Ever wondered what to buy as souvenirs while exploring Ninh Binh? Let's explore the top choices for the most ideal Ninh Binh specialties to bring home!
Top 6 Ninh Binh specialties for the perfect gifts
Crispy rice crackers
When it comes to Ninh Binh specialties for gifts, most people immediately think of crispy rice crackers. These traditional crackers are made from fragrant glutinous rice, cooked over a small fire until they are dried in the sun, enhancing their flavor. The next step involves frying the crackers in fresh oil, ensuring they are evenly cooked to perfection.
To meet the increasing demand, crispy rice crackers are now prepared with various flavors such as scallion oil, spicy shrimp paste, chili salt,... Besides enjoying this Ninh Binh specialty at restaurants, you can also purchase carefully packaged crispy rice crackers to take home as gifts.

Crispy Rice Crackers - A Ninh Binh Specialty for Gifts
Nho Quan grape wine
Rượu cần, a distinctive type of wine among ethnic minorities, with few brands renowned nationwide, and Nho Quan wine is one of those rare few. This wine is brewed by the Muong ethnic group. Those who taste it will experience its fragrant, spicy, and strong flavor, crafted in a unique way without the need for fire distillation. You can enjoy this wine at restaurants or purchase it as a gift from Ninh Binh.

Nho Quan Can Wine
Yen Mac Fermented Pork Roll
An ideal gift from Ninh Binh is the Yen Mac Fermented Pork Roll. Made from sour pork mixed with a bit of spiciness, it pairs perfectly with chili sauce, ensuring irresistible taste. The pork roll is also wrapped in guava leaves, giving it a delightful aroma and presented in banana leaf boats, making it visually appealing.
Yen Mac Fermented Pork Roll originates from Yen Mac commune, Yen Mo district, and was once a favored dish of the kings. Unlike the typical round shape, Yen Mac Fermented Pork Roll is made from minced meat strands, which are wrapped in fig leaves and served with fish sauce or chili sauce and sesame salt.
Gia Vien Tiny Shrimp Paste
For ages, Gia Vien Tiny Shrimp Paste has been a specialty, a traditional dish of the ancient capital land of Hoa Lu. Also known as sour shrimp paste or fermented shrimp paste, it is made from delicious, fatty tiny shrimps from the Gia Vien marshes in Ninh Binh. The paste has a distinctive sour taste and a rich aroma of tiny shrimps.

Gia Vien Tiny Shrimp Paste
Tiny shrimp paste can be used to prepare dishes such as stir-fried shrimp paste meat or as a dipping sauce for boiled vegetables and meats. It's an easy-to-eat, easy-to-make dish, suitable even for the laziest eaters. You can find this specialty sold at specialty stores or in the markets of Ninh Binh.
Kim Son Reed Mats
Reed mats and products made from reeds have been a tradition for centuries in Kim Son land. These products have become famous both domestically and internationally for their good quality, uniqueness, and close connection to life and nature. Making a reed mat involves many steps, including selecting, splitting, drying, and dyeing the reeds to achieve a bright red and durable color.
The final step is weaving the reeds, where each strand is meticulously handled by skilled craftsmen, woven into durable, beautiful reed mats, imbued with the traditional cultural identity of the local people. Kim Son Reed Mats are an ideal Ninh Binh specialty gift for mothers and grandmothers during the scorching summer.

Kim Son Reed Mats
Crafts from Reed Material
Crafts from reed material are among the souvenirs from Ninh Binh that you should buy to preserve memories of your trip. These eco-friendly products come in various styles and items that you can use in your daily life. Some typical reed products include mats, curtains, baskets, rugs, trays, boxes, and plates, available in a wide range of colors and eye-catching patterns, meticulously crafted in every detail. Crafts from reed material are sold in traditional markets, traditional craft villages, or souvenir shops in Ninh Binh.
Famous Ninh Binh souvenir shopping addresses
Dragon Market
Dragon Market is one of the most famous wholesale markets in Ninh Binh, located in Van Giang ward, Ninh Binh city. It is a place where you can go to buy Ninh Binh specialties as gifts. Situated at the confluence of rivers, it used to specialize in seafood trading, but now it has expanded with a large-scale Area A, a three-story building, and Area B along the Van River bank.
Area A sells household goods, while Area B along the Van River sells food. Essential items such as fruits, vegetables, fresh and live foods, and electrical appliances are conveniently arranged for easy access. Items for those who have time to browse the market include fabrics, clothing, beddings, pillows, and mattresses, displayed on the second floor.

Ninh Binh Dragon Market
Van Giang Neighborhood
Van Giang Neighborhood, located in Van Giang ward, Ninh Binh city, is bounded by Le Hong Phong Street, Tran Hung Dao Street, and the Van River. It is the busiest neighborhood in Ninh Binh, strategically positioned near road and waterway transportation hubs. Here, you can find large art furniture stores and specialty shops.
Dong Thanh Plaza Supermarket
Another place to buy Ninh Binh specialties as gifts is Dong Thanh Plaza Supermarket. Located in Dong Thanh ward, Ninh Binh city, Dong Thanh Plaza Supermarket offers over 20,000 different products including food, agricultural products, seafood, consumer goods, and fashion clothing. Additionally, the supermarket has a playground for children with various exciting games such as carousel, bouncy castles, and electric toy machines.
Shopping Tips in Ninh Binh
When shopping in Ninh Binh, keep in mind the following:
- When shopping at crowded markets, be sure to keep your belongings and personal belongings carefully to prevent theft or robbery.
- Typically, specialty items have fixed prices, so it's best not to haggle unreasonably and avoid causing discomfort for the sellers. Especially, refrain from bargaining excessively in the morning when shops just open, as this may affect their business for the entire day.
- To get the best prices, search for information, products, and prices in the market beforehand.
- When buying food items, pay attention to the expiration date to avoid purchasing expired goods.
- For the most convenient shopping trip, be aware of the weather in Ninh Binh and choose the best season to visit.
Above are the specialties of Ninh Binh for gifts that we have compiled, hoping this article will be helpful for your trip to Ninh Binh. If you are interested in Ninh Binh tours with us, please call our hotline 1900 2605 for specific advice.
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Image Source: Internet.
Posted by: Chu Phuc
Keywords: Compilation of the finest Ninh Binh specialties for meaningful, high-quality gifts
