Savor Thai Binh’s iconic banh gai in Hung Yen! Explore cooking workshops, cultural sites, and book sustainable tours with Legend Travel Group for an unforgettable culinary adventure.
Capture the sweet essence of Thai Binh’s culinary gem (Source: Internet)Thai Binh, now a vibrant ward of Hung Yen province following Vietnam’s 2025 administrative reform, is a culinary treasure 110 km southeast of Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem Ward, attracting over 40,000 food enthusiasts annually. Renowned for banh gai, a 400-year-old sticky rice cake from Dai Dong village in Tan Hoa Commune, Thai Binh’s 1,500-hectare expanse blends rice paddies, cultural landmarks like Keo Pagoda, and coastal charm, with entry fees at $0.50–$1 (12,500–25,000 VND). It’s a must-visit for food lovers and eco-tourists seeking authentic Vietnamese flavors.
Banh gai, once a Tet holiday treat, is now crafted year-round with hemp, glutinous rice, lotus seeds, and banana oil, offering a sweet, fragrant delight. Sustainable practices, such as biodegradable packaging and solar-powered workshops, align with Hung Yen’s green initiatives, preserving its rural allure. The temperate climate (dry season: November–April, 15–26°C or 59–78.8°F; rainy season: May–October, 22–33°C or 71.6–91.4°F) ensures year-round exploration. Legend Travel Group’s sustainable tours immerse you in this culinary haven. Book via the links in this guide or contact us at WhatsApp: +84825862222 or email: sales@legendtravelgroup.com
Vietnam’s 2025 reform merged Thai Binh province into Hung Yen, with Thai Binh City now a ward. Tan Hoa Commune, home to Dai Dong’s banh gai tradition, remains a culinary hub in Thai Binh, Hung Yen, easily navigated with updated maps referencing “Thai Binh, Hung Yen.”
Legend Travel Group, a leader in sustainable Southeast Asia tourism with over 17 years of experience, offers eco-friendly tours in Thai Binh, tailored for foodies and cultural explorers. Our low-impact tours use electric vehicles or bicycles, led by English-speaking guides who share banh gai recipes and local traditions, ensuring a safe, enriching journey. Supporting Dai Dong’s artisans, we align with Hung Yen’s green goals. With transparent pricing, free cancellations up to 48 hours before departure, and 24/7 support, planning is seamless. Book our eco-tours via the links on this page and savor Thai Binh responsibly!
Photograph the authentic allure of Thai Binh’s heritage (Source: Internet)Located in Thai Binh, Hung Yen, 110 km from Hanoi, this ward is a culinary hotspot, established as a tourism site in the 1990s. In Dai Dong village, Tan Hoa Commune, artisans craft banh gai with meticulous techniques, blending hemp, glutinous rice, sesame, peanuts, and lotus seeds for a rich, sweet flavor. Once reserved for Tet, this delicacy is now a year-round specialty. Cultural attractions like Keo Pagoda and water puppetry complement the culinary scene, while sustainable practices, including recycled materials and local staffing, preserve Thai Binh’s charm. Culinary workshops, village dining, and cultural tours make Thai Binh a vibrant destination for immersive, eco-conscious travel.
These budget-friendly activities ($0–$5) blend culinary and cultural experiences:
Taste banh gai in Dai Dong village, best at 10:00 AM, for $0.50–$2 (12,500–50,000 VND) at local stalls, enjoying its sweet, fragrant texture with green tea ($0.30 or 7,000 VND).
Cost: $0.50–$2; entry $0.50–$1.
Hours: Daily, 7:00 AM–6:00 PM.
Eco-Friendly Note: Stalls use biodegradable packaging; supports artisans.
Tip: Try at Dai Dong markets; included in Thai Binh Culinary Tour ($50–$80).
Learn to craft banh gai, best at 9:00 AM, for $3–$5 (75,000–125,000 VND) in Dai Dong, mastering traditional techniques with local bakers.
Cost: $3–$5; entry $0.50–$1.
Hours: Daily, 8:00 AM–3:00 PM.
Eco-Friendly Note: Uses local ingredients and biodegradable tools; supports artisans.
Tip: Book via Legend Travel Group; included in Thai Binh Culinary Tour ($50–$80).
Pedal through Tan Hoa’s rice paddies and banh gai workshops, best at 8:00 AM, with bike rentals at $2–$3/day (50,000–75,000 VND), meeting local artisans.
Cost: $2–$3; entry $0.50–$1.
Hours: Daily, 6:00 AM–5:00 PM.
Eco-Friendly Note: Bikes reduce emissions; supports local vendors.
Tip: Rent at homestays; carry water for 5–8 km routes; included in Thai Binh Cultural Tour ($50–$80).
