What Are The Specialties Of Ha Giang? TOP 10 Must-Try Dishes

Located Next To Vietnam’s Northern Border, Ha Giang Is Not Only Famous For Its Pristine Beauty And Majestic Mountains, But Also A Culinary Paradise With Enticing Specialties. So, What Are The Famous Specialties Of Ha Giang? Let’s Discover The TOP 10 Dishes You Must Try When Visiting This Land.

1. What Are The Famous Specialties Of Ha Giang?

Ha Giang's Cuisine Has Long Been Renowned For Its Diversity And Richness, Deeply Reflecting The Cultural Identity Of The Local Ethnic Minorities. If You’re Wondering What Specialties Ha Giang Has To Offer, Take A Look At These 10 Delicious Dishes:

1.1. Thit Trau Gac Bep (Smoked Buffalo Meat)

Price Reference: 800,000 VND - 1,000,000 VND/kg.

This Dish Is Not Only A Traditional Meal But Also A Source Of Pride For The People Of Ha Giang. It Has Become A Famous Specialty, Enticing Visitors With Its Unique Flavor And Cultural Significance. The Taste Of Thit Trau Gac Bep Is A Delicate Blend Of Fresh Buffalo Meat Marinated With Mac Khen Seeds And The Subtle Aroma Of Smoke. The Outside Of The Meat Is Dark Brown, While The Inside Remains An Eye-Catching Red.

Smoked Buffalo Meat From Ha Giang

1.2. Thang Den

Price Reference: 25,000 VND - 50,000 VND/bowl.

To Create Thang Den, The People Of Ha Giang Use Delicious Sticky Rice, With Fillings Made From Ingredients Like Green Beans, Red Beans, Etc. When You Eat It, You Can Taste The Gentle Sweetness And Soft, Sticky Texture Of The Rice, Along With Its Fragrant Aroma. Adding A Bit Of Rock Sugar, Ginger, And Roasted Peanuts Enhances The Flavor.

Thang Den From Ha Giang

1.3. Men Men

Price Reference: 10,000 VND - 15,000 VND/bowl.

A Unique Dish From The Hmong Ethnic Group, Men Men Is Made From Corn. After Harvesting, The Corn Is Dried, Shelled, And Pounded In A Stone Mortar, Then The Corn Flour Is Steamed Until Cooked And Slightly Fermented. To Make Men Men With An Authentic Flavor, The Cook Must Have Years Of Experience, Carefully Measuring The Water And Stirring The Mixture Evenly. This Dish Has A Mild, Sweet, And Nutty Flavor And Is Widely Sold In Ha Giang Markets.

Men Men From Ha Giang

1.4. Lap Xuong Gac Bep (Smoked Sausage)

Price Reference: 250,000 VND - 300,000 VND/500g.

Ha Giang People Make Smoked Sausage To Preserve The Meat For A Longer Time. They Use Pork Shoulder Without The Skin As The Main Ingredient, And The Filling Includes Tenderloin, Shoulder, Or Ham Marinated With Spices. The Sausages Are Then Smoked Over The Fireplace For 12 - 14 Hours Straight, Giving Them A Rich, Smoky Flavor.

Smoked Sausage From Ha Giang

1.5. Thang Co

Price Reference: 30,000 VND - 50,000 VND/bowl.

Traditionally, Thang Co Is Made From Horse Innards, But To Suit The Taste Of Tourists, Many Restaurants In Ha Giang Have Replaced Horse Meat With Beef, Pork, Or Buffalo. The Broth, Made By Simmering Bones And Offal, Is The Essence Of This Dish. When Tasting It, You’ll Feel The Sweetness Of The Meat And The Slight Spiciness Of The Soup, Creating An Unforgettable Flavor.

Thang Co From Ha Giang

1.6. Pho Chua

Price Reference: 100,000 VND - 140,000 VND/kg.

If You’re Wondering What To Eat For Breakfast In Ha Giang, Pho Chua Is A Must-Try. This Dish Consists Of Fresh Pho Noodles Made From Sticky Rice, Combined With A Sweet And Sour Broth. It’s Served With Fried Pork, Sausage, Or Roasted Duck, Along With Cucumber And Green Papaya, Making It A Delicious And Satisfying Meal. For Those Who Enjoy Drinking Alcohol, Adding Corn Wine To The Experience Is A Perfect Match.

Pho Chua From Ha Giang

1.7. Thit Lon Cap Nach (Piglet Meat)

Price Reference: 100,000 VND - 140,000 VND/kg.

Thit Lon Cap Nach Comes From Small, Free-Range Piglets Weighing About 10 - 15kg, Making The Meat Firm And Flavorful. This Specialty Can Be Grilled, Steamed, Stir-Fried, Etc. It’s Delicious When Dipped In Garlic Chili Fish Sauce Or Salt And Pepper, Served With Aromatic Herbs According To Each Person’s Taste.

Piglet Meat From Ha Giang

1.8. Xoi Ngu Sac (Five-Colored Sticky Rice)

Price Reference: 10,000 VND - 15,000 VND/serving.

This Traditional Dish Of The Tay Ethnic Group In Ha Giang Is Served During Ancestor Worship Ceremonies And The Lunar New Year. Made From Fragrant Sticky Rice, The Grains Are Soaked In Water Dyed With Leaves To Create Color. After Soaking, The Rice Is Drained And Steamed. The Five Vibrant Colors Represent The Five Elements: White (Metal), Purple (Wood), Blue (Water), Red (Fire), And Yellow (Earth).

Five-Colored Sticky Rice From Ha Giang

1.9. Chao Au Tau (Au Tau Porridge)

Price Reference: 20,000 VND - 50,000 VND/bowl.

This Porridge Is Made From Au Tau, A Type Of Root That Grows Wild In The Ha Giang Region. It Contains Many Valuable Medicinal Properties That Are Beneficial For Health, Helping To Prevent Heart Diseases And Joint Problems. The Roots Are Carefully Processed To Remove Toxins, Then Simmered With Fragrant Sticky Rice And Ground Meat Or Pork Legs. The Porridge Has A Slightly Bitter Taste At First, Followed By A Subtle Sweetness From The Broth And The Rich Flavor Of The Meat.

Au Tau Porridge From Ha Giang

1.10. Banh Da (Rice Chip Cake)

Price Reference: 35,000 VND - 50,000 VND/kg.

With A Unique Name, Banh Da Is An Interesting Specialty Of Ha Giang. Unlike Ordinary Rice Cakes, This One Has An Elongated Shape And A Pure White Color Like Rice, Made Through A Completely Different Method. It’s Often Prepared By Frying As A Snack Or Sliced Into Strips And Boiled To Serve With Bone Broth.

Rice Chip Cake From Ha Giang

2. Some Notes When Buying Specialties In Ha Giang

• Purchase Ha Giang Specialties At Reputable Stores With Clear Branding. Avoid Street Vendors And Products Without A Clear Origin.
• Carefully Inspect The Product's Quality Before Purchasing. Check The Expiry Date And Ensure The Packaging Is Intact Without Bulging Or Deformation.
• Bargain When Shopping At Markets Or Stores Without Listed Prices. However, Be Polite And Friendly, Avoid Over-Negotiating.
• After Purchasing Specialties, Store Them Properly To Ensure Quality. Keep Receipts For Potential Exchanges If The Product Does Not Meet Quality Standards.

Now That You Know The Exciting Specialties Ha Giang Has To Offer, Don’t Forget To Follow Ha Giang Open Tour For More Useful Travel Information To Make Every Trip More Enjoyable!