A Halal culinary journey in Quang Ninh province.

For the first time, both tourists and hosts happily shared and enjoyed dishes such as Tien Yen chicken curry, Dam Ha fish curry, Quang Ninh squid coated in curry batter and deep-fried, and Ha Long tom yum soup... at a Halal feast organized to welcome an Indian delegation to Ha Long, following the Halal tourism trend.

At 5 PM, the bus carrying the Indian tourists headed towards the main lobby of the 5-star Delasea Hotel on Marina Boulevard in Ha Long City. Tired after their long journey, the Indian tourists disembarked one by one, stopping in the courtyard to take a deep breath of the sea air carried in by the wind from Ha Long Bay. Many suddenly widened their eyes in surprise when they saw two rows of young women in red ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) appearing at the hotel entrance, respectfully bowing and greeting the guests.

Indian tourists received a warm welcome at the 5-star Delasea Hotel in Ha Long. (Source: Quang Ninh Provincial Department of Tourism)

The kindness of the Vietnamese people

Upon entering the hotel lobby, guests were even more surprised to be greeted by a group of politicians carrying beautiful orchid garlands, smiling and draping them around their necks, saying, "Welcome to Ha Long." Compliments and thank-you messages echoed throughout the lobby. Many shared that they were quite surprised to be welcomed and presented with flowers by leaders of a state agency, such as the Provincial Department of Tourism, demonstrating such hospitality.

The group was guided by hotel staff to a private elevator leading to the Halal reception area. All check-in procedures were ready. While waiting for their room keys, guests were offered refreshing, fragrant fruit teas. During this time, some guests shared their feelings and stories with their newly made Vietnamese friends.

An elderly Indian female tourist said that she had just traveled through 15 countries on her round- the-world trip. Nowhere had she been welcomed as warmly as in Vietnam. Her impressions and information about Vietnam were still limited, but would certainly increase significantly after this visit. She said she would tell her relatives and friends about the wreath and the unexpected gift she received during her visit to this beautiful little country on the shores of the East Sea.

According to the head of the Indian tour group, his group consisted of tourists from many different parts of India, bringing with them diverse cultures, religions, and very distinct tastes in lifestyle and food. Organizing such a group is extremely challenging because they have to pay attention to each guest's habits. However, upon arriving here, he felt relieved by the thoughtful hospitality at Delasea Ha Long.

Furthermore, the grand reception, showcasing the warm hospitality of the Vietnamese people, also greatly pleased the members of the delegation. This was his second time bringing a delegation to Ha Long, and he had witnessed many positive changes. He shared that, with such positive impressions of the professional, thoughtful, and hospitable reception, he will bring a third delegation to Delasea-Ha Long on his return visit this September.

Halal food party

Despite not being notified in advance about the Halal Festival taking place at the Delasea Ha Long Hotel, where the group would be staying overnight, some tourists still accepted the invitation to participate in the Halal food party. The party included both Vietnamese and foreign guests, leaders from the Quang Ninh Department of Tourism, and representatives from several accommodation and travel companies in the province.

The party took place in the upper-floor lobby of the Delasea Hotel, an open space offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and sea against a backdrop of breathtaking sunset. Before the party, guests were escorted to a mobile Halal kitchen, where they were shown and given detailed information about Halal food, drinks, and spices.

Pakistani chef Janjua Chaf introduced the guests to the process of preparing butter chicken curry, then lit the fire to start the dish. The oil was boiling, garlic and an imported spice blend were added, and an intoxicating aroma filled the air, leaving everyone amazed. Pieces of Tien Yen (Quang Ninh) chicken breast, under the skillful hands of the Halal chef, gradually absorbed the golden hues of turmeric, chili, star anise, cinnamon, and curry, becoming saturated with flavor before being submerged in a rich sauce of butter, eggs, milk, and coconut milk until tender...

Mr. Tran Van Tan Cuong - Director of Vietnam National HALAL Company (first from the left) introduces Halal cuisine at the 5-star Delasea Hotel in Ha Long. (Source: Quang Ninh Provincial Department of Tourism)

The crispy fried squid from Quang Ninh, coated in seasoned batter and spices, served at the mobile kitchen, captivated diners who gazed at it intently. Hotel staff invited guests to sample the dishes they had just been shown. The feeling of seeing, tasting with all their senses, and finally tasting with their tongues, brought smiles of delight to everyone, who showered the food with praise.

