1. Hai Phong Specialties – Culinary Essence of the Port City in 2026
Enjoy many Hai Phong specialties when traveling to the port city. (Source: Collected)
Hai Phong – the dynamic port city of the North – is not only famous for its picturesque sea scenery but also the cradle of many renowned delicacies. In 2025, Hai Phong specialties continue to assert their position as the essence of coastal cuisine, offering tourists an unforgettable experience through the distinctive flavors of the sea and the people here.
1.1. Why are Hai Phong specialties always attractive to tourists?
The major port city of the North possesses a unique natural advantage by lying along the East Sea, providing abundant seafood such as sea crabs, shrimp, squid, red jellyfish… It is these fresh and delicious ingredients that have created Hai Phong's cuisine, rich with the flavors of the sea. Local people always skillfully prepare them, combined with traditional family secrets, to create a series of specialty dishes like crab noodle soup with a sweet and clear broth or crispy square crab spring rolls.
The distinctive feature of the port city's cuisine lies in the blend of traditional cooking styles and delicate seasoning. Thanks to this, each eatery in Hai Phong offers a unique taste experience, making it hard for tourists to forget. Furthermore, the prices of dishes in Hai Phong are very reasonable, suitable for many groups: students can enjoy affordable banh mi cay and chè giun, while discerning diners can opt for crab noodle hot pot or high-end seafood.
Coming to Hai Phong, enjoying local specialties is not just a culinary journey but also an experience of the coastal city's culture and history. Dishes like banh đa cua and nộm sứa đỏ are best enjoyed at the restaurant, while ruốc tôm and dried banh đa are well-packaged and suitable for purchasing as souvenirs of Hai Phong specialties.
1.2. Criteria for identifying quality Hai Phong specialties in 2026
When choosing to buy Hai Phong specialties, the most important factors are clear origin and reputable production facilities. To ensure quality, tourists should prioritize products with complete labels, specific production addresses, and food safety certifications. Another noteworthy factor is products participating in the OCOP Hai Phong program – this is the “One Commune One Product” program launched by the Government to evaluate, rank, and support the development of local agricultural, handicraft, and specialty products.
Products that achieve OCOP status must undergo a rigorous inspection process regarding raw materials, processing methods, packaging, labeling, and food safety. Therefore, when purchasing these products, tourists can be completely assured of their quality, safety, and authentic taste, while also contributing to the sustainable development of local production facilities.
In 2025, modern packaging and technology are also a big plus. Many specialty products have adopted vacuum sealing technology and QR codes for traceability, making them easy to preserve and convenient for transportation. Additionally, specialty brands featured in reputable newspapers and travel websites are also reliable choices, having been verified by the community.
Prices vary from affordable to high-end, allowing tourists to easily choose products suitable for their purpose, whether for immediate consumption or as gifts. You can find everything from simple dishes at small roadside eateries to exquisite packaged specialty boxes, reflecting the meticulousness and professionalism of the port city's cuisine.
2. Top 10 outstanding Hai Phong specialties to try and buy as gifts
Hai Phong cuisine has long been a distinctive highlight of Northern tourism, a convergence of the essence of sea flavors and traditional rustic charm. Here are the top 10 most outstanding Hai Phong specialties in 2025 that tourists must try or buy as gifts after visiting the port city.
2.1. Hai Phong Crab Noodle Soup (Banh Da Cua Hai Phong)
Among countless delicacies of the port region, Hai Phong crab noodle soup holds a special place as the soul of the coastal city's cuisine. This dish is memorable for its characteristic brown banh đa noodles made from roasted rice, offering a naturally nutty, rich, and chewy texture. The clear, sweet and savory crab broth, combined with fragrant lá lốt stuffed meat, fresh shrimp, and tender pork leg, creates a harmonious flavor profile that is hard to find elsewhere.
The price of a bowl of banh đa cua ranges from 40,000 – 60,000 VND, which is affordable and nutritious. If you want to bring Hai Phong specialties home as gifts, you can choose dried banh đa sold in packages at markets or large supermarkets, which are very convenient for home cooking while retaining the traditional flavor.
