10 Ha Giang Dishes Every Backpacker Should Try on the Loop

Why Ha Giang Dishes Deserves Its Own Spotlight

When most travellers dream about the Ha Giang Loop, it’s all sharp mountain passes, misty views, and the thrill of riding a motorbike through the clouds. And it's indeed epic. But what no one tells you—until you’re actually there—is that the food in Ha Giang hits just as hard as the scenery.

We’re talking about dishes you won’t find anywhere else in Vietnam. Meals made over wood fires in stilted kitchens, using ingredients grown, foraged, or hunted just meters away. It's not flashy street food or curated café menus. It's local, humble, and 100% what the locals actually eat. One night you're sipping corn wine with a Hmong family in their home, the next you're slurping herbal porridge in a chilly village market before sunrise.

And if you're doing the loop right—slowly, socially, with your eyes (and mouth) wide open—the meals become a core part of the journey. So this isn’t just a list of “what to eat.” It’s your unofficial backpacker food guide to Ha Giang, written by people who’ve actually pulled up a plastic chair and eaten it all.

Let’s dig in.

1. Thắng Cố – The Mountain Hotpot

Often served at weekend markets, Thắng Cố is a hotpot made with horse or buffalo meat, slow-cooked in herbal broth. It's hearty, fatty, and best shared with locals (and a shot of corn wine). A bit wild? Yes. Authentic? Absolutely.

2. Cháo Ấu Tẩu – Bitter Porridge That’ll Warm Your Bones

This rice porridge is made with ấu tẩu root, pork, and glutinous rice. It’s thick, slightly bitter, and will no doubt will keep you warm and energized on cold Ha Giang nights.

3. Bánh Cuốn – Steamed Rice Rolls, Northern Style

Forget what you know about Bánh Cuốn in Hanoi or other regions. In Ha Giang, these rolls are served hot with pork mince and use a bowl of bone broth to dip instead of nước mắm.

4. Thịt Trâu Gác Bếp – Smoked Buffalo Jerky

Smoked over kitchen fires for weeks, this dried buffalo meat is chewy, smoky, and salty—perfect beer food or a protein-packed snack for the road.

5. Xôi Ngũ Sắc – Five-Colored Sticky Rice

Made glutinous rice dyed with forest herbs, this dish is both Instagrammable and delicious. Locals serve it during festivals and ceremonies.

6. Lạp Xưởng – Mountain Sausages

Heavily spiced and slightly sweet, these local sausages are made pork and often hung above fires to smoke for days. Usually served with sticky rice.

7. Rêu Đá – Rock Moss Soup

Yes, moss. Locals collect clean, edible moss mountain rocks and cook it with pork or spices. It’s soft, herbal, and full of minerals. Definitely a rare one!

8. Phở Chua – Sour Pho

A cold noodle dish with vinegar, peanuts, and pork belly—Phở Chua is light, refreshing, and nothing like the usual soup-based phở you’ll find in Hanoi.

9. Bánh Tam Giác Mạch – Buckwheat Cake

This simple cake is made Ha Giang’s famous buckwheat flowers, which bloom every autumn. Nutty in flavor and often steamed or fried.

10. Rượu Ngô – Corn Wine

Technically a drink, but trust us—it deserves a spot on this list. Homemade corn wine is strong and often shared at dinner or village celebrations. Don’t be surprised if a Hmong local offers you a shot.

Tips for Eating Local in Ha Giang

• Eat at homestays: The most authentic Ha Giang Dishes are often homemade.

• Visit local markets: Especially in Dong Van, Meo Vac, or Yen Minh.

• Ask your guide: If you're on a tour like the ones at Ha Giang Vision, guides can help you find off-menu gems.

Final Thoughts: Food Is Half the Journey

The Ha Giang Loop isn’t just a motorbike trip—it’s a deep dive northern Vietnam’s highland culture. And there’s no better way to connect with that culture than through its food. So next time you stop in a remote village, ask for the local special and dig in the Ha Giang Dishes

Planning your ride? Book your Ha Giang adventure with trusted local experts at Ha Giang Vision.