Son La is a province famous for its diverse specialties and delicious cuisine. When traveling here, you must buy some souvenirs for your loved ones. So today, we would like to introduce to you 16 must-buy specialties of Son La that will surely impress everyone.
1 An Introduction to Son La Tourism
Located in the heart of the Northwest mountainous region of Vietnam, Son La is renowned for its majestic natural landscapes and the unique cultural beauty of the Tay, Dao, Muong, and Mong ethnic groups. Due to its rugged terrain with high mountains, the climate in Son La is suitable for subtropical plants, and the weather remains pleasant and cool for most of the year, attracting tourists from all over the country.
Son La has a mountainous subtropical climate with cold and dry winters and hot and humid summers with heavy rainfall. The best time to visit is during the dry season, from November to April. It is recommended to avoid traveling to Son La from June to September due to the rainy season, which often brings dangerous flash floods.
Son La is situated in the Northwest mountainous region, about 320km from Hanoi. The road to Son La has been renovated and upgraded, making it a popular destination for young people from Hanoi and other northern provinces who enjoy traveling by motorbike or self-driving cars.
An overview of Son La tourism
2 Top 16 Son La Specialties to Try and Buy as Souvenirs
Specialties to Try in Son La
Pa Pinh Top Grilled Fish
Pa Pinh Top Grilled Fish
Pa Pinh Top is essentially a grilled fish dish, but it is prepared with distinctive spices and ingredients from the northwestern mountain forests, resulting in a unique and delightful flavor.
The fish is stuffed with a variety of spices and herbs such as dổi seeds, galangal, chili, lemongrass, and mac khen, which impart a rich and savory taste to the dish.
Estimated price: 150,000 – 250,000 VND/1kg
Address: Tourist areas and restaurants in Son La
Trâu Nộm (Water Buffalo Skin Salad)
Trâu Nộm (Water Buffalo Skin Salad)
Trâu Nộm is a dish prepared according to the secret recipe of the Thai ethnic group, offering a delicious and unique taste.
The buffalo skin is thoroughly cleaned, boiled, and then marinated with garlic, sour bamboo shoots, and mac khen. It is typically served with various wild vegetables to enhance its flavor. When eating, you will experience a crispy and slightly chewy texture with a sweet and savory taste from the buffalo skin blended with the distinctive spices.
Estimated price: 100,000 – 150,000 VND
Address: Tourist areas and restaurants in Son La
Com Lam (Sticky Rice in Bamboo)
Com Lam is a famous specialty of Son La
Com Lam is one of the most well-known specialties in Son La and is often purchased by tourists as gifts for their loved ones and close friends.
Com Lam is made from glutinous rice or sticky rice soaked overnight with salt and ginger, resulting in a subtle aroma when cooked.
Estimated price: 150,000 – 200,000 VND/ 1kg
Address: Com Lam is available at tourist areas in Son La
Specialties to Buy as Souvenirs from Son La
Son La Smoked Buffalo Meat
Son La Smoked Buffalo Meat
Smoked buffalo meat is considered a specialty of the Northwest mountainous region, particularly in Son La. The main ingredient is buffalo or pork meat from free-range animals raised on mountain slopes.
The meat is carefully sliced and marinated with a blend of salt, chili, galangal, mac khen, and other spices, and then smoked over the fire of firewood from forest trees.
Estimated price: 800,000 – 1,000,000 VND
Address: Available at markets and large supermarkets in Son La
Son La Salted Fermented Meat
Son La Salted Fermented Meat
One of the most beloved Son La specialties to buy as souvenirs is salted fermented meat. The uniqueness of this dish lies in the fact that it gets tastier and chewier the longer it is preserved.
This dish is considered a traditional delicacy of the Dao ethnic group. Preparing salted fermented meat is not complicated, but it requires a significant amount of time for the meat to ferment and develop its distinctive flavor.
Estimated price: 300,000 – 400,000 VND/1kg
Address: Available at markets in Son La
Moc Chau Sticky Rice
Moc Chau Sticky Rice is a gift from nature
Moc Chau sticky rice has been cultivated by the Hmong ethnic group for a long time to ensure their food supply. Later, when the Kinh people arrived and established new farms, sticky rice and other local products began to be sold and traded. With its unique and unforgettable flavor, Moc Chau sticky rice is often referred to as the pearl of the Northwest region.
From these sticky rice grains, you can create various dishes with distinctive and exotic flavors. Therefore, Moc Chau sticky rice is an excellent choice for souvenirs.
Estimated price: 30,000 – 50,000 VND/1kg
Address: Available at markets and large supermarkets in Son La
Son La Cat Apple
Son La Cat Apple
In Son La, cat apple trees can be found growing in valleys and mountainous areas at an altitude of 1,500 meters above sea level. During the summer months of July, visitors are captivated by the beautiful clusters of white and pink cat apples hanging from the trees.
Whether fresh, turned into jam or syrup, dried, or made into wine, cat apples make for delicious souvenirs.
Estimated price: 10,000 – 20,000 VND/ 1kg
Address: Available at markets in Bac Yen, Muong La, and Thuan Chau districts
Yen Chau Dried Banana
Yen Chau Dried Banana
Yen Chau dried banana is currently one of the district’s signature products. It is made from ripe bananas that are thinly sliced, dried, and grilled, resulting in a unique and irresistible flavor.
Estimated price: 350,000 – 400,000 VND/1kg
Address: Available at markets and large supermarkets in Son La
Wild Black Turmeric
Wild Black Turmeric has numerous health benefits
Wild black turmeric, also known as purple turmeric or “nga truật” in traditional Chinese medicine, has long been recognized for its gastroprotective properties.
Additionally, wild black turmeric is used to treat various ailments such as abdominal pain, indigestion, flatulence, amenorrhea, blood stasis, dysmenorrhea, and excessive blood clotting. With its multitude of health benefits, wild black turmeric from Son La makes for a thoughtful gift for family and friends.
Estimated price: 200,000 – 250,000 VND/1kg
Address: Available at markets in Son La
Yen Chau Black Garlic
Yen Chau Black Garlic with its unique properties
Black garlic is not naturally occurring but is rather a product of slow fermentation under strict temperature and humidity control. The process takes a long time, ranging from 30 to 60 days, during which white garlic turns into black garlic cloves. Notably, the concentration of active compounds in black garlic is significantly higher than in white garlic.
Yen Chau black garlic is packed with essential nutrients and offers numerous health benefits, making it a meaningful gift for your loved ones.
Estimated price: 1,500,000 – 1,700,000 VND/1kg
Address: Available at markets and large supermarkets in Son La
Honey
Honey from Son La is a gift from the mountains
Honey is another excellent choice for souvenirs from Son La. The honey produced here has a distinctive flavor of the northwestern forest flowers. It is clear and golden in color, with a thick consistency that does not require a funnel when poured.
This honey is free from any additives, does not change color or form sugar crystals over time, and retains the natural sweetness and fragrance of the flowers. It is harvested manually, ensuring the preservation of its original taste and aroma.
Estimated price: 250,000 – 350,000 VND/ 1 liter
Address: Available at markets and large supermarkets in Son La
Moc Chau Cow Milk
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