1. Ca kho lang Vu Dai - Famous for a reason

Ca kho lang Vu Dai is not only a famous Ha Nam specialty but also carries the rich cultural value of the Ha Nam region. This dish is famous for its elaborate cooking method, simmered for 12 to 24 hours in an earthenware pot, resulting in firm, flavorful fish that is not mushy.

Ca kho lang Vu Dai is a famous specialty of Ha Nam (Image: collected)

The fish used must be black carp weighing 4-5kg, cleaned and marinated with ginger, galangal, fish sauce, pepper, shallots, coconut milk and traditional spices. When simmering, the heat must be kept low, allowing the fish to absorb the flavors and become fragrant.

Ca kho lang Vu Dai has a beautiful dark brown color, rich flavor, firm but not dry fish, and soft, edible bones. When enjoying it, just a bowl of hot rice and a piece of braised fish is enough for a perfect meal.

• Address: Vu Dai Village, Hoa Hau Commune, Ly Nhan District, Ha Nam.
• Reference price: 500,000 - 1,500,000 VND/pot.

2. Phu Ly Steamed Rice Rolls - Irresistibly Delicious

Phu Ly steamed rice rolls are a popular dish among locals, with a distinctive and irresistible flavor. Unlike traditional thin and light steamed rice rolls, Phu Ly steamed rice rolls are thicker, chewier, yet still soft and smooth.

Phu Ly Banh Cuon is a delicious and attractive specialty of Ha Nam (Image: collected)

The special feature of this dish is the way it is prepared and enjoyed. The Banh Cuon here does not have a filling but is served with hot spring rolls or crispy fried pork sausage, creating a perfect combination of soft cake, fragrant and fatty sausage, and rich dipping sauce. The dipping sauce is made according to a special recipe with delicious fish sauce, vinegar, garlic, chili, and a little pickled vegetables to balance the taste.

When eating, diners can sprinkle more golden fried shallots to enhance the flavor. With just a plate of hot Banh Cuon and a bowl of rich dipping sauce, you have a full, energetic, and delicious breakfast.

• Address: Banh Cuon stalls in Ha Nam province.
• Reference price: 30,000 - 50,000 VND/serving.

3. Binh Luc Fish Sauce - Countryside Flavor

Binh Luc fish sauce is a famous specialty of Ha Nam, carrying a strong traditional flavor with an elaborate preparation method, preserved through generations. This type of fish sauce is made from cay fish - a small crustacean living in brackish water, caught by the people, cleaned, then pounded with salt, fermented rice powder, and some secret spices.

Binh Luc fish sauce - An indispensable specialty of Ha Nam in every meal (Image: collected)

The fish sauce brewing process takes 4-6 months for the flavor to reach maturity, creating a salty, fatty taste and a characteristic strong aroma. When enjoyed, fish sauce is often used as a dipping sauce for boiled vegetables, boiled meat, or made into a sauce to enhance the rich flavor of the dish.

Local people have a saying: "Eating beef makes you anxious, eating fish sauce makes you snore", showing the attractiveness and appeal of this dish. Binh Luc fish sauce is not only popular in family meals but also a special gift for tourists when visiting Ha Nam.

• Address: Specialty stores in Ha Nam or purchase directly from households in Binh Luc.
• Reference price: 50,000 VND/500ml bottle.

4. Bun Ca Ro Dong - Hometown Flavor

Bun ca ro dong is one of Ha Nam’s rustic yet captivating dishes, highlighted by the light sweetness of the broth, the nutty flavor of the fish meat, and the blend of accompanying vegetables. This bun dish is made from fresh, firm, and fatty ro fish, carefully deboned before being lightly fried to maintain its crisp exterior while remaining soft and sweet inside.

Rustic bun ca ro dong dish that everyone has to praise (Image: collected)

The broth of bun ca ro dong is simmered from fish bones, creating a natural sweetness without needing too many seasonings. Additionally, when eating, diners can add a little blanched green mustard greens, scallions, and dill to enhance the characteristic flavor. Another highlight of this dish is the combination of soft, chewy bun and crispy fried ro fish, creating a harmonious sensation when enjoyed.

Bun ca ro dong is a perfect Ha Nam specialty for those who want to enjoy a traditional dish with the characteristic flavor of the Red River Delta region.

• Address: Restaurant 68: Phu Ly Crossroads, Ha Nam or bun ca restaurant at 157 Tran Hung Dao, Phu Ly, Ha Nam….
• Reference price: 30,000 - 50,000 VND/bowl.

