If you’re a foodie and planning to visit Vietnam, don’t miss out on the opportunity to explore Ha Tinh cuisine. Ha Tinh is a province located in the central part of Vietnam, and it is well-known for its local food that represents the distinct taste and culture of this region. While many of the Ha Tinh local foods are popular throughout Vietnam, only in Ha Tinh can you experience them at their best.
So what to eat in Ha Tinh? Let’s discover it right away.
Smelt-whitings Salad (Gỏi Cá Đục)
Smelt-whitings salad, a cultural gem of Xuan Nghi sea village, is a must-try Ha Tinh local food for any visitor. The dish requires meticulous preparation. It is made from fresh smelt-whitings, halved and boned completely, then soaked with lemon for 15 minutes to remove the fishy smell.
When eating the salad, you’ll be treated to the natural sweetness of the fish meat, paired with an assortment of herbs and raw vegetables like ming aralia leaves, sweet and sour star fruit leaves, and thinly sliced green bananas.
You can find this dish at various restaurants and eateries in Loc Ha, Nghi Xuan, and Ha Tinh beach areas, with prices ranging from 100,000 to 150,000 VND.
Porridge Soup (Cháo canh)
One of the most famous Ha Tinh local foods is porridge soup. This dish includes thick noodles that have a milky white color and are flexible, chewy, and fragrant.
The bone broth is very sweet and scrumptious, as it has onions, shrimp, Vietnamese sausages, and other ingredients. A bowl of porridge soup costs between 20,000 to 35,000 VND, depending on the size and types of fillings.
Reference addresses:
- Dung Thanh Snakehead Fish Soup: 301 Nguyen Du – Ha Tinh City
- Kim Chi Shop: 247, Huy Can, Bac Ha, Ha Tinh City
Do Trai beef noodle soup (Bún bò Đò Trai)
Another Ha Tinh local food worth mentioning is Do Trai beef noodle soup. One special thing about this dish lies in the round and brown noodles. The noodles here are all meticulously made by hand, so they have a very unique flavor compared to those made from industrial machines in other places.
The broth is prepared according to the taste of the locals in Duc Tho, Ha Tinh, making it a pleasant surprise for visitors. The tender beef, moderate noodles, and fragrant broth with some raw vegetables and a squeeze of lemon make it a delicious and irresistible dish. A bowl of Do Trai beef noodle soup costs between 30,000 to 40,000 VND.
Reference addresses:
- Do Trai Hong Linh – Dong Long: Duc Thinh, Duc Tho, Hong Linh, Ha Tinh
- Bun Ngon Restaurant: 20A, Phan Dinh Phung, Nam Ha, Ha Tinh.
Fresh Squid (Mực nhảy)
Muc Nhay is a Ha Tinh local food that originates from Vung Ang sea. The fresh squids here are caught and immediately processed to preserve their natural sweetness. The most fascinating aspect of squid in Vung Ang is its iridescent body, which looks stunning.
These squids can be processed into many dishes, such as squid salad, fried squid, boiled squid, and more. The squid meat is always tender and chewy, leaving an unforgettable impression on diners.
The price of Vung Ang squid varies from 400,000 to 700,000 VND/kg, depending on the season and harvest. This type of squid has a variety of sizes available. The best places to enjoy squid dishes are restaurants and eateries in Vung Ang port, such as Thanh Nhan Restaurant, Do Tuyet Restaurant, and Dan Tuyet Restaurant.
Duc Tho dry rice wafer with baby basket clam (Hến xúc bánh đa Đức Thọ)
If you’re wondering what kind of specialty Ha Tinh has to offer, you must try Duc Tho dry rice wafer with baby basket clams. This dish is made from freshly caught baby basket clams, giving it a unique sweetness.
After being prepared by a skilled chef, the baby basket clams are then served with the crispy dry rice wafers. The combination of these two foods promises to bring visitors a unique and unforgettable experience.
Visitors can find this dish at Vuon Uong market in Ha Tinh, with prices ranging from 50,000 to 150,000 VND.
