Ha Giang is famous for its dramatic mountains, the Ha Giang Loop and karst plateaus, but the province is also a paradise for adventurous foodies. With dozens of ethnic groups - Hmong, Tay, Dao, Nung and more - Ha Giang’s cuisine is rustic, hearty and full of character.
From nutty buckwheat cakes to steaming bowls of au tau porridge, every dish tells a story about life in the northern highlands. If you’re planning a trip and wondering what to eat in Ha Giang, this guide will walk you through the best food to try in Ha Giang, plus where and how to enjoy them.
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An Overview of Ha Giang Cuisine
Ha Giang’s food is shaped by its harsh climate and mountainous terrain. Locals rely on corn, buckwheat, sticky rice, root vegetables and free-range livestock, turning simple ingredients into uniquely flavorful dishes.
Typical Ha Giang specialties include: buckwheat cake, men men (steamed corn), five-color sticky rice, thắng cố (offal soup), smoked buffalo meat, under-arm pig, au tau porridge, Shan Tuyet tea, corn wine and more.
Expect flavors that are:
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Earthy and smoky (thanks to wood-fired cooking and hanging meat above the hearth)
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Slightly bitter-sweet (au tau, buckwheat, mountain herbs)
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Rich in texture (sticky rice, slow-cooked stews, grilled cakes)
Buckwheat Cake (Bánh Tam Giác Mạch)
If there’s one must-try food in Ha Giang, it’s buckwheat cake. Made from the seeds of the famous purple buckwheat flower, these cakes are steamed then grilled over charcoal, giving them a slightly smoky aroma and chewy, nutty texture.
You’ll find buckwheat cakes at:
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Dong Van and Meo Vac markets
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Street stalls during buckwheat flower season (Oct–Dec)
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Homestays that offer local breakfasts
Eat them hot, straight off the grill, often with a little sesame or peanut for extra fragrance.
Thắng Cố – Mountain Offal Stew
Thắng cố is one of the most iconic—and boldest—dishes in Ha Giang. Traditionally made from horse offal, but sometimes beef or goat, it’s a thick stew cooked with herbs, spices, bones and meat in a large pan at fair markets.
It’s usually enjoyed with:
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Friends sharing corn wine
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A chilly morning at Meo Vac or Dong Van Sunday market
This is definitely for adventurous eaters, but trying thắng cố is a powerful way to connect with the local highland culture.
Men Men – Steamed Ground Corn
In many Hmong households, men men (steamed cornmeal) replaces rice. Dried corn kernels are ground, then steamed multiple times to create a fluffy, slightly sweet and filling staple.
You’ll often see men men served with:
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Pork, smoked meat or local sausage
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A bowl of broth on the side
It’s a humble but essential traditional food in Ha Giang and a great way to taste everyday highland life.
Five-Color Sticky Rice (Xôi Ngũ Sắc)
Made by Tay and Nung communities, five-color sticky rice features red, yellow, purple, green and white glutinous rice, naturally dyed with forest leaves and roots.
You’ll see it during:
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Festivals and Tet
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Local markets and special occasions
Besides its Instagram-worthy colors, it has a rich, fragrant flavor and is usually eaten with sesame salt, grilled meat or sausage.
Smoked Buffalo Meat (Thịt Trâu Gác Bếp)
One of the most famous Ha Giang specialties is smoked buffalo meat. Strips of buffalo are marinated with salt, pepper, wild herbs and chili, then hung above the kitchen fire for weeks.
The result:
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Deep smoky aroma
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Chewy yet tender texture
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Intense, savory flavor
It’s often served grilled or lightly steamed and makes a perfect snack with corn wine or cold beer.
Au Tau Porridge (Cháo Ấu Tẩu)
Au tau porridge is a legendary late-night dish in Ha Giang city. Made from the toxic au tau root that’s carefully processed to remove its poison, this porridge is simmered with sticky rice, pork, bone broth, herbs and sometimes egg.
Locals believe it:
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Helps with sleep and recovery
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Warms the body on cold nights
You’ll find au tau porridge at night stalls in Ha Giang city, usually after 7–8 PM. It starts slightly bitter, then leaves a surprisingly sweet aftertaste.
