Top 5 Famous Specialties from the Coastal Region of Hai Hau, Nam Dinh

Hai Hau is known for its fish sauce production and related products, with many villages and brands famous for their fish sauce. Emphasizing "Quality - Safety - Reputation" as its development goal, fish sauce from the coastal region of Hai Hau promises to deliver the best products directly to consumers.

With a commitment to preserving the traditional flavors passed down through generations, the fish sauce producers follow strict processes, from selecting the fish to salting and the sun-drying stages, with daily stirring. The traditional fermentation method, which lasts for 12 months, produces the first drops of fish sauce that are dark, clear, and have a unique, subtle fragrance.

In addition to the sweetness and saltiness, the fish sauce has a rich umami taste that reflects the distinctive flavor of fish sauce from Hai Hau. After many years of traditional production, visiting Hai Hau's coastal region ensures you'll taste some of the finest fish sauces that represent the area's pure, clean fish sauce tradition.

You can purchase fish sauce at reputable locations such as: Lâm Bão Fish Sauce (Con Town), Ninh Cơ Fish Sauce (Thịnh Long Town), Hai Hau, Nam Dinh.

Purchase link: shopee.vn/Traditional-Chatt-Fish-Sauce-Ninh-Cơ-No-Preservatives-500ml.-33g-Protein-Content.-Hai-Hau-Nam-Dinh-i.193534880.6042445356?

When visiting the coastal region of Hai Ly, you will be pleasantly surprised to try a delicious and unique dish – stir-fried shrimp salad, a flavorful coastal delicacy that will leave a lasting impression.

The shrimp used for this dish must be fresh, free of impurities, thoroughly washed, and drained. If fresh shrimp is not available, dried shrimp can be used, but they need to be soaked in water for 5-10 minutes to soften. Making stir-fried shrimp salad is quite intricate. After steaming the shrimp, mix in bell peppers, cilantro, ginger, a little vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, and wine, then stir well for about 5 minutes so the shrimp absorbs the flavors.

The dish is best enjoyed with fresh fruits and vegetables like pineapple, pickled dọc mùng, black pepper, roasted peanuts, and finely chopped lime leaves. The spicy kick from the chili and pepper, combined with the sweetness of the shrimp, creates a harmonious and rustic flavor. This dish is both fragrant and easy to enjoy, and once tasted, you will remember it for a long time. Visitors to Hai Hau are sure to enjoy this crispy, flavorful stir-fried shrimp salad.

Where to try stir-fried shrimp salad: local residents of Hai Ly, Hai Hau, Nam Dinh.

The people of Nam Dinh take great pride in unique gifts like Banh Nhan, Nem Nam, Sui Chao candy, and of course, Hai Hau Eight-Xoan rice. Known as the 'heavenly grain,' this rice was once reserved for royalty and earned the title 'imperial rice.'

Historically, during the feudal era, Hai Hau Eight-Xoan rice was offered as tribute to the royal court. Today, it is mainly cultivated in areas such as Hai Toan, Hai Duong, and a few households in Hai Long and Hai Trung. This precious rice is a symbol of pride for the people of Hai Hau, Nam Dinh.

Hai Hau Eight-Xoan rice has small, clear, white grains with a delicate sweetness and a distinct, fragrant aroma. Since only about 50kg can be harvested per hectare once a year, beginning in the 10th lunar month, this rice is especially valuable and is not widely available.

Known as the 'gem of Nam Dinh province,' Hai Hau Eight-Xoan rice is not only rich in nutrients and used for cooking, but it also makes for a unique and valuable gift for visitors to Northern Vietnam. Due to its sticky texture, sweet flavor, and special fragrance, this rice is even exported to several countries, which positively impacts the economy of Hai Hau and Nam Dinh, as well as the country as a whole.

You can purchase Hai Hau Eight-Xoan rice from reputable stores, markets, or supermarkets in Nam Dinh or Hanoi, with prices ranging from 12,500 - 18,000 VND per kilogram.

Purchase link: shopee.vn/10kg-Hai-Hau-Eight-Xoan-Rice-i.72426199.1711223794?

If you ever visit the coastal area of Hai Hau, you cannot miss the delightful, heartwarming gift of the region – the beloved "Banh Nhan." This traditional treat is named after a fruit, but it isn't made from any fruit. Instead, it is a visually appealing golden snack that looks just like the fruit it's named after.

To make this specialty, you'll need ingredients like Hai Hau sticky rice, fresh eggs, white sugar, and fresh pork fat. The sticky rice dough and eggs are skillfully mixed to form a smooth, appealing dough. When the small dough balls are fried in hot pork fat, they puff up into perfectly round Banh Nhan pieces, with a shiny sugar glaze coating the outer layer. The natural sweetness and crisp texture come from the sugary syrup that gives this snack its signature flavor, making it a distinct and beloved treat of the rural region.

Made with simple, locally sourced ingredients, Banh Nhan has traveled far and wide, gaining popularity across the country. It’s no surprise that Nam Dinh natives often crave these crispy treats when they return to their homeland, and they are always eager to bring some as gifts for friends and family.

Purchase link: shopee.vn/Banh-nhan-Hai-Hau-22k-pack-i.35680605.802100804?

Ba Thin's Banh Chung has been around since 1948. Back then, the whole town had only one state-owned eatery, and there was something magical about her rice cakes – they were always gone as soon as they were taken out, still hot. Ba Thin's Banh Chung has a unique flavor that's hard to confuse with any other type of Banh Chung. You can find Banh Chung at any market, but the real Ba Thin's Banh Chung can only be found at the foot of Yen Dinh Bridge.

Why is Ba Thin's Banh Chung even more delicious than the regular Hai Hau Banh Chung? The secret lies in the rice. The sticky rice grains need to be perfectly soaked and prepped, with the rice harvested only after three full moon cycles. The grains are washed until the water runs clear and then soaked again. Fresh ginger, green beans from sandy soils, and premium pork meat with traditional seasoning are essential for this recipe. The right balance between rice and filling creates a mouthwatering taste. The meticulous and skillful preparation of wrapping, tying, and cooking is done with care, love for the craft, and respect for the customers.

Ba Thin's Banh Chung is now famous far and wide. As Tet approaches, demand grows, and people come from near and far to buy it – some even placing orders over the phone without ever meeting the seller in person. As the saying goes:

“Anyone passing by Yen Dinh, stop by,

And taste Ba Thin's Banh Chung, a taste of home.”

Purchase link: https://dacsannamdinh.vn/banh-chung-ba-thin/