Enjoy traditional water puppet shows in Thai Binh, best at 5:00 PM, for $2–$4 (50,000–100,000 VND), showcasing local folklore.
Cost: $2–$4; entry $0.50–$1.
Hours: Weekends, 4:00 PM–6:00 PM.
Eco-Friendly Note: Venues use solar lighting; supports performers.
Tip: Book front-row seats; included in Thai Binh Overnight Tour ($90–$140).
Explore the 17th-century Keo Pagoda, best at 10:00 AM, for free (donations $0.50–$1 or 12,500–25,000 VND), admiring its ornate wooden architecture.
Cost: Free; entry $0.50–$1.
Hours: Daily, 7:00 AM–5:00 PM.
Eco-Friendly Note: Walk or cycle to minimize impact.
Tip: Dress modestly; included in Thai Binh Cultural Tour ($50–$80).
Experience Thai Binh Tours with sustainable adventures (Source: Internet)Visit from November to April for cool, dry weather (15–26°C or 59–78.8°F), ideal for savoring banh gai and exploring villages. The rainy season (May–October) enhances rice field greenery but requires rain gear for humid days. Weekdays (Monday–Thursday) see fewer crowds (100–150 daily visitors) than weekends (300–500), especially during Lunar New Year or Tan Hoa’s festivals. Early mornings (7:00–10:00 AM) are perfect for markets, while midday (10:00 AM–2:00 PM) suits dining and workshops.
Thai Binh, in Hung Yen, is 110 km from Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem Ward, reachable in 2–2.5 hours:
By Private Car: Drive via Hanoi–Hai Phong Expressway, costing $40–$60 (1,000,000–1,500,000 VND) round-trip for 4 people. Book via Legend Travel Group.
By Electric Taxi (Xanh SM): Eco-friendly VinFast taxis, $30–$40 (750,000–1,000,000 VND) one-way; $60–$80 (1,500,000–2,000,000 VND) round-trip. Use Xanh SM app.
By Private Motorcycle: Ride via Highway 1A, $15–$20 (375,000–500,000 VND) fuel; rental $6–$10/day (150,000–250,000 VND). Helmets mandatory (fines up to $40 or 1,000,000 VND).
By Public Bus: Bus from Giap Bat to Thai Binh ward (2 hours, $2–$3 or 50,000–75,000 VND), then xe om to Tan Hoa (10 km, $1–$2 or 25,000–50,000 VND), totaling $6–$10 (150,000–250,000 VND) round-trip.
By Private Tour Bus (Legend Travel Group): Group bus from Hoan Kiem Ward, $12–$18 (300,000–450,000 VND)/person for 20+ people, including guide.
From Noi Bai Airport: Private car ($50–$70 or 1,250,000–1,750,000 VND, 2.5 hours, 140 km); Xanh SM taxi ($45–$60 or 1,125,000–1,500,000 VND); or Airport Bus No. 86 to Hoan Kiem Ward ($1.40 or 35,000 VND, 50–60 min) + private car ($30–$40 or 750,000–1,000,000 VND).
Navigation Tip: Save “Tan Hoa, Thai Binh, Hung Yen” in offline maps (Maps.me); follow signs from Thai Binh ward. Parking: $0.60–$1 (15,000–25,000 VND).
Eco-Friendly Note: Xanh SM taxis or group buses reduce emissions; cycling in Thai Binh minimizes impact.
Safety: Wear helmets on motorcycles; confirm fares.
Pack these essentials for a sustainable culinary trip:
Clothing: Light layers, sturdy shoes for villages; waterproof jacket ($2–$5 or 50,000–125,000 VND) for rainy season; hat for sun.
Sun Protection: SPF 50+ sunscreen, sunglasses.
Travel Essentials: Reusable water bottle, compact umbrella ($2–$5), mosquito repellent ($0.50 or 12,500 VND), hand sanitizer ($0.50).
Tech Gear: Smartphone with Grab/Xanh SM/BusMap apps, offline maps, portable charger; Vietnamese SIM card ($5–$10).
Culinary Gear: Small container for banh gai, reusable tote for snacks ($1–$2); biodegradable wipes.
Documents: Passport copy, travel insurance, VND (10,000–50,000 notes).
Extras: Notebook for recipes; cash for vendors.
Learn Thai Binh’s cultural legacy with expert insights (Source: Internet)Entry and Culinary Costs
Entry: $0.50–$1 (12,500–25,000 VND) adult; free for children under 1.3m.
Banh Gai: $0.50–$2 (12,500–50,000 VND).
Banh Gai Workshop: $3–$5 (75,000–125,000 VND).
Water Puppet Show: $2–$4 (50,000–100,000 VND).
Bicycle Rental: $2–$3/day (50,000–75,000 VND).
Homestay: $12–$18/night (300,000–450,000 VND).
