The Tasty Treasures of Lao Cai: 15 Delights to Savour and Gift.

"When it comes to culinary delights, Laos Cai province in Vietnam is a treasure trove of delicious treats. The region boasts an array of unique specialties that will tantalize your taste buds and provide a memorable dining experience. From mouth-watering dishes to delectable treats, Laos Cai has something for everyone. Discover the top 15 Laos Cai specialties that will leave you craving for more."

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Lao Cai is renowned for its picturesque mountainous landscapes and natural wonders, including famous tourist attractions such as Sapa and Muong Chau. It also boasts a variety of delicious specialties that will tantalize the taste buds of anyone who visits. Join us as we explore 15 must-try specialties of Lao Cai that should be on every traveler’s itinerary.

1 Introduction to Lao Cai Tourism

Lao Cai is a mountainous border province located in the Northwest of Vietnam, approximately 296 km from Hanoi by rail and 345 km by road.

It borders Ha Giang Province to the east, Son La and Lai Chau provinces to the west, Yen Bai Province to the south, and Yunnan Province (China) to the north, with a 203 km long border.

When visiting Lao Cai, you’ll definitely want to explore the famous tourist destinations known for their idyllic scenery, such as Sapa, Bac Ha, Y Ty, and Muong Khuong, among others.

Introduction to Lao Cai

If you’re a fan of flowering apricot and plum blossoms, the best time to visit is from August to March of the following year. However, the region can be quite cold and humid from January to March. If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of snow, your best bet is to visit during December or January.

2 Top 15 Must-Try Specialties of Lao Cai

Specialties to Try When Visiting Lao Cai

Thang Co Lao Cai

Thang Co is a traditional dish of the Mong people, made with horse, beef, buffalo, and pork meat.

The cuisine of Lao Cai is just as fascinating as its scenery. A prime example is Thang Co, a traditional dish of the Mong people, consisting of horse, beef, buffalo, and pork meat, seasoned with a secret blend of spices that gives it a unique flavor. While it may take some getting used to for first-time tasters, most people quickly develop a liking for it and find themselves craving more.

  • Specialty Price: Approximately 200,000 VND per serving
  • Specialty Address: Thang Co Trong Quy

Banh Day (Rice Cake) Lao Cai

Banh Day Lao Cai is unique, made from sticky rice and served with a salty dip or sweet filling.

Banh Day Lao Cai has its own distinct charm. Made from sticky rice, the rice cakes are carefully pounded and shaped into balls, and can be enjoyed with a salty dip or a sweet filling. They make for a delightful dessert or snack.

Gingery Pork of the Nung People

Gingery Pork is a specialty of the Nung people in Lao Cai, commonly served during the Tet holiday.

Gingery Pork is a specialty of the Nung people in Lao Cai and is often prepared during the Tet holiday. The main ingredient is pork, marinated in a mixture of spices, including ginger, and then steamed or boiled to create a unique and mouthwatering dish.

Sapa Salmon

Sapa salmon is renowned for its delicious and nutritious meat.

Thanks to its favorable natural conditions, Sapa is blessed with cool and refreshing streams that are ideal for farming valuable fish like salmon. Sapa salmon is renowned for its delicious and nutritious meat, but it requires a specific environment to thrive. In Vietnam, only the regions of Lao Cai and Da Lat provide the necessary conditions for farming this fish. When in Sapa, you’ll find many restaurants specializing in salmon dishes, so be sure to give it a try!

Xoi Mau (Colored Sticky Rice)

Xoi Mau is a colorful and attractive dish, typically served with sesame salt.

Xoi, or sticky rice, is a familiar dish in Vietnam, and each region has its own unique twist on it. Lao Cai’s version is called Xoi Mau, and it stands out with its vibrant colors and irresistible appeal when paired with sesame salt.

Stream Fish Dishes

Stream fish dishes are known for their sweet and tender meat.

In addition to salmon, Sapa is also home to a unique species of stream fish that only appears during heavy rains. If you’re lucky enough to visit Sapa when these fish are in season, don’t miss the opportunity to taste their sweet and tender meat, which can be prepared in a variety of delicious ways.

Lao Cai Barbecue

Lao Cai barbecue is a legendary delicacy, featuring a variety of grilled meats and ingredients.

Last but not least, we have the legendary Lao Cai barbecue. Located near the border with China, Lao Cai offers an abundance of barbecue stalls and restaurants serving mouthwatering grilled meats and ingredients on skewers. Imagine huddling together with friends and family in the freezing climate, savoring juicy grilled meats, sipping on some Tao Meo rice wine, and dipping your sticky rice in sesame salt. It’s an unforgettable culinary experience!

Specialties of Lao Cai to Buy as Souvenirs

San Lung Rice Wine

San Lung rice wine is made by the Dao people using a secret recipe and local rice.

