Eight Vietnamese specialties earn Asia Records recognition, a useful guide for souvenir shopping

Eight of Vietnam's specialty products have been officially certified as "Asia Records" by the Asia Record Organization. With traditional specialties representing each region receiving international recognition, voices of pride have spread within Vietnam. For Japanese tourists too, it looks likely to become a strong guide for choosing souvenirs.

News overview

The eight specialty products recommended by the Vietnam Record Organization (VietKings) to the Asia Record Organization were all certified as Asia Records. The eight items certified are as follows.

1. Banh Dau Xanh ── ハイフォン市（旧ハイズオン省エリア）発祥の緑豆菓子。緑豆・砂糖・ラード・ザボンの精油で作られ、20世紀初頭から愛される伝統銘菓
2. Thai Nguyen tea (Che Thai Nguyen) -- a famed tea from Thai Nguyen Province. Characterized by a honey-colored liquor and sweet aroma, exported to over 100 countries
3. Tra Bong cinnamon (Que Tra Bong) -- cinnamon from the Tra Bong district of Quang Ngai Province. Strongly fragrant, it's highly regarded for medicinal and spice use
4. Ngoc Linh ginseng (Nhan Sam Ngoc Linh) ── クアンガイ省（旧コントゥム省エリア）ゴックリン山で採れる希少な高麗人参の一種。高い薬効成分を含む
5. Banh Phong Sua Dua ── Ben Tre（現ヴィンロン省）産のココナッツミルクせんべい。ココナッツの香り豊かな軽い食感が特徴
6. Buon Ma Thuot coffee (Ca Phe Buon Ma Thuot) -- coffee from Buon Ma Thuot in Dak Lak Province. Grown in the fertile red soil of the Central HighlandsRobustathe variety is famous
7. Banh Trang Phoi Suong -- night-dew-dried rice paper from Trang Bang in Tay Ninh Province. A distinctive method of drying it by exposing it to the night dew
8. Phu Quoc pepper (Tieu Phu Quoc) ── アンザン省（旧キエンザン省エリア）フーコック島産の胡椒。強い辛味と芳醇な香りで知られ、30か国以上に輸出される

These are gems born of the natural features and traditional techniques of various parts of Vietnam, and the Asia Record Organization has officially recognized them as "specialty products and souvenirs representing Asia." As of the end of 2023, Asia Records for Vietnam's food and specialty products totaled 60 cases, and the richness of Vietnam's food culture is gaining international recognition.

Vietnamese readers' reactions

In response to this news, many voices of pride and anticipation could be seen in the comment sections of Vietnam's social media and news sites.

• "I'm really happy Vietnam's food culture is recognized in Asia. I want the specialties of each region spread further around the world" (Hanoiresident, man in his 30s)
• "Phu Quoc pepper and Buon Ma Thuot coffee were already famous overseas, but being officially recorded like this makes me proud all over again" (Ho Chi Minh Cityresident, woman in her 40s)
• "Ngoc Linh ginseng is so rare it's hard to get even domestically. I'm worried the record certification might push prices even higher" (Da Nangresident, man in his 20s)
• "I drink Thai Nguyen tea every day, but being told it's an Asia Record makes me feel a bit special" (Thai Nguyen resident, woman in her 50s)
• "Records matter, but I want them to firm up quality control and counterfeit countermeasures. Delivering the real thing to tourists is the best advertisement" (Hanoi resident, woman in her 30s)

Impact and key points for Japanese tourists

The eight items certified as Asia Records are all products we can recommend as souvenirs for Japanese tourists too. Below we compile hints for choosing souvenirs.

Things easy to get at supermarkets or the airport:Buon Ma Thuot coffee, Phu Quoc pepper, and Thai Nguyen tea can be bought at supermarkets in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi and at airport duty-free shops. Choosing individually packaged ones makes them ideal for handing out at the office too. For coffee, besides the ground type, there are products that come as a set with a Vietnamese-style filter (phin).

Things you can only taste locally:Banh dau xanh (mung bean confection) keeps well and is easy to carry home. Banh trang phoi suong (night-dew-dried rice paper) is light and doesn't take up space, and being rare in Japan too, it has conversation value. Coconut milk crackers are likewise lightweight and easy to carry.

Cautions when buying:For Phu Quoc pepper, fakes and low-quality imitations also circulate on the market. It's good to choose genuine products with a certificate-of-origin label. Also, since Ngoc Linh ginseng is very expensive and rare, caution is needed with items sold cheaply at ordinary souvenir shops.

With Vietnam's specialty products certified as Asia Records, trust in their quality has risen further. If you're unsure what souvenir to choose, why not use these eight items as your benchmark?

Reference:Việt Nam xác lập 8 kỷ lục châu Á về đặc sản quà tặng