Lang Son is not only blessed with breathtaking landscapes but also boasts a plethora of unique local specialties. If you’re wondering what to buy in Lang Son as gifts for your loved ones, we’ve got you covered!
1. An Introduction to Lang Son Tourism
Lang Son is one of the provinces in Vietnam renowned for its picturesque landscapes. Located over 180km from Hanoi, Lang Son enjoys a pleasant climate all year round, making it a popular tourist destination. Discover 20 captivating attractions that will surely entice you!
An Overview of Lang Son Tourism
2. Top 15 Lang Son Specialties to Try and Buy
Must-Try Local Specialties in Lang Son
Hữu Lũng Grilled Spring Rolls
Hữu Lũng Grilled Spring Rolls
A trip to Lang Son is incomplete without tasting these grilled spring rolls. This dish stands out from traditional spring rolls, showcasing the region’s distinct culinary style.
The spring rolls are wrapped in banana leaves and allowed to ferment before being grilled over charcoal, imparting a unique flavor that captivates locals and tourists alike.
Those who indulge in this delicacy often buy it as a gift for their loved ones, sharing the distinctive taste of the mountainous region.
Estimated price: 20,000 – 25,000 VND/piece
Suggested places to buy: Specialty shops in Hữu Lũng district and Lang Son city
Reference:
Bánh phồng (Rice Crackers)
Bánh phồng of the Tay ethnic group
This traditional cake of the Tay ethnic group is a must-try delicacy when visiting Lang Son. The main ingredient is glutinous rice, soaked in the ash of the Cha Du tree, which is unique to the highland region.
Bánh phồng is delicious on its own, but many locals also fry it in a pan to make it crispy and fragrant.
This exceptional snack is a favorite among tourists, who often buy it as a gift for children or to savor at home and reminisce about their trip to Lang Son.
Estimated price: 30,000 VND/bag
Suggested place to buy:
- Dong Kinh Market: Phai Ve, Vinh Trai, Lang Son City, Lang Son
Lang Son Vegetables
Fresh Vegetables from Lang Son
Lang Son vegetables stand out for their exceptional freshness. Even though they may wilt quickly, visitors still opt to buy them due to their superior quality.
These vegetables are an integral part of every meal in Lang Son, featuring in dishes such as stir-fried bo khai vegetables with rice noodles. Each type of Lang Son vegetable carries the essence of the mountains, enticing visitors to purchase them as gifts.
Estimated price: 5,000 VND/bundle
Suggested place to buy:
- Dong Kinh Market: Phai Ve, Vinh Trai, Lang Son City, Lang Son
Sour Pho
Sour Pho – A Unique Dish in Lang Son
This specialty of Lang Son is a favorite among tourists, featuring an enticing and unusual flavor. Lang Son-style sour pho consists of two main parts: the broth and the dry ingredients, including rice noodles, pork belly, fried dough sticks, quail eggs, and more.
When eating, you mix the two parts together, resulting in a refreshingly sour and slightly sweet dish that’s utterly addictive.
Estimated price: 35,000 – 40,000 VND/bowl
Suggested place to buy:
- Pho Phuong Restaurant: 73 Nhi Thanh Street, Tam Thanh Ward, Lang Son City, Lang Son
Egg Banh Cuon
Egg Banh Cuon – A Unique Twist on a Classic Dish
Another Lang Son specialty you can indulge in is banh cuon, or steamed rice rolls. What sets this dish apart is the addition of an egg in the center of each roll and a unique broth.
To prepare, the cook cracks an egg into the center of each rice roll, covers it, and steams it until both the egg and the rice roll are cooked, then sprinkles roasted scallions on top before serving.
To enhance the flavor, you can dip the rolls in a small bowl of broth made from bone stock and garnished with chopped scallions.
