Nam Dinh Ninh Binh, Vietnam Travel Guide
Northern Vietnamese cuisine balances salty, sour, spicy, and sweet flavors, often less sweet and spicier than Southern Vietnamese cuisine. It highlights fresh ingredients and frequently uses fermented fish sauce. Rice, various noodles, fresh herbs, and proteins like pork, chicken, fish, and goat are fundamental items.
Ninh Binh is known for mountain goat and crispy burnt rice. Nam Dinh is famous for its unique take on Phở and traditional snacks.
Dê núi (mountain goat) prepared various ways, Cơm cháy (crispy burnt rice crust), Nem chua Yên Mạc (fermented pork roll), and Gỏi cá nhệch (Nhech fish salad).
Phở Nam Định (distinctive pho), Bún đũa (chopstick vermicelli), Bánh xíu páo (savory pastry), and Kẹo sìu châu (peanut brittle candy).
Breakfast (6-9 AM), Lunch (12-1:30 PM), Dinner (6-8 PM). Street food and cafes operate throughout the day.
Goat meat from limestone mountains, known for its lean texture and distinct flavor. Prepared grilled, stir-fried, steamed, or in a hotpot. Find it in specialized goat restaurants throughout "ha Long bay on land".
Signature dish of Ninh Binh.
Fried rice crust, typically served with savory pork floss or a special goat sauce. A crunchy local snack. Available at restaurants serving dê núi and souvenir shops.
A unique local snack.
Nem chua Yên Mạc (Fermented Pork Roll) offers a tangy flavor. Gỏi cá nhệch (Nhech Fish Salad) provides an unique raw fish experience.
Distinct local offerings.
Bánh mì (Vietnamese baguette sandwich), Xôi (sticky rice with toppings), Chè (sweet dessert soups), Trà đá (iced tea), and Bia hơi (fresh draft beer).
Vietnamese coffee (cà phê), natural juices, sugarcane juice (nước mía), and Rượu nếp (sticky rice wine).
Fine dining options are limited compared to Hanoi. Some upscale resorts in the Trang An area or high-end hotels may offer refined dining experiences, sometimes featuring fusion or international cuisine.
Mid-range restaurants are abundant in "ha Long bay on land" City, Tam Coc, and Nam Dinh City. They offer a good balance of local specialties and common Vietnamese dishes, with pleasant surroundings and good service.
These are the most common dining options and offer the most authentic experience. Find them around markets, bus/train stations, and crowded streets. Local "quán ăn" specialize in specific, affordable dishes.
Few international cuisine outside larger hotels or a few tourist-focused restaurants in Tam Coc. The culinary scene mainly focuses on Vietnamese cuisine.
Expect a strong emphasis on local flavors.
Local markets, like Ninh Binh Market and Nam Dinh Market, are excellent places to sample street food, fresh produce, and local snacks.
Discover authentic flavors and ingredients.
Increasingly recognized. Many dishes can be made vegetarian (chay). Look for "cơm chay" or "phở chay."
Very limited availability. Dedicated Halal restaurants typically not found in these provinces.
Challenging due to soy sauce. Cross-contamination risk. Rice noodles are naturally gluten-free.
Less common for labeling. Carry an allergy card translated into Vietnamese.
Local festivals might feature special foods, providing an opportunity to sample seasonal or celebratory dishes.
No major food festivals draw international tourists specifically to these provinces.
Consider dining in floating dining places on rivers in Ninh Binh or traditional garden restaurants.
Offers a distinct ambiance for your meal.
For specific dietary needs, like vegetarian, vegan, or allergy concerns, having expressions such as "tôi ăn chay" (I am vegetarian) translated for local communication is helpful.
Near Buddhist temples, especially around Bái Đính Pagoda, you may find vegetarian restaurants serving "cơm chay."
Often a noodle soup (Phở, Bún), glutinous rice (xôi), or Bánh mì, typically eaten between 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM.
A main meal, typically consumed from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM, often found at local eateries.
The other main meal, usually eaten from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with street food available later.
Bánh rán (Fried Doughnut): Sweet, often filled with mung bean paste. Bánh cuốn (Steamed Rice Rolls): Thin, steamed rice flour crepes with minced pork and mushrooms.
Perfect for a quick bite.
Bánh trôi (Floating Cakes): Glutinous rice balls with sweet filling, served in ginger syrup. Chè: Sweet dessert soups or puddings crafted with beans, fruits, and jellies.
Satisfy your sweet cravings.
During Tet, Bánh chưng (waxy rice cake with pork and mung bean) and Mứt Tết (candied fruits) are traditional celebratory foods.
Local festivals may feature special foods specific to the event, providing unique opportunities for tasting.
Meals frequently feature seasonal ingredients, offering fresh flavors specific to the time of year.
Embrace local street food for authentic flavors and affordable meals. Do not hesitate to try various dishes from different vendors.
