Visiting the Mekong Delta without bringing back some local specialties is like an incomplete trip. From Ca Mau's salted three-striped crab to U Minh forest honey or Chau Doc fermented fish paste — these are the 15 most beloved Mekong Delta specialties to buy, along with their actual prices and reputable places to purchase them.
Top 5 Ca Mau Specialties — Most Purchased
Rach Goc Salted Three-Striped Crab
150,000–250,000 VND/500g boxSmall crabs traditionally salted using an ancient Khmer recipe. Eaten raw or stir-fried with lemongrass and chili. Vacuum-sealed boxes last 1–2 months. Tip: Buy directly at Rach Goc market (Ngoc Hien) for 40% cheaper than supermarkets. See more Ca Mau gift ideas for other options.
✅ Available online at bangoaihomestay.store
Rach Goc Dried Shrimp
300,000–600,000 VND/kgFresh red sea shrimp, naturally sun-dried without chemicals. The larger the shrimp, the higher the price. Store in the refrigerator for 3–6 months. Tip: Choose shrimp with an even orange-red color, no black heads.
✅ Available online at bangoaihomestay.store
U Minh Melaleuca Forest Honey
200,000–350,000 VND/kgPure honey from natural beehives in the U Minh Melaleuca forest — dark yellow, thick, with a light melaleuca flower fragrance. Completely different from industrially farmed honey. Only found in U Minh — nowhere else can produce it.
✅ Available online at bangoaihomestay.store
Ca Mau Dried Lizardfish
150,000–280,000 VND/kgDried lizardfish (also known as threadfin bream), thin and chewy, moderately fatty — a Ca Mau sea specialty unmatched in quality by any other province. Grilled over charcoal or deep-fried, it pairs perfectly with white rice.
📍 Buy at: Song Doc Market, Ca Mau Market, Ca Mau pier
Ca Mau One-Sun Dried Squid
250,000–450,000 VND/kgFresh squid sun-dried for one day, retaining the sweetness of fresh squid but with firmer flesh. Grilled over charcoal until just cooked is the best way to enjoy it. Completely different from typical hard dried squid.
📍 Buy at: Song Doc fishing port market, Nam Can
10 Other Mekong Delta Specialties Not to Miss
🍎 Dried Fruits of the Delta
Dried mango, dried jackfruit, dried banana from Tien Giang, Dong Thap provinces. 80–150k/300g bag. Easy to store, no refrigeration needed.
🐡 Fermented Snakehead / Gourami Fish Paste
Fermented snakehead or gourami fish paste, traditionally aged — rich in flavor, used for braising meat or as a base for hot pot. 50–100k/kg.
🍜 Chau Doc Fermented Fish Paste (Mam Thai)
Snakehead fish fermented with shredded papaya — a famous specialty of An Giang. Eaten raw or in salads. Easy to bring home in vacuum-sealed boxes.
🧂 Ha Tien Chili Salt
Characteristic spicy and sour chili salt from Ha Tien (Kien Giang) — for dipping fruit, mixing salads. Inexpensive, compact, one of the most popular souvenirs.
🍰 Soc Trang Pia Cake
Flaky pastry with mung bean or durian filling, made according to Teochew recipes. Lasts 1 month at room temperature. Box of 6 cakes ~80–150k.
🍬 Ben Tre Coconut Candy
Fresh coconut candy wrapped in cellophane, rich with coconut flavor — the most popular souvenir from the Mekong Delta. 30–80k/box depending on brand.
🌾 Soc Trang ST25 Rice
The rice variety awarded "World's Best Rice 2019" — fragrant, sticky, even grains. Buy a 5kg bag for a meaningful gift. 60–120k/kg depending on origin.
🫚 Ben Tre Pure Coconut Oil
Cold-pressed, pure, unrefined coconut oil. Used for cooking, hair care, skin care. 100–200k/500ml bottle.
🍯 Tay Ninh Dried Beef
Not strictly Mekong Delta, but an essential specialty in a Mekong Delta gift basket. Dried beef with lime leaves, shredded, eaten with sweet and sour tamarind sauce.
🐊 Canned Crocodile Meat
A unique specialty of Kien Giang and Ca Mau — vacuum-sealed canned crocodile meat. An exotic gift that will surely impress the recipient.
Tips for Buying Authentic Mekong Delta Specialties
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1. Buy at the source, not at crowded tourist spots
Rach Goc market sells dried shrimp 40–60% cheaper than specialty stores at piers or resorts. But if you're short on time, a reputable online shop is a safe bet. -
2. Ask about shelf life and storage instructions before buying
Three-striped crab and fermented fish paste need cool storage — if you plan to send them by bus or plane, choose vacuum-sealed options. Dried shrimp and honey store better and are easier to transport. -
3. For honey: check for crystallization
Pure melaleuca forest honey often partially crystallizes in cool weather — this is a good sign, not spoilage. Honey mixed with sugar or water will never crystallize. -
4. Buy online to avoid transportation hassle
If you don't want to worry about air or bus transport, order through an online shop — specialties are packaged to standard and delivered nationwide. See what to eat directly when you visit Ca Mau.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mekong Delta Specialties
Which Mekong Delta specialties last the longest when brought home?
Can I bring Mekong Delta specialties on a plane?
Is it cheaper to buy at a market or a supermarket for Mekong Delta specialties?
Where can I order Ca Mau specialties online reliably?
Order Ca Mau Specialties Online — Delivered to Your Door
Three-striped crab, dried shrimp, U Minh forest honey — vacuum-sealed, nationwide delivery. No need to travel to Ca Mau to get authentic local specialties.
