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.
- Specialty Address: Bac Ha District, Lao Cai Province.
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!
- Specialty Price: Approximately 100,000 – 500,000 VND per serving
- Specialty Address: House of King Salmon Restaurant Sapa
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.
- Specialty Address: Muong Khuong District, Lao Cai
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.
- Specialty Price: Approximately 50,000 – 150,000 VND.
- Specialty Address: Tiep Hiep Lao Cai Barbecue
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!
- Specialty Price: Approximately 15,000 – 150,000 VND per serving.
- Specialty Address: Tiep Hiep Lao Cai Barbecue
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.
- Price Reference: Approximately 69,000 VND per bottle
- Reference Address: San Lung Wine Village
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.
- Price Reference: Approximately 120,000 VND per kg
- Reference Address: Hop Thanh Cultural Market, Ta Phin Commune, Hop Thanh
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
