6 Meaningful Specialty Gifts to Buy When Traveling to Quang Binh

Bo Chinh Ginseng, also known as royal tribute ginseng, is a treasure of Bo Trach district, Quang Binh. This ginseng was once offered to kings thanks to its high nutritional and medicinal value, comparable to Korean red ginseng extract. With a mildly sweet, slightly bitter taste and cooling properties, Bo Chinh ginseng helps nourish vital energy and blood, enhance health, and fight aging, making it especially suitable as a gift for the elderly.

How to use Bo Chinh Ginseng

• Brewing tea: Slice thinly and steep in hot water for daily drinking.
• Cooking: Prepare ginseng porridge or stew with chicken, making it both nutritious and delicious.
• Soaking in wine/liquor: Create a valuable medicinal liquor good for health.

Suggested addresses: Tue Lam Bo Chinh Ginseng Store (25 23 Thang 8 Street, Dong Hoi City) or Rose City Specialty Supermarket (103 Truong Phap, Dong Hoi City). 

Reference price: 350,000 – 700,000 VND/kg depending on the type.

Quang Binh peanut oil is a rustic specialty imbued with the flavors of home. Purely cold-pressed from large, plump peanuts, peanut oil is not only delicious but also rich in vitamin E and antioxidants, making it good for heart health and anti-aging. Free of cholesterol and additives, this oil maintains its bright golden color and natural aroma even after a year of storage.

Uses of peanut oil

• Cooking: Used for frying, stir-frying, or making salad dressings, enhancing the dish's aroma.
• Gift: Ideal for homemakers, especially those who prefer clean, natural food.

Suggested addresses: Famous brands such as Phong Nha Peanut Oil or Nong Viet Minh Hoa Peanut Oil are available at Dong Hoi Market or specialty supermarkets. 

Reference price: 120,000 – 130,000 VND/liter.

With its long coastline, Quang Binh is famous for its abundant seafood source. Dried seafood, especially dried squid, is a top choice for gifts. Quang Binh dried squid is thick-fleshed, naturally sweet, and delightfully fragrant when grilled, tasting exceptionally delicious when dipped in chili sauce and enjoyed with beer.

Popular types of dried seafood

• Dried squid: Broad squid, cuttlefish/squid, needle squid,  each with its own distinct flavor.
• Dried fish: Dried anchovies, dried mackerel, naturally sweet and easy to store.
• Dried shrimp: Small but rich in flavor, perfect for cooking soup or serving as a side dish.

Suggested addresses: Dong Hoi Market (near Nhat Le River) or Thanh Tam Store (Huong Giang, Dong Hoi City) are ideal places to buy quality dried seafood. 

Reference price: 400,000 – 800,000 VND/kg depending on the type.

Quang Binh purple garlic, especially from the Ba Don region, is a native garlic variety with small bulbs, pale purple skin, and a distinctively pungent aroma. More than just a seasoning, purple garlic is considered a natural medicine that aids in antibacterial defense, boosts immunity, and supports digestion. Black garlic and black garlic liquor made from purple garlic are also highly popular.

Uses of purple garlic

• Cooking: Used as seasoning for stir-fried and fried dishes.
• Medicinal use: Infused in liquor or eaten raw to enhance health.
• Gifts: Neatly packaged and easy to carry back.

Suggested addresses: Purple garlic is sold at Ba Don Market (255 Quang Trung, Ba Don Town) or local specialty shops. 

Reference price: 50,000 – 170,000 VND/kg.

Tuyen Hoa honey is a precious gift of nature from the mountainous forest region of Quang Binh. Featuring a golden hue, a delicate sweet taste, and a fragrance gathered from hundreds of wild forest flowers, honey here is not only delicious but also rich in nutrients, beneficial for both health and beauty. Both pure wild forest honey and farmed honey are favored by tourists.

Uses of honey

• Health: Drink with warm water to boost immunity and support digestion.
• Beauty: Used as a skincare face mask or mixed into beverages.
• Gifts: Demonstrates thoughtfulness and care.

Suggested addresses: Tuyen Hoa honey is available at Phong Nha Ke Bang Tourism Center or Rose City Specialty Supermarket (103 Truong Phap, Dong Hoi City).

Reference price: 430,000 – 725,000 VND/500ml.

Vo Xa liquor, a specialty of Vo Xa village (Vo Ninh commune, Quang Ninh district), is a symbol of Quang Binh's culinary culture. Distilled from glutinous rice, traditional herbal yeast, and pure well water, Vo Xa liquor features a golden hue, an alcohol content of 15-20%, a sweet yet spicy taste, and a subtle aroma. This liquor is not only a beverage but is also used as a valuable herbal remedy.

How to enjoy Vo Xa liquor

• Sipping: Suitable for festive occasions and family gatherings.
• Medicinal infusion: Combined with Bo Chinh ginseng or herbs to enhance benefits.
• Gifts: Perfect for relatives and friends who appreciate traditional flavors.

Suggested address: Visit directly Vo Xa Village (109 Highway 1A, Vo Ninh, Quang Ninh) to buy authentic liquor. 

Reference price: 30,000 – 45,000 VND/500ml.

When choosing Quang Binh specialties as gifts, keep the following tips in mind to ensure you purchase high-quality and meaningful items:

• Find reliable addresses: Prioritize shopping at reputable specialty stores, supermarkets with clear origin details, or famous local markets such as Dong Hoi Market and Ba Don Market. These places generally offer guaranteed products at reasonable prices.
• Inspect packaging carefully: Ensure the products you select are neatly packaged with complete labels, clear origin info, ingredient lists, and expiration dates.
• Store properly after purchase: Depending on the type of specialty, use appropriate storage methods. For example, dried seafood and honey should be kept in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Wine and ginseng also need to be stored in dry, well-ventilated areas.
• Choose the right time to buy: If you want to buy fresh seafood, especially at Dong Hoi Market, the time between 4 AM and 7 AM is usually when fishing boats arrive at the dock with fresh catches.

Bringing back a taste of this sun-drenched and windy land as a gift is not only a way to share the joy of your trip but also a way to preserve unforgettable memories. Specialties such as precious Bo Chinh ginseng, aromatic peanut oil, rich ocean-flavored dried seafood, distinctive purple garlic, sweet Tuyen Hoa honey, and famous Vo Xa liquor are more than just material gifts. They embody warm affection and tell the story of a tradition-rich Quang Binh. We hope that with these 6 meaningful specialty gifts for your Quang Binh trip suggested by Sovaba Travel in this article, you can easily choose the right gifts for your loved ones and friends while sharing the cultural beauty of the region.