Thai Binh Province

Explore Thai Binh Province, Vietnam with mr.hotsia

On January 9, 2015, mr.hotsia arrived in Thai Binh Province (Thái Bình) in Vietnam. This province is located in the eastern part of the Red River Delta region. Although it is only 110 kilometers from Hanoi, Thai Binh remains a peaceful province with very few foreign tourists. This made me feel like I was experiencing the authentic lifestyle of Northern Vietnamese people without any embellishment.

Thai Binh is a province surrounded by three large rivers, making it almost like an island in the past. Most locals still live a simple life. The population is about 1.7 million, with approximately 10% living in the main city. I stayed in Thai Binh city for just one night. To get here, I took a bus from Hanoi to the Thai Binh bus station, then walked to my accommodation in the city center.

A quiet city full of local wisdom

What I noticed and was impressed by was the peaceful atmosphere of the city at night. The streets were almost free of heavy traffic like in big cities. Here, there is an interesting local innovation: driverless bicycles. Locals often load heavy goods that make it impossible to pedal, so they use two sticks to support and pull the bicycle instead. I had never seen this anywhere else. It is a small innovation that greatly facilitates transportation in this area.

Additionally, Thai Binh city is home to the famous brewery “Dai Viet Beer,” a popular beer in Vietnam. I visited the brewery, which also operates as a restaurant, and tried fresh draft beer straight from the keg. The taste was refreshing and smooth. I also enjoyed authentic Vietnamese dishes there, especially the spicy stir-fried wild boar, which I had never tasted before. The flavor was rich and intense, leaving a strong impression. For more details about the beer here, you can readDai Viet Beer, Thai Binh Provincewhich I have written about.

Early morning at Thai Binh morning market

The next morning, I explored the morning market in the city. Although not very bustling, the market offered many fresh items, especially seafood sold by various vendors. There was also a fresh tofu shop. I enjoyed observing the daily life of the locals here. The market is indoors, making the atmosphere quite cool and calm. If anyone is interested in seeing the daily life of Thai Binh people, I recommend stopping by.Thai Binh Province morning marketwhich I have personally photographed and described.

Local dishes I won’t forget

During my stay in Thai Binh city, I tried a standout local dish: Northern Vietnamese roasted duck stuffed with Chinese star anise leaves, which made the duck meat fragrant and richly flavored, distinctly different from roasted duck in other regions. This taste remains vivid in my memory to this day. I also tried basic dishes like grilled chicken, Bun, and Pho at nearby eateries. These dishes can be ordered as you like or served from trays placed in front of the shops, which is very convenient.

For those who want to deeply understand the food of this province, I recommend readingThe Cuisine of Thai Binh People (Thai Binh)an article I wrote that opens up the world of local dishes rarely found in typical tourist cities.

Lifestyle and friendly hospitality

Although Thai Binh locals are friendly and like to greet tourists, some do not like having their photos taken. Some even charge money if asked for a photo. This is normal, and we should respect their lifestyle and privacy. I tried to explore the city respectfully and with an open mind to understand the different culture.

Continuing the journey to Phu Ly city

After a short time in Thai Binh, I continued to Phu Ly city in Ha Nam province, which is not far away, to experience the central part of the Red River Delta. For those who enjoy deep travel and want to experience the real life of Northern Vietnam, I recommend visiting provinces likeThai Binhat least once.

View more photos and videos

For those interested in the atmosphere and Vietnamese food in Thai Binh province, I have collected photos and videos of Vietnamese dishes I filmed, such asVietnamese Grilled Button SquidandVietnamese Chicken Biryanias well asVietnamese Nem Fangwhich will help provide a clearer picture from my real experience, mr.hotsia.