Once the visual "feast" has whetted the appetite, the real Halal feast begins. Everyone eagerly awaits. Fragrant curry dishes, mada bread dipped in curry, Indian fried rice, premium Thai tom yum soup... served in beautiful white porcelain plates are brought out one after another.

Notably, guests were very enthusiastic about enjoying fermented red dragon fruit drink, a product recently certified Halal by a Binh Thuan business. The combination of fermented fruit drink with spicy Indian cuisine made it accessible to those unfamiliar with the food. Finally, guests were treated to fresh fruit and a cup of milk tea made from Vietnamese tea blended with Indian milk tea spices.

Ms. Nguyen Huyen Anh, Deputy Director of the Quang Ninh Department of Tourism, shared: “Although it was my first time trying Halal dishes, I found them quite delicious. They weren't unfamiliar. There were many spices, but they blended together harmoniously. Perhaps it's partly because the local ingredients from Quang Ninh were mixed very skillfully. I think this is also a creative approach that chefs should research to create attractive and novel dishes for Ha Long.”

Quang Ninh has many delicious and valuable products that can be combined to create new dishes with international cultural nuances. I think international tourists will love it. We have beautiful beaches, fascinating world natural heritage sites, and now many delicious dishes with diverse cultural nuances, which will be an important strength to attract international tourists year-round.”

A young Vietnamese man said this was his third time enjoying Indian food and his first time trying Halal cuisine: “It’s very easy to eat, and many dishes are delicious. I especially liked the fish curry, mada bread, and Indian-style fried rice. The seasoning was just right, not too salty or spicy, with a pleasant, mild aroma that wasn’t overpowering.”

When Halal "marries" with Vietnamese cuisine.

Mr. Hosen Yousof Tuan Anh, Bifa Chef of Staff and Halal kitchen consultant for Delasea Hotel, stated that Muslims place great importance on food. When traveling to a new place, their first concern is food: Where to eat? Is the food clean and safe? Does it have a clear origin? Is it certified by an international Halal certification company? Is it prepared (slaughtered) according to Halal rituals and requirements? Is it prepared by Muslims?... Only then do they inquire about the taste and preparation methods of the dishes.

A buffet at the Halal restaurant in the 5-star Delasea Ha Long Hotel. (Source: Quang Ninh Department of Tourism)

Sharing information gathered from the Indian tour group, Mr. Hosen said that Halal and Indian-style dishes are a plus for the restaurant. “What could be better than enjoying home-cooked meals while far away? They also like to experience new foods, especially seafood, green vegetables, and organic agricultural products… These are Vietnam’s strengths. If we can leverage these advantages while respecting religious beliefs and culture, Vietnam in general and Quang Ninh in particular will become attractive destinations for Muslim tourists in the future,” Mr. Hosen said.

According to Mr. Hosen, many provinces and cities in southern Vietnam have been receiving a regular and large number of Muslim tourists. Many provinces have planned, discussed strategies, and made rapid adjustments to accommodate this influx of visitors.

With the advantage of a country spanning many latitudes, a relatively cool and diverse climate, many beautiful coastal areas, majestic mountainous regions, a multi-ethnic culture that still preserves traditional customs, and abundant natural and man-made products... we can certainly welcome, retain, and spread the appeal to this group of tourists.

"Quang Ninh is a pioneering province in the North in embracing the Halal tourism trend. Delasea Ha Long Hotel was chosen to kick things off. In the near future, more establishments will be approaching Halal tourism services, creating a new resource and opening up a new playing field for Quang Ninh tourism," Mr. Hosen emphasized.

Mr. Nguyen Ha Hai, Vice Chairman of the Quang Ninh Tourism Association, commented that the trend of shifting towards Muslim-friendly services, which the Quang Ninh Department of Tourism is piloting at Delasea Ha Long, should be maintained and promoted.

“Ha Long already has Halal accommodation and dining options at Delasea. Tourism professionals should also research, invest in, and build entertainment facilities that are up to par and suitable for Halal and Indian tourists. Doing so will win the trust and affection of tourists, encouraging them to stay longer to explore, experience, and seek investment and business opportunities. They will also become strong sources of information to share and spread to friends, relatives, and partners,” Mr. Hai emphasized.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/hanh-trinh-am-thuc-halal-tren-dat-quang-ninh-239751.html