Dong Nai promotes local specialties and tourism at Autumn Culinary Festival

Within the framework of a series of events at the Autumn Fair 2025, taking place in Hanoi from October 25 to November 4, on the afternoon of October 28, at the Autumn Culinary Festival event, Dong Nai promoted two specialties: crispy fried sticky rice and fish noodle soup with rattan shoots and “nhip” (Gnetum gnemon) leaves.

The performance of Dong Nai's crispy fried sticky rice attracts a large number of visitors. Photo: Ngoc Lien

Alongside promoting the province's signature culinary dishes, several travel businesses also attracted visitors with promotional programs for new tourism products, accompanied by on-site gifts for tourists interested in these offerings.

Fish noodle soup with rattan shoots and “nhip” leaves, a dish that diners rate as delicious and easy to eat. Photo: Ngoc Lien

Impressive Dong Nai delicacies

Vu Hoang Dao, deputy head chef of Dong Nai Hotel in Tran Bien Ward, Dong Nai Province, said: Over three days of promotion and free sampling for fair visitors, Dong Nai’s crispy fried sticky rice drew thousands of tourists to watch and taste the dish at the province’s culinary booth. After sampling it, diners remarked that the dish was distinctive, with the chef’s technique in frying the sticky rice particularly capturing the attention of visitors.

Chefs perform crispy fried sticky rice. Photo: Ngoc Lien

The Asian Records Organisation (ARO) recognized Dong Nai province's crispy fried sticky rice as an Asian delicacy in 2023. The main ingredients used to make this dish are glutinous rice, sugar, and cooking oil. To prepare crispy fried sticky rice, in addition to ingredient preparation, the chef must undergo training to develop the skilled hands needed during the frying process to create a cake that meets the standards of being thin, crispy, and flavorful.

Visitors enjoy free crispy fried sticky rice after watching the impressive performance. Photo: Ngoc Lien

Experiencing Dong Nai's crispy fried sticky rice for the first time, Nguyen Thi Huong from Dong Anh Commune, Hanoi City, said: "Beyond the appeal of the preparation and frying process, the thin, crispy texture and sweet, fragrant flavor completely convinced me to go back for a second serving. I was very impressed with Dong Nai's cuisine and especially enjoyed watching the chefs skillfully fry the sticky rice. I hope to have the opportunity to visit Dong Nai and enjoy many other delicious dishes."

Chef promotes fish noodle soup with rattan shoots and “nhip” leaves. Photo: Collaborator

Regarding the fish noodle soup with rattan shoots and nhip leaves, Tran Thi Ngoc Thao, Manager of An Loc Hotel & Spa in Binh Long Ward, Dong Nai Province, the unit that created the dish, said: The fish noodle soup with rattan shoots served with nhip leaves is made from key ingredients sourced from Dong Nai, including catfish, rattan shoots, and nhip leaves.

The fish noodle soup with rattan shoots is a unique blend of the apparent sweetness of the broth, the rich, fragrant, non-fishy flavor of catfish, and the mild astringency of delicately processed rattan shoots. This dish offers a distinct flavor characteristic of the northern part of Dong Nai Province (formerly Binh Phuoc), setting it apart from other fish noodle soups across the country.

Tourists enjoy Dong Nai's unique fish noodle soup with rattan shoots and “nhip” leaves. Photo: Ngoc Lien

Opportunity to promote local tourism

Along with promoting dishes, businesses at the Dong Nai province tourism promotion booth introduced product promotion programs that included gifts, attracting a large number of visitors to register, experience, and receive gifts.

In addition, Dong Nai province's tourism booth also featured product and service introductions from tourism and travel businesses such as: Dong Nai Tourist Joint Stock Company (DonaTours) in Tran Bien Ward, Bo Cap Vang (Golden Scorpion) Ecotourism Area in Phuoc Khanh Commune, Tri An Adventure Experience Tourism Co., Ltd. in Binh Minh Commune, Cat Tien Jungle Lodge in Nam Cat Tien Commune, An Loc Hotel & Spa in Binh Long Ward…

Visitors receive gifts and register for Dong Nai tour discount vouchers at Dong Nai Province's tourism booth in the Autumn Fair 2025 space. Photo: Ngoc Lien

Tran Khanh, from Lang Ward, Hanoi City, shared that while visiting Dong Nai’s tourism promotion booth, he was impressed by the forest and lake ecotourism products introduced by Tri An Adventure. With a 20% discount voucher for a five-person tour, he registered to receive gifts and vouchers, and plans to join his friends on a tour to explore Dong Nai in the near future.

To boost local tourism and directly introduce and promote the company’s signature products, Tri An Adventure Director Pham Hoang Quoc Bao stated that many visitors had visited the booth to learn about the company’s offerings and receive gifts.

In recent years, Tri An Adventure has consistently prioritized researching, developing, and expanding local tourism products, particularly green forest exploration tours, adventurous mountain climbing tours, and community-based tourism experiences. Each year, the company continues to innovate and refresh its offerings to keep returning visitors engaged. Thanks to these efforts, Tri An Adventure is steadily expanding its market presence and making a strong impression in the local tourism industry.

Tourists learn about Tri An Adventure's forest exploration tour. Photo: Ngoc Lien

Evaluating the business activities at the Autumn Fair 2025, Deputy Director of the Dong Nai Centre for Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Tran Thi Thu Trang said: Through the provincial tourism booth organized by the Dong Nai Centre for Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion, it is hoped that businesses and destinations participating in tourism promotion will have the opportunity to introduce tourism products, scenic spots, and the local tourism potential and strengths to both domestic and international visitors. This occasion also presents an opportunity for businesses to connect with new partners, gain insights into the tourism market, and promote and offer their tourism products and services, thereby contributing to the development and stimulation of local tourism.

Visitors participate in games to receive gifts at the Dong Nai tourism booth. Photo: Ngoc Lien

Trang shared: "In the coming time, the Dong Nai Centre for Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion will continue to participate in domestic and international cultural, tourism, and culinary events so that local businesses have the opportunity to connect, trade, and develop products, contributing to the overall development of Dong Nai tourism. Especially, in 2026, when Long Thanh International Airport comes into operation, this will be an opportunity for businesses as well as Dong Nai's tourism industry to grow and develop."

By Ngoc Lien – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho