Buzz
Savoring the specialties of Hà Tĩnh is indulging in the essence of this region. Whether you're at Thiên Cầm beach, Hương Tích pagoda, Ngã Ba Đồng Lộc junction, or Ngang Pass; whether you're listening to folk songs or taking a boat ride, the air is filled with tempting treats like caramelized ginger, or freshly baked rice cakes...
Top 7 must-try specialties when visiting Hà Tĩnh
Caramelized ginger
Indulge in the round-shaped delicacy known as 'Cu Đơ Candy,' a specialty of Hà Tĩnh. Don't let the rugged appearance of this treat deter you from trying it; just one bite, with its sweet sugarcane flavor blended with a hint of ginger inside, will leave you enchanted. The chewy, sweet, fragrant, and subtly spicy bite is a unique experience for the palate.
Cu Đơ Candy is hailed as a special delicacy unique to Hà Tĩnh. It encapsulates the natural flavors and essence of life. The sweetness of Cu Đơ is like the kind-hearted and compassionate nature of the locals. The bitterness of green tea resembles the ups and downs, the harshness of disasters that the people here endure year-round. Perhaps that's why, across the Central region, travelers still remember Cu Đơ candy and the green tea of the people of Hà Tĩnh.
Cu Đơ Candy - a symbol of the Central region (Photo: ST)
Sesame rice crackers
Hà Tĩnh tourism is renowned for its delicious yet affordable local delicacy, sesame rice crackers. Found in every market and eatery, the most famous are the ones from Chợ Tỉnh, Chợ Cầy, Chợ Hội... These crackers are thick, large, crispy, and notably filled with plenty of black sesame seeds, offering a rich, fragrant, and crunchy taste that can substitute a meal, leaving you satisfied without boredom.
Sesame rice crackers in Hà Tĩnh are made entirely from premium rice without any corn or cassava additives like in many other places. Typically, for making rice crackers, people choose freshly harvested rice, which is both sticky and fragrant, avoiding rice ground from previous crops as it loses its quality over time. In Hà Tĩnh, people also enjoy rice paper salad with shredded banana flower, stir-fried clams... Hà Tĩnh's specialty gifts are none other than these rice crackers, cherished by families and friends.
Sesame rice crackers - a delicacy of Hà Tĩnh people (Photo: ST)
Pounded fish salad
Return to the land of the great poet Nguyễn Du, the cradle of ceremonial singing... we will indulge in many dishes crafted from the sea, becoming a distinct cultural aspect of the coastal village of Xuân Nghi.
The elongated herring, measuring about 13-18 cm in length, with a body thicker than a thumb, inhabits near the coast, resembling the shape of freshwater fish. The herring can be prepared into many delicious dishes due to its firm, white, sweet flesh, available almost all year round.
Eating pounded fish salad must include aromatic herbs and various leaves like water celery, tarragon, young mango leaves... along with green mangoes, sour star fruits, thinly sliced green bananas. When eating, wrap the fish and vegetables with rice paper, dip in dipping sauce, and you'll taste the richness of the fish, the chewiness of coconut shreds, the spiciness, the sourness mixed with a refreshing sweetness, all very special.
Pounded fish salad - a traditional dish of the people of Xuân Nghi village (Photo: ST)
Crunchy Rice Rolls
Each region has its own specialty dish, which may share cooking methods with dishes from other regions but with completely different ingredients and names. In Hà Tĩnh dialect, 'ram' refers to fried spring rolls, a famous dish that has become a hallmark of Hà Tĩnh cuisine. However, when you try 'ram' in Hà Tĩnh, you'll experience a unique flavor. 'Bánh mướt' is another name for rice rolls, a favorite dish in the Nghệ region. Rice rolls are simple, usually served with fish sauce; they can be wrapped with pork sausage or served with chicken soup. 'Ram mướt' combines two different types of rice cakes, simple yet sophisticated, offering a crispy yet chewy texture, rich but not overwhelming. Dipping fried spring rolls and rice rolls in garlic chili fish sauce brings out an unmatched flavor. Whether it's fried spring rolls for an early morning breakfast or rice rolls with fresh vegetables, they're perfect for any time of the day.
Crunchy Rice Rolls (Photo: ST)
Hà Tĩnh Water Fern Cake
Banh Beo is a rustic cake that can be found everywhere across the country, from Hue to Nghe An, Quang Binh... But Banh Beo in Hà Tĩnh brings a unique flavor, a flavor that only Hà Tĩnh can offer.
Banh Beo in Hà Tĩnh is made from tapioca flour, filled with peeled baby shrimp or stir-fried minced meat with dried shallots. It is then served with aromatic herbs and dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce mixed with chili sauce, creating a perfect balance of spicy and sweet flavors.
Banh Beo Hà Tĩnh (Photo: ST)
Banh Beo is delicious and enticing whether eaten hot or cold. When eaten hot, paired with spicy fish sauce on chilly days, it warms the heart. When eaten cold, the slightly chewy and crispy cake carries a rich flavor, suitable for any time of the day, hence why Banh Beo is considered the epitome of Hà Tĩnh's specialties.
Phúc Trạch Pomelo
'Come back to Phúc Trạch, my hometown
Sweet tea, fragrant pomelo, awaited by familiar faces
Phúc Trạch Pomelo (Photo: ST)
Phúc Trạch Pomelo is a specialty of Hương Khê mountainous district, Hà Tĩnh province, which has been immortalized in poetry for ages. The pomelo is round and small, with a refreshing sourness followed by sweetness and a delicate natural fragrance when eaten. Its flesh comes in pale pink or white, presenting a visually pleasing sight. Phúc Trạch Pomelo proudly stands among the 7 rare fruit trees nationwide. It is also a sought-after gift from Hà Tĩnh.
Hồng Đông Lộ and Hồng Tiến
Hà Tĩnh specialties include two of the most precious types of citrus: Hồng Đông Lộ (Thạch Hà) and Hồng Tiến (Nghi Xuân). Hồng Đông Lộ has square-shaped fruits, green-orange or yellow in color, with golden flesh that is sweet and fragrant when ripe. Hồng Tiến Nghi Xuân (known as Hồng Tiến, as it was offered to kings in the past) has a beautifully dark color when ripe, juicy, with thin skin (locally called 'egg citrus'), offering a soft, sweet, and fragrant taste. Both varieties ripen from late summer to late autumn.
It's a delightful experience to sit under the shade of citrus trees, munching on sweet fruits, and listening to folklore stories about the royal offerings of Hồng Tiến, the ancient Hồng Tổ trees, while enjoying traditional Ca Trù music, folk songs, and melodious tunes.
Hồng Đông Lộ (Photo: ST)
The land of Central Vietnam has never lost its allure to travel enthusiasts. People come to this heroic land not only to experience its famous landscapes but also because they deeply crave the unforgettable Hà Tĩnh specialties they once tasted in their lives.