5. Bun Tai Kenh - Rustic Dish

Bun Tai Kenh is one of the famous specialties of Ha Nam, loved by many for its chewy, soft, clear noodles and the characteristic aroma of homegrown rice. The noodles are made entirely by hand using traditional methods, from selecting the rice, soaking, grinding, filtering the flour to the boiling and pressing stages. Thanks to the family’s secret recipe, Bun Tai Kenh has a chewy texture, does not become brittle when left for a long time, and especially contains no preservatives.

Bun Tai Kenh Ha Nam, white, chewy and fragrant (Image: collected)

This bun dish can be combined with many other dishes, such as bun rieu cua, bun ca ro dong, bun cha, or simply eaten with sweet and sour fish sauce with garlic and chili. When eating, diners will feel the fragrant, nutty flavor of the homegrown rice, the soft chewiness without stickiness, along with the rich broth, creating a very attractive culinary experience.

Local people still maintain the traditional bun-making craft as a long-standing cultural feature. When visiting Ha Nam, enjoy these special, fresh and delicious bun dishes.

• Address: Tai Kênh Village, Dinh Xa Commune, Phu Ly or local markets in Ha Nam.

6. Kien Khe Rice Paper - A specialty you’ll remember forever

Kien Khe rice paper is one of the traditional snacks of Ha Nam, notable for its crispness, and the fragrant aroma of homegrown rice. To make high-quality rice paper, the people of Kien Khe use the best type of rice, soaking it in water for many hours before grinding it into flour. Then, the flour is thinly spread on a steamer, sprinkled with sesame or peanuts to increase the nutty richness before being dried in natural sunlight.

Crispy and fragrant Kien Khe rice paper (Image: collected)

When grilled, Kien Khe rice paper has a characteristic aroma; the paper is crispy but not hard, the rich flavor of sesame and peanuts blends with the rice flavor to create a simple yet attractive dish. Not only is it used as a snack, but the rice paper is also a great accompaniment to bun and pho dishes or used to dip in fish sauce with garlic and chili.

With its fame and characteristic flavor, Kien Khe Banh Da is not only consumed within the province but also appears in many other regions, becoming a meaningful local gift favored by tourists when visiting Ha Nam.

• Address: Kien Khe town, Thanh Liem district, Ha Nam.
• Reference price: 20,000 VND/piece.

7. Voc Long Tuu Wine - Unique intoxicating aroma

Voc Long Tuu wine is a long-standing traditional wine of Ha Nam, famous for its handcrafted distillation method and secret recipe using 36 rare Northern medicinal herbs. This wine not only has a rich, strong flavor but also brings many health benefits when drunk in moderation.

Voc Long Tuu wine is a long-standing traditional wine of Ha Nam (Image: collected)

The production process of Voc Long Tuu wine is very elaborate. Fragrant glutinous rice is carefully selected, soaked in spring water for 24 hours before being cooked into rice. Then, the rice is fermented in earthenware jars, allowing it to ferment naturally for about 7-10 days. When the fermentation reaches the standard level, the wine is distilled using a traditional copper pot, preserving the essence and original flavor of the ingredients.

The special feature of Voc Long Tuu wine is the 36 Northern medicinal herbs added during the fermentation process, including ginseng, cloves, licorice, goji berries, star anise… These herbs not only create a characteristic aroma but also help nourish the body, enhance blood circulation and support digestion.

The distilled wine has a natural light yellow color, a mild aroma and a warm, spicy taste when drunk. Notably, the longer the wine is aged, the more mellow it becomes, with a sweet aftertaste and does not cause headaches like industrial wines.

Voc Long Tuu wine is not only used during festivals and Tet but is also a meaningful gift for relatives and friends. Ha Nam people are proud of this drink as a symbol of the region’s traditional culinary culture.

• Address: Voc Village, Vu Ban Commune, Binh Luc District, Ha Nam.
• Reference price: 120,000 VND/1L bottle.

8. Dai Hoang Royal Banana - “Royal Tribute” Specialty

Dai Hoang Royal Banana is a famous specialty of Ha Nam, once selected to be offered to the emperors in the past. This type of banana has small fruits, thin skin, and a bright yellow color when ripe. When peeled, the banana flesh is chewy, fragrant, sweet, and has a rich flavor without being too harsh. The aroma of Dai Hoang Royal Banana is different from other banana varieties, gentle yet lingering, creating a pleasant feeling from the first bite.

