Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung presents ASEAN Tourism Award to a representative of Duong Lam ancient village (Photo: Pham Kien/VNA)

Duong Lam in Son Tay town on the outskirt of the capital city stands as an ancient village adorned with cultural characteristics distinctive of the northern delta region. The allure of this village extends beyond the typical features of the northern countryside and its numerous relics and ancient houses. It also encompasses a distinctive culinary culture that only adds to its charm.

The Duong Lam feast boasts an array of distinctive dishes rarely found elsewhere. Among the indispensable delicacies are sugarcane chicken, braised fish, and pork-skin soup. Duong Lam village takes pride in several dishes that have earned recognition as OCOP (One Commune One Product) products, including sesame candy, peanut candy, black sticky rice cake, and soy sauce.

Additionally, the culinary repertoire features a plethora of delectable options such as braised fish with soy sauce, grilled meat, traditional spring rolls, cassava cake, and dried radish. Notably, Duong Lam’s renowned roasted pork stands out. It is prepared by marinating the meat before wrapping it around a bamboo pole and grilling it over an open flame. A local roasted meat seller from Duong Lam highlights the unique characteristics that set this dish apart.

“The ancestral trade has been passed down to us by the elders, and I’ve been perfecting this dish for a decade now. The unique aspect lies in the hand-rotation method over charcoal and a bamboo trellis. The aroma of melting guava leaves, complemented by the fragrant addition of banana leaves, enhances the experience. The result is tender and aromatic meat on the inside, with a crispy exterior. The distinct fragrance of guava leaves imparts a special touch, and it’s worth noting that we use wild guava leaves, not those from cultivated gardens,” said the seller.

With the ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Product Award, Duong Lam is poised to help elevate Vietnamese cuisine, marking the beginning of a concerted effort to designate the village as a special national relic. Looking ahead, Duong Lam is working hard to introduce new culinary creations. Notably, the lotus feast has already garnered acclaim as one of the outstanding tourism products in 2023. The village aims to expand its culinary offerings with sugarcane-based products and a range of green tea items, including green tea cakes, green tea, tea-brewed chicken eggs, and tea-brewed meat.