Top 9 Most Famous Specialties of Ha Tinh

The Vung Ang coastal region in Ha Tinh is one of the nation's key economic zones. It's a lively and bustling area, and one of its most famous attractions is the 'Vung Ang squid.' This squid is notably larger than others, and the locals immediately cook it after catching it to preserve its freshness. As a result, the squid is called 'jumping squid' due to its unique nature.

Vung Ang squid can be prepared in various ways such as steaming, boiling, stir-frying, or making salad. When served, it’s often paired with vegetables to enhance its flavor. The taste of Vung Ang squid is incredibly distinctive, unlike any squid caught in other parts of the country.

Price: 500,000 VND per kg

Vietnam's cuisine is incredibly diverse, and one of its delicious specialties is Ram Cake from Ha Tinh.

Ram Cake is essentially a fried spring roll, a dish loved by many. However, unlike typical spring rolls, Ha Tinh Ram Cake has a refreshing, delicate taste, thanks to the perfect balance of the crispy dough and savory filling, complemented with fresh herbs. It is typically enjoyed with fish sauce or can be spiced up with a little garlic and chili for an extra kick.

Price: 10,000 - 15,000 VND per serving.

"Come to Phuc Trach, my hometown,

With the fragrant tea and sweet grapefruit, waiting for familiar faces to return..."

Phuc Trach Grapefruit is a specialty fruit from Huong Khe, Ha Tinh. It has a distinct natural fragrance, with a slightly sweet, tangy flavor and a pleasant aftertaste.

Phuc Trach grapefruit stands out among other famous Vietnamese grapefruits, including the green-skinned variety. It’s a cherished gift from Ha Tinh, and not everyone is fortunate enough to taste this unique fruit.

As Tet approaches, the orchards of Huong Son oranges in Ha Tinh begin to turn a golden yellow. When ripe, these oranges have a red, spongy skin that's easy to peel, with juicy, seedless segments. The taste is sweet with an enticing fragrance, and they are highly nutritious. People in Ha Tinh often offer them as gifts or use them for ancestor worship during Tet, wishing for abundance and prosperity in the year ahead.

Ha Tinh is home to two of the finest and most delicious persimmons: Dong Lo persimmons and Tien persimmons. Due to the region's unique climate, soil, and water, these persimmons have a distinct crisp sweetness that cannot be found elsewhere in Vietnam. When ripe, Dong Lo persimmons are both sweet and fragrant. Tien persimmons, a specialty from Nghi Xuan, are dark-colored with thin skin and a soft, sweet, refreshing taste. Both varieties are harvested from late summer to the end of autumn.

During autumn, especially around the Mid-Autumn Festival, Dong Lo persimmons are often given as gifts from Ha Tinh, symbolizing the province’s tradition. This custom has preserved the cultural significance of these fruits, passed down through generations.

Can Loc Nếp Wine is ranked among the top 15 famous wines in Vietnam. This wine is made from 100% glutinous rice that undergoes fermentation using pure water and traditional distillation methods, ensuring both quality and food safety. After being brewed, the wine is filtered to remove impurities before being bottled.

Can Loc Nếp Wine has become well-known across Vietnam, and is a popular gift from Ha Tinh. Unlike other types of rice wine, Can Loc wine offers a rich, unforgettable taste that sets it apart.

Price: From 50,000 VND per 500ml bottle.

This famous candy from Ha Tinh is round in shape, with a rough exterior. Inside, it's made with peanuts mixed with molasses and fresh ginger, giving it an irresistible aroma. When eaten, the chewiness, spiciness, and sweetness create a unique flavor that's unlike anything else.

Some versions of Cu Do Candy are made softer and served in small bowls, eaten with a spoon. These are also known as Cu Doi Candy. Although the recipe may vary from place to place, the result is always the same: a delicious candy with the nutty flavor of peanuts and the sweetness of molasses, creating a mouthwatering treat. Anyone who has visited Ha Tinh will never forget the taste of Cu Do Candy and the local green tea.

Price: 75,000 VND/box (5 pieces).

This humble yet delicious snack is made entirely from high-quality rice, with no corn or cassava mixed in like in other regions. Many places in Ha Tinh make sesame rice crackers, but the best ones come from Chợ Cầy and Chợ Hội. These crackers can be eaten as a substitute for rice, often dipped in a fish sauce mixed with lime or a local condiment made from rice bugs.

This is a snack that the people of Ha Tinh often bring as gifts when traveling. If you and your family or friends visit Ha Tinh, make sure to try these sesame rice crackers – a delicious and nutritious treat!

Price: 8,500 VND/piece.

When visiting the coastal region of Ha Tinh, one dish you cannot miss—especially in the Xuân Nghi area—is Fish Salad with Striped Bass.

Striped bass resembles the small goby fish but is slightly longer, measuring between 13 to 18 cm. Its body is about the size of a thumb and the fish lives near the shoreline. The flesh is firm and sweet, and available throughout most of the year. Aside from being used in salads, striped bass can also be prepared in various other dishes.

Essential side dishes like fresh herbs, chervil, and fig leaves are a must when enjoying this fish salad. To eat, you wrap the fish and herbs in rice crackers and dip it into the broth, resulting in a unique and delicate balance of flavors—light, sweet, and refreshing.

Price: 160,000 - 250,000 VND/kg.