Dai Hoang Royal Banana (Image: collected)

This type of banana is not only attractive in terms of flavor but also contains many nutrients beneficial to health such as potassium, vitamin B6, and fiber. Thanks to its deliciousness, nutritiousness, and easy digestibility, Dai Hoang Royal Banana is often used to offer to ancestors during festivals and holidays or as a luxurious gift.

The banana is mainly grown in Dai Hoang village, where the soil is particularly suitable for the development of this banana variety. Local people still maintain organic farming methods, without using pesticides, helping the bananas retain their naturally delicious quality.

Address: Dai Hoang Village, Hoa Hau Commune, Ly Nhan District, Ha Nam.

Reference price: 30,000 - 50,000 VND/kg.

9. Ly Nhan Tangerine - Famous Fruit of Ha Nam

Ly Nhan Tangerines are one of the famous specialties of Ha Nam, mainly grown in Ly Nhan District - a region with favorable climate and soil conditions for cultivating delicious and sweet tangerines. This type of tangerine has a thin peel, a bright yellow-orange color when ripe, is plump, and very easy to peel.

Ly Nhan Tangerines with a naturally sweet taste (Image: collected)

When enjoyed, Ly Nhan tangerines offer a naturally sweet taste, with a hint of gentle sourness, creating a refreshing sensation. Notably, the tangerine’s mild aroma is not overpowering but enough to captivate those who love fruits from the Red River Delta region. Thanks to their superior quality, Ly Nhan tangerines are not only heavily consumed domestically but also exported to many international markets.

Besides their high nutritional value with abundant vitamin C that boosts immunity, these tangerines are also used in many dishes and drinks such as juice, tangerine jam, or as ingredients in traditional medicine.

The Ly Nhan tangerine season usually starts from late autumn to early winter, when the weather turns cool, which is when the fruit reaches its peak sweetness. Tourists visiting Ha Nam during this time can easily buy tangerines at local markets or tangerine orchards in Ly Nhan District to experience the freshest and most delicious taste.

• Address: At markets in Ly Nhan District or tangerine orchards along the roads.
• Reference price: 30,000 - 50,000 VND/kg.

10. Seedless Persimmon of Nhan Hau - A rare specialty of Ha Nam

Nhan Hau Seedless Persimmon is one of the famous specialties of Ha Nam, mainly grown in Hoa Hau Commune, Ly Nhan District. This type of persimmon has a glossy outer skin; as it ripens, it gradually changes from yellow-orange to dark red, creating an attractive appearance. The most special feature of the Nhan Hau persimmon is that it is completely seedless, with soft, smooth flesh and a naturally sweet taste.

Hong Nhan Hau is a high-class gift (Image: collected)

Hong Nhan Hau has a light aroma; when eaten, it feels like enjoying a soft, smooth jelly that melts in your mouth. Not only delicious, this type of persimmon also contains many important nutrients such as vitamins C, A, potassium, and fiber, helping to boost immunity, improve the digestive system, and beautify the skin.

Nhan Hau persimmons are usually harvested in late autumn when the weather starts to get cold. Local people grow persimmons using natural farming methods, without using pesticides, ensuring clean and safe quality. After harvesting, persimmons can be eaten fresh or dried to preserve them longer while still retaining their delicious flavor.

Seedless Nhan Hau persimmon is not only a favorite food of the local people but also a high-class gift, carrying the strong flavor of Ha Nam specialty.

• Address: Hoa Hau Commune, Ly Nhan District, Ha Nam.
• Reference price: 30,000 - 50,000 VND/kg.

11. Banh Chung Lang Dam - The Essence of Cuisine

Banh Chung Lang Dam is one of the traditional specialties of Ha Nam, notable for its rich flavor and elaborate preparation method. Each cake is made from the finest ingredients, including fragrant glutinous rice, nutty mung beans, fresh pork belly, and traditional spices.

Lang Dam Banh Chung family tradition (Image: collected)

The special feature of Lang Dam Banh Chung is the method of wrapping and boiling the cake. The glutinous rice must be soaked overnight so that when cooked, it is soft and chewy. The filling is made from peeled mung beans, pounded until smooth and mixed with richly seasoned pork. The cake is tightly wrapped in green dong leaves, preserving the aroma and creating an attractive color when unwrapped.

