Food · Ha Long Bay · Vietnam
What to eat in Ha Long Bay
The dishes, drinks and food experiences that define Ha Long Bay, and where locals actually eat them.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Taewangkorea, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Start with Ha Long squid cake, Rice rolls with squid cake and Mantis shrimp. At seafood restaurants in Bai Chay and Cat Ba you choose live crabs, mantis shrimp, clams and fish from tanks, agree the price by weight and decide how each is cooked. Agree the price per kilogram and the weight of live seafood before it is cooked to avoid surprises on the bill.
Key facts
- Signature dish
- Ha Long squid cake
- Vegetarian-friendly picks
- 2
- Tipping
- Tipping is not traditional but is common on cruises, where crews often receive a pooled…
- Food experiences
- 3
10 foods to try
Dish
1.Ha Long squid cake (Chả mực Hạ Long)
Fresh squid pounded by hand into a coarse paste, shaped into patties and fried until golden. It is springy and sweet and is the most famous specialty of Quang Ninh, eaten with rice, sticky rice or rolled into bánh cuốn.
Where: Seafood restaurants in Bai Chay and Hon Gai, and vacuum-packed at Ha Long market to take home.
Breakfast
2.Rice rolls with squid cake (Bánh cuốn chả mực)
Thin steamed rice sheets served with slices of squid cake, fried shallots and a light dipping sauce. A Ha Long twist on the northern Vietnamese breakfast.
Where: Breakfast shops in Hon Gai and around Ha Long market from early morning.
Dish
3.Mantis shrimp (Bề bề)
A local shellfish with sweet meat, usually steamed, salt-and-chilli fried or grilled. It is at its best in the cooler months when the shrimp are full of roe.
Where: Seafood restaurants in Bai Chay, Hon Gai and Cat Ba Town, where you choose live seafood from tanks and pay by weight.
Dish
4.Ngán clams (Ngán)
A clam found in the mudflats and mangroves of Quang Ninh, eaten steamed with lemongrass, in soup or stir-fried. It is a regional specialty rarely seen elsewhere in Vietnam.
Where: Seafood restaurants in Ha Long and Van Don; ask for it by name.
Street food
5.Grilled oysters (Hàu nướng)
Oysters from farms in Bai Tu Long Bay and around Cat Ba, grilled with spring onion oil and peanuts or with cheese. They are cheap and served by the dozen.
Where: Seafood restaurants on the Cat Ba harbour front and in Bai Chay.
Dish
6.Seafood hotpot (Lẩu hải sản)
A sour broth simmered at the table with squid, prawns, clams, fish and greens, finished with rice noodles. It is a sociable dinner for a group after a day on the water.
Where: Larger seafood restaurants in Bai Chay and Cat Ba Town.
Dish
7.Crab noodle soup (Bánh đa cua)
Wide, brown rice noodles in a broth made from field crabs, topped with crab paste, fried tofu and morning glory. It comes from nearby Hai Phong and is common on Cat Ba.
Where: Noodle shops in Cat Ba Town and Hon Gai, usually at breakfast or lunch.
Breakfast
8.Pho (Phở)
The northern Vietnamese beef or chicken noodle soup with rice noodles, herbs and a clear broth. In Quang Ninh some cooks add dried sá sùng (peanut worm) to the broth for extra sweetness.
Where: Street-side pho shops in Hon Gai and Bai Chay in the early morning.
Drink · Vegetarian
9.Vietnamese iced coffee (Cà phê sữa đá)
Strong drip coffee over sweetened condensed milk and ice. Black iced coffee (cà phê đen đá) is the alternative.
Where: Street cafés on low plastic stools all over Ha Long and Cat Ba.
Drink · Vegetarian
10.Bia hơi
Light, fresh draught beer brewed daily and served in simple glasses, very cheap and drunk with snacks such as peanuts and grilled squid.
Where: Street-corner beer stalls in Hon Gai and along the Cat Ba harbour front.
Food experiences
Pick-your-own seafood dinner
At seafood restaurants in Bai Chay and Cat Ba you choose live crabs, mantis shrimp, clams and fish from tanks, agree the price by weight and decide how each is cooked.
Cooking class on a cruise
Many overnight cruises include a deck demonstration of fresh spring rolls or squid cakes, followed by a seafood dinner while the boat lies at anchor.
Ha Long market morning
The market in Hon Gai is where locals buy dried squid, fish sauce and squid cakes; breakfast stalls nearby serve bánh cuốn and pho.
Quick bites and street food
- Rice rolls with squid cake — Breakfast shops in Hon Gai and around Ha Long market from early morning.
- Grilled oysters — Seafood restaurants on the Cat Ba harbour front and in Bai Chay.
- Pho — Street-side pho shops in Hon Gai and Bai Chay in the early morning.
Vegetarian options
Of the 10 foods in this guide, 2 are usually vegetarian: Vietnamese iced coffee and Bia hơi. Check preparation with staff, as stocks and fats vary.
Eating out: tips and etiquette
- Agree the price per kilogram and the weight of live seafood before it is cooked to avoid surprises on the bill.
- Drinks on cruise boats are usually charged extra and cost more than on shore; check the policy before boarding.
- Tell your cruise when booking about vegetarian, allergy or halal needs; menus are planned in advance.
- Street food and local shops are cash-only; restaurants in Bai Chay increasingly accept cards.
Tipping
Tipping is not traditional but is common on cruises, where crews often receive a pooled tip of around 5–10% of the cruise price for good service. Small tips for guides and boat rowers are appreciated.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Xin chào | Hello |
| Cảm ơn | Thank you |
| Bao nhiêu tiền? | How much is it? |
| Không cay | Not spicy |
| Một, hai, ba, dzô! | One, two, three, cheers! |
Questions travellers ask
+What food is Ha Long Bay famous for?
Ha Long squid cake, Rice rolls with squid cake, Mantis shrimp and Ngán clams. Fresh squid pounded by hand into a coarse paste, shaped into patties and fried until golden.
+Is Ha Long Bay good for vegetarians?
Several local staples are meat-free, including Vietnamese iced coffee and Bia hơi.
+Do you tip in restaurants in Ha Long Bay?
Tipping is not traditional but is common on cruises, where crews often receive a pooled tip of around 5–10% of the cruise price for good service. Small tips for guides and boat rowers are appreciated.