Lai Chau is a captivating tourist destination in Vietnam, attracting visitors with its breathtaking scenery, friendly locals, and unique specialties that captivate the senses. Let’s explore the famous specialties of this region.
1 Introduction to Lai Chau Tourism
When visiting Lai Chau, tourists are captivated not only by the pristine beauty of nature, with cloud-covered mountain peaks, stunning waterfalls, and golden rice fields, but also by the warmth and hospitality of the local people. Located between two other famous tourist destinations in Northwest Vietnam, Sa Pa (Lao Cai) and Dien Bien, Lai Chau offers visitors untouched and enchanting landscapes of the northwestern mountains.
Introduction to Lai Chau Tourism
2 Top 15 Lai Chau Specialties to Try
Specialties to Try When Visiting Lai Chau
Piglet Carried Underarm
When in Lai Chau, don’t miss the opportunity to try the famous “Piglet Carried Underarm” dish, a delicacy that attracts tourists from all over. These pigs are free-range and fed only on forest leaves and wild herbs, resulting in firm and flavorful meat.
Piglet Carried Underarm
The name “Piglet Carried Underarm” comes from their small size, typically weighing between 10-15kg, which allows them to be carried in a basket or under the arm. A variety of delicious dishes can be prepared from this unique breed of pig, including boiling, steaming, grilling, smoking, stir-frying, and making a Vietnamese pork stew (“nau gia cay”). Be sure to try this specialty when you’re in the area.
- Estimated price: 150,000 VND/ dish
- Address: Huong Phong Guesthouse: No. 59 – Group 18 – Tan Phong Ward – Lai Chau City – Lai Chau Province
Lam Nho
Lam Nho
“Lam Nho” is a dish made with bamboo shoots as the main ingredient. The bamboo shoots are grilled over charcoal until thoroughly cooked. They are then cut into thin slices and mixed with mac khen (a local spice), chili peppers, galangal, forest plums, squash leaves, and young squash. This mixture is then stuffed into a bamboo tube and grilled again until all the ingredients are cooked.
The resulting dish is incredibly flavorful and embodies the unique taste of Lai Chau.
- Estimated price: 50,000 – 100,000 VND/ bamboo tube
- Address: Thai Ethnic Cuisine Restaurant – Ban La: 153 Vu A Dinh, Quyet Thang Ward, Lai Chau Town, Lai Chau Province.
Mong Ethnic Banh Day (Stuffed Glutinous Rice Cake)
Mong Ethnic Banh Day
One of the must-try specialties in Lai Chau is the Banh Day of the Mong ethnic group. Unlike other versions, this rice cake does not have a filling, but it is large and coated with pork fat. The cake has a delightful aroma from the glutinous rice grown in the highlands, , and pork fat, creating an irresistible combination.
- Estimated price: 100,000 VND/cake
- Address: Phuong Dong Restaurant: 342 Tran Hung Dao, Quyet Thang, Lai Chau Town, Lai Chau Province
Fern Salad (Nom Rau Don)
Fern Salad
Nom Rau Don is a simple yet flavorful dish of the Thai ethnic group, featuring the distinctive taste of fern, balanced with sweet and sour flavors and a hint of chili pepper.
- Estimated price: 50,000 VND/plate
- Address: San Thang Fair
Ant Eggs
Ant Eggs
Ant eggs are a unique specialty of Lai Chau. They are seasoned and wrapped in dong (phrynium placentarium) or banana leaves before being grilled over charcoal. Alternatively, they can be cooked with sticky rice, made into a salad with sour leaves, or used to make a mild soup. This dish is both unusual and delicious.
- Estimated price: 100,000 VND/plate
- Address: Huong Que Restaurant: 62 Tran Phu, Lai Chau Town.
Pork Intestines Stuffed with Glutinous Rice
Pork Intestines Stuffed with Glutinous Rice
Locally known as “tung cang nhang,” this dish is made by mixing galangal and other spices with fresh blood and stuffing the mixture into pork intestines. The stuffed intestines are then boiled and can be stored for a long time, making them a popular dish during festivals and holidays. The dish has a unique aroma from the galangal and blood, along with the chewy texture of the pork intestines.
- Estimated price: 20,000 – 50,000 VND/plate
- Address: Le Thuy Restaurant: 69 Tran Hung Dao, Doan Ket, Lai Chau Town, Lai Chau Province
Do Vui Fish
Do Vui Fish
Do Vui fish, caught in local rivers and streams, are small, about the size of an adult’s finger. They are prepared immediately after being caught, ensuring their freshness and delicious flavor. The fatty fish meat has a distinctive aroma from the mountain spices and leaves a lasting impression.
- Estimated price: 100,000 – 150,000 VND/plate
- Address: Thanh Son Restaurant (27 Tran Hung Dao, P. Doan Ket, Lai Chau Town, Lai Chau Province ).
Purple Sticky Rice
Purple Sticky Rice
This sticky rice is cooked with a type of fragrant glutinous rice called “nep huong,” which is characteristic of the region. The rice grains are dyed purple using a natural coloring agent called “khau cam,” resulting in a vibrant color and delicious taste. The rice has a pleasant aroma, is sticky without being clumpy, and is highly enjoyable.
- Estimated price: 50,000 – 100,000 VND/kg
- Address: San Thang Fair
Lai Chau Specialties to Buy as Gifts
Smoked Pork
is a famous specialty of the northern mountainous region, including Lai Chau. The pork is marinated with typical mountain spices such as mac khen, hat doi, .
Smoked Pork
After marination, the pork is either hung by the fireplace or smoked in special ovens. The final product has a deep purple color and can be stored for a long time, making it an excellent choice for souvenirs.
- Estimated price: 300,000 – 400,000 VND/kg
- Address: San Thang Fair
Doi Nuts
Doi Nuts
Doi nuts are a famous specialty of Lai Chau. They are a type of pine nut commonly used in daily meals by the local people. The nettle pine nuts turn deep red when ripe and darken to black when dried. Doi nuts are used to marinate , ,…
- Estimated price: 200,000 VND/100g
- Address: Lane 090 Tran Phu Street, Tan Phong Ward, Lai Chau City
Sung Phai Corn Wine
Sung Phai corn wine is a specialty of the Mong people in Lai Chau. It is made from 100% corn, millet, and herbal yeast. The water used in the wine’s production comes from Sung Phai, a unique feature that contributes to its distinctive flavor.
Sung Phai Corn Wine
Sung Phai corn wine is believed to have bone-strengthening properties and can aid in digestion and blood circulation. Unlike other types of alcohol, drinking this wine does not cause headaches, fatigue, or discomfort.
- Estimated price: 500,000 VND/liter
- Address: 110 Le Duan, Tan Phong, Lai Chau Town, Lai Chau Province, Vietnam
Wild Walnut
Wild Walnut
Wild walnuts are commonly found in the Northwest region, particularly in Lai Chau. This region is known for its nutrient-rich soil, and wild walnuts are an excellent source of ellagic acid, catechin, , and phytic acid, which have been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease and cancer and improved brain function.
- Estimated price: 150,000 VND/kg (with shell)
- Address: Lane 090 Tran Phu Street, Tan Phong Ward, Lai Chau City
Sâu Chít Wine
Sâu Chít Wine
Sâu Chít Wine gets its name from being infused with “sau chit,” a type of worm found only in the mountains of Northwest Vietnam. These worms are cleaned, dried, and then soaked in a glass jar with white wine for about 2-3 hours before consumption. However, for a more flavorful wine, it is recommended to let it infuse for a longer
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