Dam Village Banh Chung is not only delicious but also aesthetically pleasing thanks to its unique cooking method. Locals use rainwater to cook the cakes, combined with traditional zinc pots, ensuring even cooking, resulting in soft, fragrant cakes that retain their characteristic flavor. The cooking time ranges from 8-10 hours, requiring the cook to carefully monitor the heat for perfectly cooked cakes.

Not only enjoyed during traditional Tet holidays, Dam Village Banh Chung also makes a meaningful gift, reflecting the rich culinary culture of Ha Nam people.

• Address: Dam Village, Lien Tuyen Commune, Thanh Liem District, Ha Nam.
• Reference price: 20,000 - 25,000 VND/piece.

12. Tam Chuc Mullet - Kim Bang Specialty

Tam Chuc mullet is a species of fish that lives in deep water, mainly in the Tam Chuc Lagoon area, where the freshwater and brackish water ecosystems mix, providing a rich food source. As a result, the mullet here has firm, naturally sweet and fatty meat, rich in nutrients.

Tam Chuc mullet is prepared into many diverse dishes (Image: collected)

This type of fish is often processed into many attractive specialties such as mullet stewed with pickled mustard greens, grilled mullet, mullet porridge, and mullet cooked with crab. Among them, mullet stewed with pickled mustard greens is the most popular due to the sour and refreshing taste of the pickled mustard greens combined with the sweet and fatty fish meat, creating a delicious dish. Grilled fish retains its natural firmness and is usually marinated with strong spices before being grilled over charcoal.

Mullet porridge is a perfect choice for chilly days, with the fish meat simmered in the porridge, the fragrant aroma of dill and fried shallots adding to its appeal. Regardless of the cooking method, Tam Chuc mullet always offers a fresh, naturally sweet and fatty flavor.

• Address: Restaurants near Tam Chuc Lagoon, Kim Bang District.
• Reference price: 30,000 - 500,000 VND/dish.

13. Banh da nem Lang Cheu - Ha Nam's export specialty

Lang Cheu banh da nem is famous for its high quality, is chemical-free, and is made from pure glutinous rice.

Lang Cheu banh da nem is famous for its high quality (Image: collected)

• Address: Lang Cheu, Nguyen Ly, Ly Nhan, Ha Nam.
• Reference price: 15.000 VND/package of 40 sheets.

Ha Nam cuisine not only reflects the richness of local ingredients but also demonstrates the sophistication in each dish, from the way it is prepared to its characteristic flavors. Each specialty carries within it the cultural and historical stories of this land.

14. Kim Bang mountain snails – A gift from nature

Kim Bang mountain snails are a seasonal specialty, appearing only from April to August each year, living in the crevices of rocks in the Kim Bang limestone mountain region. The snails have small shells, thick bodies, crunchy meat, and a characteristic natural aroma of the forest leaves they eat.

Kim Bang mountain snails (Image: collected)

Local people prepare snails in many different ways, such as steaming with lime leaves, stir-frying with lemongrass and chili, grilling with scallions, or making snail salad. The snail meat is not tough but crunchy, sweet and savory, a favorite dish of many discerning diners when visiting Ha Nam.

• Reference price: 100,000 – 150,000 VND/kg.

15. Ly Nhan Fried Cakes – Sweet Homely Flavor

Ly Nhan fried cakes are small, with a thin and crispy crust, a sweet and nutty mung bean filling, sprinkled with sesame or roasted peanuts. This is a childhood dish associated with many generations of Ha Nam people, often sold in the afternoon on sidewalks and village markets.

Ly Nhan fried cakes, an attractive delicious flavor (Image: collected)

The cakes are made using traditional methods, from soaking the rice, grinding the flour, cooking the filling to the frying process. When cooked, the cakes are golden brown, crispy, and when bitten into, the sweet and soft filling melts in the mouth. This dish is best enjoyed when hot, often bought to eat immediately or taken home as a gift.

• Address: Markets and shops in Ly Nhan District, Ha Nam.

• Reference price: 5,000 – 10,000 VND/piece.

Whether it's a rustic dish like rice noodle soup with climbing perch, Phu Ly rolled cakes, or elaborate dishes like fish braised in Vu Dai village, Voc Long Tu wine, Ha Nam specialties always leave a deep impression on diners. The dishes are not only delicious but also have high nutritional value, creating a memorable food tour. Enjoy and buy these specialties as gifts on your journey to explore the land of Doi Mountain and Chau River!