The Ultimate Guide to Vietnam’s Unique Gifts: 15 Specialties to Take Home
Welcome to the enchanting world of Vietnamese cuisine! When visiting Vietnam, you're in for a treat with an array of delectable specialties that will tantalize your taste buds. From the famous bánh pía to the delicate bánh tét lá cẩm and the savory khô cá lóc, there's a whole world of flavors to discover. These culinary delights not only offer a taste of the local culture but also make perfect souvenirs to take home. So, get ready to embark on a gastronomic journey and uncover the 15 best Vietnamese delicacies that you simply can't miss!
Vietnamese cuisine never fails to impress with its rich and diverse offerings, reflecting the unique cultural identities of different regions. As you explore this beautiful country, you’ll undoubtedly come across an array of mouth-watering specialties. Join us on a culinary journey as we uncover some of the most popular delicacies that Vietnam has to offer!
1 Vietnamese Delicacies to Take Home as Souvenirs
Bánh Pía
Bánh Pía is a delicacy with roots in the Mekong Delta region. These soft and chewy pastries boast a vibrant orange hue and are filled with an assortment of delicious fillings, including durian, salted egg yolk, mung bean, and more. The distinctive aroma and flavor of these treats will linger in your memory long after you’ve savored them. Today, bánh pía comes in various forms and can be easily found across the country.
When in Sóc Trăng or Ho Chi Minh City, you can conveniently purchase these treats as souvenirs. With a shelf life of 30-40 days, they make a great choice for gifts that will last.
A unique delicacy from Quang Nam province, grilled coconut cake, once took the foreign tourist community by storm. This simple yet delightful treat is made from coconut, sugar, and malt, grilled to perfection. Indulge in the crisp texture and rich, buttery coconut flavor, best paired with a warm cup of tea to unwind and forget your worries. It’s an ideal gift for friends and family back home.
If your travels bring you to Southern Vietnam during the Tet holiday season, don’t miss out on the region’s signature delicacy – bánh tét lá cẩm. This sticky rice cake gets its distinctive purple hue from lá cẩm (a natural purple dye). It has a soft and sticky texture, and its fragrance comes from the leaves used for wrapping. What makes it even more special is the pork filling, tinted a delicate pink and infused with a buttery flavor. As this delicacy has a shelf life of about 7 days, it’s best to purchase it towards the end of your trip.
As soon as you set foot in Ho Chi Minh City, make sure to try the renowned Phúc Long Tea. This tea brand has established a strong presence throughout Vietnam, and you can easily find their products in various forms, such as tea bags, boxes, and canned tea. It’s an excellent choice for gifts to bring back home to your loved ones or colleagues.
Phúc Long Tea
Price estimate: VND 25,000-100,000/box
Recommended shops: Any Phúc Long Coffee & Tea outlets in Ho Chi Minh City.
Roasted and Salted Cashew Nuts
Roasted and salted cashew nuts are a popular Vietnamese snack, offering a crunchy and nutty experience. These nuts are vacuum-packed to ensure freshness and can be stored for up to a year. They make a nutritious and delicious gift for your loved ones or business associates.
Khô cá lóc is a specialty of the Mekong Delta region, showcasing the area’s unique culinary traditions. The fish fillets are marinated with various spices, including salt, MSG, pepper, and chili, and then sun-dried for 4-5 days. The resulting flavor is a delightful combination of sweet and spicy that will tantalize your taste buds. As these dried fish snacks have a long shelf life at room temperature, they make an excellent gift for uncles and male relatives to enjoy with a few glasses of rice wine.
Bò Khô is a specialty originating from the mountainous regions of the Central Highlands. It is made by marinating beef with various spices such as chili peppers, green onions, and fish sauce, and then sun-drying it for a day. You’ll be delighted by the tender beef slices with a perfect balance of saltiness and spiciness. For an enhanced flavor experience, dip the beef in chili sauce with a squeeze of lime. This delicacy makes a thoughtful gift for families to enjoy during festive occasions.
Pho is a source of national pride for Vietnam and was recognized by CNN in March 2018 as one of the 50 most delicious dishes in the world. This iconic dish features fresh rice noodles swimming in a sweet broth made from simmered bones, topped with your choice of tender beef or chicken slices, and served with a variety of fresh herbs and spices. When in Hanoi, don’t miss the opportunity to savor the unique flavor of this world-renowned dish.
Bún Chả Hà Nội (Hanoi Grilled Pork with Vermicelli)
Another simple yet iconic dish from Northern Vietnam is bún chả Hà Nội. This dish consists of soft grilled pork patties made from pork belly marinated in fish sauce, pepper, and dried onions. The patties are served with fresh vermicelli and a special dipping sauce made from fish sauce, vinegar, and chili. The dish is accompanied by a platter of fresh herbs, including lettuce, perilla, and basil, among others.
Cơm cháy is a unique delicacy from Ninh Binh, made by cooking glutinous rice over moderate heat and then breaking it into bite-sized pieces. These crispy rice crackers are typically enjoyed with savory dips such as mắm tôm (fermented shrimp paste) or mắm ruốc (fermented shrimp and pork belly paste). Today, you can find various flavors of cơm cháy Ninh Bình, making it a versatile treat to enjoy with family and friends during your travels.
