Tuyên Quang Province

Tuyên Quang Province: A peaceful town in the Lo River valley of Vietnam

On April 29, 2015, I, mr.hotsia, arrived at Tuyên Quang Province, located in the northeastern region of Vietnam, in a valley along the Lo River, a tributary of the Red River, northwest of Hanoi. This province is not well known among foreign tourists, but for me, Tuyên Quang is a town full of charm with authentic local lifestyles that impressively maintain their simplicity.

The town of Tuyên Quang is the main city of the province with a population of about 746,900 people. It is surrounded by other provinces such as Hà Giang to the north, Cao Bằng to the northeast, and Phú Thọ to the southwest. I stayed here for 3 nights from April 29 to May 1, 2015, choosing to stay atVan Tue HotelRoom 406 at only 600 baht per night, which was good value and of good standard. The hotel is located in the city center, close to the market and many restaurants.

Lo River Morning Market: The Heart of the Tuyên Quang Community

One of the places I was very impressed with wasTuyên Quang Morning Marketlocated by the Lo River. The market atmosphere is not too large, with a variety of stalls selling fresh flowers, fruits, and local foods. It is a lively gathering place for locals who come by bicycle to sell their goods. I wandered through this market feeling like I had traveled back in time to experience the true local way of life.

One unforgettable event was when I forgot my laptop bag at a food stall in the market but received kindness from the owner who kept it safe until I returned to retrieve it. It was a small but memorable gesture of hospitality from the people here.

Local Foods Not to Miss

Food in Tuyên Quang is another charm I highly recommend. From what I tasted and explored, the locals love boiled snails. There are many street stalls near the hotel selling boiled snails for about 60 baht per plate. Additionally, there isPho(Vietnamese noodle soup) and quail eggs, small and delicious to try. As for boiled corn, which is said to be famous in this area, I did not encounter it on this trip.

Interestingly, pigeon congee and boiled snails are sold at almost every street stall. These are unusual dishes but once tried, they are quite addictive. A full meal here costs about 70-100 baht, which is very good value considering the atmosphere and taste.

For those who want to fully experience local flavors, I recommend trying street stalls in the morning market or for more convenience, visit restaurants in the market alley, which offer rice paper rolls and other snacks to sample.

Vietnamese Draft Beer: Tuyên Quang's Popular Drink

Another thing I was very impressed with in Tuyên Quang is the draft beer, known in Vietnam asBia Hoiwhich sells for only 10 baht per glass. The draft beer here is slightly sweet and not bitter like regular beer, very refreshing. I enjoyed sipping draft beer at a street stall along with local snacks like boiled beef tendon and fresh nem. Delicious and highly satisfying.

People and Lifestyle in Tuyên Quang

During my stay, I hardly saw any foreign tourists; I was the only one happily exploring the town. The locals are cheerful and friendly. Although English is not widely spoken, communication is mainly in Vietnamese. I think anyone wanting to enjoy and deeply experience Tuyên Quang should prepare by learning some basic Vietnamese vocabulary, as this will allow you to truly connect with the local way of life.

It is notable that there are not many university-age students in town because most go to study in Hanoi. The weather during my visit was quite hot with occasional rain, but it did not disrupt my trip.

Travel and Relaxation in Tuyên Quang

For traveling around the town and nearby places, I used motorbike taxis, which were very affordable at about 20 baht per ride. This was very convenient and flexible, especially when going to the morning market or various restaurants around town.

After spending three full nights in Tuyên Quang, I prepared to travel north to Kiên Giang Province, about 4 hours by bus. I plan to share photos and experiences from that trip next time.

Summary of Impressions from mr.hotsia

For me, Tuyên Quang is a small town full of genuine people, diverse and tasty local food, and markets and streets that still retain authentic Vietnamese character. I also really liked the fresh coffee shops, which are rare to find in Vietnam’s provinces. Importantly, the Vietnamese women here are more beautiful and charming than in many other cities I have visited.

If you are looking for a quiet destination full of local life colors, Tuyên Quang is an option not to be missed. For those interested in more details aboutTuyên Quang Morning Marketor want to learn aboutlocal foodor accommodations likeVan Tue Hotelyou can click the links I recommend.

This trip was recorded by me, mr.hotsia, with great impressions, and I hope to return to Tuyên Quang again in the future. Enjoy your travels!