (formerly, people used barrel sugar but nowadays, sand sugar is preferred). Tapioca starch is extracted from the sugar of glutinous rice when fermented. The most famous and long-standing brand of coconut candy is Bến Tre, favored by many and often purchased as a souvenir after trips to the Mekong Delta.
2. Cần Đước sausage – a specialty from the Mekong Delta that you should buy as gifts
Cần Đước sausage, from Long An, is a fresh product made using traditional methods, utilizing natural sunlight to partially dry during the fermentation process.
The hallmark of Cần Đước sausage is its sweet and sour taste. Without this characteristic, it would cease to be a delicacy and would only be considered as ordinary fresh sausage. It is this sweet and sour taste that makes Cần Đước sausage appealing to many palates. A reputable and delicious place to purchase Cần Đước sausage is Hong Thu shop at 196 Tan My Hamlet, My Le Commune, Can Duoc District, Long An Province.
3. Lai Vung fermented pork – a must-buy specialty from the Mekong Delta
When traveling through Dong Thap, passing by Lai Vung, you surely can't miss out on this special and delicious treat. Lai Vung fermented pork, a type of sour pork made in Lai Vung district, Dong Thap province. From the outside, you'll see the pork is a vibrant pinkish-red, wrapped in banana leaves. Lai Vung fermented pork is often served at parties or as a humble family meal.
4. Cao Lanh field rat – a unique waterway specialty from the Mekong Delta
The nhum field rat is a large rodent, living solitarily on mounds in the middle of fields. This species of rat is aggressive, with gray-black fur, but its meat is delicious, tender, abundant in flesh, and not gamey. Some nhum rats weigh as much as a kilogram, when roasted, they look golden and resemble suckling pigs. When the fields have been harvested and the floodwaters return, rats have no place to hide and end up in gardens.
At this time, farmers in the Mekong Delta provinces are beginning to prepare their tools to trap rats, with the most bustling activity seen in Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, and Hau Giang. However, the most delicious rat meat must be mentioned in Cao Lanh district, Dong Thap province. You can visit any local market to purchase pre-made rat meat. This specialty gift is quite selective, usually reserved for close family members or those who have tried it before.
5. Purple leaf sticky rice cake – a must-buy specialty from the Mekong Delta
Having been to Can Tho without tasting purple leaf sticky rice cake is a serious oversight. Purple leaf sticky rice cake has a uniquely unforgettable flavor. The fragrant scent of purple leaves, the rich taste of meat, and the coconut milk blend with delicious mung bean filling are irresistible. The glutinous rice used must be of the highest quality, the meat filling carefully selected and seasoned according to the local secret recipe.
These cakes are beautifully packaged and can be used as a meaningful gift for both family and friends after a trip to Can Tho. If you want to buy sticky rice cakes, you can visit the Delicious Sticky Rice Cake Shop at 079/pt in Binh Pho B area, Long Tuyen Ward, Binh Thuy District, Can Tho City.
6. Soc Trang Pia Cake – a must-buy specialty from the Mekong Delta
Along the main road from Can Tho to Ca Mau, passing through Soc Trang province, tourists easily spot rows of eateries and vibrant signs decorated predominantly in red and yellow, welcoming visitors to the homeland of the famous Pia cake.
Pia cakes have a golden orange color, breaking them open reveals the red color of salted egg yolks, exuding a strong aroma of durian, the earthiness of taro, or the fragrant green beans… Currently, Soc Trang has nearly 50 bakeries specializing in Pia cake production. However, the highest concentration of bakeries and shops is in Vung Thom (Phu Tam commune, My Tu district, Soc Trang province), considered the birthplace of the Pia cake craft.
7. Chau Doc Fermented Fish Paste – a must-buy specialty from the Mekong Delta
Dried fish jerky or enticing 'mountains' of fermented fish paste are considered the unique specialties of Chau Doc, which everyone wants to buy a few kilograms of as gifts when visiting. Chau Doc fermented fish paste is sold everywhere, but the highest concentration is at Chau Doc market. Therefore, any tourist coming here must visit the market, first to admire and then buy some types of fermented fish paste as gifts.
If it's your first time visiting this local market, you'll surely be overwhelmed by the variety of fermented fish paste and dried fish available everywhere. Mounds of fermented fish paste, including different varieties like mắm lóc, mắm sặt, mắm linh, and mắm ba khía, along with rows of various types of dried fish, are extremely enticing.
8. Dried Fish – a waterway specialty of the Mekong Delta
Mid-October in the lunar calendar marks the busiest time for the drying profession in Cho Moi, Thoai Son – An Giang. Previously, only a few households made dried snakehead fish sold retail right at the market, but now this specialty can be found everywhere, including in supermarkets. Close to Tet is the busiest time for this craft village to supply goods to the market.
Năm Quyt dried snakehead fish facility is highly renowned in the land of Thoai Son, but for a long time, its products were only sold in local markets and to regular customers. Most of the dried snakehead fish products in An Giang are handmade and dried under the sunlight.
9. Orchard Fruits – a waterway specialty of the Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta is famous as the fruit basket of the country. There are many famous brands such as Nam Roi pomelo in Vinh Long and Hau Giang, Lò Rèn milk apple (Tien Giang), Cau Ke waxy coconut (Tra Vinh), Hoa Loc cat mango (Tien Giang), red-fleshed jackfruit (Can Tho), durian, custard apple from Cai Mon, pink oranges from Lai Vung…
In addition, the Mekong Delta is also famous for other fruits such as longan, rambutan, tangerines, and coconuts… Whatever the season, especially during the summer days, Mekong Delta fruits flourish. When traveling in the Mekong Delta, you can not only enjoy an abundance of fruits but also buy the freshest fruits at prices much cheaper than in major cities.
Posted by: Lì Lì
Keywords: Suggestions for 9 Mekong Delta specialties you should buy as gifts