Molasses-sweetened glutinous rice cake (Bánh ngào)
Molasses-sweetened glutinous rice cake is a type of snack similar to floating rice cake (bánh trôi nước). It is made with rice flour and filled with ginger, honey, and peanuts.
This cake is not only soft but also has a delightful aroma and spicy ginger flavor, along with the sweetness of honey and the nutty scent of peanuts, that will make you want to keep eating it.
You can find this cake in many confectioneries in Ha Tinh, especially at Ha Tinh market (Nam Ha, Ha Tinh) at very affordable prices ranging from 10,000 to 15,000 VND per cake.
Cu Do candy (Kẹo cu đơ)
When talking about Ha Tinh local food, it is impossible not to mention Cu Do candy. This is one of the most popular snacks in the region and is also well-known throughout the country for its delicious taste.
This candy is a combination of crispy dry rice wafers, sweet molasses, peanuts, and a mildly spicy ginger taste. Once you try it, you will easily become addicted to its unique flavor. Additionally, Cu Do candy is an ideal gift option for your friends and family after you get back from Ha Tinh.
The price of a candy cane varies from 100,000 to 250,000 VND, depending on its size. Here are some addresses of candy stores you can visit:
- Cu Do Thu Vien: 481 Ha Huy Tap, Ha Tinh City.
- Cu Do Phong Nga: Bau Lang Village, Thach Dai Commune, Thach Ha, Ha Tinh
Huong Son Mountain Goat:
Huong Son mountain goat is a famous Ha Tinh local food due to its unique and delicious taste. This goat can be cooked in different ways, such as cooked in lime juice salad, stir-fried, dipped in tamarind, or steamed. Every preparation method is all delicious with its own distinct aroma and texture. You can enjoy a hot pot or dishes made from goat meat for a price ranging from 200,000 to 400,000 VND, which can serve up to four people.
Reference addresses:
- Hai Duc Goat Restaurant: 86-88 Nguyen Huy Oanh, Ha Tinh City, Ha Tinh
- Goat Eatery 245: 245 Vu Quang, City. Ha Tinh, Ha Tinh.
Fried spring rolls with steamed thin rice pancake (Ram bánh mướt)
Ram banh muot is a combination of hot fried spring rolls and steamed thin rice pancakes. It has a soft and supple texture, mixed with a bit of fat, that does not make it too bland to eat.
Before eating, you can roll the cake, add some fragrant fried onions, and put the ram in it, then dip it in a little garlic fish sauce. This creates an outstanding flavor that makes the dish more perfect. You can enjoy ram banh muot at any time of the day, whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
The price for this dish is between 50,000 and 75,000 VND.
Reference addresses:
- Cuc Hoi Eatery: Nguyen Cong Tru, Ha Tinh City
- Banh Muot Nham Phu: alley 20; alley 318 Nguyen Du, Ha Tinh City.
Water fern cake (Bánh bèo)
Water fern cake is a must-try Ha Tinh local food, as it has a unique flavor that sets it apart from the version found in other provinces and cities. These cakes are small in size and filled with peeled shrimp or fried lean meat with dried onions. When you take a bite, you’ll taste the soft sweetness of the filling. Additionally, when combined with fish sauce, this cake will have an unforgettable taste.
You can easily find Ha Tinh water fern cake at prices ranging from 25,000 to 40,000 VND
Reference address: Dai Truyen Hinh water fern cake: no 37, Lane 6, Phan Dinh Phung, Ha Tinh.
Ha Tinh cuisine is truly a treasure trove in Vietnam. With its unique and flavorful dishes, visitors are sure to be left with a memorable culinary experience. So, if you have the chance to visit this peaceful land, be sure to indulge in the authentic Ha Tinh local food and explore the rich culinary heritage of this region.
Read more Ha Tinh travel guides
- The 15 HOTTEST Ha Tinh Tourist Attractions
- Uncover the Best 7 Ha Tinh Restaurants for Gastronomes
- Ha Tinh Travel Guide – For a Memorable First Trip
