1. Why you should snack in Ha Long
1.1. Combining seafood flavors and street food
The unique charm of Ha Long cuisine lies in the blend of fresh seafood flavors and the rustic simplicity of street food. In this land favored by the sea, even familiar snacks carry the salty, sweet, and pure taste of the ocean.
You can easily spot images of golden grilled squid skewers over glowing charcoal, steaming plates of lemongrass-steamed snails, or bowls of fragrant, piping hot banh cuon with cha muc. Each dish seems to carry a story about the lives of fishermen, about the genuine, simple, yet warm affection of the mining region's people.
Whether it's fresh seafood or sweet desserts, the snack stalls here maintain the natural flavors. No need for extravagance; just sit on a small plastic chair, listen to the sound of the waves, and enjoy the delicious food, and you'll understand why Ha Long always makes people linger.
The flavor of Ha Long street food carries the breath of the sea. (Source: Collected)
1.2. Interesting experiences when strolling at night
Ha Long snacks are loved by everyone because they are cheap and easy to find. You don't need to spend more than 100,000 VND for a filling meal, yet you can still enjoy a variety of dishes from creamy pearl yogurt, fragrant steamed rice rolls with squid cake, to spicy steamed snails.
Food stalls are usually open until late at night, especially in the Bai Chay, Hong Gai, or Gieng Don areas. Tourists can comfortably stroll and stop anywhere to "recharge" after playing. The cool air, music from roadside cafes, and the aroma of grilled food make Ha Long at night even more memorable.
The bustling atmosphere of Ha Long's snack bars as the city lights up. (Source: Collection)
2. Top delicious snack bars in Ha Long you should try
Here is a list of famous snack bars in Ha Long loved by locals and tourists alike, both delicious and easy to find, suitable for a stroll, a date, or a light chill with friends.
2.1. Co Beo Snack Bar
Address: Kiot B11, Ha Long Park Old Town, Quang Ninh
Opening hours: 06:00 - 23:00
Reference price: 20,000 - 100,000 VND
Signature dishes: Korean rice cakes, yogurt, various types of sweet soups/desserts
Co Beo is a 'snack paradise' located in Ha Long ward, a place that gathers many delicious dishes loved by young people. Here, you can enjoy hot Korean-style spicy rice cakes while sipping a cool, sweet pearl yogurt.
The space is small but clean, simply decorated, creating a cozy feeling. The prices are 'student-friendly', and every dish is flavorful and satisfying. Especially, the Thai sweet soup and flan here are rated as 'must try' by many young people.
Co Beo snack shop with diverse delicious and cheap dishes. (Source: Collected).
2.2. Tuan Lien Yogurt
Location: Tran Quoc Nghien, Hong Gai Ward, Quang Ninh
Price: Affordable, suitable for snacking
Signature dishes: Traditional yogurt, yogurt with tapioca pearls, banana topping, dried coconut
Mentioning Ha Long without talking about Tuan Lien Yogurt would be a real oversight. This is a "legendary" place that has been associated with countless generations of the mining region's people. The yogurt pots here are handmade, lightly fragrant, smooth and chewy, eaten with tapioca pearls and crispy dried coconut.
The shop has a spacious atmosphere, located right on Tran Quoc Nghien street, the most beautiful coastal road in Ha Long. Sitting here, enjoying yogurt while watching the sunset over the bay is an experience that everyone remembers fondly.
Tuan Lien Eatery, a legendary snack corner along Tran Quoc Nghien street. (Source: Collected).
2.3. Grilled Squid Paste Steamed Rice Rolls at Quan Ba Ngan
Address: No. 34 Doan Thi Diem, Hong Gai, Quang Ninh
Opening hours: 07:00 - 14:00
Reference price: 30,000 - 60,000 VND
If you want to try a snack that fills you up, grilled squid paste steamed rice rolls are the perfect choice. Quan Ba Ngan is famous throughout Hong Gai for the flavor of its chewy and crispy hand-pounded squid paste, combined with hot, soft, smooth steamed rice rolls and perfectly seasoned fish sauce.
The quán's space is simple, with just a few sets of stainless steel tables and chairs, but it's always bustling with customers. Every morning, the fragrant smell of fried shallots and fried squid paste wafts through the small street, making everyone passing by turn their heads.
Hot banh cuon cha muc at Ba Ngan restaurant. (Source: Collected).
2.4. Sam Ba Ty
Address: Ngo 6 Cao Thang, Hong Gai Ward, Quang Ninh
Opening hours: 07:00 - 23:00
Reference price: 20,000 - 100,000 VND
Signature dishes: Horseshoe crab with sweet and sour sauce, horseshoe crab salad, horseshoe crab cake
If you want to explore a "sea-exclusive" snack, visit Sam Ba Ty restaurant. The horseshoe crabs here are prepared in many ways: savory sweet and sour stir-fried horseshoe crab, perfectly seasoned horseshoe crab salad, or crispy and fragrant horseshoe crab cake.
The restaurant has a casual yet clean atmosphere, with friendly staff. Each dish is made to order, ensuring freshness and deliciousness. The horseshoe crab here is a rare specialty, with many diners commenting that "one taste and you'll forever remember the taste of Ha Long Bay".