Drinks (Tea, Water): $0.30–$1 (7,000–25,000 VND).
Souvenirs (e.g., Banh Gai Packs): $1–$4 (25,000–100,000 VND).
Guided Food Tour: $15–$25 (375,000–625,000 VND).
Transportation (Round-Trip, from Hoan Kiem Ward)
Private Car: $40–$60 (1,000,000–1,500,000 VND).
Xanh SM Electric Taxi: $60–$80 (1,500,000–2,000,000 VND).
Private Motorcycle: $21–$30 (525,000–750,000 VND).
Public Bus + Xe Om: $6–$10 (150,000–250,000 VND).
Private Tour Bus: $12–$18 (300,000–450,000 VND).
Airport to Thai Binh: $50–$70 (1,250,000–1,750,000 VND).
Parking: $0.60–$1 (15,000–25,000 VND).
SIM Card: $5–$10 (125,000–250,000 VND).
Total Daily Cost (Per Person)
Budget: $10–$20 (bus + xe om, entry, banh gai).
Mid-range: $30–$50 (private car, workshop, guided tour).
Luxury: $80–$120 (Xanh SM taxi, homestay, premium tour).
Tip: Budget for entry ($0.50–$1), meals/activities ($0.50–$5), and transport ($6–$80); carry cash (no cards accepted).
Timing: Visit at 7:00–10:00 AM for fresh markets; November–April for dry weather. Weekdays for fewer crowds (100–150 vs. 300–500 on weekends). Avoid Lunar New Year for quieter dining.
Booking: Buy entry tickets on-site (QR code e-tickets); reserve Legend Travel Group’s tours 24–48 hours ahead for workshops or homestays. Book puppet shows at Tan Hoa centers.
Sustainability: Support artisans with banh gai ($0.50–$2) or craft ($1–$4) purchases; use reusable containers. Stay on paths to protect rice paddies.
Navigation: Save “Tan Hoa, Thai Binh, Hung Yen” in offline maps; ask locals in Thai Binh ward for Dai Dong directions. Avoid night travel due to rural roads.
Safety: Secure valuables; confirm restaurant hygiene. Carry a flashlight for evening dining.
Weather: Dry season for comfortable dining; rainy season needs rain gear ($2–$5) and waterproof bags ($3–$7 or 75,000–175,000 VND). Check AccuWeather.
Cultural Respect: Dress modestly at Keo Pagoda; say “xin chào” to locals. Avoid touching workshop tools without permission.
Health: Drink bottled water ($0.50); carry mosquito repellent and hand sanitizer.
Our eco-friendly tours showcase Thai Binh’s banh gai and cultural delights:
Thai Binh Culinary Tour ($50–$80/person, 1 day): Private car to Dai Dong for banh gai workshops, village cycling, and Keo Pagoda, with local lunch ($2–$5). Includes guide, transport.
Hung Yen Food & Culture Journey ($100–$150/person, 2 days): Dai Dong, Tan Hoa, homestay ($12–$18/night), and water puppetry. Includes meals, guide.
Hanoi & Hung Yen Culinary Adventure ($250–$400/person, 3 days): Dai Dong, Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Ninh Binh’s Trang An, homestays. Includes meals, eco-transfers.
Prices include guides, eco-transfers, fees. 15% off for groups of 8+! Book now via links!
Thai Binh Region, in the merged Thai Binh – Hung Yen Province, captivates over 40,000 visitors yearly with its iconic banh gai from Dai Dong village, priced at $0.50–$1 (12,500–25,000 VND), located 110 km from Hanoi. This sweet, fragrant glutinous rice cake, filled with mung bean and wrapped in banana leaves, shines in traditional workshops and pairs with the cultural charm of Keo Pagoda, a 17th-century Buddhist site. Preserved by sustainable practices like biodegradable packaging and local sourcing, Thai Binh’s culinary heritage offers an immersive escape. Legend Travel Group’s Thai Binh Tours guide you through this gastronomic gem, ensuring a sustainable Thai Binh Travel experience with activities like crafting banh gai and cycling Tan Hoa’s villages. Don’t miss out—browse our featured tours and book your eco-friendly culinary adventure today!
Ready to savor Thai Binh’s banh gai in Thai Binh – Hung Yen Province? Reserve your sustainable tour with Legend Travel Group and embark on an authentic gastronomic adventure!
Author Bio: Written by Tony Bùi, with over 20 years of experience in the travel industry, guiding 100,000+ travellers across Southeast Asia. This guide draws from firsthand insights, guest feedback from Legend Travel Group surveys.
Sources:
Thai Binh Banh Gai Information: vietnam.travel, baothaibinh.com.vn, vietnamtourism.org.vn, vuadacsan.com.vn
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