Cuisine not only serves the need for food but also helps tourists experience the unique culture of each locality. This creates opportunities for An Giang to exploit and integrate local cuisine with tourism products, attracting more visitors. These specialties contribute to making the exploration and experience journey more appealing for tourists, while affirming the distinct brand of An Giang tourism that is rarely found elsewhere.
An Giang boasts many unique dishes, embodying the cultural essence of ethnic minority groups, such as: Ka Tum cake of the Khmer people, Namparang cake and Tung Lo Mo cake of the Cham people... These dishes have been preserved and passed down by the local people to this day.
An Giang cuisine was featured at the food festival organized by the province, attracting diners to enjoy its offerings. Photo: THUY TIEN
Each famous dish is associated with a unique location. When mentioning Long Xuyen, tourists will think of Long Xuyen broken rice. When mentioning the Bay Nui region, people will remember O Thum grilled chicken, palm sugar, and the famously delicious beef dishes. Speaking of the sea, one must mention the herring salad, a long-standing famous dish in Phu Quoc, which tourists always praise for its deliciousness.
During our exploration of various tourist destinations in the province, we easily noticed that each tour group, after visiting and experiencing the area, chose souvenirs from the region they visited. Among these, food and drinks were the most common gifts brought back.
Holding the golden, fragrant palm sugar rice cakes, Ms. Pham Lan Chi, a tourist from Ca Mau province, shared: “We visited Mount Cam and enjoyed many local specialties, especially the delicious palm sugar rice cakes. Today, as our group returns, everyone is eager to buy these specialties as gifts.”
Palm sugar rice cake, a specialty of the Bay Nui region. Photo: THUY TIEN
It's no coincidence that the Bay Nui region has always attracted tourists. It boasts not only the wild and majestic beauty of its mountains and forests, with lush green palm fields, but also the allure of its local specialties. For a long time, dishes reflecting the unique culinary traditions of the Kinh and Khmer people, such as fresh palm fruit, palm juice, palm-leaf rice cakes, ka tum cakes, grilled chicken, stir-fried bamboo shoots, and wild vegetable pancakes, have captivated visitors.
International tourists enjoy a sunset cruise and savor local cuisine in Phu Quoc. Photo: THUY TIEN
According to Mr. Ly Thua Loi, Deputy Director of Lien Ket Vang Trading and Tourism Joint Stock Company in Rach Gia ward, tourists not only satisfy their nutritional needs but also have the opportunity to explore the culture, customs, and traditions of the local people.
"Today, cuisine is not just an accompanying service but has become the ultimate experience for tourists. In designing tours and itineraries, local culinary culture is one of the key elements we prioritize, ensuring that tourists participating in the program will have a unique experience compared to trying it on their own," Mr. Loi said.
An Giang's cuisine is rich and diverse, featuring many delicious seafood dishes. Photo: THUY TIEN
Many of An Giang's specialty dishes are popular with both domestic and international tourists, receiving positive feedback. Ms. Pham Nhu Linh, residing in Ho Chi Minh City, recently took a family trip to Hon Son Island in the Kien Hai Special Economic Zone. Being a food enthusiast, Ms. Linh researched local specialties beforehand to ensure her family could enjoy them. Besides exploring the natural beauty and enjoying the fresh air, Ms. Linh and her family had delightful experiences with local dishes such as fish salad, garlic-fried chicken, and grilled squid with chili.
Before returning to Ho Chi Minh City, Linh's family visited places that process dried seafood, buying some to give as gifts to relatives. "Enjoying local specialties made the trip even more enjoyable. When tasting the food, I felt a sense of the unique culture of the people here," Linh shared.
Hon Son fish salad is delicious. Photo: THUY TIEN
It can be said that culinary culture is one of the important factors that creates lasting appeal for the unique tourism products of the locality. When traditional values are preserved and kept pace with development trends, tourism is not just about sightseeing or relaxation, but becomes an experiential journey where people find a connection between nature and culture of the Mekong Delta region.
| Currently, An Giang has three dishes recognized by the Asian Record Organization as achieving record-breaking culinary and specialty values in Asia: Chau Doc fish noodle soup, soursop salad, and Long Xuyen broken rice. In addition, Rach Gia fish noodle soup, Phu Quoc herring salad, Phu Quoc sim wine, and Ha Tien red pepper have been included in the Vietnam Record Organization's top 100 specialty dishes and top 100 outstanding specialty gifts of provinces and cities nationwide. Each specialty not only possesses culinary value but is also associated with a long-standing cultural and historical story. |
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/hap-dan-am-thuc-an-giang-a470631.html
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