Sam Ba Ty is famous for its diverse horseshoe crab dishes, rich with the taste of the sea. (Source: Collected).
2.5. Co Huong Snacks
Address: 910 Ha Long Street, Bai Chay Ward, Quang Ninh
Opening hours: 17:00 - 23:00
Reference price: 5,000 - 50,000 VND
Featured dishes: Fried fermented pork rolls, sausages, yogurt
Co Huong shop is a familiar meeting point for students and tourists who want to find the familiar taste of Hanoi's snacks in the heart of Ha Long. The fried fermented pork rolls here are golden and crispy, dipped in a slightly spicy chili sauce, extremely addictive.
In addition, the shop also offers fried cheese sticks, sausages, crispy fried potatoes, and cool yogurt, an ideal dessert after being full of fried food. The shop is small but always crowded, especially in the evening when the streets light up, the bustling atmosphere makes the food even more delicious.
Fried fermented pork rolls and attractive cheese sticks at Co Huong Snack Shop (Source: Collected).
2.6. Yen Oc
Address: Group 1, Area 7, Bai Chay Ward, Quang Ninh
Opening hours: 11:00 - 22:00
Reference price: 25,000 - 50,000 VND
Featured dishes: Snails in tamarind sauce, fried squid with garlic
For those who are "big fans" of seafood, Yen Oc is a name that cannot be missed. Here, there are all kinds of snails: whelks, butter snails, mud snails... freshly prepared on the spot with many styles such as steamed with lemongrass, stir-fried with tamarind, stir-fried with coconut.
The snails in tamarind sauce dish are especially loved for their harmonious sweet and sour taste, chewy and crispy snail meat, and fragrant lemongrass and chili. Fried squid with garlic is also the "signature" dish of the shop, crispy on the outside yet tender and sweet inside. With just a portion of snails, a portion of squid, and a glass of iced tea, you'll have a delicious - cheap - filling snack meal.
Enjoy delicious food at Yen Oc restaurant. (Source: Collected).
2.7. Gio Ice Cream
Address: 98 Gieng Don Street, Hong Gai Ward, Quang Ninh
Reference price: 15,000 - 50,000 VND
Featured dishes: Coconut ice cream, rolled ice cream, fried spring rolls, sausages, cheese sticks
If you want to end the evening with a refreshing dessert, Gio Ice Cream is a great choice. The shop is located right in the center, easy to find, with a youthful style and a very diverse menu.
The coconut ice cream here is attractively presented in a fresh coconut shell, topped with shredded coconut and a light sweet syrup. In addition, rolled ice cream is also a "hot" item that is both visually appealing and delicious. The shop also serves light savory snacks like fried spring rolls and cheese sticks, suitable for groups of friends who want to "snack and chill".
Coconut ice cream at Gio Ice Cream (Source: Collected).
3. Evening Snack Itinerary Suggestion for a Stroll in Ha Long
Ha Long is most beautiful in the afternoon and evening, when the sunset descends upon the sea and the streets begin to bustle. If you want to "fully chill" the evening with a culinary journey, here is an ideal itinerary suggestion:
Afternoon: Have Fun at Sun World Ha Long and Enjoy Nearby Snacks
Start the afternoon at Sun World Ha Long, where there are a series of exciting activities. After experiencing the Queen's Cable Car or the Sun Wheel, you can visit nearby eateries such as Co Beo or Tuan Lien Yogurt to "recharge".
The feeling of having fun amidst the sea air, while enjoying cool dishes or piping hot spicy rice cakes, is truly indescribable.
Water park located within the Sun World Ha Long complex (Source: Collected).
Evening: Stroll along Bai Chay beach and enjoy snacks
Around 6–7 PM, strolling around the Bai Chay area is the ideal time for you to walk and snack. Visit An Vat Co Huong to enjoy fried fermented pork rolls, sausages, or visit Yen Oc to savor a plate of hot snails amidst the salty sea breeze.
The night sea space in Bai Chay has something very special, both peaceful and bustling, making each dish seem to have its own unique flavor.
Late night: Chill around Hon Gai and enjoy cool, sweet ice cream
When the city lights up, Hon Gai and Bai Chay become sparkling. You can visit Gio Ice Cream to order a coconut ice cream, eating while watching people go by. Some places even play soft music, suitable for relaxing after a long day of exploration.
If you want to end the journey with a Ha Long snack meal light, you can visit Sam Ba Ty to enjoy stir-fried horseshoe crab or horseshoe crab cake.
Ha Long is not only beautiful for its natural scenery, but also makes people linger because of its rustic, simple snacks that are surprisingly delicious. Whether it's a cup of cool yogurt by the roadside, or a plate of hot snails at night, all contribute to the unique, distinctive character of this city.
If you have the chance to visit, make your journey more complete with moments wandering with friends, enjoying the sea view while savoring simple snacks that are full of the warmth of the mining land people. And who knows, you might "forget the way back" amidst the delicious flavors and the gentle atmosphere of Ha Long at night.