2.2. Hai Phong Crab Spring Rolls (Nem Cua Be Hai Phong)
Crab spring rolls with a filling packed with seafood. (Source: Collected)
Amidst the myriad of specialties from the Port land, Hai Phong crab spring rolls always capture the hearts of tourists thanks to their unique square shape and exquisite, unforgettable flavor. The filling is made from fresh swimming crabs, shrimp, minced lean pork, combined with wood ear mushrooms, glass noodles, eggs, and balanced seasonings, creating a thick, naturally sweet filling. The thin rice paper wrapper is skillfully rolled, fried until golden brown, crispy on the outside, soft and sweet on the inside, offering a complete delicious experience from the very first bite.
The special point of Hai Phong crab spring rolls is that they retain the natural sweetness of crab and shrimp, not overpowered by seasonings. When enjoying, you can clearly feel the tender crab meat, sweet shrimp mixed with the rich and savory filling – a culinary experience rich in sea flavor.
The price of Hai Phong crab spring rolls at the restaurant is only from 30,000 – 50,000 VND/piece. If you want to buy them as gifts, you can choose premium boxed crab spring rolls for about 200,000 – 350,000 VND/box, which are vacuum-sealed using modern technology, easy to preserve, and convenient for long-distance transport.
2.3. Banh Mi Cay Hai Phong
Among the list of famous Hai Phong specialties, banh mi cay (spicy baguette) is always a dish that makes young people and tourists stop to enjoy. Each small, cute baguette is grilled until golden and crispy, spread inside with a rich pate made from pork liver, minced meat, and secret spices. Adding the characteristic spicy sauce makes the dish even more appealing – fragrant, rich, and stimulating to the palate.
The special point of Hai Phong banh mi cay is its simple yet captivating flavor. Just one bite, and you'll experience the harmony between the crispy baguette crust, the lightly rich pate, and just the right amount of spicy sauce – an unforgettable experience in your culinary journey through the Port land.
With a budget-friendly price of only 2,500 VND/piece, this dish is suitable for everyone, from students to tourists visiting Hai Phong who want to try the local flavor. It's best enjoyed when the baguette is still hot, fresh from the oven, when the pate and spicy sauce blend together, releasing a tantalizing aroma.
2.4. Cha Chia Ha Lung
One of the iconic dishes of Ha Lung fishing village that cannot be missed is Cha Chia Ha Lung, a delicacy that masterfully combines finely ground pork and thinly sliced sun-dried squid. This blend offers a natural chewiness and the rich sweetness of seafood. The mixture, after being skillfully seasoned, is wrapped around fresh sugarcane sticks, then grilled over charcoal until golden brown, emitting an irresistible, enticing aroma.
Cha Chia is best enjoyed hot, dipped in a flavorful garlic-chili fish sauce, served with fresh vermicelli and raw vegetables to balance the flavors. Each tender, sweet piece, infused with the scent of the sea, leaves diners remembering it long after their first taste.
2.5. Nom Sua Do Hai Phong
Nom sua do offers an interesting culinary experience. (Source: Collected)
Hai Phong red jellyfish salad is a characteristic summer delicacy, usually appearing from April to June – the time when jellyfish are in season and freshest. This type of red jellyfish has an eye-catching natural pink color, firm and crispy flesh, and a characteristic cool, sweet taste of the sea. After careful preparation, the jellyfish is thinly sliced, mixed with herbs, young coconut flesh, and a specially prepared shrimp paste sauce, creating an unforgettable flavor.
The special feature of the dish lies in its exclusive dipping sauce – a perfect blend of salty, sweet, sour, and spicy, offering a captivating taste experience. When enjoyed, each crispy, cool piece of jellyfish combined with the slightly fatty young coconut, fresh herbs, creates a refreshing salad, an ideal cooling dish for hot summer days.
You can easily find Hai Phong red jellyfish salad at famous spots like Cat Bi Market, Luong Van Can Street, or To Hieu Street. Prices range from only 25,000–40,000 VND/portion, suitable for both locals and tourists. When choosing to buy, prioritize jellyfish with a fresh pink color, without any strange odor, to ensure safety and preserve its natural deliciousness.