Ha Giang Steamed Rice Rolls (Bánh Cuốn Chan)
Unlike typical Vietnamese bánh cuốn served with fish sauce, Ha Giang rice rolls are dipped in a bowl of hot pork-bone broth, often topped with pork rolls and wood-ear mushrooms.
The most famous spot is Bánh cuốn Bà Hà in Ha Giang city, where locals queue from early morning for steaming plates of silky rice rolls in fragrant broth—perfect breakfast before hitting the road.
Bac Me Bamboo-Tube Rice (Cơm Lam Bắc Mê)
In Bac Me district, sticky rice is soaked, seasoned and stuffed into bamboo tubes, then roasted over an open fire. The result is bamboo-tube rice with a lightly smoky, woody fragrance.
It’s usually served with:
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Grilled chicken
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Sesame salt
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Smoked or grilled pork
This is a great takeaway snack for your Ha Giang Loop days.
Thắng Dền – Sweet Glutinous Rice Balls
Thắng dền is a comforting dessert made from glutinous rice balls boiled and served in a warm, sweet ginger syrup, sometimes topped with peanuts or sesame.
You’ll often find it at:
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Dong Van Old Quarter in the evening
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Street stalls during colder months
It’s a perfect way to end a chilly day in the mountains.
Sour Pho & Corn Pho
Ha Giang also has its own twist on pho.
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Sour pho (phở chua) combines rice noodles with a tangy sauce, herbs, peanuts and sometimes fried meat—more like a salad than a soup.
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Corn pho replaces rice noodles with corn-based ones, reflecting the importance of corn in local diets.
Both are light yet flavorful options if you want something different from classic pho.
Shan Tuyet Tea
For drinks, Shan Tuyet tea is a must-try in Ha Giang. Grown on ancient tea trees at high altitude, especially around Phin Ho, this tea has a strong, slightly sweet and floral taste.
You can enjoy it:
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At homestays
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In small tea shops
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As a packaged souvenir to bring home
Corn Wine & Local Sausage
No list of the best food to try in Ha Giang is complete without mentioning corn wine (rượu ngô) and local sausage.
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Corn wine is distilled from highland corn and yeast, often sold by ethnic women at markets. It’s central to festivals, rituals and social gatherings.
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Local sausage (often buffalo or pork) is seasoned with wild herbs and smoked or dried, making it an ideal pairing with corn wine or Shan Tuyet tea.
Enjoy, but drink responsibly—corn wine is stronger than it looks!
Where to Eat in Ha Giang
To taste the top Ha Giang specialties, focus on:
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Ethnic markets: Dong Van, Meo Vac, Lung Phin – best for thắng cố, buckwheat cake, men men, smoked meat and corn wine.
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Ha Giang city: Great for au tau porridge and bánh cuốn chan at local spots like Bà Hà.
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Homestays in villages: Nam Dam, Thon Tha, Lung Tam, Lo Lo Chai – offer home-cooked meals with five-color sticky rice, bamboo-tube rice, smoked meat and Shan Tuyet tea.
Tips for Foodies in Ha Giang
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Go early to markets for the freshest dishes and best atmosphere.
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Ask before taking photos, especially of people eating or cooking.
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Start slow with thắng cố and au tau if you have a sensitive stomach.
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Join a cooking session at your homestay if possible—many families are happy to show you how they make men men, smoked meat or buckwheat cake.
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Buy vacuum-packed smoked meat or tea from reputable shops if you want to bring specialties home.
Conclusion: Taste the Soul of Ha Giang Through Its Food
Ha Giang’s landscapes are breathtaking, but its food is what truly brings the region to life. From steaming bowls of au tau porridge on cold nights to smoky slices of buffalo meat and fragrant cups of Shan Tuyet tea, every dish offers a new way to understand this highland province and its people.
If you’re planning a trip, don’t just ask what to see—also ask what to eat in Ha Giang. Follow this list of best food to try in Ha Giang, keep an open mind, and let your taste buds guide you through one of Vietnam’s most authentic culinary journeys.
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