Estimated price: 10,000 – 20,000 VND/serving
Suggested places to buy:
- Mrs. Tham’s Banh Cuon: 14 Nguyen Du, Vinh Trai Ward, Lang Son City, Lang Son
- Mr. Bac Hung’s Banh Cuon: 21 Nguyen Du, Vinh Trai Ward, Lang Son City, Lang Son
- Mrs. Thao’s Banh Cuon: 13 Ngo Quyen, Vinh Trai Ward, Lang Son City, Lang Son
Ap Chao Cake
Ap Chao Cake – A Unique Local Delicacy
Ap Chao cake is a lesser-known dish to outsiders, so don’t miss the opportunity to try this intriguing delicacy while in Lang Son!
The filling of this cake consists of cha lua (Vietnamese pork sausage), which is then dipped in a sauce made from papaya-infused fish sauce and spicy chili peppers.
Each bite of this cake offers a delightful combination of the sticky texture of glutinous rice flour on the outside and the soft, fatty duck meat on the inside.
Estimated price: 5,000 – 10,000 VND/piece
Suggested place to buy:
- Xuan Suu Ap Chao: No. 8, Than Thua Quy Street, Vinh Trai Ward, Lang Son City, Lang Son
Khau Nhuc
Khau Nhuc – A Flavorful Local Dish
is a Lang Son specialty typically served during local festivals. The intricate preparation process results in a flavorful dish that captivates the taste buds.
is marinated with various spices such as five-spice powder, anise, galangal, liquor, and more, then steamed with mac mat leaves until the meat is tender. The meat takes on a beautiful golden-brown color and absorbs the flavors of the spices, making it irresistible.
Estimated price: 30,000 – 50,000 VND/bowl
Suggested places to buy:
- Thao Vien Restaurant: 145 Phai Ve, Mai Pha Ward, Lang Son City, Lang Son
- Trung Xuan Restaurant: No. 29 Tam Thanh, Lang Son City, Lang Son
- Minh Quang Restaurant: 44 Ngo Quyen, Vinh Trai Ward, Lang Son City, Lang Son
Roast Duck and Pork
Roast Duck and Pork – A Local Favorite
While roast duck and pork are common across Vietnam, Lang Son’s versions are set apart by the use of mac mat leaves, a local specialty. Marinating the meat with these leaves imparts a distinctive flavor and aroma.
The roasted duck and pork boast a golden-brown exterior and tender, juicy meat.
Estimated price: 150,000 – 180,000 VND/kg of roast pork, approximately 180,000 VND/roast duck
Suggested places to buy:
- Mr. Gu’s Roast Pork Shop: 215 Tran Dang Ninh, Lang Son City
- Mat Mat Roast Duck Shop: 15 Bac Son, Vinh Trai Ward, Lang Son City, Lang Son
- Huong Nga Roast Duck Shop: 164 Bac Son, Hoang Van Thu Ward, Lang Son City, Lang Son
Lang Son Specialties to Buy as Gifts
Bac Son Tangerine
Bac Son Tangerine – A Local Favorite
The fertile soil and mild climate of Lang Son create the perfect conditions for tangerines to thrive, resulting in fruits that are plump and juicy. The Bac Son region is renowned for producing the finest tangerines in Vietnam, characterized by their golden-yellow hue and thick, juicy segments.
The tangerines have a smooth peel, and there are two varieties: round and flat, with the round ones being slightly sweeter and lighter. Choose the variety that suits your preference to gift your loved ones a taste of Lang Son.
Estimated price: 25,000 – 35,000 VND/kg
Suggested places to buy:
- Tangerine orchards in Bac Son: Bac Son, Lang Son, Vietnam
Hoa Hoi (Star Anise)
Hoa Hoi (Star Anise) – A Signature Spice of Lang Son
When it comes to Lang Son, one immediately thinks of hoa hoi, or star anise – a local specialty often purchased as gifts by tourists. Star anise is most abundant in August, when the weather turns dry. Each star anise has 5 to 8 segments arranged in a star-like shape.
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