2.6. Hai Phong Shrimp Floss
Hai Phong shrimp floss has long been a famous specialty and a meaningful gift for tourists visiting the Port City. The dish makes a strong impression with its rich sea shrimp flavor and eye-catching golden color. The main ingredients are carefully selected from fresh tiger prawns or he prawns, then boiled, peeled, marinated with special spices, and finally stir-fried over low heat until the floss is loose, not clumpy, retaining its natural sweetness.
To choose delicious Hai Phong-style shrimp floss, you should pay attention to the strands being fluffy, evenly dry, mold-free, and having the characteristic aroma of fresh shrimp. When enjoyed, the standard floss will have a harmonious sweet and salty taste, not dry, allowing diners to clearly feel the pure sea flavor in every bite.
Currently, Hai Phong shrimp floss comes in many varieties, from common to premium, suitable for all needs and preferences. Prices are also very diverse, ranging from about 200,000 VND/kg for popular types to 600,000–700,000 VND/kg for premium types, suitable as luxurious gifts or for daily use. Tourists can find it at Hang Market, Metro supermarket, Aeon Mall Hai Phong, or reputable specialty stalls with quality certification, ensuring authentic Hai Phong flavor and food safety.
2.7. Hai Phong Crab Hot Pot
Crab noodle soup is an attractive specialty of Hai Phong. (Source: Collected)
Hai Phong crab noodle soup is a rustic yet sophisticated dish, very suitable for family or friend gatherings. The special point of this dish lies in the fresh river crab ingredients, which are ground and carefully filtered to create a clear, sweet, and naturally rich crab broth. When served, the hot pot is attractively arranged with tofu, beef, betel leaf rolls, sea shrimp, and many fresh vegetables, offering a complete and colorful meal.
When enjoying, each ingredient is dipped into the boiling hot pot in the correct order to preserve its flavor. Beef should only be lightly blanched to ensure tenderness and sweetness, while shrimp and vegetables are added last to prevent them from becoming mushy. Crab noodle soup is usually served with fresh vermicelli, raw vegetables, and a dipping sauce of shrimp paste mixed to taste, creating an unforgettable characteristic flavor.
2.8. Banh beo, banh duc tau, stir-fried sea asparagus
Banh Duc Tau is loved by many tourists. (Source: Collected)
These three specialty dishes are often served together at traditional Hai Phong eateries, carrying the rustic flavor of the port city. Hai Phong Banh Beo impresses with its generous shrimp and meat filling, served with a naturally sweet fish sauce, creating a harmonious flavor, completely different from Hue Banh Beo.
Banh Duc Tau, on the other hand, captivates diners with its soft, smooth, and translucent texture, usually eaten hot with stir-fried meat, fish cake, and spicy garlic chili fish sauce to make the dish richer. Meanwhile, stir-fried sea asparagus has the characteristic chewy sweetness of fresh seafood, prepared in a sweet and sour stir-fry style, best enjoyed while piping hot.
2.9. Coconut milk coffee
Coconut coffee is a famous specialty of Hai Phong. (Source: Collected)
Two signature desserts of Hai Phong that captivate tourists are coconut coffee and coconut jelly dessert, two sweet and creamy flavors that complete the culinary journey of the Port Land. Hai Phong's coconut coffee is made from rich, dark coffee, blended with finely blended iced coconut milk, creating an irresistible creamy aroma and thick texture that everyone who tries it once remembers forever.
2.10. Hai Phong Coconut Jelly Dessert
Hai Phong's coconut jelly dessert has long been a unique culinary icon that any tourist visiting the port city wants to enjoy. This dish conquers diners from the first taste thanks to its refreshing sweetness, light creaminess, and the characteristic aroma of fresh coconut. The perfect combination of chewy coconut jelly, soft young coconut flesh, rich coconut milk, and cold shaved ice brings a refreshing feeling, dispelling the scorching summer heat.