San Lung, which means “three dragons” in the Dao language, is a famous rice wine of the Northwest mountains, produced by the Dao people using a secret recipe and local rice. The result is a delicious and captivating wine.

Tao Meo (Wild Cat) Rice Wine

Tao Meo rice wine is made from wild cat plums and has a captivating brown color and aroma.

In addition to San Lung rice wine, the Dao people also produce Tao Meo rice wine, made from wild cat plums that grow in the forests. This wine has a captivating brown color and a seductive aroma. It is typically consumed in the morning after breakfast to energize and invigorate the body for the day ahead.

  • Price Reference: Approximately 100,000 VND per liter
  • Reference Address: Cao Son Market

Bac Ha Corn Wine

Bac Ha Corn Wine is made by the H’mong people using local corn.

In contrast to the Dao people’s rice wine, the H’mong people of Cao Son make their wine using local corn, resulting in a fragrant and intoxicating beverage that is one of the three famous wines of the Northwest mountains. A trip to Lao Cai would be incomplete without sampling this wine at least once.

  • Price Reference: Approximately 35,000 – 45,000 VND per liter
  • Reference Address: Cao Son Market

Com (Young Rice)

Com is made from sticky rice and skillfully crafted by the local ethnic women.

Com, or young rice, is skillfully crafted by the local ethnic women of Lao Cai using sticky rice. The result is a delicious and fragrant treat, with the most famous varieties being Bac Ha and Hop Thanh com. When in Lao Cai, be sure to sample these two renowned types of com from the Northwest region.

Com Lam (Sticky Rice in Bamboo Tubes)

Com Lam is a famous delicacy in the Northern mountains, often served with sesame salt and grilled meat.

When visiting the Northern mountains, Com Lam is a must-try dish. This delicacy is made by stuffing sticky rice into bamboo tubes and grilling it over a fire, resulting in a delicious treat that pairs perfectly with sesame salt and grilled meat. Com Lam can also be stored for a long time in the bamboo tubes, making it an excellent souvenir to bring home to family and friends.

  • Specialty Price: Approximately 40,000 – 50,000 VND per tube
  • Specialty Address: Cat Cat Village

Smoked Buffalo Meat

Smoked buffalo meat is a famous specialty of Lao Cai, carefully smoked and seasoned.

In addition to Com Lam, Lao Cai is also famous for its smoked buffalo meat. This specialty is quite labor-intensive to prepare, as the

Frequently asked questions

Lao Cai is a culinary gem in Vietnam, offering a unique blend of ethnic minority cuisines and fresh local produce. When visiting Lao Cai, some must-try delicacies include ‘Thang Co’, a hearty horse meat soup, and ‘Cap Nach’, a delicious dish of glutinous rice and forest herbs wrapped in banana leaves. The region is also known for its fresh mountain vegetables, aromatic rice, and a variety of grilled dishes, such as ‘Win Tram Nuong’ (grilled stream fish) and ‘Grilled Sa Pa pork’. The diverse food culture of Lao Cai is influenced by the local ethnic groups, including the Hmong, Dao, and Tay, each contributing their unique traditions and ingredients to create a flavorful and memorable dining experience.

Cap Nach is a traditional dish of the Hmong ethnic group in Lao Cai. It is made by wrapping a mixture of glutinous rice, forest herbs, and pork in banana leaves and then steaming it. What makes Cap Nach unique is the use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients and the distinct flavor imparted by the banana leaves during the steaming process. This dish is an essential part of Hmong cultural identity and is often served during festivals and special occasions.

The diverse and lush natural landscape of Lao Cai plays a significant role in shaping the region’s cuisine. The area is home to abundant forests, mountains, and rivers, providing a wide range of fresh and unique ingredients. Local chefs and home cooks take advantage of this bounty, incorporating mountain vegetables, wild herbs, and fresh river fish into their dishes. The cool climate also contributes to the region’s famous aromatic rice and the production of specialty crops like plums and avocados, further enhancing the culinary delights of Lao Cai.

Yes, Lao Cai offers a range of unique drinks and beverages that showcase the region’s local produce and cultural influences. One notable drink is rice wine, which is commonly produced by the ethnic minority groups in the area. Made from locally grown glutinous rice, the rice wine is often enjoyed during festivals and celebrations. In addition, Lao Cai is also known for its variety of herbal teas, made from wild herbs and flowers foraged from the surrounding mountains. These herbal infusions are believed to have medicinal properties and are a refreshing and healthy treat for visitors.

Visitors to Lao Cai have a plethora of food souvenirs and gifts to choose from. Some popular options include the region’s famous aromatic rice, locally produced plum wine, and a variety of dried specialties, such as sausage, pork, and fish. For a sweet treat, visitors can opt for honey sourced from local beekeepers or the unique ‘Hmong cotton candy’, a fluffy treat made from the root of a local plant. Lao Cai also offers a range of herbal teas and spices, allowing visitors to bring home a taste of the region’s vibrant and healthy cuisine.