Not stopping at the traditional flavor, many shops in Hai Phong also creatively add tapioca pearls, jelly, or fresh milk to increase the attractiveness and eye-catching colors of the coconut jelly dessert. A cup of authentic Hai Phong coconut jelly dessert is not only a delicious dessert but also a "childhood specialty" associated with the memories of local people and an unforgettable culinary experience for distant tourists.
3. Suggested 1-Day "Food Tour" Itinerary to Experience Hai Phong Specialties 2025
Discover Cat Ba quickly by traveling on the Sun World cable car. (Source: Collected)
If you only have one day to explore the cuisine of the Port City, a Hai Phong 2025 "food tour" will be a wonderful journey to help you fully enjoy the essence of local specialties. From crab noodle soup, crab spring rolls to spicy baguette or famous coconut jelly, each dish carries the distinctive flavor and unique culinary culture of the port city.
Energizing breakfast (7:00 AM – 8:30 AM): Start your journey with a hot bowl of crab noodle soup at Ba Cu 179 Cau Dat or Da Lieu 140 Tran Phu, with clear crab broth, brown rice noodles, and full toppings to provide abundant energy. Combined with a cool coconut coffee, you will have a perfect and vibrant start to the day.
Satisfying lunch (11:30 AM – 1:00 PM): Enjoy crab spring rolls at Nem Nga 92 Tran Nhat Duat with a crispy fried shell and naturally sweet fresh crab filling. Combined with Cha Chia Ha Lung on Dang Tat street, the lunch is not only full of flavor but also offers a characteristic culinary experience of the Port City.
Afternoon snack (3:30 PM – 5:00 PM): Visit Cot Den spicy baguette shop on Cot Den street or Ba Gia 57 Le Loi to enjoy a prominent street food. Continue exploring banh beo, banh duc tau at Luong Van Can market, you will fully feel the traditional culinary essence of Hai Phong.
Flavorful dinner (6:30 PM – 8:30 PM): Enjoy a pot of freshwater crab hot pot at 188 Lach Tray, with a sweet and clear broth and fresh side dishes. End the dinner with coconut jelly or coconut coffee to balance your palate and relax after a day of exploration.
Souvenir shopping (8:30 PM – 9:30 PM): Stroll around Hai Phong specialty stores at Hang market, Metro supermarket, or Aeon, choosing shrimp floss, dried rice noodles, and exquisite packaged products as gifts for relatives and friends.
This itinerary can be flexibly combined with a visit to Cat Ba by experiencing the Sun World cable car, making the trip more complete and diverse.
4. Tips for buying quality Hai Phong specialties in 2026
Choose a reputable shop to buy Hai Phong specialties. (Source: Collected)
Hai Phong is not only famous for its dynamic port city beauty but is also known as a “paradise of specialties” that captivates tourists. To buy quality Hai Phong specialties in 2025, you need to understand some important experiences to ensure authentic flavor and health safety.
When looking to buy Hai Phong specialties, you should prioritize places with long-standing brands, clear addresses, and publicly displayed food safety and hygiene certificates. Referring to actual reviews on travel websites or e-commerce platforms is also an effective way to assess product quality based on previous consumer experiences.
Packaging and labels are important factors that cannot be overlooked. Reliable products always have clear expiration dates, detailed information on the label, and a consistent brand logo. Many Hai Phong specialties now come with QR codes for traceability, ensuring a more secure shopping experience.
Packaged products such as dried shrimp floss, dried banh da, and vacuum-sealed cha chia should be stored in a dry place, away from direct sunlight. When traveling by train or plane, pack them neatly and arrange them scientifically to avoid crushing or damaging the products.
Signature gifts favored by tourists include premium boxed dried shrimp floss, dried crab banh da, and ready-to-cook crab spring rolls, and instant coconut coffee. These products not only hold culinary value but also represent the unique culture of Hai Phong city, making them ideal gifts for relatives and friends.
Exploring Hai Phong specialties is a wonderful way to experience the unique culinary culture of the port city in 2025. A food tour journey will offer a complete experience, from traditional flavors to innovative dishes. Don't forget to savor and cherish these unforgettable culinary memories during your trip.
